Zen and The Cynic

Part 1



Daria and Quinn watched as their parents hurried around in the kitchen smiling and laughing.
It was the summer after Daria’s first year of college and Quinn’s last year in high school.
Daria had arrived the night before after taking the bus from Boston to Lawndale and showing up at the house at almost midnight. Her parents waited up but Quinn had been sound asleep when she arrived.
The sisters tried to catch up over breakfast.

“So Quinn are you looking forward to Pepperhill?” Daria asked nicely not wanting to overlook Quinn’s accomplishment.
:Third in her class isn’t bad for someone who spent three years without opening a book.: Daria admitted grudgingly.
“I didn’t get in.” Quinn said distractedly.

“Really. I would have thought they would snap you up in a flash.” Daria said almost shocked.
Quinn just shrugged.
“I have a few schools I’m waiting to hear back from. If nothing else I can go to state for a while and transfer to a better school from there.” Quinn dismissed the topic seemingly without thought.

“It’s so nice to have both our girls home for a while again.” Helen smiled over at them.
“Ya.” Jake agreed.

“Don’t get used to it. As soon as Jane gets back from England next month I’m going to spend the rest of the summer keeping her out of trouble.” Daria grinned.

“Well I’ll be around all summer.” Quinn said with a mocked air of disapproval of her sister.

“Hey what’s this?” Jake said bending downing and picking up a small item that dropped out of the cabinet that Helen was pulling pans out of.

“It looks like a key.” Jake said holding it up.

“That’s because it is a key.” Daria said and she plucked it from her father and read the faded tag. “I think it says shed.”

“It must be for the tool shed out back.” Helen replied.

“We have a shed!” Quinn mused looking confused.

“It’s the little house behind our house. I thought you cut the lock off that.” Daria said looking at her father.

“I think I might have forgotten. I just never got around to it.” Jake shrugged.

Daria turned the key over in her hands before speaking. “ I wonder what’s in there.”

“Well go open it.” Quinn sighed.

“I think I will.” Daria smirked and walked to the sliding glass door and slid it open. She walked into the side yard and turned to head to walk behind the house.

It was a small prefab shed that couldn’t have been more that 8x10 in size. The old lock still sat in place on the door.
:Stop it.: She told her heart that had started speeding up as she slid in the key and was surprised how smoothly it moved.

The doors squealed as she pushed open the two doors and looked into the dark building.

“Ewwwwwwww. Spiders!” Quinn said from behind her and Daria almost jumped through the ceiling in surprise.

“DON’T DO THAT.” Daria said holding her chest with one hand as she tried to breathe.

“Sorry.” Quinn said sheepishly.

Daria let her eyes adjust to the lack of light until she saw the cord hanging down from a light bulb on the ceiling. She pulled the ragged string then blinked away the tears from the sudden change in light.

“Eww. It’s really dirty.” Quinn complained from the entrance.

“Hey it’s a motorcycle.” Daria said looking at the stripped frame and moving her eyes over what appeared to be all the parts spread around the entire shed.

“What? That’s just junk.” Quinn dismissed and with her minor curiosity slaked she headed back into the house.

Daria started out of the shed after turning off the light but stopped and listed for a moment.
There was a roaring sound but then it was gone when she listened for it.


Daria went back into the house and listened as her sister described the contents of the shed to her parents.

“I guess we can hire the Morgans to come clean it out for us.” Helen sighed.

Daria felt her chest seize at the concept and heard her own voice before realizing she was speaking.
“No.”

Her family all turned to stare at her confused. Daria thought quickly and came up with a credible excuse.
“I was thinking Jane might want it … to make some art or something.” She said weakly.
:Ya that didn’t sound fake or anything.:

“I guess it won’t hurt to leave it alone for a little longer.” Helen said with a smile.

The rest of the day passed with their parents taking them out for a family together day and even Daria had to admit it was a fun day but her thoughts kept returning to the shed and it’s contents.


Quinn stretched as she returned to her bedroom from the bathroom and prepared to go back to sleep. Brightness outside her window caught her eye as she turned toward her bed and drew her to the window.

