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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Customer Experience of Marketing Activities â⬠MyAssignmenthelp.com
Question: Examine about the Customer Experience of Marketing Activities. Answer Task plan and structure Client experience is a significant focal point of promoting exercises in any industry. This is on the grounds that client experience decides the achievement of any item or administration and the gainfulness of business. Showcasing specialists present in serious association give a great deal of consideration to recognizing the requirements and changing requests of customers locally and all inclusive. This empowers them to decide the components required for positive client experience and a positive client involvement with turn drives client dependability (Gounaris 2015). Client dedication is kept up by giving an uncommon encounter to purchasers and positive client experience is straightforwardly identified with client maintenance. A fulfilled clients are bound to prescribe the administration or item to possible purchasers and influence the brand dependability as well (Nysveen and Pedersen 2014). In any case, the current difficulties for promoting pioneers is that clients are presently much educated about various items and administrations accessible in showcase because of the coming of innovations and internet based life locales. Henceforth, all data identified with item is readily available at this point. In such case, it is difficulties to continually give creative client experience to target shoppers. To design vital components that are important to improve client involvement with a dynamic and testing business condition, there is a need to audit writing on incorporated clients experience and the significant hypotheses that drives client experience showcasing. This writing survey investigated peer assessed diary articles by topical examination process and talks about the coordinated client experience under explicit subjects. Writing survey The meaning of client experience is advancing in unique nature of business condition. Topical examination approach has been utilized in this writing audit to look and investigate peer assessed research article identified with the point and sort them under key subjects. Coming up next are the subjects coming out subsequent to evaluating written works on incorporated client involvement with promoting: Hypotheses identified with client experience Many examination contemplates have assessed the client brand relationship by the use of the relational relationship hypothesis. For example, Peter, (2014) utilized the relational relationship hypothetical structure to learn about the effect of relational relationship on advertising execution. It concentrated on social trade hypothesis and the vulnerability decrease hypothesis to decipher the exploration information. The social trade hypothesis clarifies that give and take is important to reinforce any relationship, so sentiments and feelings of beneficiary ought to be responded to build up a decent and dependable relationship (Cropanzano et al. 2016). This idea might be applied to create methodologies for improving the client experience as well. Furthermore, the vulnerability decreases hypothesis gave thought regarding the stages two individual experience when they are outsiders and have no information about one another (Hogg, 2016). Hence, the vulnerability decrease hypothesis offer ed ascend to a structure or methodologies to supplant vulnerability and uncertainty with recognition and security in a relational relationship. Thus, with the utilization of these speculations, Peter, (2014) reached the resolution that relational correspondence is vital for positive impact on promoting execution. The nature of inviting cooperation is one element of relational relationship. Accordingly, the investigation gave the suggestion that expanded regard for relationship promoting systems is significant for continuing client unwaveringness and improving advertising execution. Changes in view of client involvement in time: Client experience has become a significant concentration in the board and promoting rehearses. The meaning of client experience may change in various business-to-business setting. The investigation by McColl-Kennedy et al., (2015) gives the point of view that in todays business condition, client experience is controlled by specialist organization, yet additionally by the impact of gadgets likes PDAs and web. Dominant part of studies has concentrated on associations point of view to comprehend client experience, anyway McColl-Kennedy et al., (2015) underscored on the expansive job of clients in client experience and distinguishing the dynamic idea of client involvement in time. While recognizing the momentum hole in research on client experience, the examination uncovered that clients are not, at this point an inactive beneficiaries of items or administrations. They are all around educated about their decisions and they gives new plans to support development and improving client exper ience. The examination proposed practice-based way to deal with comprehend shopper experience and this should be possible by centering clients individual worth base and the components that drive their commitment with item or administrations. Along these lines, the investigation was fruitful in proposing future methodology expected to assess clients discernment and change they would say additional time. Job of innovation in client experience: Web and other innovation have changed the retail condition as well. As of now, retailers are putting resources into various innovation to give interesting client experience. Blzquez (2014) assessed the job of innovation in improving web based shopping involvement with the style business. The exploration especially investigated how web and computerized innovation has changed the multichannel shopping encounters of buyers. The idea of shopping esteems was characterized in this investigation by the gluttonous and utilitarian worth. Decadent worth alluded to the emotive component of shopping experience while the utilitarian worth alluded to the undertaking focused reason f shopping. Decadent worth may clarified by a shopping experience accomplished for entertainment only and joy. Epicurean qualities has been found to improve buyer steadfastness and utilitarian worth was viewed as significant for creating inspirational demeanor towards a brand in purchasers (Allard, Babin and Chebat 2009) . A subjective review was done to assess the experience of customers in physical stores and web based shopping. The investigation discoveries demonstrated that innovation was a significant help for purchasers to shop specifically stores. The buyers impression of inspiration driving in-store understanding, for example, the libertine or utilitarian worth was additionally viewed as significant for multichannel retailer (Blzquez 2014). The quality of this examination is that gluttonous components in shopping experience was built up and it was discovered that innovation is a decent hotspot for retailers to coordinate various channels and interface with buyers and gave them great shopping encounters. In spite of the fact that web was viewed as a danger for future stores, the investigation gave the suggestion that client experience can be improved if specialist co-ops think in all channels simply like shoppers. Connection between client experience and brand devotion: A few examination contemplates built up the connection between client experience the board and brand dedication. So et al. (2016) assessed the job of client commitment in improving client experience and building customer faithfulness. In the travel industry, a client commitment procedure is viewed as critical to improve client encounter and oversee client brand relationship. The audit of written works demonstrated that purchaser commitment approaches like online client produced surveys impacted the pace of web based booking and expectation to book inns. This methodology is useful for associations to pull in and hold more buyers (Sparks and Browning 2011). So et al. (2016) utilized study survey techniques to assess impression of clients identified with involvement with visitor industry. The investigation finished with purchasers gave knowledge into the job of client commitment in assemble client relationship with brand. The finding bolstered the way that client commitment is a basic f actor to comprehend administration brand dependability factors and remembering them for their administration. Rageh Ismail et al. (2011) additionally featured the advancing idea of client involvement with the advertising discipline. The writing survey assessed the effect of client experience on brand steadfastness. The audit called attention to that making extraordinary experience for customers has gotten critical to increase upper hand in business. In spite of the fact that client experience is anything but another idea, anyway changes in the meaning of client experience is seen with time. Studies characterized client involvement with various ways. Furthermore, different components of client experience was likewise characterized, for example, the quantity of connections with brand or the gluttonous factor in administration experience. A few predecessors to client experience was likewise characterized, for example, the brand name, evaluating, publicizing and center assistance. This together formed the recognition with respect to support quality and therefore brand steadfastness. When an orga nization is effective in building a steadfast client, their benefit will consequently increment. This is on the grounds that unwavering clients will be less delicate to value factors and spotlight more on relationship with the brand. By and large, this examination was effective in featuring various definitions and measurements of client experience. It additionally introduced an observational model to fabricate purchaser experience. Notwithstanding, the main hole in this examination was that the applied exploration model was not tried for legitimacy. All things considered, the examination gave numerous significant future ramifications to oversee client involvement with association. Another exploration added to the comprehension of the incorporated client experience by coming to an obvious conclusion regarding brand understanding and brand reliability. The connection between clients involvement in brand and the brand steadfastness segment of procurement and demeanor was inspected by methods for overview with 372 customers. The us
Saturday, August 22, 2020
The Three Marvins :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework
The Three Marvins Marvin Lowery: I think the principle things you need to take a gander at for this situation are; is Marvin a risk to himself, would he say he is a threat to others in the working environment, what can you as a director do to support the circumstance? It was expressed in the short that he has caused and mishap because of inconsiderateness. I think this demonstrates he is both a threat to himself as well as other people. There is likewise the additional worry of self destruction. I figure the best methodology is discussion to HR about the kinds of advising is accessible. You ought to likewise investigate local gatherings that give assistance to this particular sort of circumstance. There are additionally strict associations that help with deprivation, if appropriate. At the point when you have proper advocates and network administrations line up, I would then plunk down with Mr. Lowery and talk about the circumstance. I would attempt to enter in on the way that you are worried for Marvin. You realize he is a decent worker and you would prefer not to lose him. I would then present him with certain choices on directing. Make him mindful of the way that on the off chance that he needs additional time, that leave without pay is accessible. I would then emphasize your anxiety for his prosperity and that of his associates. Tell him that for any assistance he needs, that you are there for him. Your first concern is for his government assistance. Marvin Fletcher I would set up an opportunity to chat with Marvin. I would begin by expressing the way that he is an esteemed worker. You comprehend the trouble he might be having with his kids, on the grounds that both he and his life partner works. I would then tell him that you can't ceaselessly change his calendar to oblige this. On the off chance that this will be as continuous as it has been, at that point Mr. Fletcher should utilize his wiped out time or potentially get-away time to compensate for it. You may approach him whether it is feasible for his better half to get the children all the more regularly. Emphasize that you comprehend his circumstance yet you have the remainder of the office to consider also. Note: Before you talk with Marvin you should investigate whether strategic scheduling is plausible in your area of expertise.
