Hi Mum, it's Sammy (clone 47 - part 8)

I had an unexpected bonus. Don had a decent car, I found the keys on the ground after the Reaper had gone.

Since Don is in no condition to use or appreciate a vehicle, I may as well have some wheels of my own.

I'm not sure I mentioned. My hard work and dedication to the team moved me up to one of the starters.

It's good for both me and the team. My skills and speed are hard for any other team to match when they only have mortal players.

Hi Mum, it's Sammy (clone 47 - part 7)

MJ came over again. I could sense something was upsetting her. She smells different now. Not as tasty.

"My Beauty, what's wrong with you?"

"Oh Sam, I can't. I can't talk about it."

"Why not?"

"Just don't ask. I really can't talk about it." I tried a few approaches but got no closer to the root of the distress.

I spent quite a bit of the evening distracting her from her troubles. Eventually, we went to bed.

Whatever it was, it troubled MJ much less the next morning. She smelled less stressed. Much tastier.

"I think you feel better, my Beauty?"

"Yes, Sam, I do feel better after a good sleep. I felt safe here."

"I'm so glad. There's nothing more dangerous here then me. Do you trust me?"

"Oh yes, certainly."

"My Beautiful MJ, may I? May I partake of the nectar that is your plasma?"

MJ began by offering her arm again.

"My Beauty, trust me on this. The arm isn't the best place. If you'll allow me to nuzzle your sweet throat again?"

"Oh Sam, do you think so?"

"Yes, Beauty, the throat is much more...satisfying. If you will allow me, that is?"

"All right, my love. If that's what you want."

For my lover, it's flirting. For me, it's an easy meal. It's a win for both of us.

"Was that good for you, my Beauty?"

"Oh yes, Sam. It was divine."

"Are you sure?"

"I feel tired, I need to rest a bit. But I feel very good otherwise."

It was some hours later when I finally decided to head to the beauty saloon and tattoo parlour, to see if Lothario was there and alone.

He wasn't there. If he had been, he wouldn't have been alone. There was quite a group of people hanging out.

I did finally met Moe's wife Jane.

"Good afternoon, lovely. I'm Sam, Sam Grant."

"Oh, so you're Sam. Moe has been telling me all about you. I'm Jane, Moe's wife."

"I shall have words with Moe. He failed utterly to tell me what a divine creature he married."

"Oh my, you charmer. Do you flirt so with all the women you met?"

"Oh no. Only the prettiest of them. Or the tastiest." I gave her a friendly leer. "You qualify in both categories." No need to tell her that I've been known to flirt with men as well. Especially Moe.

"So Mr Grant, what do you do?"

"Just Sam.  I'm a member of the Llamas."

"Well, Just Sam, I can't say I've seen you play."

 I shook a finger at her. "Naughty Jane, you know what I meant by just Sam. And I've just joined the starting lineup so I haven't had a lot of game time yet."

Jane giggled. She has a delightful giggle. "All right Sam. I believe you."

"And you? What do you do?"

"I work at the local paper, for the moment."

"My dear Jane. Might I ask you a small favor?"

"What would you like of me?"

"I fear the thirst is upon me. Might I impose upon you for some plasma?"

"I haven't done this before."

"Don't worry, lovely Jane. You can't this wrong."

I didn't tell Jane that there are just times when I'm not careful enough.

"Jane, thank you so much. I greatly appreciate the donation."

Susie Pierce-Lessen, wife of the Riverview rock god himself Jon Pierce-Lessen. She's pretty good with the guitar herself. She was the reason for the crowd in the saloon.

"Hello, Gorgeous. My name is Sam Grant. I just wanted to tell you that your beautiful music holds but a tiny speck compared to the beauty that is you."

She frowned for a moment. Perhaps it was a touch too much?

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Flattery? Since when is truth flattery? Though perhaps," I closed my eyes, pretending to think. "No, I am sorry but it was truth."

"I know sincere and insincere. The groupies that follow Jon everywhere have taught me that much."

"All right, perhaps a small exaggeration, but not much of one."  I stared deep in her eyes. "Surely many appreciate your many assets."

"You are a rogue, Mr Grant."

"You must forgive a rogue then, Ms Pierce-Lessen. Do you happen to know Mr Lothario by any chance?"

"Yes, Don is my stylist. He is even more of a rogue than you."

I tried my best not to let the growl I could feel building escape. "Could you give him this letter?"