She looked out over the backyard and saw the light streaming from the shed and sighed loudly.
:Daria leaves the light on but I’ll get blamed somehow.: She thought as she grabbed her robe and slipped on her slippers before heading out her bedroom door. She paused at her sister’s door but decided against waking her. It would take longer to get her up than to do it herself.

She walked to the shed and heard a low mumbling and froze just out of sight of the door.
:Somebody’s in there.: She thought nervously before peeking around the door carefully.

She wasn’t prepared for the sight that presented itself. The shed was still covered in old spiderwebs but the piles of parts that she couldn’t hope to identify were now neatly stacked around.

Daria was sitting on the floor looking like someone poured oil over her head while reading from a large book appearing to be trying to put together pieces. Quinn sighed when she realized that the book seemed to contain instructions concerning repairing motorcycles.

“What are you doing?” Quinn demanded and watched her sister jump causing several small pieces to fall from her lap.

“Huh!” Daria said surprised and then her face fell as she tried to recapture the escaped parts.

Quinn watched Daria look around in the poor lighting for the tiny screws and springs like a blind man before she realized Daria couldn’t see them.

“Right here.” Quinn pointed out the last of the parts and Daria scooped them up and seemed to do a mental inventory.

“Thanks.” Daria said and offered Quinn one of her rare smiles.

“What are you doing?” Quinn asked again.

“I just thought it would be cool to try to put it together.” Daria shrugged.

Quinn watched her sister tighten two pieces together with a wrench before mounting them to a larger piece and setting bolts into place before crying out in pain.

Daria pulled her hand tight against her chest and Quinn moved close and tried to grab it.
“Let me see.” She demanded.

The hand was black with a thick coat of oil and the blood seemed to be mixing with it.
“In the house.” Quinn insisted and starting pulling her sister toward the house.

Daria resisted staring down at the parts and Quinn sighed.
“You can come back tomorrow.” She groaned and Daria ended her mild struggle and allowed her self to be taken in the house.

Quinn moved her to the sink and started scrubbing her sister’s hands and continued until all the black below the wrist was gone.

“My clothes are ruined.” Quinn sighed as she checked the injury now that she could see it.
“I don’t think it needs stitches.” Daria offered weakly.

“Good. We can get the bleeding stopped and then you can take a shower, then we can wrap it up.” Quinn said matter of factly.

“Sorry about the oil.” Daria said looking at Quinn’s pants and top that were now streaked with the oil and crud from Daria’s.

“It’s ok.” Quinn sighed.

“I’m sorry about Pepperhill too.” Daria offered.

“I didn’t really want to go there. It was just where they were going.” Quinn admitted.

“And now?” Daria mused knowing who “they” were.

“Sandi is going to FSU and Stacy is going to Cal-tech and Tiffany to State.” Quinn shrugged.

“Hey you did great all year plus you have all those extra curricular activities. I’m sure a lot of schools will jump at you.” Daria said sincerely.

“Ya.” Quinn said embarrassed.

“You did apply to other schools right.” Daria asked looking worried.

“Ya.” Quinn answered weakly.

Daria wanted to strangle her sister at this point. “AND?”

“I got in to some.” Quinn sighed.

Daria was taken back by this admission and the complete lack of enthusiasm from Quinn. She thought she knew what the problem might be.

“Look I didn’t get into my first choice school and honestly I’m happy about it.” Daria tried to cheer up the other girl.

“I did.” Quinn said still not looking to happy.

“Huh.” Daria said still confused.

“I got into my first choice school.” Quinn answered.

“Then what’s the problem?” Daria said surprised.

“I don’t want to live in a dorm or anything like that. It’s bad enough being away from home for the first time.” Quinn said with a weary look.

“So get a job and get an apartment. Me and Jane did it almost as soon as she got up there.” Daria said with a smile.

“I won’t know anyone up there. Would sure be nice if someone offered to let me use their couch when I get to Boston.” Quinn said and Daria noticed the grin.

“What?” Daria gasped.

“Fashion design is considered one of the fine arts.” Quinn stated with a wider grin.

“No!” Daria said in shock.

“I was going to talk to you tomorrow but I just had to tell someone. I got into BFAC!” Quinn replied in a hyper voice.

“No!” Daria still couldn’t process the information.

“Yes.” Quinn answered before calming. “This is ok right. I was joking about the couch unless that’s ok to.” Quinn added nervously.