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Vyvanse and Adderall Similarities and Differences
Vyvanse and Adderall Similarities and Differences ADHD Treatment Print Vyvanse and Adderall Similarities and Differences By Jacqueline Sinfield facebook twitter Jacqueline Sinfield is an ADHD coach, and the author of Untapped Brilliance, How to Reach Your Full Potential As An Adult With ADHD. Learn about our editorial policy Jacqueline Sinfield Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on October 28, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 08, 2020 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Verywell /Theresa Chiechi Vyvanse and Adderall are both stimulant medications prescribed to treat ADHD. Stimulants (also known as psychostimulants) are the first line of medications due to their effectiveness in treating ADHD symptoms.?? Both drugs act on the central nervous system, which boosts the availability of neurotransmitters in the brain. With the increased amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine, it is easier to pay attention and focus. In addition, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior is reduced. Are Vyvanse and Adderall the Same? Vyvanse and Adderall are two different medications. However, because they are both stimulant medications from the same drug family (amphetamine) they may be confused as being the same medication.?? Here are some facts about the two drugs to shed light on their similarities and differences: Adderall Adderall is a brand name for a drug that contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is available in two formulas: Adderall IR (immediate release) and Adderall XR (extended release). Adderall IR is short-acting and lasts for approximately 4 hours. Typically, when a person is prescribed this immediate release version, they would take it two or three times a day. Adderall XR formula is effective for 10 to 12 hours. It became FDA approved in 1996 and is approved to be prescribed to people 6 years and older. Adderall is also approved to treat narcolepsy. Vyvanse Vyvanse is a brand name for a drug that contains lisdexamfetamine. When lisdexamfetamine enters the body, it is converted to dextroamphetamine. It is available in one formula and is effective for approximately 14 hours. Vyvanse was approved by the FDA in 2007 and is approved to treat people 6 years and older.?? In addition to treating ADHD, Vyvanse is approved to treat binge eating disorder. Vyvanse vs. Adderall Perhaps the biggest distinction between Adderall and Vyvanse is that Vyvanse is a prodrug. This means that it needs to be taken orally in order to be metabolized by the bodyâs enzymes to become effective. Vyvanse is often described as âsmootherâ than Adderall. One of the reasons for this is thatâ"because it has a slower absorption rateâ"there is not a âkickâ or âjoltâ to the system when the medication starts to work. In addition, there is less medication rebound when Vyvanse starts to wear off. The effects of Adderall start to work within 30 minutes. In contrast, Vyvanse takes approximately one to two hours to take effect. Since Adderall is available in both intermediate and extended versions, it allows for great flexibility in how it can be taken. For example, a person might be prescribed Adderall XR to take daily and have Adderall IR to take when a more immediate effect is needed or when it is beneficial to have the medication wear off before bedtime. Vyvanse Slower absorption rate, starts working in 1 to 2 hours Effects last 14 hours Lower risk of abuse since cannot be inhaled or injected No generic available until after 2023 Adderall Faster absorption rate, starts working in 30 minutes Effects last 4 hours for Adderall IR, 10 to 12 hours for Adderall XR More potential for abuse Generic available Immediate (IR) and extended (XR) versions for flexibility Is Vyvanse Safer Than Adderall? Vyvanse and Adderall are Schedule II drugs , which mean there is a potential for abuse and extended use could cause dependence.?? Both are approved to take orally, and since Vyvanse needs to be converted in the body to become effective, it is not a drug that can be inhaled or injected as a way to become high. This could mean it is less likely to be misused than Adderall and other stimulant medications. Always store your medications safely and away from other people. Forms and Dosages Adderall IR is available in tablets ranging from 5mg to 30mg. Adderall XR is available in six different doses ranging from 5mg to 30mg.?? Vyvanse is available in capsules and chewable tablets of several strengths in doses from 30mg to 70mg. Doctors usually prescribe a lower dose when you first start taking a medication and gradually increase it until they find the right therapeutic dose for you and your symptoms. Cost Adderall and Vyvanse are both brand names and a monthâs supply without insurance can cost from around $150 to $400 depending on the frequency and dose. Adderall is available in generic versions (amphetamine salt combo), which can be considerably cheaper. Some people find that generic versions of Adderall are not as effective for them as the brand version. Vyvanse is not available in generic form. Online pharmacies might advertise generic forms of Vyvanse but take care: generic Vyvanse has not been approved, giving it the potential to be unsafe. Side Effects As Vyvanse and Adderall are both amphetamine type stimulant medications, the side effects of each drug are similar and include: Abdominal painAppetite lossDiarrheaDizzinessDry mouthFeverHeadacheInsomniaIrritabilityNauseaNervousnessSleep problemsVomitingWeight loss More serious but rarer side effects include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, hallucinations, and paranoia. If you experience these or any other side effects, contact a doctor as soon as possible. There are some additional side effects that need to be considered for women and men. Men might experience an additional side effect when taking an amphetamine, which is erectile dysfunction (ED).?? Although you might feel embarrassed to talk about this with your doctor, they will be able to work with you to help resolve this issue. Adderall and Vyvanse are category C drugs, which means they could be unsafe to an unborn baby. If you are a woman who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor. Both drugs have the potential to interact with other medications you are taking. Some examples include monoamine oxidases inhibitors (MAOIs), acidifying agents, alkalizing agents, antidepressants, antihistamines and high blood pressure medication. Remember to inform your prescribing doctor about other prescription medication, over- the- counter medication as well as any natural supplements you might be taking. Which Drug Is Best For You? If you are wondering which ADHD medication is best for you or your child, consult with your doctor or pediatrician. Finding the optimal medication often involves some back and forth with your doctor as each person responds differently to each drug. When you start taking a new medication, monitor how it makes you feel, including side effects. Then inform your doctor so they can make the necessary adjustments if needed.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Hawaiis Volcanic Hot Spot
Under the Hawaiian Islands, there is a volcanic ââ¬Å"hot spot,â⬠a hole in the Earthââ¬â¢s crust that allows lava to surface and layer. Over millions of years, these layers form mountains of volcanic rock that eventually break the surface of the Pacific Ocean, forming islands. As the Pacific Plate very slowly moves across the hot spot, new islands are formed. It took 80 million years to create the current chain of Hawaiian islands. Discovering the Hot Spot In 1963, John Tuzo Wilson, a Canadian geophysicist, introduced a contentious theory. He hypothesized there was a hot spot under the Hawaiian Islands - a mantle plume of concentrated geothermal heat that melted rock and rose up as magma through fractures under the Earthââ¬â¢s crust. At the time they were introduced, Wilsonââ¬â¢s ideas were very controversial and many dubious geologists were not accepting theories of plate tectonics or hot spots. Some researchers thought that volcanic areas were only in the middle of plates and not at subduction zones. However, Dr. Wilsonââ¬â¢s hot spot hypothesis helped to solidify the plate tectonics argument. He provided evidence that the Pacific Plate has been slowly drifting over a deep-seated hot spot for 70 million years, leaving behind the Hawaiian Ridge-Emperor Seamount Chain of more than 80 extinct, dormant, and active volcanoes. Wilsonââ¬â¢s Evidence Wilson worked diligently to find evidence and tested volcanic rock samples from each volcanic island in the Hawaiian Islands. He found that the oldest weathered and eroded rocks on a geological time scale were on Kauai, the northernmost island, and that rocks on the islands were gradually younger as he went south. The youngest rocks were on the southernmost Big Island of Hawaii, which is actively erupting today. The ages of the Hawaiian Islands gradually decrease as seen in the list below: Niihau and Kauai (5.6 - 3.8 million years old).Oahu (3.4 - 2.2 million years old)Molokai (1.8 - 1.3 million years old)Maui (1.3 - 0.8 years old)Big Island of Hawaii (less than 0.7 million years old) and it is still expanding. The Pacific Plate Conveys the Hawaiian Islands Wilsonââ¬â¢s research proved that the Pacific Plate has been moving and carrying the Hawaiian Islands northwest off the hot spot. It moves at a rate of four inches a year. The volcanoes are conveyed away from the stationary hot spot; thus, as they move farther away they become older and more eroded and their elevation decreases. Interestingly, about 47 million years ago, the path of the Pacific Plate changed direction from north to northwest. The reason for this is unknown, but it might have been because of India colliding with Asia at approximately the same time. The Hawaiian Ridge-Emperor Seamount Chain Geologists now know the ages of the undersea volcanoes of the Pacific. In the farthest northwest reaches of the chain, the underwater Emperor Seamounts (extinct volcanoes) are between 35-85 million years old and they are highly eroded. These submerged volcanoes, peaks, and islands extend 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers) from the Loihi Seamount near the Big Island of Hawaii, all the way to the Aleutian Ridge in the northwest Pacific. The oldest seamount, Meiji, is 75-80 million years old, whereas the Hawaiian Islands are the youngest volcanoes - and a very small part of this vast chain. Right Under the Hot-Spot: Hawaiiââ¬â¢s Big Island Volcanoes At this very moment, the Pacific Plate is moving over a localized source of heat energy, namely, the stationary hot spot, so activeà calderas continually flow and erupt periodically on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island has five volcanoes that are connected togetherââ¬âKohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea. The northwestern part of the Big Island ceased erupting 120,000 years ago, whereas Mauna Kea, the volcano in the southwest part of the Big Island erupted only 4,000 years ago. Hualalai had its last eruption in 1801. Land is continually being added to the Big Island of Hawaiââ¬â¢i because the lava that flows from its shield volcanoes is deposited on the surface. Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth, is the most massive mountain in the world because it occupies an area of 19,000 cubic miles (79,195.5 cubic km). It rises 56,000 feet (17,069 m), which is 27,000 feet (8,229.6 km) higher than Mount Everest. It is also one of the worldââ¬â¢s most active volcanoes having erupted 15 times since 1900. Its most recent eruptions were in 1975 (for one day) and in 1984 (for three weeks). It could erupt again at any time. Since Europeans arrived, Kilauea has erupted 62 times and after it erupted in 1983 it stayed active. It is the Big Islandââ¬â¢s youngest volcano, in the shield forming stage, and it erupts from its large caldera (bowl-shaped depression) or from its rift zones (gaps or fissures). Magma from the Earthââ¬â¢s mantle rises to a reservoir about one-half to three miles under Kilaueaââ¬â¢s summit, and pressure builds up in the magma reservoir. Kilauea releases sulfur dioxide from vents and craters - and lava flows onto the island and into the sea. South of Hawaii, about 21.8 mi (35 km) off the coast of the Big Island, the youngest submarine volcano, Loihi, is rising from the sea floor. It last erupted in 1996, which is very recent in geological history. It is actively venting hydrothermal fluids from its summit and rift zones. Rising up about 10,000 feet above the ocean floor to within 3,000 feet of the water surface, Loihi is in the submarine, pre-shield stage. In accordance with the hot spot theory, if it continues to grow, it might be the next Hawaiian Island in the chain. The Evolution of a Hawaiian Volcano Wilsonââ¬â¢s findings and theories have increased knowledge about the genesis and life cycle of hot spot volcanoes and plate tectonics. This has helped to guide contemporary scientists and future exploration. It is now known, that the heat of the Hawaiian hot spot creates fluid molten rock that consists of liquefied rock, dissolved gas, crystals, and bubbles. It originates deep below the earth in the asthenosphere, which is viscous, semi-solid and pressurized with heat. There are huge tectonic plates or slabs that glide over this plastic-like asthenosphere. Due to the geothermal hot spot energy, the magma or molten rock (which is not as dense as the surrounding rocks), rises through fractures from under the crust. The magma rises and pushes its way through the tectonic plate of the lithosphere (the rigid, rocky, outer crust), and it erupts on the ocean floor to create a seamount or underwater volcanic mountain. The seamount or volcano erupts under the sea for hundreds of thousands of years and then the volcano rises above the sea level. A large amount of lava is added to the pile, making a volcanic cone that eventually sticks out above the floor of the ocean - and a new island is created. The volcano keeps growing until the Pacific Plate carries it away from the hot spot. Then the volcanic eruptions cease to erupt because there is no longer a lava supply. The extinct volcano then erodes to become an island atoll and then a coral atoll (ring-shaped reef). As it continues to sink and erode, it becomes a seamount or guyot, a flat underwater tablemount, no longer seen above the waterââ¬â¢s surface. Summary Overall, John Tuzo Wilson provided some concrete evidence and deeper insight into the geological processes above and below the surface of the Earth. His hot spot theory, derived from studies of the Hawaiian Islands, is now accepted, and it helps people understand some ever-changing elements of volcanism and plate tectonics. Hawaiiââ¬â¢s undersea hot spot is the impetus for dynamic eruptions, leaving behind rocky remnants that continually enlarge the island chain. While older seamounts are declining, younger volcanoes are erupting, and new stretches of lava land is forming.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Cultural Heritage And Heritage Preservation - 1541 Words
Cultural heritage is a testimony to reflect the distinctiveness of a place made by human (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2008). According to Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau (n.d.), Macau has a wealth of cultural heritage which illustrates the interchange between China and the West such as knowledge, religions, and social trends. Thus, Macau is listed as Historic Centre of Macau in the World Heritage List since there is a significant number of built heritage in the western styles as well as local style in China. In 2014, tourist arrival amounts to 31,525,632 and total spending of visitors is MOP 61.75 billion (Documentation and Information Centre of Statistics and Census Service, 2015). As a result, cultural tourism promotes the growth of theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Kathmandu is a historic site that demonstrates the art of metallurgy through its ornaments in the nature of heritage like the images of deities (Becker-Ritterspach, 2010). Meanwhile, cultural tourism is regarded by coun tries as an opportunity to expand their economy. According to Borona and Ndiema (2014), it helps to boost employments, investments as well as the growth of local business. In addition, they conclude that place identity of the community members grows in line with their pride in heritage. Besides, Vong (2015) interviewed Macau youths for evaluating the mediating effect of place identity of Macau youths in cultural tourism corresponding to their place attachment. It was found that their place identity grows with their perception about heritage conservation in Macau. Similarly, it appears to apply to less concentration of historic environment when local residents perceive something special to them (English Heritage, 2009). Therefore, heritage conservation contributes social cohesion which favours the sustainability of the society. Cultural tourism obtains the support of the community because their interests are secured. In general, cultural tourism not only restores the historic structures but also promotes the investments on cultural values (Borona Ndiema, 2014). Naumov (2015) emphasizes that the involvement of people is integral to the success of cultural tourism since visitors intend to explore different
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four Free Essays
ââ¬Å"Poor Sheeb, still locked in half-human form,â⬠Jezebel teased. ââ¬Å"I remember how good everything smells all the time. Ugh. We will write a custom essay sample on Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now And the temperature! Do the humans have to freeze everything with their wretched air-conditioning?â⬠Shebaââ¬â¢s face was smooth now, controlled. ââ¬Å"I get by. Thereââ¬â¢s plenty of misery to go around.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the spirit! Just another few centuries, and youââ¬â¢ll be in the big-time with me.â⬠Sheba allowed a smirk to curl her lips. ââ¬Å"Or maybe not quite so long.â⬠One black eyebrow arched high against Jezebelââ¬â¢s white forehead, raising almost to an ebony horn. ââ¬Å"Is that so? Got something particularly evil up your sleeve, little sister?â⬠Sheba didnââ¬â¢t answer, tensing again as Jezebel sent her own thoughts snaking invisibly through the crowd inside the ballroom. Sheba locked her jaw, ready to strike back if Jezebel tried to undo any of her schemes. But Jezebel just looked, touching nothing. ââ¬Å"Hmm,â⬠Jezebel hummed to herself. ââ¬Å"Hmm.â⬠Shebaââ¬â¢s fists clenched hard as Jezebelââ¬â¢s search touched Cooper Silverdale, but again, Jezebel merely observed. ââ¬Å"Well, well,â⬠the horned demoness murmured. ââ¬Å"Wow. Sheeb, Iââ¬â¢ve got to say it, Iââ¬â¢m impressed. You got a gun in. And a motivated hand-full of alcohol to weaken his free will!â⬠The older demoness smiled with something that looked strangely like sincerity. ââ¬Å"This is really evil. I mean, sure, a middle demon working homicide or mayhem or maybe riots could set something like this up at a prom, but a human-form child on misery detail? What are you, two, three hundred?â⬠ââ¬Å"Just one-eighty-six at my last spawn day,â⬠Sheba answered brusquely, still wary. Jezebel whistled a tongue of flame through her lips. ââ¬Å"Very impressed. And I can see that you arenââ¬â¢t neglecting your assignment, either. Thatââ¬â¢s one miserable crowd in there.â⬠Jezebel laughed. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve ended nearly every promising relationship, broken a few dozen lifelong friendships, made new enemiesâ⬠¦ three, four, five fights brewing,â⬠Jezebel counted, her mind with the humans. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve even got the DJ listening to you! Such attention to detail. Ha-ha! I can count on one hand the humans who arenââ¬â¢t completely wretched.â⬠Sheba smiled grimly. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll get to them.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ghastly, Sheeb. Seriously nasty. You do our name proud. If every prom had a demoness like you involved, weââ¬â¢d own this world.â⬠ââ¬Å"Aw, Jez, youââ¬â¢re making me blush,â⬠Sheba said with heavy sarcasm. Jezebel laughed. ââ¬Å"Of course, youââ¬â¢ve got a little help.â⬠Jezebelââ¬â¢s thoughts twisted in a circle around Celeste, who had just twisted herself around a new boy. Jilted girls cried, while the boys Celeste carelessly tossed aside flexed their fists and glowered wrathfully at their competition; burning with lust, each was determined that Celeste was finishing the night with him. Celeste was doing half the work tonight. ââ¬Å"I use the tools available to me,â⬠Sheba said. ââ¬Å"What an ironic name! What an evil mind! Is she fully human?â⬠ââ¬Å"I passed her in the hall, just to check,â⬠Sheba admitted. ââ¬Å"Pure, clean human scent. Revolting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh. I would have sworn she had some demon in her ancestry. Good find. But, Sheba, asking a date? Pretty amateur, involving yourself physically that way.â⬠Shebaââ¬â¢s chin jabbed upward defensively, but she did not answer. Jezebel was right; it was crude and time-consuming to use oneââ¬â¢s human form rather than oneââ¬â¢s demon mind. However, it was the results that counted. Shebaââ¬â¢s timely interference had kept Logan from discovering his true love. ââ¬Å"Well, it in no way diminishes your accomplishments here tonight.â⬠Jezebelââ¬â¢s tone was conciliatory. ââ¬Å"You pull this one off, and theyââ¬â¢ll put you in the baby demonsââ¬â¢ textbooks.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠Sheba snapped. Did Jezebel really think she could flatter Sheba into letting her guard down? Jezebel smiled, and her mists curled up on the edges, mirroring the expression. ââ¬Å"A tip, Sheba. Keep them confused in there. If you can get Cooper to pull the trigger, then you might make some of these wannabe gangsters think theyââ¬â¢re under fire.â⬠Jezebel shook her head in wonder. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got so much potential mayhem here. Of course, theyââ¬â¢ll bring in a riot demon if it really gets hotâ⬠¦ but youââ¬â¢d still get some of the credit for stirring it up.â⬠Sheba grimaced, and glimmers of red flashed at her ears. What was Jezebel doing? Where was the trick? Her mind ran over and over the humans she was assigned to torment, but she could find no trace of Jezebelââ¬â¢s distinct brimstone flavor in the ballroom. There was nothing but the misery Sheba had caused herself, and the few little pockets of repellent happiness that Sheba would attend to shortly. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re certainly helpful tonight,â⬠Sheba said, being deliberately insulting. Jezebel sighed, and there was something about the way her mists rolled back in on themselves that made her lookâ⬠¦ embarrassed. For the first time, Sheba felt a hint of doubt about her assumptions. But Jezebelââ¬â¢s motives had to be malicious. Thatââ¬â¢s the only kind of motives demons had. With a rueful expression on her face, Jezebel asked quietly, ââ¬Å"Is it so impossible to believe that I might want you to get promoted?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠Jezebel sighed again. And again, the way her mists writhed in chagrin made Sheba uncertain. ââ¬Å"Why?â⬠Sheba demanded. ââ¬Å"What do you get out of this?â⬠ââ¬Å"I know itââ¬â¢s all wrong-or rather right-for me to be giving you advice you can work with. Not very evil of me.â⬠Sheba nodded cautiously. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s in our nature to trip up everyone, demons, humans-even angels if we get the chance. Weââ¬â¢re evil. Naturally weââ¬â¢re going to backstab, whether it hurts our side or not. We wouldnââ¬â¢t be demons if we didnââ¬â¢t let envy, greed, lust, and wrath rule us.â⬠Jezebel chuckled. ââ¬Å"I remember-how many years ago was it? ââ¬â Lilith almost got you booted back a few grades, didnââ¬â¢t she?â⬠Red fire smoldered in Shebaââ¬â¢s eyes at the memory. ââ¬Å"Almost.â⬠ââ¬Å"You handled it better than most. Youââ¬â¢re one of the very worst working misery right now, you know.â⬠Flattery again? Sheba stiffened. Jezebel twisted her mists up with a finger, and then circled that finger so that the mists drew a smoky orb against the night sky. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a bigger picture, though, Sheba. Demons like Lilith canââ¬â¢t see past the evil at hand. But thereââ¬â¢s a whole world out there, full of humans making millions of decisions every minute of the day and night. We can only be there to sway a fraction of those decisions. And sometimes, well, from where Iââ¬â¢m standing, it feels like the angels are getting aheadâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"But, Jezebel!â⬠Sheba gasped, shock breaking through her suspicion. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re winning. Just watch the news-itââ¬â¢s obvious weââ¬â¢re winning.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know, I know. But even with all the wars and destructionâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s odd, Sheba. Thereââ¬â¢s still an awful lot of happiness out there. For every mugging I turn into a homicide, across town some angel has a bystander jumping another mugger to save the day. Or convincing the mugger to give up his wicked ways! Ugh. Weââ¬â¢re losing ground.â⬠ââ¬Å"But the angels are weak, Jezebel. Everyone knows that. Theyââ¬â¢re so full of love that they canââ¬â¢t concentrate. Half the time the stupid birdbrains fall in love with a human and trade their wings for a human body. Though why even an idiot angel would want this!â⬠Sheba scowled down the length of her human form. So limiting. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve never really understood the point of having to wear these around for half a millennium. I guess itââ¬â¢s probably just to torture us, isnââ¬â¢t it? The dark lords must enjoy watching us squirm.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s more than that. Itââ¬â¢s to make you really hate them. The humans, I mean.â⬠Sheba stared at her. ââ¬Å"Why would I need a reason? Hate is what I do.â⬠ââ¬Å"It happens, you know,â⬠Jezebel said slowly. ââ¬Å"The angels arenââ¬â¢t the only ones to give it all up. There are demons whoââ¬â¢ve traded their horns for a human.â⬠ââ¬Å"No!â⬠Shebaââ¬â¢s eyes widened, then narrowed in disbelief. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re exaggerating. Now and then a demon shacks up with a human, but itââ¬â¢s just to torment them. Just a bit of malicious fun.â⬠Jezebel winced, swishing her mists into figure eights, but she didnââ¬â¢t argue back. Thatââ¬â¢s what made Sheba realize she was serious. Sheba swallowed hard. ââ¬Å"Wow.â⬠She couldnââ¬â¢t imagine that. Taking all this delicious evil and throwing it away. Giving up a hard-earned pair of horns-horns that Sheba would destroy anything to have right now-and getting stuck with a weak, fully mortal body in return. Sheba eyed Jezebelââ¬â¢s glistening onyx horns and frowned. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t understand how anyone could do that.â⬠ââ¬Å"Remember what you said about the angels? Getting distracted by love?â⬠Jezebel asked. ââ¬Å"Well, hate can be a distraction, too. Look at Lilith and her spiteful good deeds. Maybe it starts out with sticking it to the lesser demons, but who knows where it will lead? Virtue corrupts.â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t believe a few tricks against another demon could make you as stupid as a birdbrain,â⬠Sheba mumbled under her breath. ââ¬Å"Sheba, donââ¬â¢t underestimate the angels,â⬠Jezebel chastised. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t mess with them-you hear? Even a strong middle demon like me knows better than to lock horns with the feather-backs. They steer clear of us, and we steer clear of them. Let the Demon Lords deal with the angels.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know that, Jezebel. I wasnââ¬â¢t spawned this decade.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry. Iââ¬â¢m being helpful again.â⬠She shuddered. ââ¬Å"I just get so frustrated sometimes! Goodness and light on every side!â⬠Sheba shook her head. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t see that. Misery is everywhere.â⬠ââ¬Å"Happiness is, too, sis. Itââ¬â¢s all over the place,â⬠Jezebel said sadly. It was silent for a long moment as Jezebelââ¬â¢s words lingered in the air. The sticky breeze washed across Shebaââ¬â¢s skin. Miami was no hell, but it was comfortable at least. ââ¬Å"Not at my prom!â⬠Sheba retorted with sudden fierceness. Jezebel smiled widely-her teeth were black as the night sky. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s just it-thatââ¬â¢s why Iââ¬â¢m being so un-damnedly helpful. Because we need demonesses like you out there. We need the worst we can get on the front lines. Let the Liliths of the underworld mess around with petty tricks. Get me the Shebas on my side. Get me a thousand Shebas. Weââ¬â¢ll win this fight once and for all.â⬠Sheba considered that for a moment, weighing the fierce purpose in Jezebelââ¬â¢s voice. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s evil in such a strange way. It almost sounds like good.â⬠ââ¬Å"Twisted, I know.â⬠They laughed together for the first time. ââ¬Å"Well, get back in there and destroy that prom.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m on it. Go to hell, Jezebel.â⬠How to cite Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four, Essay examples Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four Free Essays Restless, I sat on the roof in the dark, flicking stones into the night as I tried to realign my thinking. I wasnââ¬â¢t alive, but I wasnââ¬â¢t altogether dead, either. As Iââ¬â¢d suspected, a careful questioning of my dad spanning the entire day confirmed that not only did he not have a clue I had been dead at the hospital, but he didnââ¬â¢t even remember the accident. We will write a custom essay sample on Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now He thought Iââ¬â¢d ditched Josh when I found out I was a pity date, got a ride home with Seth and Barnabas, and watched TV all night, pouting in my costume. He wasnââ¬â¢t pleased I had ruined the rental, either. I didnââ¬â¢t appreciate him taking the cost of it out of my allowance, but I wasnââ¬â¢t going to complain. I was here, sort of alive, and that was all that mattered. My dad seemed surprised at my meek acceptance of my punishment, telling me I was growing up. Oh, if he only knew. I watched my dad closely all day as I unpacked and put my stuff in drawers and on shelves. It was clear he knew something wasnââ¬â¢t right, though he couldnââ¬â¢t put his finger on it. He hardly let me out of his sight, coming upstairs to bring me snacks and pop until I could have screamed. More than once I caught him watching me with a frightened expression, hiding it when he saw me return his gaze. Dinner was a forced conversation over pork chops, and after picking at my food for a good twenty minutes, I excused myself, claiming I was tired after last nightââ¬â¢s prom. Yeah. I ought to be tired, but I wasnââ¬â¢t. No, it was two in the morning, and here I was out on the roof, pitching stones, pretending to be asleep as the world turned in a chilly darkness. Maybe I didnââ¬â¢t need to sleep anymore. Shoulders slumping, I picked another bit of tar off the shingles and flicked it at the chimney. It hit the metallic cap with a ting, ricocheting into the black. I scooted up the shallow pitch of the roof, then tugged my jeans back up where they ought to be. A faint feeling of unease crept through me, starting from the tops of my hands in a soft prickling, slipping inward with an increasingly jagged spike. The sensation of being watched exploded into existence, and I spun, gasping, when Barnabas fell out of the tree arching overhead. ââ¬Å"Hey!â⬠I shouted, heart thumping while he landed in a crouch like a cat. ââ¬Å"How about some warning?â⬠He rose to stand in the moonlit darkness with his hands on his hips. There was a faint shimmer on him visible right along with his disgust. ââ¬Å"If I had been a black reaper, youââ¬â¢d be dead.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, well, Iââ¬â¢m already dead, arenââ¬â¢t I?â⬠I said, flicking a stone at him. He didnââ¬â¢t move as it arched over his shoulder. ââ¬Å"What do you want?â⬠I asked sullenly. Instead of answering, he shrugged his narrow shoulders and looked east. ââ¬Å"I want to know what you didnââ¬â¢t tell Ron.â⬠ââ¬Å"Excuse me?â⬠He stood still as a rock, arms crossed over his chest and staring. ââ¬Å"Seth said something to you in that car. It was the only time you were out of my sight. I want to know what it was. It might be the difference between you getting to play out this lie of being alive, or you getting carted off to a black court.â⬠Now he moved, his motion rough and angry. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not going to fail again, and not because of you. You were important to Seth before you stole that stone. Thatââ¬â¢s why he came to get you at the morgue. I want to know why.â⬠I looked down at the stone, glittering in the moonlight, then shifted my gaze to my feet. The awkward angle of the roof made my ankles hurt. ââ¬Å"He said my name had come up too many times in the affairs of men, and he was going to cull my soul.â⬠Barnabas moved, coming to sit beside me with a lot of space between us. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s done that. Youââ¬â¢re not a threat now that youââ¬â¢re dead. Why did he come back for you?â⬠Reassured by his more relaxed posture, I looked at him, thinking his eyes seemed silver in the moonlight. ââ¬Å"You wonââ¬â¢t tell?â⬠I asked, wanting to trust him. I needed to talk to someone, and it wasnââ¬â¢t like I could call up my old friends and vent about being dead-as entertaining as that might be. Barnabas hesitated. ââ¬Å"No, but I might try to persuade you to tell him yourself.