"Who is it from?"

"I don't know, someone gave it to me to give to him. The perfume suggests that it's an admirer." I gave Susie a carefully crafted letter. The scent on it was a very expensive perfume, I had bought earlier in the day.

"All right, he is due back soon. He'll get the letter." I left quickly. I didn't want Don to see me if I could help it. Not here.

Alone at last with Lothario. Dark and quiet except for the ghosts.

Don will regret the day he meddled with my prey. He will deeply regret it.

"What are you doing here? I thought I was to meet Ripley."

"I wished to talk to you about Ripley. You dared to date my prey?"

"What? What has that to do with anything?"

"Your affair with Ripley made her cut her ties with me. I cannot allow such a thing to happen a second time."

"She was free to choose. She choose me over you." 

"And that will never happen again." I compelled Don to offer his arm.

For once, I am very pleased to be the cause of pain.

And for once, I didn't stop quickly. The bite was deep and I pulled every drop that I could.

Which as it turned out was more than Lothario could spare.

"No, please don't. I can't," he gasped as the plasma flowed. He dropped to his knees to beg.

"You are right. You can't. Or at least not for long."

In fact, only a few minutes longer.

This is more like it. Don Lothario dead at my feet. Let's see you seduce someone from me now, Mr Lothario.

I waited to ensure the deed was complete. I was waiting for the Grim Reaper to arrive and claim his newest prize.

Don groveled at the Reaper but the Grim remained unmoved. The Reaper forced the ghost Don into his tombstone.

Don is dead and his soul rests ill at ease in the cemetery with the other ghosts.

Let the petty mortals beware. I will allow nothing to stand in my way.

We weren't quite as alone as I had thought though. I had failed to notice that someone else living was at the cemetery. I only caught a scent of recently present human while I was leaving.

It wasn't a scent I know or have run across before. Hmmm.

Hi Mum, it's Sammy (clone 47 - part 6)

I was invited to a party by Lucille. I accepted, of course. A house of potential snack material, it will be most entertaining.

I don't know why it was a swimsuit party. There is no pool or even a hot tub in the house or even close by. Well, since I'm here, I should see who looks tastiest in the house.

Hmmm, such a tasty morsel.

"Hello, I'm Sam. You could call me the Beast. And you would be my Beauty?"

She giggled. "No, I'm MJ. Pleased to met you, Sam."

MJ truly is a beauty, and I look forward to making her acquaintance further.

However a guest should always pay their respects to the hostess.

"Lucille, my dear, dear lady."

"Sam, you came."

"How could I refuse the request of a lovely lady?"

"How do you like the party?"

"Simply delightful, dear lady. But I was wondering."

"Yes Sam?"

"Might I have a nibble, dear lady?"

"You know I can't refuse you, you lovely lad."

I left the party and headed straight for work.

I've already worked my way up to the Minor Leagues now. Thank god for leaving the toddlers behind. There seem to be a few adult around who are sensitive to a vampire but fewer of them randomly scream when I'm close.

Of course, there are exceptions. Constance Shelley always does scream if I walk up behind her. It's rather fun, actually. Sneaky is quite good.

I decided it was time for me to have a party of my own.

I invited all of my friends and co-workers. Lovely ladies. Handsome men. All of them delicious, in their own unique ways.


"Moe, my friend. Welcome to the party."

"Sam, thanks for including me."

"My pleasure, you handsome fellow." I paused for a moment. "I was wondering if you would be so kind, Moe? Would you offer me your arm?"

"Oh Sam, if you need it."

"I do, Moe, I truly do."

Lucille thinks its funny that I'm taking plasma from Moe and not her.

Look at all that lovely plasma in my house. So yummy.

Another day, another promotion. I'm finally a true team member. I'm the latest rookie. Ok, not a great thing yet, but I get some game time at long last.

After the game, I went to the Water Hole for some fun. I ran across MJ again. Now this could be a lot of fun.

"Greetings, my Beauty."

"Oh, hi Sam."

"Where is the man I must challenge for the pleasure of your company?"

She blushed. "I'm here alone."

"Alone? Such a waste, my Beauty. May I keep you company?"

"Oh Sam, can any girl resist you?"

"A few have, my Beauty." She didn't protest when I leaned in for a kiss.

We soon went home to my place.

It was only a little more persuasion required to get MJ into bed.