“I’m speechless.” Daria said. “Sure it’s ok but I’ll have to talk to Jane about the crashing thing.”

Quinn laughed and hugged her sister, quickly releasing her before groaning about the additional oil that transferred to her clothing.

“Congratulations.” Daria said honestly feeling proud of her.

Quinn smiled and did a slight bow before pushing Daria toward the stairs. “Now go get in the shower.”

Daria beginning to feel exhausted give in and soon enough came out to find a waiting Quinn who quickly and expertly wrapped her hand without comment before heading into the shower herself.

Part 2


Quinn came downstairs in the late morning feeling spoiled by sleeping in till almost noon on a weekday. She found a note from her parents on the table to both her and Daria along with a 50 dollar bill advising the two of them to go out for lunch.
:I was really hoping they would take a little time off for my last summer.: Quinn thought disappointed but she scooped up the money and shoved it into her pants pockets and went back upstairs to wake her sister up. Daria’s door stood open and no one was in the room.

Quinn made her way back downstairs and with a sigh headed into the backyard, she found her sister sitting once again in the shed tinkering with the various parts. She was once again covered in grime and oil.
“Daria in case you didn’t know. You’re a girl and we don’t like being dirty.” Quinn sighed as Daria continued to read from the manual.

“I’m enjoying myself, it’s like a big puzzle.” Daria admitted with one of her smiles.

Quinn prepared a somewhat nasty retort but Daria’s stomach interrupted her with growl.

“The folks left us some money, lets go get something to eat.” Quinn said instead.

“No thanks. I’m fine.” Daria responded.

Quinn sighed again. “How about I bring you something back?”

“That would be great.” Daria answered.

Quinn left the shed and headed back into the house and grabbed the keys to her mother’s Explorer and in minutes was driving down the street toward a local diner.


:If Daria wants to eat at home fine but I’m going to enjoy my meal.: Quinn thought as she ate.

“Well Quinn I guess this is why you aren’t answering your phone.” Sandi Griffin said from behind her.

Quinn forced a smile onto her face and waved at the other girl. “Hey Sandi.”

“I wanted to get together before I leave for Florida. I plan on getting everything moved in and ready before school starts.” Sandi said taking a seat next to Quinn.

:It’s still two months away. Stop being dramatic.: Quinn thought. “It’s good to see you.”
:After all it’s been a whole week.: She thought rudely.

“I’m going to miss Lawndale but I think FSU is a much better choice than State and it’s a much better school than Pepperhill.” Sandi poked verbally at Quinn.

“Yes it is.” Quinn admitted.

“Of course it’s not Cal-tech but who would want to go to a brainy geek school.” Sandi sniffed.

“I got rejected by Pepperhill Sandi didn’t I tell you.” Quinn grinned.

“I am so sorry Quinn. Well maybe you can go to state like Tiffany.” Sandi said in a condescending voice.

“I’m going to BFAC. I got accepted into the Fashion Designs program there.” Quinn fired off and watch Sandi’s face go through an intense struggle making Quinn’s smile real.

“I’m so happy for you.” Sandi said looking ready to scream.

“I was shocked but they said my portfolio was outstanding.” Quinn replied.

“You always did have a talent for fashion.” Sandi said through clenched teeth.





Quinn smiled all the way home. She dropped off her leftovers and proceeded to the shed and found Daria still working on the motorcycle.
:It kinda looks like one now.: Quinn thought as she put the food down on the wooden floor next to her.

“Thanks.” Daria said without looking at it.

“You should eat.” Quinn said as she started to the door.

“In a few minutes.” Daria dismissed.

:Ya right. If I come back out in an hour it’ll still be sitting there.: Quinn thought and she sighed.

She grabbed a broom leaning against the wall and quickly swept the spot next to Daria and sat down. Quinn pulled out the cheeseburger and French fries and large drink she had picked up for her sister.

Daria’s stomach responded to the smells of the food loudly.

“Here.” Quinn held out a couple of French fries at mouth level for Daria.

“Umgh.” Daria said as she took a bite.

Quinn sat next to Daria as she continued her assembly, feeding her the food piece by piece.

“Daria, Quinn are you out here?” Helen called out.

