Beachtime Ed
by Seth W.

Ed placed a brochure in front of everyone across the table, in the living area. "Ed wants a vacation!" she cheered. "What?" frowned Jet, "A vacation? As if we could afford it!" "It's free!" she nodded, Ein barked. Spike picked up the brochure and began to read, "'The grand opening of Turtle Beach, located on Mars. We invite you to spend a day with us this summer on our galaxy-known, glamorous, beachfront. The beachfront is free for the day and our beautiful hotel rooms and spas are half-price for the week."
"'Half-price'?" huffed Jet, "You mean, instead of a arm and leg, they'll charge and arm?" Ed giggled. "No," said Faye, sitting up, "Maybe one day at the beach wouldn't hurt. We don't have to stay at the hotel. Just stop by and soak up some rays... I could work on my tan. Hey, Ed this is a great idea!" "Uh-huh." nodded Ed. "But what about our jobs," frowned Jet, "You know, catching bounties?" "It's been a slow week," waved Faye, "One day at the beach isn't going to kill us." "I don't think it's a good idea." said Jet, folding his arms. "PLEASE!!" begged Ed, with huge eyes, Ein hopped beside her.
"Yeah," joined Faye, "Please!" They both gave Jet huge puppy eyes and Ein whined. "A vacation couldn't hurt." shrugged Spike. "What?!" frowned Jet, "You too, Spike?!" "It's just for one day." begged Faye. Jet growled. "I think that was a 'yes'!" giggled Ed. "Great!" said Faye, standing up to leave. "Where are you going?!" barked Jet. "I'm going to get a new bathing suit." She shrugged, "At a glamorous, galaxy-known, beach, a girl has to look perfect." Jet growled and then sighed.
The next day, the Bebop crew headed for the beach. Even though they left early enough, the beach was still crowded with happy tourists. "Ugh..." frowned Spike, looking from the crowded ship dock. "Hey," grinned Jet, "You agreed to come along." "I didn't." he frowned, "I agreed that the girls needed a vacation. I didn't say I wanted to come along." The beach had red sand and sparkled with purple shards of seashells.
Faye, wearing a blue bikini, set up her beach chair and began working on her tan. Ed marched up and down the beach, wearing a light green bathing suit with starfish printed all over. She was banging her beach bucket with her shovel, like an drum, and singing, "Beach, beach! We love the beach!" Ein followed behind her, barking along. Jet stayed on the deck of the ship, wearing a Hawaiian suit and dark shorts, watching the sea. Spike sat alone by some rocks, wearing only a pair of blue trunks, thinking about his past with Julia.
As the sun began to set, later that day, Ed joined Spike by the rocks. "You miss her, don't you?" she asked. Spike was ready to shoo Ed away, until he saw the concern in her face. "Yeah," he said, "I do." "You love her?" she asked. "I do." He admitted. "I love sand!" she said, holding up the over-filled bucket. Some of the sand slid off and landed in Spike's lap. "Oopsie!" she grinned. Spike frowned and took out a cigarette from his back pocket.
"Hey, Ed." Grinned Jet, heading towards the two, "I have to hand it to ya. This was a really good idea." "Yeah," said Faye, showing up behind them, "Check out my tan, it's perfect!" "Thanks, Ed." Nodded Spike. "Let's go home!" she cheered and Ein barked.