â⬠That I could deal with, and I took a slow breath. ââ¬Å"He said that his ending my pathetic life was his ticket into a higher court. He came back to prove he hadâ⬠¦ culled me.â⬠I waited for a reaction, but there was none. Finally I couldnââ¬â¢t take it anymore and I lifted my head to meet his eyes. Barnabas was looking at me as if trying to figure out what it meant. Clearly not having an answer, he slowly said, ââ¬Å"I think you should keep this to yourself for a while. He probably didnââ¬â¢t mean anything by it. Forget it. Spend your time learning how to fit in.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah,â⬠I said with a sarcastic bark of laughter. ââ¬Å"A new school is tons of fun.â⬠ââ¬Å"I meant fit in with the living.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh.â⬠Okay. I was going to have to learn how to fit in, not at a new school, but with the living. Swell. Remembering the disastrous dinner with my dad, I bit my lip. ââ¬Å"Uh, Barnabas, am I supposed to eat?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sure. If you want to. I donââ¬â¢t. Not much, anyway,â⬠he said, sounding almost wistful. ââ¬Å"But if youââ¬â¢re like me, youââ¬â¢ll never be hungry.â⬠I tucked my short hair behind my ear. ââ¬Å"How about sleep?â⬠At that, he smiled. ââ¬Å"You can try. I canââ¬â¢t manage it unless I am bored out of my mind.â⬠I picked a bit of tar off the shingles and flicked it at the chimney again. ââ¬Å"How come I donââ¬â¢t have to eat?â⬠I asked. Barnabas turned to face me. ââ¬Å"That stone of yours is giving off energy, and youââ¬â¢re taking it in. Basking in it. Watch out for psychics. Theyââ¬â¢ll think youââ¬â¢re possessed.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mmmm,â⬠I murmured, wondering if I could get any useful information about what was really going on from a church, but they were wrong about grim reapers, so maybe they didnââ¬â¢t know as much as they thought. I sighed, sitting in the dark on my roof with a white reaper-my guardian angel. Nice going, Madison, I thought, wondering if my life-or death, rather-could get any more screwed up. I slowly fingered the stone that kept me somewhat alive, wondering what I was supposed to do now. Go to school. Do my homework. Be with my dad. Try to make sense of who I was and what I was supposed to do. Nothing much had changed, really, apart from the no-eating-no-sleeping thing. So I had something worse than a black reaper gunning for me. I also had a guardian angel. And life, apparently, goes on, even if you arenââ¬â¢t a participating part of it anymore. Barnabas surprised me when he suddenly stood, and I leaned to look up at his height measured against the stars. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s go,â⬠he said, extending his hand. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t have anything to do tonight, and Iââ¬â¢m bored. Youââ¬â¢re not a screamer, are you?â⬠My first thought was screamer? And then, go where? But what came out of my mouth was a lame, ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t. Iââ¬â¢ve been grounded. I canââ¬â¢t set a foot outside the house apart from school until I pay for that costume.â⬠But I smiled, taking his hand and letting him help me rise. If Ron could make my dad forget I had died, Iââ¬â¢d be willing to bet Barnabas could cover for me sneaking out a couple of hours. ââ¬Å"Yeah, well, I canââ¬â¢t do anything about you being grounded,â⬠he said, ââ¬Å"but where weââ¬â¢re going, you wonââ¬â¢t be setting a foot anywhere.â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh?â⬠I stammered, then stiffened when he moved behind me, taller because of the roofââ¬â¢s pitch. ââ¬Å"Hey!â⬠I yelped when his arm went around me. But my protest vanished in shock at the gray shadow suddenly curving around us. It was real, smelling like my momââ¬â¢s feather pillow, and I gasped when his grip tightened and my feet left the roof in a downward drop of gravity. ââ¬Å"Holy crap!â⬠I exclaimed as the world spread out beneath us, silver and black in the moonlight. ââ¬Å"You have wings?â⬠Barnabas laughed, and with my stomach dropping in a tingling surge, we went higher. Maybeâ⬠¦ maybe this wasnââ¬â¢t going to be so bad after all. How to cite Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four, Essay examples Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four Free Essays ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t understand.â⬠Lila tosses back her long blond hair. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s not a tick, Mary. We will write a custom essay sample on Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sebastian loves me too much to bite me. But I know I can change his mind. Because he wants to be with me forever, as much as I want to be with him forever. I know it. And after tomorrow night, we will be together forever.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s tomorrow night?â⬠Adam wants to know. ââ¬Å"The prom,â⬠I say woodenly. ââ¬Å"Right,â⬠Lila prattles on. ââ¬Å"Sebastianââ¬â¢s taking me. And though he doesnââ¬â¢t know it yet, heââ¬â¢s going to give in to me there. Just one bite and Iââ¬â¢ll have eternal life. Come on, you guys, how cool is that? Wouldnââ¬â¢t you want to live forever? I mean, if you could?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not that way,â⬠I say. Something inside of me aches. Aches for Lila, and aches for all the girls whoââ¬â¢ve gone before her. And will come after her, too, if I donââ¬â¢t do something about it. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s meeting you at the dance?â⬠I force myself to ask her. Itââ¬â¢s hard to speak, because all I want to do is cry. ââ¬Å"Right,â⬠Lila says. Her face still has the same vacant expression she wore inside the club, as well as earlier today in the lunchroom. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢ll never be able to resist me-not in my new Roberto Cavalli gown, with my neck all exposed beneath the silver light of the full moonâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"I think Iââ¬â¢m going to throw up,â⬠Ted volunteers. ââ¬Å"No, youââ¬â¢re not,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re going to take Lila home. Here.â⬠I reach into my satchel and pull out a crucifix and two containers of holy water, then hand them to him. ââ¬Å"If Drake shows up-although I donââ¬â¢t think he will-throw these at him. Then get yourself home, after youââ¬â¢ve dropped off Lila.â⬠Ted looks down at what Iââ¬â¢ve shoved into his hands. ââ¬Å"Wait. Thatââ¬â¢s it?â⬠he wants to know. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re just going to let him kill her?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not kill,â⬠Lila corrects him cheerfully. ââ¬Å"Turn me. Into one of his kind.â⬠ââ¬Å"We arenââ¬â¢t going to do anything,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"You guys are going to go home and leave this to me. Iââ¬â¢ve got it under control. Just make sure Lila gets back safely. She should be all right until the dance. Evil spirits cannot enter an inhabited house unless invited!â⬠I narrow my eyes at Lila. ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t invite him inside, did you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatever,â⬠Lila says, tossing her head. ââ¬Å"Like my dad wouldnââ¬â¢t go too ballistic if he found a guy in my room.â⬠ââ¬Å"See? Go home. You, too,â⬠I add, to Adam. Ted takes Lila by the arm and begins to lead her away. But Adam, to my surprise, stays where he is, his hands buried deep in his pockets. ââ¬Å"Um,â⬠I say to him. ââ¬Å"Is there something I can do for you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠Adam says calmly. ââ¬Å"You can start at the beginning. I want to know everything. Because if what youââ¬â¢re telling me is true, if it werenââ¬â¢t for me, youââ¬â¢d be a speck on the wall in the club back there. So start talking.â⬠Adam If you had told me just an hour or two ago that Iââ¬â¢d be ending my evening with a trip to Mary-from-U.S.-History-classââ¬â¢s penthouse apartment over in the East Seventiesâ⬠¦ well, Iââ¬â¢d have told you that you were high. But thatââ¬â¢s exactly where I find myself, following Mary past her sleepy doorman (who doesnââ¬â¢t raise so much as an eyebrow at her crossbow), and then up the elevator to her place, which is decorated in mid-nineteenth-century Victorian chic-at least as near as I can judge, considering all the furniture looks like it came out of one of those boring miniseries my mom likes to watch on PBS, featuring girls named Violet or Hortense or whatever. There are books everywhere-and not Dan Brown paperbacks, either, but big, heavy books, with titles like Demonology in Seventh-century Greece and A Guide to Necromancy. I look around, but I donââ¬â¢t see a plasma screen or an LCD. Not even a regular TV. ââ¬Å"Are your parents professors or something?â⬠I ask Mary as she throws down the crossbow and heads to the kitchen, where she pulls open the fridge and reaches for two Cokes, one of which she hands to me. ââ¬Å"Something like that,â⬠Mary says. This is what sheââ¬â¢s been like the whole way to her place: not exactly brimming with the explanations. Not that it matters, though, since I already told her Iââ¬â¢m not leaving until I get the whole story. The thing is, I really donââ¬â¢t know what to think about all this so far. On the one hand, Iââ¬â¢m relieved Drake isnââ¬â¢t who I thought he was-Maryââ¬â¢s ex-boyfriend. On the other handâ⬠¦ a vampire?. ââ¬Å"Come on,â⬠Mary says, and I follow her becauseâ⬠¦ well, what else am I supposed to do? I donââ¬â¢t know what Iââ¬â¢m doing here. I donââ¬â¢t believe in vampires. I think Lilaââ¬â¢s just gotten herself involved with one of those freaky goth dudes I saw on Law Order that one time. Although Maryââ¬â¢s question-ââ¬Å"Then how do you explain his disappearance from the dance floor into thin air like that?â⬠ââ¬â bugs me. How did the guy do that? Then again, there are tons of questions like that one that I donââ¬â¢t have the answers for. Like this new one that occurred to me: How can I get Mary to look at me the way Lila looked at that guy, Drake? Life is full of mysteries, as my dad likes to say, many of which are also wrapped up in enigmas. Mary leads me down a dark hallway toward a partly open door, from which light spills. She taps on the door, then says, ââ¬Å"Dad? Can we come in?â⬠A gruff voice says, ââ¬Å"By all means.â⬠And I follow Mary into the strangest room Iââ¬â¢ve ever seen. At least in a penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side. Itââ¬â¢s a laboratory. There are test tubes and beakers and vials everywhere. Standing in front of some of them is a tall, white-haired-professor type in a bathrobe, messing around with a concoction in a clear container thatââ¬â¢s bright green and vigorously generating large amounts of smoke. The old dude looks up from this and smiles as Mary comes into the room, his green-eyed gaze-a lot like Maryââ¬â¢s-darting toward me curiously. ââ¬Å"Well, hello,â⬠the guy says. ââ¬Å"I see youââ¬â¢ve brought a friend home. Iââ¬â¢m so glad. Iââ¬â¢ve been thinking lately that you spend far too much time alone, young lady.â⬠ââ¬Å"Dad, this is Adam,â⬠Mary says casually. ââ¬Å"He sits behind me in U.S. History. Weââ¬â¢re going to my room to do homework.