“We’re in the shed.” Quinn called back. She saw Daria’s face go dark and Quinn put down the food and moved to intercept their mother.

“Science project. Daria has asked no one enter.” Quinn said as she caught her mother twenty feet from the entrance.

“What? What is she doing in there?” Helen fumed.

“Just something to do with puzzles.” Quinn shrugged. “I was bringing her lunch.”

“Oh.” Helen said and turned to head back to the house.

Quinn turned back and moved back to the shed.

“Is there some reason you don’t want Mom and Dad to know about what you’re doing in here?” Quinn asked from the doorway.

“I don’t want to have to stop long enough to explain it twice and then defend it.” Daria answered.

“Well I think they may get an idea when you come in the house looking like one of those birds in Alaska after a ship wreak.” Quinn teased.
“I bought some cleaner that should take care of it and I have a change of clothes out here.” Daria replied pointing to a metal rack and Quinn saw the orange bottled cleaner and some of Daria’s clothes.

“I didn’t know you knew how to fix this kind of thing?” Quinn said voicing her surprise.

“I don’t. Not really anyway. I’m just putting it together. Then I’ll start trying to make it work. These books have all the information that I need.” Daria shrugged pointing a black finger to the several large soft cover books.

“Oh.” Quinn responded.

Daria stretched and Quinn listened to the pops and creaks as Daria forced her way to a standing position.

“I could have Joey and Jeffy and the other one come over and help. I’ll bet they know all about this stuff.” Quinn offered.

“Nah. I want to do it.” Daria smiled again.

Quinn looked at the frame that now sat on it’s wheels and Daria had apparently constructed the handlebars and steering struts. It looked like a motorcycle.

She heard a brief sound like wind blowing outside a window left open just a touch, it was gone as soon as she tried to listen to it.

Daria watched her sister tilt her head and knew she heard that sound now to.
:It gets louder the more I get done.: Daria thought as she stroked the metal frame tenderly.

She saw Quinn leave confused and decided to talk to her sister later but now she needed her head free of anything else.

:It’s an expensive bike. I wonder why they just left it here.: She thought as she tried to stretched her aching fingers careful not to start her hand bleeding again.

“I wish Jane was here.” Daria sighed out loud.



It was 9 pm before Daria came into the house after scrubbing as much of the various amounts of dirt and oil from her hands, arms, face and legs and carried her now dirty clothes into the laundry room and started them in the washer before heading to the shower.

Her parents didn’t even notice her walking by as she headed up the stairs and into the shower.

Quinn was waiting in her room when she was done. “Here let me do your hand again.” Quinn said forcefully.

“Thanks.” Daria shrugged her shoulders and held out her arm.

“I don’t think anything could save your nails for at least a month.” Quinn worried as she wrapped Daria’s hand to which Daria just rolled her eyes.

“Try to keep it clean.” Quinn scolded her.

“If I say yes can I go to bed?” Daria agreed.

Part 3


It took her a total of four days to put the motorcycle back together and another to check everything was connected correctly.

She waited for her parents to leave in the morning before pushing the motorcycle out into the backyard and allowing Quinn to oh and ah at it’s gleaming surfaces.

Daria walked around staring at the bike listening to the memory. She didn’t know where it was from but she knew now that the sound was from some long forgotten memory.

“So now what?” Quinn asked looking at her.

Daria froze and had to laugh at herself. :I guess there is only one thing to try.:

She straddled the bike and turned the key and watched the lights on the dials turn on and she rose up resting her right foot on the kick-start and dropped her weight hard and heard the engine roar to life. The bike she knew now was a 77 Harley Shovelhead with a custom fuel tank and sounded to her like a jet engine as it started.

Quinn jumped back nervously as the engine roared as Daria worked the throttle to rev the bike.

Daria climbed off and walked to wear Quinn stood and looked at the rumbling machine.
:I made that.: She thought proudly.

“Now I just need to figure out how to ride it.” Daria mused out loud.

“What? Are you crazy?” Quinn stared at her in disbelief.

“You know I think I am.” Daria smiled widely.





Daria was sitting on the couch with a bag of ice on her ankle when her parents arrived back home.

“What happened kiddo?” Her father asked.