I knew we would have a fun night together.

We slept well but she woke early to leave for work. I got up as well. There was something I needed.

"Beauty, my beauty. May I?"

"Sam, what?"

"Ah my Beauty, I thirst. Your plasma will be just what I need to cure my dreadful thirst."

She tentatively offered an arm.

"Beauty, I have a much better idea." I gently touched her.  So soft and smooth, her precious skin.

And oh so delicious to many senses. The perfume of her skin. The feel of the pulse just under that soft skin. The warmth of the plasma.

"How was that for you, my Beauty?"

"Oh Sam, I think I could let you do that forever."

"No, MJ, you could not." I sighed. "Your heart may be willing but your body would collapse oh so quickly."

I was on my way to work when I spotted Don Lothario.

He is shameless, now he's after Mary Kay Shallow, daughter of one of the wealthiest families in town.

I laid into him the moment I know who it was. He tried to keep Ripley from me.

He must learn not to meddle in the affairs of vampires. For we are strong and quick to anger.

Quite frankly, a mere stylist never had a chance again someone who trains as often as I do.

I had to head in, it was game night and I must not miss any of the game.

When the game was over, we were all pumped over our victory.

Lothario was still there. That was typical stupid human on his part. He should have left while he could.

I yelled at him about Ripley.

Then I proved to him that even after a game, he was simply no match.

I doubt that will stop him from romancing every female he can in town. But he may think twice if he founds out they have been seen in my company.

I went home after my triumph over Don and taught myself a new hobby.

The bass is fun and not at all difficult to learn.

Come to think of it, nothing has been difficult to learn since becoming a vampire. Every skill I try, seems to come quickly and naturally.

The same has been true with painting. I can feel my skill increase by the hour.

I am using this time to contemplate the problem of Lothario. I really can't do much about him in daylight in the public eye. But perhaps there is a way to meet him elsewhere.

Hi Mum, it's Sammy (clone 47 - part 5)

Even a vampire has to worry about money, and I was pretty near my next promotion. So I decided to drop by my boss's house and see if I could talk him into giving me an early promotion.

My boss is Robert Newbie. Unfortunately, I barely know the guy, he's either on the floor with the team or in his office with the paperwork. I doubt he'll give me a promotion just because I asked.

I tried reading his mind. Hmm, he loves the outdoors and is a fisherman. Not sure what good that will do me.

"Mr Newbie, I know I'm one of the new guys, I thought I should come over and get to know you."

"And you are?"

"One of your snack hawkers, Sam. Sam Grant."

"Oh yes, the trainers were most impressed by your abilities so far, Mr Grant."

"Call me Sam. I think they'd be even more impressed. I've been working out quite a lot more lately."

"So, Sam, what do you want?"

"Well, I was hoping that I could have a better job then selling peanuts to the peanut gallery."

He looked away. "Umm, you seem like a nice enough guy but I can't promote you on that."

It had taken a good part of the evening to make him my friend. Still, no promotion. Stupid human.

Since it was about that time that humans decide to throw you out of the house, I wandered away.

I went to the gym and spent some time working out.

And some time at the Water Hole, where I had a chance to play with my pretty Ripley.

No, not that kind of play. She needs more time to recover from our last bit of that play. Just some foozball. It was fun. Not the most fun thing I can think of but there are times when you just make do.

The next day, I tried again with Newbie.

"Robert, my friend."

"Yes, Sam?"

"Have you reconsidered? Can I move up in the team?"

"No promotion now, Sam."

I sighed. Well, if he won't give a promotion, I damned well know something he will do for me.

"Robert, my friend. Would you like to be a lifesaver?"

"Lifesaver?"

"Oh yes, a lifesaver. Just a little plasma, my dear friend.  A tiny nip."

"Well," he paused then offered me his arm.

Ok, this time I could have been a bit more gentle with him. But I was annoyed that he twice over refused my promotion.

We went to work almost immediately after. Sure enough, it wasn't long before the team had admit that I had the talent to go up.

It's always pretty late when we end our sessions. I was feeling a bit restless. I took a stroll along the river bank. I'm still trying to break the getting up at 10am habit and staying up until very early morning helps.

"Moe, what are you doing out here this late?"

Moe looked around a bit startled. "When did night fall?"

"Same time as usual, I think. Been here long?"

"Oh god, Jane is either going to kill me or she's about to die of anxiety."

