If I Never Knew You

On another day at the studio, the Pythons were arguing among themselves, and she was getting a little heated herself. At some point, she notices what Michael does, what he does best, and retreats into a corner, only interjecting very little. Her heart broke a bit; she didn’t want him to feel that way. She almost went to him when Terry G caught her eye. He never interrupted; he thought he had no right to. But he was plucking at his eyebrows a bit, and she realized that it was a sign he was under duress. She remembered an interview in the future in which he was afraid that their genius, which drives them, was also what would deteriorate their friendships—a self-fulfilling prophecy. As much as she wanted to comfort sweet Michael, she felt she should stick up for Terry G.

            “Enough! Look at us, we should be ashamed. We're all great at what we do, but that's exactly what will tear us apart, and there will come a day when we won't be able to speak to one another! If that’s what you want, keep it up, but if you want to salvage something special we have, let cooler heads prevail.” John stood up, “Now wait a minute.” “No, sit down!” She barked, and he did so quickly. She almost wanted to beg John for forgiveness; she admired him. In the future, some on X tried to cancel him, but he could trash her home state of Texas, and she would agree without question. In her eyes, he could do no wrong, but this was for Terry. She continued, “Now Terry is the designated tie breaker, let him do a once over, and he will decide what we keep. As you wish, I will change things in my script, but if it doesn’t go over well, I don’t want to hear it next time. Terry, go ahead.”

            Terry looked shocked, and then it was as if something warm washed over him; he took the scripts and gave his two cents. She only interrupted to say, “Take notes, guys.” And Terry laughed to himself as the other Pythons did as told. Terry soaked it all in, sometimes stretching his opinion, then changing his mind to make the moment last.

            After the filming, the Pythons, still a little heated, didn’t go out for drinks. She was preparing to go home alone when Terry G caught up to her, “Hey Patty.” She grimaced at the name but tried to hide it. “Yeah, what’s up?” “Thanks for today, sometimes I wish I could say something, but you know.” “I do know, and honestly, you should give more input.” “Nah, they won’t listen to me.” “Gee, Ter, maybe all that time with the rubber chicken, you’re starting to emulate it.” “Come on, you see how those guys get. Hard to battle the Oxbridge mind.” “Says the man who constantly goes toe to toe with the BBC. The same man who took advantage of a loophole to give a screw you to Uncle Sam, so you wouldn’t have to fight a pointless war. The same man who took his chance in an entirely new country to make it as an animator. And is kicking ass at it!” Terry started blushing. “You really see all that?” “Of course. I also see you going on to do great things, not just animation, I can see you one day directing us.” She was referencing his co-directing The Holy Grail, but she didn’t want to jinx it, so best not mention they were set to make a movie. Terry looked up to the sky as if he could see it play out in the sky. He said confidently, “Terry Gilliam, a director…well, I did craft a few ideas down…but I’m not a storyteller, I can’t do dialogue.” She remembered he said that in a future interview as well and seized her chance. “If you only knew another American who was great at dialogue.” He beamed, “Would you really work on a movie with me?” “When the time comes, I’d love to.”

            They smiled softly at each other, and then Terry asked, “Do you want to get out of here, and not just another creaky pub? I know there is a carnival in town. Come with me, it will be fun.” She started to blush a little, “I’d be happy too.” And they walked out of the studio together.

            The carnival was bustling, and Terry insisted he pay. She was impressed if it was a date, but they were just 2 friends, and she didn’t feel comfortable, but he kept insisting. Their first stop was some games, throwing darts at balloons. She at first thought she should protect his ego, but she was competitive and had to win as she loved this game. “Damn, win again, Patty.” “Skills, man, just skills.” The game proprietor said, “Alright, young lady, you win a gift.” She looked over the cute stuffed animals, then spotted a little monster and had an idea. When the man handed it to her, she quickly gave it to Terry. “Why are you giving this to me?” “Well, you got the tickets, it’s only fair, it’s either this or you’re getting the soft bunny.” “Uh, no, I’ll take the monster. I'm already got beat at darts, can’t be emasculated carrying around a pink bunny.” They both laughed and headed over to the rides.         