“I think I’ll wait until the two of you have had a drink before I show you.” Daria said pointedly.

“Daria could you try not to be difficult and just answer the question.” Helen sighed.

“Fine. Here is my salvage title and tag information and I took the written test this afternoon and it gives me 90 days to prepared for the road test.” Daria said handing the paperwork over to her mother. She had talked Quinn into driving her down to the correct departments and filed all the needed paperwork earlier in the day.

“This looks like vehicle titles, but you took the driving test years ago.” Helen said confused. “Did you buy a car?”

“Not for a motorcycle.” Daria answered.

The room got deathly quiet and Daria thought the storm she had expected was going to be called off for reasonableness. She was wrong.

“WHAT?” Helen yelled. “NO CHILD OF MINE IS GOING TO RIDE ONE OF THOSE DEATH TRAPS.”

Jake seemed to be putting furniture between himself and his wife.

“I rode it already. I’m not that good but I’m getting there.” Daria shrugged.

“I CAN’T BELIVE YOU WOULD DO SOMETHING THIS STUPID.” Helen continued to yell.

“Where is this coming from? I have a motorcycle. Get over it already.” Daria said looking annoyed. She hadn’t expected her mother to be happy but a conversion into a screaming loon was beyond understanding.

“YOU MAY HAVE HAD ONE BUT IT’S GONE TOMORROW MORNING.” Helen screamed.

“Then I’ll report it stolen. And you can explain to the police what gave you the right to get rid of my motorcycle.” Daria countered coldly.

“I’M YOUR MOTHER.” Helen returned.

“You’ll be my mother getting led out of the house in hand cuffs if you steal my bike.” Daria said calmly staring down her mother.

Helen screamed in frustration and turned her gaze to Jake.
“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT.” She said before stomping up the stairs.

“I have to be adopted.” Daria groaned.



Jane Lane showed up two weeks early and walked on happily toward her Amiga’s house. This was mostly owing to the fact that Trent hadn’t bought food in the entire time she had been gone and while she couldn’t be sure the fact that the fridge seemed to be glowing around the seals seemed to be a bad thing. She turned and whistled at the guy on the Harley with an all-flash redhead on the back and continued on her way.

She heard the motorcycle coming up behind her and prepared to run.

She watched as Quinn Morgendorffer pulled off her helmet and grinned at her.
: I bet Helen loves this.: She thought evilly.

The rider was wearing an oversized leather jacket and full-face helmet and it took a few seconds before she realized how short the person was.

:No freaking way.: Jane thought stunned.

“Hey.” Daria said lifting the helmet off her face and resting the bike on its kickstand.

“What in every level of hell?” Jane gave voice to her confusion.

“Daria built a motorcycle.” Quinn laughed.

“I can see that.” Jane snorted.

“Want a ride?” Daria smiled.

“Hey, you brought me here you have to take me home.” Quinn pouted.

“It’s a block.” Daria rolled her eyes.

“To bad. Jane can walk.” Quinn stuck her tongue out at Jane.

“Are those leather pants?” Jane said looking at the sisters.

“Matching leather pants thank you.” Quinn said showing the tight fitting pants.

“DARIA!” Jane said lifting the edge of the jacket and sure enough Daria was wearing leather pants but hers seemed not quite as painted on as Quinn’s, still Jane was sure she could still take a pulse through them.

“I got tired of burning my legs on the exhaust pipes.” Daria sheepishly replied.

“She likes it when the guys are checking out her backside when she pulls into the biker bar.” Quinn teased.

“Oh this is a story someone is going to tell mama Jane right now.” Jane demanded.

“Meet us at the house.” Daria said and patted the back seat for Quinn to get back on.

Quinn pulled on her helmet and jumped back on as Daria started the engine after lowering her own helmet on. She straightened the bike and took off toward the Morgendorffer home.

:This is going to be a fun summer.: Jane thought as she broke into a run following them.




Jane slowed as she turned into the driveway and headed straight to the front door. Helen answered when she knocked.

“Thank god. You have to help me talk some sense into Daria.” Helen said grabbing Jane’s arms.

“I take it you don’t like the bike.” Jane smirked.

“They’re in the back yard.” Helen sighed and pointed knowing she hadn’t found an ally.

