murphymichaels

Wilson.

Mon, 26 May 2008 19:08:30 GMT

Wilson's back, Wilson who ditched Laura for being herself and made her feel like everything about her was wrong. I don't even intend to look at the guy. I'm glad Steele and Laura have taken him away.

I'm particularly glad that Steele is with them, because he's less controlled than I am and there's a fair chance he'll hit Wilson. When I remember Wilson, Steele seems less bad. I can't imagine him destroying Laura's confidence just because she scares him.

Just What He Needs: More Undeserved Attention!

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:07:07 GMT

Well, guess who's hogging the limelight again! He's going to be interviewed. Forgive any hysterical laughter at this point but he's going to talk about being a great detective, a man who couldn't find his own shoes without Laura's help (somebody else's precious painting, yes, but not his own shoes).

I just know he's going to do that face, that supercilious face he does when he's playing Remington Steele to impress the masses. I just hope they don't ask him the hard questions, like, "What's your name?" because we're still waiting for him to get back to us on that.

I know it's a case and I know Laura will be watching him like a hawk, but it makes me nervous whenever he does anything more dangerous than smile for the cameras. He's not Remington Steele. He forgets that. Sometimes, I think Laura does too.

There Are Creepier Things Than Ghosts

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:08:23 GMT

I was a little dismissive when Steele claimed our murderer was a ghost, but I confess that seeing the ghost for myself shook my scepticism briefly. However, I later checked the room where various people thought they had seen the ghost of Tom Donovan and I found an array of technical equipment perfect for faking ghostly activity.

Steele came as I was looking it over. He found something. I don't know what. He's so intent on winning his bet that he refused to share evidence with us. A bad mistake, I suspect. He makes as much use of evidence as a duck makes of an umbrella. He really should just hand things over to the real detectives.

Wanna know the really scary thing? Last night, as we searched for a killer, I found myself calling out for Steele!

Well, He Crashed This Party Too!

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:48:13 GMT

A friend of a friend (well, I think she was just a friend, she seems to have other ideas) was found dead on campus. It seemed a difficult case to solve, a locked building mystery with some very unusual elements. That was why I asked Laura to help. That and the fact I thought some time working together might ...

But that doesn't matter. What does matter is that she brought HIM. She knows I didn't ask for him, she knows I don't like him being around and here he is, playing detective around people who know and respect me!

It gets worse. He's now firmly convinced he's a detective. I blame her for that. She encourages him to get involved when we decided at the start that he wouldn't. Anyway, he was bragging. We dismissed his boasts. Next thing I know, he's betting her a trip to Paris against a year of his life that he will solve the case first. So, if he wins, she goes with him to Paris, and I don't think he's going for the sightseeing! If she wins, he gives her the hard facts about a year of his life, probably over dinner.

I hate this. I really hate this!

Steele-Free Time Ahead.

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:12:16 GMT

The last reunion-type thing I went to wasn't a huge success. Apart from the host's bizarre suicide with the party game of accusing each other to follow, Steele turned up. I can forgive Alan his sick game, but can't quite forgive him for inviting Steele, or Laura for not destroying the invitation before Steele found it.

Well, this is my old college, and there is no way he is invited. Let's see him crash this party!

I'm looking forward to it. I haven't seen the guys in years. It'll be good to relive the old days for a while. No cases, no autopsy reports, no smooth English conman making a move on any nearby female.

I don't like leaving them alone together, but it can't be helped. I can't stop Laura liking him and I can't stop him trying. All I can hope is that he doesn't take advantage of my absence.

Morrie Singer

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:42:03 GMT

This is just great! Morrie Singer hit me over the head, knocking me out and then, when I recovered, called me a swine and lectured Laura and me on our relationship and how unfair it was to Steele.

The fact is that I knew Laura long before he came along. I knew her before Wilson came along. If anyone has the right to be involved with Laura, it's me. Fine, so she's not interested, but that doesn't make wanting her to be interested a terrible crime. What has he ever done to deserve her?

Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here. Everyone, even a stray jewel thief, seems to think I should back off. Of course, if I leave, who'll comfort her when he gets bored and vanishes? Besides, he is never going to be a competent detective.

I Hate Steele!

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:46:44 GMT

We were staking out Morrie Singer's place and I decided it was time to tell her exactly how I felt. I really thought it would be fine. I thought she'd look at me and say, "The truth is, Murph, I didn't realise until you kissed me that I feel the same way."

She didn't say that. She was kind. She was cruelly kind, not even allowing me the comfort of anger. She was so sweet and apologetic and I couldn't even see the look on her face because all I could see was his face smirking at me. Whatever she said, what stops her caring for me is him. If he didn't exist, she'd see me.

He's not gonna make her happy. As soon as he gets bored, he'll go. I have so much more to offer. I could give her a real commitment.

Well, I'm not ready to give up on her yet. When she snaps out of her infatuation with him, maybe I won't seem such a dull alternative.

I Kissed Her!