â⬠ââ¬Å"How nice,â⬠Maryââ¬â¢s father says. It doesnââ¬â¢t seem to occur to him that the last thing a guy my age is likely to be doing in a girlââ¬â¢s bedroom at two in the morning is homework. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t study too hard, now, children.â⬠ââ¬Å"We wonââ¬â¢t,â⬠Mary says. ââ¬Å"Come on, Adam.â⬠ââ¬Å"Good night, sir,â⬠I say to Maryââ¬â¢s dad, who beams at me before turning back to his smoking beaker. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠I say to Mary as she leads me down the hall once more, this time to her roomâ⬠¦ which is surprisingly utilitarian for a girlââ¬â¢s bedroom, containing only a large bed, a dresser, and a desk. Unlike in Veronicaââ¬â¢s room, everything is put away, except for a laptop and an MP3 player. I take a quick look at Maryââ¬â¢s play list when sheââ¬â¢s busy rifling around in the closet for something. Mostly rock, some RB, and a little rap. No emo, though. Thank God. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s going on? Whatââ¬â¢s your dad doing with all that stuff?â⬠ââ¬Å"Looking for a cure,â⬠Mary says from the closet, her voice muffled. Iââ¬â¢ve moved across the ornate Persian carpet toward her bed. Thereââ¬â¢s a framed photo on her nightstand. Itââ¬â¢s of a pretty woman, squinting into the sunlight and smiling. Maryââ¬â¢s mother. I donââ¬â¢t know how I know it. I just do. ââ¬Å"A cure for what?â⬠I ask, picking up the photo for a closer look. Yep, there they are. Maryââ¬â¢s lips. Which, I havenââ¬â¢t been able to stop noticing, are kind of curled up at the ends. Even when sheââ¬â¢s mad. ââ¬Å"Vampirism,â⬠Mary says. She emerges from the closet holding a long red dress. Itââ¬â¢s wrapped in clear plastic from the dry cleanerââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"Uh,â⬠I say, ââ¬Å"I hate to be the one to tell you this, Mary. But thereââ¬â¢s no such thing as vampires. Or vampirism. Or whatever it is.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh yeah?â⬠The ends of Maryââ¬â¢s mouth are curled up even more than usual. ââ¬Å"Vampires were just made up by that guy.â⬠Sheââ¬â¢s laughing at me. I donââ¬â¢t mind, though, because itââ¬â¢s Mary. Itââ¬â¢s better than her ignoring me, which is what sheââ¬â¢s done for most of the time Iââ¬â¢ve known her. ââ¬Å"That guy who wrote Dracula. Right?â⬠ââ¬Å"Bram Stoker did not make up vampires,â⬠Mary says, the smile vanishing. ââ¬Å"He didnââ¬â¢t even make up Dracula. Whoââ¬â¢s an actual historical figure, by the way.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but a dude who drinks blood and can turn into a bat? Come on.â⬠ââ¬Å"Vampires exist, Adam,â⬠Mary says quietly. I like how she says my name. I like it so much that I donââ¬â¢t even notice at first that sheââ¬â¢s staring at the photo Iââ¬â¢m holding. ââ¬Å"And so do their victims.â⬠I follow the direction of her gaze. And nearly drop the photo. ââ¬Å"Mary,â⬠I say. Because itââ¬â¢s all I can think of to say. ââ¬Å"Yourâ⬠¦ your mom? Is sheâ⬠¦ did sheâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s still alive,â⬠Mary says, turning to throw the red dress, in its slippery clear plastic bag, onto the bed. ââ¬Å"If you can call it living,â⬠she adds, almost to herself. ââ¬Å"Maryâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I say in a different tone of voice. I canââ¬â¢t believe it. And yet I do. Thereââ¬â¢s something in her face that makes it clear sheââ¬â¢s not lying. Also something that makes me long to wrap her in my arms. Which Veronica would say is sexist. But there you go. I let go of the lip Iââ¬â¢ve started chewing. ââ¬Å"Is that why your dad-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"He wasnââ¬â¢t always like that,â⬠she says, not looking at me. ââ¬Å"He used to be different, when Mom was here. Heâ⬠¦ he thinks he can find a chemical cure for it.â⬠She sinks onto the bed beside the dress. ââ¬Å"He doesnââ¬â¢t want to believe that thereââ¬â¢s only one way to get her back. And thatââ¬â¢s killing the vampire who made her into one.â⬠ââ¬Å"Drake,â⬠I say, sinking down onto the bed beside her. It all makes sense now. I guess. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠Mary says with a quick shake of her head. ââ¬Å"His father. Who happened to stick with the original family name of Dracula. His son just thinks Drake sounds a little less pretentious and more modern.â⬠ââ¬Å"Soâ⬠¦ why were you trying to kill Draculaââ¬â¢s kid, if his dad is the one whoâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I canââ¬â¢t even bring myself to say it. Fortunately, I donââ¬â¢t have to. Maryââ¬â¢s shoulders are hunched. ââ¬Å"If killing his only kid doesnââ¬â¢t get Dracula to come out of hiding so I can kill him, too, I donââ¬â¢t know what will.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wonââ¬â¢t that be, uhâ⬠¦ kind of dangerous?â⬠I ask. I canââ¬â¢t believe Iââ¬â¢m sitting here talking about this. But I canââ¬â¢t believe Iââ¬â¢m in Mary-from-U.S.-Historyââ¬â¢s bedroom, either. ââ¬Å"I mean, isnââ¬â¢t Dracula, like, the head of the whole operation?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠Mary says, looking down at the photo Iââ¬â¢ve laid between us. ââ¬Å"And when heââ¬â¢s gone, Mom will finally be free.â⬠And Maryââ¬â¢s dad wonââ¬â¢t have to worry about finding a cure for vampirism anymore, I think, but donââ¬â¢t say out loud. ââ¬Å"Why didnââ¬â¢t Drake just, uh, turn Lila tonight?â⬠I ask. Because this has been bothering me. Among other things. ââ¬Å"I mean, back at the club?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because he likes to play with his food,â⬠Mary says emotionlessly. ââ¬Å"Just like his dad.â⬠How to cite Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four, Essay examples Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four Free Essays I laughed. ââ¬Å"But you girls go on, knock yourselves out,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve actually got an errand to run. We will write a custom essay sample on Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re leaving?â⬠Yun Sun said. ââ¬Å"What about the pizza?â⬠I said. He opened his wallet and laid a twenty-dollar bill on the coffee table. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢ll be here in thirty minutes. My treat.â⬠Yun Sun shook her head. ââ¬Å"And again I say: Youââ¬â¢re leaving?. Youââ¬â¢re not even staying to eat?â⬠ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s something I need to do,â⬠he said. My heart constricted. I ached to keep him here, even if just for a little longer. I darted back to the kitchen and pulled Madame Zââ¬â¢s corsage-no, my corsage-out of my bag. ââ¬Å"At least wait till Iââ¬â¢ve made my wish,â⬠I said. He looked amused. ââ¬Å"Fine, wish away.â⬠I hesitated. The den was warm and cozy, pizza was on the way, and I had the two greatest friends in the world. What else did I truly want? Duh, the grasping part of my brain told me. Prom, of course. I wanted Will to ask me to prom. Maybe it was selfish to have so much and still want more, but I pushed that line of reasoning away. Because look at him, I thought. Those kind brown eyes, that lopsided smile. Those ridiculously angelic curls. The entire sweetness and goodness that was Will. He hummed the Jeopardy! theme song. I raised the corsage. ââ¬Å"I wish for the boy I love to ask me to prom,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"And there you have it, folks!â⬠Will cried. He was far too euphoric. ââ¬Å"And what boy wouldnââ¬â¢t want to take her to prom, our fabulous Frankie? Now weââ¬â¢ll just have to wait and see, wonââ¬â¢t we, whether her wish will come-ââ¬Å" Yun Sun cut him off. ââ¬Å"Frankie? Are you okay?â⬠ââ¬Å"It moved,â⬠I said, cringing away from the corsage, which Iââ¬â¢d flung to the floor. My skin was clammy. ââ¬Å"I swear to God, it moved when I made the wish. And that smell! Do you smell it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Noooo,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"What smell?â⬠ââ¬Å"You smell it, Will. Donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠He grinned, still on whatever high heââ¬â¢d been on sinceâ⬠¦ well, since Madame Z warned him away from heights. A clap of thunder rumbled, and he shoved my shoulder. ââ¬Å"Next youââ¬â¢re going to blame the storm on the evil wish fairies, arenââ¬â¢t you?â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Or, no! Youââ¬â¢re going to go to bed tonight, and tomorrow youââ¬â¢ll tell us you found a hunched and skulking creature on your comforter, smiling a twisted smile!â⬠ââ¬Å"Like rotting flowers,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You honestly donââ¬â¢t smell it? Youââ¬â¢re not playing with me?â⬠Will dug his keys out of his pocket. ââ¬Å"See you on the flip side, homies. And, Frankie?â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Another boom of thunder shook the house. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t give up hope,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Good things come to those who wait.â⬠I watched through the window as he dashed to his truck. The rain was coming down in sheets. Then I turned to Yun Sun, a balloony feeling pushing everything else away. ââ¬Å"Did you hear what he said?â⬠I grabbed her hands. ââ¬Å"Oh my God, do you think it means what I think it means?â⬠ââ¬Å"What else could it mean?â⬠Yun Sun said. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s going to ask you to prom! Heââ¬â¢s justâ⬠¦ I donââ¬â¢t know. Trying to make a big production out of it!â⬠ââ¬Å"What do you think heââ¬â¢s going to do?â⬠ââ¬Å"No idea. Hire a skywriter? Send a singing telegram?â⬠I squealed. She squealed. We jumped about in a frenzy. ââ¬Å"Got to hand it to you, the wish thing was brilliant,â⬠she said. She flicked her finger to indicate giving Will the push he needed. ââ¬Å"And the rotting flowers? Verrrry dramatic.â⬠ââ¬Å"I honestly did smell it, though,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Ha-ha.â⬠ââ¬Å"I did.â⬠She looked at me and shook her head, amused. Then she looked at me again. ââ¬Å"Well, it must have been your imagination,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"I guess,â⬠I said. I picked the corsage up off the floor, holding it gingerly between my thumb and forefinger. I took it to the bookshelf and dropped it behind a row of books, glad to have it out of sight. The next morning I trotted downstairs, hoping foolishly to findâ⬠¦ I donââ¬â¢t know. Hundreds of M spelling out my name? Pink hearts sketched in silly string on the windows? Instead, I found a dead bird. Its tiny body lay on the welcome mat, as if it had flown into the door during the storm and bashed its brains in. I scooped it up with a paper towel and tried not to feel its soft weight as I delivered it to the outside trash bin. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry, little bird, so pretty and sweet,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Fly to heaven.â⬠I dropped in the corpse, and the lid slammed shut with a bang. I returned inside to the sound of the ringing phone. Probably Yun Sun, wanting an update. Sheââ¬â¢d left with Jeremy at eleven last night, after making me swear to tell her the minute Will made his bold move. ââ¬Å"Hey, sweetie,â⬠I said, after glancing at the caller ID and seeing that, yep, I was right. ââ¬Å"No news yet-sorry.â⬠ââ¬Å"Frankieâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Yun Sun said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve been thinking about Madame Z, though. Her whole donââ¬â¢t-mess-with-fate mumbo jumbo.