"Look, why don't you call her from my place, lay the blame on me for keeping you out so long."

"If she believes me, she'll be cross at you for days."

"I'll take that risk," I chuckled.

Moe made the call to Jane. Then I made my move.

"So Handsome, what else you have planned for the night?" He blinked, a bit startled.

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Hot Stuff. Do you have much else on for tonight?" For a moment, I thought he was mine.

Then he caught a glance at my clock and finally noticed the time.

"No, Sam, look, I really do have to get home. Our twins are teens and I don't know what they could be up to now."

"Moe, my dear friend. I'd love it if you'd do a small favor for me? It will only take a few extra moments."

"Sam?"

"Just a little bit of plasma. That's all I ask."

Moe willing gave me his arm. And left for home the moment I finished.

A point to note, seduction doesn't work as well on the happily married.

I've taken up a new hobby, painting. I need something beyond exercise to fill the darkest hours of the night. The hours the humans fear to tread.

I miscalculated rather badly the next day. By the time I had my sleep, there wasn't time for inviting friends over or meeting them somewhere.

It was time to try that plasma fruit. Much better than the plasma in a juice box. But not really as good as fresh, warm, succulent plasma from a human.

After my promotion, I'm the local toddler coach. About half the kids seem totally oblivious to the fact that I'm not human. The rest are evenly divided between the kids that get a little nervous if I get too close and the ones that throw screaming fits when I enter the room. Apparently some are far more sensitive then others to a vampire.

I wonder if their parents will be shelling out for therapy sometime.

Still, even if it terrifies some of the kiddies, I have to go in. You don't get promotions by just staying home and hoping.

It was a long afternoon. Two of the little ones would not stop screaming. It would have been painful for a human to bear, it was excruciating for a vampire. I finally took them to a quiet corner and hissed at them to be quiet. They fainted, not what I expected, but at least we had some blessed silence.

Eventually to go home again. Home and thirsty.

I pulled my phone from my pocket. "Lucille, my sweet. It's been forever. Would you come over for a chat?" The phone is a good tool for a vampire. Less having to hunt all over town.

She protested that it had been nearly no time at all. Then she agreed to come.

"Lucy, I've missed you so. It's been years."

"Sam, you idiot, it's been more like 2 days."

"Every day without you is an eternity to me."

"You old flatterer."

"My dear, would you be so kind as to offer me your arm? I must drink."

Lucy gave me her arm. She is still very tasty. Not quite the tastiest treat I've had though.

Not long after that, Lucille left. I decided to see if I could get Ripley to stay the night. Ripley was my tastiest treat and having her stay the night would ensure my breakfast nom.

She was most reluctant to come over. Almost as if she didn't know me.

It took me a good part of the evening to entice Ripley to romance again.

"Ripley, my sweet. What happened since we last met?"

"Sam, I have a new boyfriend."

Grrrrrr "Boyfriend?"

"Oh yes. It's the local stylist, Don Lothario. He's so dreamy."

"It's so late, my sweet. Would you care to stay the night? Save you the long drive home?" I'll make sure she forgets that Lothario.

"Oh Sam. I'd love to stay here."

"I'm so pleased you stayed, dearest Ripley."

"I can't seem to refuse you, Sam. We seem to have a deep connection."

I very recently decided to sell the old single bed and buy a double one.

"Ripley, light of my life. Is the bed to your liking? It's quite new and untested."

She snuggled up to me. "It seems quite comfortable. How thoroughly do you want to test the bed?"

Let's just say that we tested the mattress and springs very thoroughly through the night. It was more than satisfactory.

The next morning and I had two needs.

The first was the thirst.

"Ripley, my sweet. I need you."

"I think I need you too, Sam."

"I fear my need at the moment is physical. I must drink, my dear. Would you be so kind?"

They say that practice makes perfect. The second time biting Ripley's neck went much smoother than the first. We both had a better idea of what needed to happen to make it a mutually satisfying experience.

Ripley's plasma is so very tasty. I wonder if I could get her to move in? It would be convenient.

My second need was a promise.

"Ripley, love of mine. Will you tell Lothario that it's over between you?"

"Yes, Sam. I don't know why I looked at him twice."

"You must promise me not to go back to him. He just isn't for someone like you."

"All right Sam, I promise not to date Don again."

Don Lothario tried to steal my Ripley. He will pay for that. He will pay dearly for that.