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:20:30 GMT

I finally did what I've always wanted to do. I just grabbed her and kissed her and it felt great. She was a little surprised and not as eager as I would have liked, but she didn't slap me or scream or anything. I think I have a chance.

Even better, he walked in and saw it. He saw me kiss Laura! Take that, Steele! He's now convinced she has feelings for me, even if she's not and maybe he saw something between us that she didn't, because Laura doesn't always know what she's thinking.

Tonight, she and I are going to be working together again. I can continue this then.

I kissed her and he saw me. Life doesn't get much better than that.

No Steele!

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:09:05 GMT

Our client, an intelligent and discerning man, has decided he doesn't want Steele within a million miles of his case. Who are we to argue with a client's wishes? So it's Laura and me, the old team.

This will be great! If Laura and I are working closely together, without a certain charmer interfering, I may finally get a chance to tell her how I feel. It's not impossible that she feels the same, or could, especially if I can get her to spend less time with him.

He's the reason why I've never had a chance with Laura. I'd be a fool if I didn't take advantage of this golden opportunity.

Why Don't Nice Girls Like Nice Guys?

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 07:51:47 GMT

She's still looking at him like he's something special, which he is, but not in a good way. Apparently, she likes him drunk. If I turned up drunk, would she suddenly find me attractive?

How do I compete with a guy like him? He oozes charm and eloquence. All I have is sincerity. She never stops talking about him, "Mr Steele says ..." "Mr Steele thinks ..." Not often, he doesn't.

She acts like a schoolgirl over him. One of these days, I'm just going to say, "Laura, I love you." And she'll probably just talk right over the top of me and, when she does, guess who she'll be talking about!

She knows what he is. Why doesn't it matter?

Murder on the Orient Express?

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 07:11:17 GMT

Guess what! The Marcall case made Steele think of a movie. Well, I'm surprised. The movie he picked this time was "Murder on the Orient Express" and it has convinced him that all our suspects are equally guilty. Laura listened to him.

So now, the great Remington Steele will gather four murder suspects at the victim's home and talk about the wonderful acting in an old movie until Laura brings him back to the point and he makes a fool of all of us. Sounds like fun, right?

I must admit, though, his theory may actually be right. He's not as stupid as he seems. To be honest, nobody could be as stupid as he sometimes seems.

Does he think I was born yesterday?

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 10:39:09 GMT

Laura was drunk last night (due to undercover work, not because she wanted to be) and Steele seriously believed I would let him take her home in the limo. Just how stupid does he think I am? I don't like leaving them alone together when she's sober and angry with him.

Bernice thinks I had nothing to worry about. She thinks it would be no fun for him to take advantage of Laura like that. I think Bernice can be pretty naive at times, especially where our man of mystery is concerned. He'd consider Laura fun if she were unconscious. It isn't conversation he's looking for.

After we'd both taken Laura home, I watched his apartment building for a while, just to be sure he didn't go back to her place.

Tie Theory.

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:45:19 GMT

I think you can tell a lot about a man by how many ties he has. When a man's tie-count exceeds his age, you should wonder whether his priorities aren't a little off.

Appearances matter, I know, but for some people, appearances are all they have to offer. Those who are honest and open with the world don't need many ties. Ties, however expensive they may be, are no substitute for integrity, not even if they are silk.

I'm not pointing the finger at anyone in particular. Just expressing a general opinion.

Just Beautiful!

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:09:10 GMT

Ha! He who plays at being a detective may find it stops other little games! He thought he had a hot date with Laura, but with Laura, work always comes first, so she turned up at his place with a client and a job for him to do and now he's off to be poked and prodded in the sleep clinic and won't get a chance to do any poking and prodding of his own.

I'd love to have seen his face when his neat little seduction turned into a client conference. His plan to get her into bed has ended with her getting him into a hospital bed. Priceless!

Never thought I'd be glad that Laura is a workaholic, but I am now.

Maybe I should try talking like I've been punched in the mouth

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:40:21 GMT

Steele sprang a Sam Spade impression on Laura, which you wouldn't think would be her kind of thing, but it worked. Suddenly she's planning to have dinner with him.

She swears it's not a "date" date, but she seems very eager for the day to end. I think she'd rush home now if she didn't have to wait for a call from the guy at the sleep clinic.

This can only end badly. He's not good for her. He's not good for anyone. And when he leaves, who gets to reassure her it wasn't her? Good old Murph! I hope he chokes on a bone.

Simple Rules For Dealing With A Fictional Boss

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:09:55 GMT

1) Never, ever, let him work on a case, even if he begs.

2) Take the door off his office, so he can't do anything in there without you knowing.

3) Only allow him a toy telephone.

4) Make his paycheck similarly fictional.

5) Follow him, sometimes, just so you know every move the slimy reptile makes.

6) Make any romantic moves on your partner BEFORE he charms her with his accent and his enigma.

Wish I'd thought of these sooner.