â⬠ââ¬Å"Frankie-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Because how could Will asking me to prom lead to anything bad?â⬠I walked to the freezer and grabbed a box of frozen waffles. ââ¬Å"Spitââ¬â¢s going to fly from his mouth and land on me? Heââ¬â¢ll bring me flowers, and a beeââ¬â¢ll zip out and sting me?â⬠ââ¬Å"Frankie, stop. Didnââ¬â¢t you watch the morning news?â⬠ââ¬Å"On a Saturday? I donââ¬â¢t think so.â⬠Yun Sun made a gulping sound. ââ¬Å"Yun Sun, are you crying?â⬠ââ¬Å"Last nightâ⬠¦ Will climbed the watertower,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"What?!â⬠The watertower was easily three hundred feet tall, with a sign at the bottom prohibiting anyone from ascending. Will always talked about climbing to the top, but he was such a rule-follower that he never had. ââ¬Å"And the railing must have been wetâ⬠¦ or maybe it was lightning, they donââ¬â¢t yet knowâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Yun Sun. What happened?â⬠ââ¬Å"He was spray painting something on the tower, the stupid idiot, and-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Spray painting? Will?â⬠ââ¬Å"Frankie, will you shut up? He fell! He fell off the watertower!â⬠I gripped the phone. ââ¬Å"Jesus. Is he okay?â⬠Yun Sun was unable to talk for sobbing. Which I understood, sure. Will was her friend, too. But I needed her to pull it together. ââ¬Å"Is he in the hospital? Can I go visit him? Yun Sun!â⬠There was wailing, and then a shuffling sound. Mrs. Yomiko took over. How to cite Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four, Essay examples Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four Free Essays Sibby Cumean started talking as soon as they got out of the airport. ââ¬Å"How long have you been driving people around?â⬠she asked Miranda. A year. We will write a custom essay sample on Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"Did you grow up here?â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you have any brothers?â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Any sisters?â⬠ââ¬Å"N-no.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you like driving?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you have to wear that boring black suit?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠ââ¬Å"How old are you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Twenty.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, not.â⬠ââ¬Å"Fine. Eighteen.â⬠ââ¬Å"Have you ever had sex?â⬠Miranda cleared her throat. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think that question is appropriate.â⬠She heard herself sound like Dr. Trope, the assistant head of school, with the voice he used to tell her he wasnââ¬â¢t listening to another excuse about why she was late getting back to campus, rules were made for a reason and that reason wasnââ¬â¢t so she could flout them for her amusement; and speaking of late, did she plan at some point to decide what she was going to do next year or just irresponsibly forfeit her place at the several top-tier colleges sheââ¬â¢d been accepted to, making the school look bad and herself look worse; and really he didnââ¬â¢t know what had gotten into her recently, where was the Miranda Kiss who was going to be a doctor and save the world, who was a credit to the school and herself, rather than the one who was on her way to being expelled-is that what you really want, young lady? A voice she knew well since she seemed to have been hearing it at leas t once a week since early November. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re a virgin,â⬠Sibby announced, like she was confirming a sad fact sheââ¬â¢d long suspected. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Do you at least have a boyfriend?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not at this-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"A girlfriend?â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you have any friends? Youââ¬â¢re not really very good at conversation.â⬠Miranda was beginning to understand why the girlââ¬â¢s relatives hadnââ¬â¢t come to the airport for her. ââ¬Å"I have lots of friends.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sure. I believe you. What do you do for fun?â⬠ââ¬Å"Answer questions.â⬠ââ¬Å"Please never try to be funny again.â⬠Sibby leaned forward. ââ¬Å"Have you ever thought of wearing some black eyeliner? It would be an improvement.â⬠B polite! ââ¬Å"Thanks.â⬠ââ¬Å"Can you pull up?â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, weââ¬â¢re at a stoplight.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just go forward a tiny-perfect.â⬠Looking in the side mirror, Miranda saw that Sibby had rolled down her window and was leaning out, saying now to the guys in the jeep next to them, ââ¬Å"Where are you boys going?â⬠The guys answered, ââ¬Å"A little moonlight surfing. Want to come, goddess?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not a goddess. Do you think I look like one?â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t tell. Maybe if you take off your shirt.â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe if you give me a kiss.â⬠Miranda hit the button to roll up the window. ââ¬Å"What are you doing?â⬠Sibby demanded. ââ¬Å"You could have broken my hand.â⬠ââ¬Å"Put your seat belt on, please.â⬠ââ¬Å"Put your seat belt on, please,â⬠Sibby mimicked, slumping back into the seat. ââ¬Å"Oh my gods, I was just trying to be sociable.â⬠ââ¬Å"Until we get to your destination, no more socializing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Have you listened to yourself recently? You sound like youââ¬â¢re eighty, not eighteen.â⬠She scowled at Miranda in the mirror. ââ¬Å"I thought you were a driver, not a jailer.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s my job to make sure you get where youââ¬â¢re going in a safe and timely manner. Thatââ¬â¢s printed on the card youââ¬â¢ll find in your seat pocket, by the way.â⬠ââ¬Å"How is kissing some boys going to make me unsafe?â⬠ââ¬Å"A million different ways. What if they have an invisible mouth fungus? Or DeathLip.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s no such thing as DeathLip.â⬠ââ¬Å"Are you sure?â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re just jealous because I know how to have fun and you donââ¬â¢t. Virgin.â⬠Miranda rolled her eyes but kept quiet, listening to cell phone conversations from the cars behind them, a woman telling someone that the gardener was on his way, a guy saying in a mystical voice, ââ¬Å"I see a mysterious stranger coming for you, I canââ¬â¢t quite tell if itââ¬â¢s a man or a woman.â⬠Another man talking to someone about how he wanted to take that bitch out of the will and it didnââ¬â¢t matter if she was his motherââ¬â¢s favorite dog- She was interrupted suddenly by Sibby shouting, ââ¬Å"Inn-Out Burger! We have to stop.â⬠B accommodating! Miranda agreed to let Sibby order her own at the drive-through, then regretted it when she heard the girl saying to the guy taking the order, ââ¬Å"Do I get a discount if I let you kiss me?â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay, seriously, were you raised on Crazycake? Why do you want to kiss all these guys you donââ¬â¢t even know?â⬠Miranda asked. ââ¬Å"There arenââ¬â¢t that many boys where I come from. And what does knowing them have to do with it? Kissing is great. I kissed four boys on the airplane. Iââ¬â¢m hoping to make it twenty-five before the end of the day.â⬠She added the two working the drive-through lane when she got her burger. ââ¬Å"Are all hamburgers that delicious?â⬠she asked when they were on the road again. Miranda glanced at her in the rearview mirror. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve never had a burger before? Where do you live?â⬠ââ¬Å"The mountains,â⬠Sibby answered quickly, and Miranda picked up a slight rise in her heart rate, suggesting that she was lying and not used to it. Which seemed hugely unlikely-the not-used-to-it part-for someone who had a case of acute Boy Crazy like this girl. Her parents couldnââ¬â¢t possibly let her run around- Oh So Very Much Not Your Problem, Miranda reminded herself. B discreet. Sibby tried to solicit kisses from four other guys as they drove. They were a mile from the drop-off point and Miranda was thinking that the ride could not be over soon enough when Sibby shrieked, ââ¬Å"Oh my gods, a doughnut store! Iââ¬â¢ve always wanted to try doughnuts, too. Can we stop? Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease?â⬠They were already almost an hour late but Miranda couldnââ¬â¢t deny anyone a doughnut. Even someone who said, ââ¬Å"Oh my gods.â⬠But pulling in, she saw a group of guys sitting at a table inside and decided that it would be dangerous to let Sibby near them if she wanted to get out of there in under forty minutes. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll go in and get them, you stay here.â⬠Sibby had seen the guys, too. ââ¬Å"No way, Iââ¬â¢m coming in.â⬠ââ¬Å"Either your butt stays in the car, Kissing Bandit, or the doughnuts stay in the store.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think thatââ¬â¢s a nice way to talk to customers.â⬠ââ¬Å"Feel free to use my phone to file a complaint while Iââ¬â¢m inside. Do we have a deal?â⬠ââ¬Å"Fine. But will you at least roll down the window?â⬠Miranda hesitated. Sibby said, ââ¬Å"Look, Grandma, I promise Iââ¬â¢ll keep my butt in the car, I just donââ¬â¢t want to suffocate. Gods.â⬠When Miranda came out, Sibby had wedged herself in the window with her body and legs outside the car and her rear hanging back into it, and was deeply involved in kissing a blond guy. ââ¬Å"Excuse me,â⬠Miranda said, tapping the guy on the shoulder. He turned around kind of hazy, looked her up and down. ââ¬Å"Hello, dream girl. You want a kiss, too? I could do something really special with lips like yours. You wouldnââ¬â¢t even have to pay me a dollar.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks, but no.â⬠Looking at Sibby now. ââ¬Å"I thought weââ¬â¢d agreed that-ââ¬Å" â⬠ââ¬â my butt would stay in the car. Where, if you bothered to look, you would see it is.â⬠Miranda turned away so Sibby wouldnââ¬â¢t see her crack up. She handed Sibby the doughnuts and slid into the driverââ¬â¢s seat. Once Sibby had wiggled back through the window, Miranda caught her eye in the rearview. ââ¬Å"You were paying guys to kiss you?â⬠ââ¬Å"So what?â⬠Sibby glared. ââ¬Å"Not all of us can get kissed for free.â⬠More glaring, then, ââ¬Å"You barely have boobs. My boobs are bigger than yours. It makes no sense.â⬠Sibby got quiet, not even eating her doughnut. From time to time sheââ¬â¢d sigh dramatically. Miranda started feeling a little sorry. Maybe she had been acting like a grandma. She looked at How to Get-And Kiss-Your Guy on the seat next to her. Maybe youââ¬â¢re jealous sheââ¬â¢s four years younger than you but has already kissed more guys in one day than youââ¬â¢ll probably date in your whole life even if you get a boob job and live to be two trillion. Shut up, U-Suck channel. She should be nice, make conversation. ââ¬Å"How many kisses is it total now?â⬠Sibby kept her eyes on her lap. ââ¬Å"Ten.â⬠Looking up to add, ââ¬Å"But I only paid six of them. And one of them I only gave a quarter.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nice work.