            Terry became excited and said, “Let’s get on the Raptor coaster!” “No way, I don’t do roller coasters.” “Oh come on!” She didn’t trust the safety of roller coasters in 2026, let alone in the 1970s. “Terry, I’m sorry I can’t. It’s a big phobia of mine.” “Well, now whose the chicken?” “That won’t work; an insult can’t make me value my life any less.” Then Terry got the cheekiest grin and started singing, “knick-knack patty wack give a dog a bone.” “Oh, you better stop that.” “Nope, and I am going to sing it every time I see you.” She grimaced again, but she knew the alternative was the coaster. Then his face softened, and he said, “If you do this, I will try to speak up more to the other 5. If I can face my fear, can’t you?” He looked so earnest and soft, she almost wanted to hold him. She knew he would eventually be able to speak up, but she wanted him to see it sooner and stop plucking his eyebrows. “Alright, Terry, we can go.” He smiled brightly and, with the hand that wasn’t holding the monster, he took hers. His hand was so strong she almost didn’t want to let it go.     

            Though on the roller coaster, she felt herself gripping him countless times. When they got off, she clutched her heart. He laughed wildly and said, “Look at you, you look terrified, but you faced your fears, how does it feel?” “As I could throttle you, ugh, you'd better keep your end of the bargain.” “I promise, so now what would you like to do?” She composed herself and said, “I really like the Ferris wheel, if you don’t mind. It will be nice while there are still some sunset hues left. “Not at all, let’s go.”

            Once on the Ferris wheel, Terry spoke up, “You’re afraid of roller coasters, but Ferris wheels can be just as dangerous.” “Not really.” “Yes, really, watch.” He grabbed the front of it and started rocking back and forth. Causing her to yelp. “Terry, knock it off!” “Scared, aren’t we? I, however, am not scared of anything!” He stood up on the ride as it reached its highest point. 1970s Ferris wheels were not as safe as the 2000s, and her heart leaped out of her chest. “Terry, please sit down!” “Why, it’s just a Ferris wheel, remember?” A wind was picking up, and he started to lose his footing. She quickly reached up, grabbed him by his torso, and twisted him into the seat. She was resting on his chest, but she didn’t realize as she scolded him, “Are you crazy! You could’ve been killed!” His soft brown eyes met hers. His eyes were so sexy, his deep voice boomed, “Hey, I’m sorry, I won’t ever make you worry about me like that again. Really, I’m sorry, forgive me, Patty?” She couldn’t break her gaze; he looked so tender. The sunset was cascading all around them. It seemed as if their hearts synced up; she was inches away from his lips. Then he smiled and said, “You can get off me now, you saved me.” She blushed, she didn’t realize she was still on him, and went back to her side. He laughed a bit, and she was quiet until the ride concluded.

            Afterwards, they got cotton candy, and she suddenly felt at a loss for words beyond small talk. Something shifted in her. They concluded the night, and she went to her flat. A few moments after she arrived home, there was a ring at her telephone. It was Terry G. “Hey Terry, didn’t get enough of me?” “Nah, I need to bother you for a bit more.” They laughed, but then there was silence. “Hey, did things seem weird towards the end? Were you still mad at me?” She was hoping he didn’t sense it; she was confused by her own feelings, and she said, “No, not all. I had a lovely time.” “Yeah, I did too, hey, look, there is something I want to say…” Then there was a pause, and her heart skipped a beat, but then panic set in, and she quickly said, “Hey Terry, I left something on my stove. I really have to go, but I’ll talk to you later, okay?” “Um, okay, well…” “Well, bye.” And she slammed the phone down.

            It almost sounded like he was going to confess to something, and she would be lying to herself if she didn’t feel warm around him. But she is in a group with Michael Palin, her biggest Python crush; she wished he were single, and he is. She can’t give up hope that maybe…But then why, when she had a chance to comfort Michael, was she drawn to comfort Terry instead? She sighed and felt perhaps she shouldn’t think about it, and went to bed. 

AUTHORS' NOTE:

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