“Cool.” Jane said and head through the house. She found Daria and Quinn standing around the bike. Daria had removed the jacket and laid it across the seat and both helmets hung from clips on the frame.

“It’s a sweet bike. Helen doesn’t approve I see?” Jane inquired.

Quinn rolled her eyes and Daria snickered. “No.”

“So why?” Jane asked.

“I don’t know. As soon as I saw it in pieces it just called to me.” Daria shrugged.

“It’s like remembering something and not being able to place it.” Quinn nodded.

“So both of you have the biker bug. I bet Helen is really chopping at the bit.” Jane shook her head.

“I don’t think it’s the first bike I’ve been on.” Daria admitted. “Ya.” Quinn agreed.

“Have you asked?” Jane laughed.

“Who?” Daria sighed.

“Well seeing as your mom hates them then maybe your dad.” Jane said in a condescending voice.

“Can you picture my Dad ridding something like this?” Daria stared at her like she was crazy.

“Not now but say about 15 years ago, sure I could see it.” Jane shrugged.





Jane and the sisters went inside and Helen glared as they headed upstairs.

“I’M STILL NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT THING AND YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED RISKING YOUR BABY SISTER LIKE THAT.” She called after them.

“Please don’t listen to her. I mean you’re careful and we wear the protective gear and you don’t get on the highway or anything.” Quinn complained as they made their way to Daria’ s room.

“It’s getting a little offensive the way she’s treating us. I can’t believe she made me call the cops last week.” Daria said shaking her head.

“WHAT? You called the fuzz on your own mother?” Jane said in shock, falling onto Daria’s bed.

“She called a shop and tried to sell them my bike. I wake up and there is some guy trying to load it onto a trailer. I called the cops and they showed up and sorted the mess out.” Daria sighed.

“Damn.” Jane said shaking her head.

“She’s acting like an idiot.” Quinn said angrily. “It’s not even my bike but I was so mad at her over that.”

“So you two are bonding over the bike huh.” Jane smirked.

“I guess. I don’t want one but I think my next boyfriend might get hints that it’s really sexy.” Quinn laughed.

“That’s just cold.” Jane laughed.

“So Jane Quinn here just bailed on Rock fest next weekend to get a tour of BFAC so you want to come.” Daria asked and winced when she realized what she said.

“So you got in the Fashion program? Cool.” Jane said calmly.

“Thanks.” Quinn smiled.


Jake Morgendorffer stared out the kitchen window at the motorcycle and sighed in envy of his daughter.



Daria arrived back home at almost the same time her parents and Quinn did and Helen stomped into the house at the sight of her daughter and Jane on the Harley.

“Get over it already.” Daria groaned as she watched her mother slam the front door.

“Why is she acting like this?” Quinn said as she started unloading the bags from the back of the SUV.
“She’s hated them for a while. Ever since I hurt my leg.” Jake answered.

“WHAT?” Daria and Quinn both said stunned while Jane smirked. “I told you so.”

“Talk.” Daria said shooting an annoyed look at Jane.

“You were about two I think. Quinn was just a baby and I still had my Sportster.” Jake replied looking lost in memory.

“You used to take us for rides on it.” Quinn said putting the pieces together.

“Yep and your mother too. I was coming back from the store one night and got hit by a car. I was fine but a broke leg.” Jake sighed and Daria noticed the gentle way he rested his hand on her bike.

“And now she hates motorcycles.” Daria understood.

“She made me promise to never ride one again. Apparently she thought I had died when they came and told her what happened.” Jake said with a sorrowful smile.

“Then I show up with a bike and she thinks I’m going to die now too.” Daria groaned.

“Like you couldn’t die in a car wreak or walking down the street. No offense you drive that way better than a car.” Quinn butted in.

“She’s got a point there.” Jane laughed.

“Just give her some time.” Jake asked.

“I will but you need to tell her all the screamed comments are doing, is convincing me I need to spend the rest of the summer doing a Kerouac.” Daria nodded.

“I’ll talk to her.” Jake agreed.

“So Quinn what’s this about you sleeping on my couch? I guess I could use a house girl.” Jane teased.

“I figure once I’m in I can try to get you voted out.” Quinn smiled evilly.