â⬠Miranda saw Sibby look up suspiciously, like she thought she was being made fun of, decide she wasnââ¬â¢t, and start picking at her doughnut. After a while she said, ââ¬Å"Can I ask you a question?â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re asking permission now?â⬠ââ¬Å"For real, just please stop trying to be funny. Itââ¬â¢s painful.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks for the hot tip. Did you have a question or-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Why didnââ¬â¢t you want to kiss that boy back there? The one who wanted to kiss you?â⬠ââ¬Å"I guess heââ¬â¢s not my type.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s your type?â⬠Miranda thought of Deputy Reynolds-blue eyes and cleft jaw and shaggy blond hair, getting up every morning to go surfing. The kind of guy who always wore sunglasses or looked at you with his eyes half closed and was too cool for smiling. Then pictured Will with his dark, maple-syrup-color skin, short curly hair, huge boyish smile, and abs that rippled when he stood talking, shirtless, with the other players after lacrosse practice, body glimmering in the sun, his laugh ringing out and making her feel like she felt when she saw butter melting on perfectly cooked Belgian waffles. Not that she routinely jumped up onto the roof of the marine biology lab when no one was looking to watch this. (Weekly.) ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know, itââ¬â¢s more a feeling than a type,â⬠Miranda said finally. ââ¬Å"How many boys have you kissed? A hundred?â⬠ââ¬Å"Uh, no.â⬠ââ¬Å"Two hundred?â⬠Miranda felt herself blushing and hoped Sibby couldnââ¬â¢t see. ââ¬Å"Keep guessing.â⬠They pulled up to the address sheââ¬â¢d been given, an hour and fifteen minutes later than they should have, the first time sheââ¬â¢d ever dropped a client off late. When Miranda opened the car door for her, Sibby asked, ââ¬Å"Is kissing a boy whoââ¬â¢s your type really different than kissing just any boy?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s complicated.â⬠Miranda was surprised at how relieved she was that she wouldnââ¬â¢t have to go into it more, admit to this girl that, actually, she had no idea. The place looked more like a government safe house for witnesses than a home, she thought, walking Sibby to the door. It was like the dictionary definition of nondescript, sandwiched between a house with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves enacting the Nativity on the front lawn on one side, and one with a pink-and-orange swing set on the other. The only thing you noticed about this house was that there were thick curtains hanging in the front windows so you couldnââ¬â¢t see in, and a six-foot-tall solid wood fence blocking off the backyard so you couldnââ¬â¢t get in. The street was filled with noises-Miranda heard BBQs sizzling, conversations, someone watching Beauty and the Beast in Spanish-but this house was silent, as though it had been soundproofed. She registered a low humming coming from the side, like an air conditioner but not quite. Glancing up, she saw that none of the power lines connected to this house. None of the phone lines, either. A generator. Whoever lived here was living off the grid. All in all, the whole place was really cozy, if cozy meant creepy and cultish. And the woman who opened the front door? Exactly what youââ¬â¢d expect of someone creepy and cultish, Miranda thought. She had graying hair pulled back in a loose bun and was wearing a long skirt and kind of shapeless sweater. She could have been anywhere from thirty to sixty years old, it was impossible to tell because she was wearing a pair of huge bifocals with unflattering square frames that magnified her eyes and covered half her face. She looked completely harmless, like a schoolteacher whoââ¬â¢d dedicated her life to caring for an aging relative and whose one indulgence was a secret crush on Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre. Or almost like that. Like that was the look sheââ¬â¢d been going for. But there was something wrong, some tiny thing that did not quite match, one tiny detail that wasnââ¬â¢t right. So. Not. Your. Business. Miranda said good-bye, took her $1.00 tip-ââ¬Å"Because you were really quite late, dearâ⬠-and drove away. She was half a block away when she slammed on the brakes and sprinted back to the house. How to cite Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four, Essay examples
Monday, May 4, 2020
Healthy and Sustainable Places for Ecosystems- myassignmenthelp
Question: Discuss about theHealthy and Sustainable Places for Ecosystems. Answer: Given that the coastal areas of different parts of the world are densely populated, the impact of climate change on coastal communities is noteworthy. Climate change affects these regions in different ways. Coasts are highly sensitive to rise in sea level and the changes occurring in the intensity and frequency of storms. In addition, waremer ocean currents make a drastic impact. Further, rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide lead to oceans absorbing more amount of gas, thereby becoming acidic. The rising acidity has a significant impact on the marine and coastal ecosystems, including human health (Biehl Petryna, 2013). It is to be noted that contrasting impacts can occur at different parts of the world. In Africa, climate variability has a negative impact on human health. One major example is the threat of malaria in southern Africa. In contrast, in Arctic and Antarctic region, climate changes create suitable environment that reduce health issues. The present and possible future public health impacts of climate change on coastal communities is an important topic for discussion. The health consequences of climate variability are interrelated and complex. They are to be divided into three categories; primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary effects are fairly immediate and observable in a clear manner. These encompass illness and death resulting straight from an event such as heatwave or flood. Secondary outcomes have a mediator and these are difficult to observe. For instance, humidity increases the survival time and feeding rate of disease-carrying mosquito that transmits potential pathogens such as dengue. Tertiary impacts are more complex and include food insecurity and physical trauma. A particular climate event like heatwave might bring along multiple population impacts. For instance, extreme heat might cause direct death as well as diseases such as asthma. Some other examples of primary health concerns at present due to c limate variability include severe storms and bushfires. Some other secondary health impacts include mental health conditions, vector-borne disease, obesity and chronic disease. In future it is to be expected that the nature of the diseases that are currently being faced would change drastically for more negative effects. The capability to counter urgent effects will be insufficient (Patz et al., 2014). Two large cities that would be considered for the present section of the paper are Sydney and New York. According to Baum (2016), large Asian cities are aggrieved for not being on the list of top five healthy cities of the world that has Sydney at number five. The Australian metropolis and Sydney are at the epitome of being healthy and sustainable. The city is known for embodying the healthy outdoor culture, and many cities such as New York thrive to foster, but with failure. New York has witnessed negligible success in supporting a healthy culture that promotes health and wellbeing of its population. While Sydney is reputed for sports facilities and clubs, beaches and parks that promote physical activity and thus good health conditions, New York if far away from all these. It is to be mentioned in this regard that the weather conditions in Sydney are favourable for supporting these initiatives which are not possible in New York due to unfavourable climate conditions. Biehl and Petryna (2013) highlighted that mounting evidence suggests that car-reliant, sprawling and urban development in New York contributed to a sedentary lifestyle. Such a lifestyle is responsible for contemporary health issues such as type II diabetes, obesity, cancer, depression and heart diseases. Though Sydney also faces certain issues in respect to sedentary lifestyle, the statistics denote a less drastic situation. Sydney has the focus on low-density urban development, and transport through walking and cycling, which are factors contributing to sustainability and betterment of population. New York is still behind Sydney in coming up with such strategies and implementing them at a large scale. In addition, Sydney has sharpened its focus on future population. While New York aims at applying non-conventional ways of addressing the health issue, there is much still to be achieved for evident results. It is imperative for the government of the respective countries of these two cities to come up with policies that are beneficial for addressing the health and sustainability issues. Major policy decisions are to be guided by consequences on the society and the environment that are adverse in nature. Complete accounting of health, social and environmental costs and benefits need to be an integral part of policy-making processes. Synergies between protection of health and environment are to be considered for positive actions about to be taken in different domains. Policies must be focused on co-benefits of ecological and health sustainability, sustainable urban design and green health care options. Policies must also cover all aspects of modification of human behaviour that ultimately leads to public health issues and challenges human existence. The contribution of the government is expected in this regard since policy reforms require funding and allocation of resources (Martens et al. , 2014). The key points mentioned in the article by Tiat et al., (2014) are as follows- The influence of environment on health conditions extends significantly beyond the impact of infectious diseases and chemical pollution though these are significant aspects of public health. At present, the extended impact on public health, as implied by biophysical and ecological systems, are the basic source of provision, support and regulation of human society. There are broader implications for the spiritual, cultural and healing amenities as well. The systems functioning is guided by depleting and disrupting activities of humans. Agreeing to the above two statements it is to be stated that for being certain about the claims made it is necessary to obtain evidence that is based on population data from diverse regions of the world. References Baum, F. (2016).The new public health(No. Ed. 4). Oxford University Press. Biehl, J., Petryna, A. (Eds.). (2013).When people come first: critical studies in global health. Princeton University Press. Martens, P. (2014).Health and climate change: modelling the impacts of global warming and ozone depletion. Routledge. Patz, J. A., Frumkin, H., Holloway, T., Vimont, D. J., Haines, A. (2014). Climate change: challenges and opportunities for global health.Jama,312(15), 1565-1580. Tait, P. W., McMichael, A. J. and Hanna, E. G. (2014), Determinants of health: the contribution of the natural environment. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 38. 104107. doi:10.1111/1753-6405.12212
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