He's in trouble

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:01:42 GMT

Looks like Steele did stumble onto something. His apartment is a mess and it seems he might be in the hands of some dangerous people. I hope he can talk his way out of it.

I may not be his biggest fan, but I don't want to see the guy get hurt. For once, I hope all his lies work.

Laura's waiting at his apartment. That's where he'll turn up, if he can. She'd do the same if I were missing. I just don't know that she'd have the same look on her face. If he turns up at the morgue, I guess I'll have to go with her. I don't want to look at her face if that happens. I just hope it doesn't come to that. I told her he can take care of himself. Let's hope I was right.

He's Missing, But It Can't Last

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:50:03 GMT

There's no sign of our esteemed Mr Steele. He cheerfully told the press that one Amos Maxwell was murdered and then disappeared. Obviously, I hope we find him safe and well, but does it have to be soon?

Maybe he's tired of playing Steele. I wish I could believe that. I'd love him to be on a plane right now, on his way back to Europe and a life of crime.

He's not, though. He'll be at his apartment, pretending not to hear the phone. Hiding from Laura is something he's very good at. I just wish he'd do it for longer. Ten years would be a good start.

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:04:36 GMT

There are times when covers are what reality should be, like when Laura and I pose as a couple or like this time, when I got to put Steele in a straitjacket and incarcerate him in a ward for the insane, the criminally insane.

For the first time since we met, he really looked right to me. No longer an intruder, pushing in where he didn't belong. No-one ever belonged more. Leaving him there felt so good!

Like any cover, it can't last. We will be getting him back. Still, the memory of him being taken away will give me pleasure for years to come.

I think maybe we should keep the straitjacket. I mean, a few drinks at the Christmas party and he could be back in it and on his way back to his natural environment.

Unwanted Englishman - Free to Good Home - Also Free to Bad Home.

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:34:40 GMT

Nothing happened when Steele took Laura away to that island. I know, because Bernice told me and also because he's still trying so hard. The trouble is, they do seem closer.

I keep asking myself why Laura likes the guy! Fine, so he's got looks and charm and more than a hint of mystery, but she knows he's not gonna change for her or for anyone.

Bernice is still encouraging her, even though she agrees with me that he can be very annoying.

I keep thinking we should put a note around his neck and leave him by somebody's door. Someone must have a use for him!

Still No Word

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:12:41 GMT

It's driving me crazy. He has Laura alone on a little island, chasing a non-existent case and I can just imagine what tricks he's pulling to try to get her where he wants her.

When he comes back, he's gonna be smiling that smug smile of his whether anything happened or not, because part of the fun for him is knowing that I will be thinking all the time about whether he and she are ...

You'd think she'd call, just to say how things are going, just to let old Murph know things are okay.

Regrets

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:35:11 GMT

Laura is special. You can laugh with Laura, fool around, do and say what you like and she will always be your friend. When you call her at 3 am because you've just figured out a case, she's glad you did and tells you so. When things go wrong and you need someone to say something supportive, she's there for you. There's nothing I can't talk about with her. Well, almost nothing.

It's not just that Laura and I could have something great together. We do have something great. For years, we've shared stuff Steele doesn't even know about. I was there when Wilson ditched her for no better reason than that she was Laura. I saw, with regret, how she tried to stifle that side of her afterwards. It never occurred to Laura that maybe Wilson was the one with the problem.

Now she's waiting for some sign that Steele is interested in more than just getting her into bed. She'll give him time, make excuses for him. With her mind so much on him, I don't think she sees me anymore.

One day, I'll do something dramatic, really get her attention. Of course, the day that happens, our friendship will be on the line. I should have kissed her, before he turned up, when it could have been laughed off as just a joke between friends if she didn't respond the way I'd like.

He fired me?!?

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:16:55 GMT

He's full of how he solved the death of Alan Grievey, even though he didn't. Something he also forgets is that he told me I was fired. No apology yet, I notice.

He had no authority to fire me, of course. Laura is the boss, however much he likes to believe he is. Laura will never fire me, least of all just because he's angry with me.

One day, Laura is going to remind him of his place. I hope I'm there to watch.

He Has Good Points.

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:40:46 GMT

Steele is disturbingly good at creeping about. There are aspects of this work that he does very well. Unfortunately, they're the aspects you'd expect a criminal to be good at. The mundane stuff doesn't manage to hold his attention and honesty and integrity are alien concepts to him.

He's got courage, with more than a little arrogance. He does things with a certain style. I confess, there are times I almost like the guy.

Then Laura smiles at him, and suddenly he doesn't seem so great.

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:36:49 GMT

He's taking an interest in the work. I hate when he does that. He thinks a detective can get by on flashes of inspiration and a knowledge of movies. Duller aspects, like actually compiling evidence, just bore him.

I'm not sure if he's trying to impress Laura or if he just wants to play at being Sam Spade for a while. Either way, he's going to be under our feet until this whim passes.

Laura is going along with it. She lets him get away with far too much.