It's raining, it hardly ever rains in south park yet lately it feels like the weather hasn't been on the good side, rain drops hit against the glass window a pair of deep fire eyes looked out into the wet street's lost in his own thoughts, after what seemed like Forever he finally spoke up.
"I just don't get it" Eric T Cartman spoke exasperatedly "that fag, looked at me as if… he didn't even fucking know me!" He spoke; His voice was laced in heartache. "I know we didn't end on good terms but I didn't think it was THAT bad" Eric admitted angrily
On the other hand Kenny was sitting on his old stained bed, with his hoodie pulled up covering his face but still looking a bit awkward about the whole situation. Eric had gone over to Kenny's trailer to talk the whole ordeal with Butters. He was being Quiet… which is rare for Kenny. Normally he'd be telling Eric to not give up, or fuck someone else – or regurgitate some bullshit about doing what's best for Butters. But this time, he was silent looking out at the rain trying to avoid eye contact … like he knew something.
Finally, the other sighed "maybe you should just… forget about it. Move on" the dirty Blond suggested
"No, I just fucking can't forget about it" Eric snapped quickly "He's been my best friend since like…kindergarten ten whole years, four years of which we were in a relationship. I don't want to spend our final year of high school not speaking. We've been through too much together "Eric words trailed off
His mind immediately traced back to seeing Butters Earlier that Day ….
Flashback
Butters was working at the small comic book store downtown part-time, while also taking a few shifts at the local KFC. He really loved the job and Eric had gone down there to try and make amends. It had been about two weeks since they'd broke things off. While things had gotten bad for the both of them, Eric hadn't really seen it coming… but after having lost Butters, he realized how much he missed him, even if he was annoying to have around he needed him as much as butters needed him. So he went down to the small building with a big sign reading in big bold letters 'Super Comic Books' the sign was old Eric took note of widows which were clean and clear he step forward, a small blue ribbon wrapped gift held in one hand behind his back, a small gift for the small blond.
He pushed open the glass door and made his way to the front counter where he found Butters reading a hello kitty book smiling to himself as he flipped the pages, But when Eric walked up to the counter-trying his best to smile at Butters, (Eric begin nice was never his thing when it came to others but if it involved butters then he had no choice) his friend looked at him Blankly; it wasn't a rude or cold one… but just a 'look' " um hi can I help ya sir" Butters asked, like he'd never seen him before. "Um…" Eric Began, as he looked at Butters more closely. He wasn't mistaken; this WAS Butters Leopold scotch. But why was his best friend looking at him like he'd never seen before in his life?
Eric must have been staring because Butters had a worried look on his face "um a-are you looking for something that I can help with?" his voice is soft and kind, Eric took note of how Butters wasn't scared of him, Eric doesn't get a chance to answer when the door opens and a tall dark figure enters the store , Butters looks at the mysterious teen as he approaches him, Butters let a smile cross his face as he greets the teen as if he's known him for a long time as if they there close " heya Bradley!" Butters lends over the counter smiling brightly at the curly haired boy dark shaded blond noun as Bradley "hey Butters" he spoke in a smooth voice as lead in close whispering something that Eric could not hear, but his baby blue eyes glanced back at Eric "um let me kn-know if you need anything" he said, addressing Eric like he was just a customer: just a customer?
Eric just stood there for another second , he wanted to yell at Butters or at least get some answers, but no he just stood there-watching Bradley and Butters talking rather closely , like they were… close with one other. Butters had already moved on? And why the fuck was he pretending not to know who Eric was? Eric asked himself this as he clutched the blue wrapped gift he had gotten for Butters, Eric shoved it into his red hoodie pocket and walked out of the store into the now pouring rain, not evening looking back.
Flashback Ends
"The way he looked at me, you should have seen it…that fucking fag" Eric spoke more to himself then Kenny, he then looked at the other who seemed to be avoiding his cold gaze, Eric finally put his foot down and stood from where he sat and grabbed his red leather man jacket and began to slid it on "I've got to go to his house… I've gotta to talk to him, just get some fucking answers" the tall football player spoke decisively.
But Kenny stood "Cartman, you can't!" he yelled more loudly then he meat too. The dark haired brunette looked at the other questiongly which turned into a ice cold glare then he growled "Kenny, if you know something then now is the fucking time to speak up!" he ordered the dirty blond who didn't seem at all scared just let out a long sigh, he watched as Kenny reached into his worn out jeans pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Eric.
Eric took it, and it looked it over. It looked to be like a small telegram- bold letters in color, and it had a stamp at the bottom, which had the symbol of a lion in ruby red wax
It simply started:
Dear Kenny Mccormick
Butters L. Scotch has deleted all Memories/Relationship of Eric T. Cartman, we must ask of you to never bring up anything of their past
Thank you
Eric read it over and over nearly six times, his face turning red out of anger while almost ripping the paper " Is this some of Joke! This isn't even fucking possible! And why would Butters of all people; erase me!"
"Look man whatever happened between you two …is gone" Kenny spoke reluctantly, he took his seat back on the long stained bed "and I don't know, Cartman. It's just some 'place' that…takes away things you remember" the other admitted sadly; not really giving the best description of the unknown Company" but Butters had his reasons. He was really broken when you guys called it off… things gotten worse and maybe he just gave up…"
Eric wanted to keep arguing but he knew it would do no good plus it was better for his nerves. Then the thought hit him "Kenny, who ELSE got these?" He ordered, at first Kenny remains silent but finally speaks up.
"Everyone" He mumbled. "Everyone who was friends with you both- and knew about you were dating him" Kenny admitted
Tossing the telegram aside, Eric stormed out of Kenny's room without another word and left the broken down trailer. He emerged into the cold, wet night and got into his red old pickup truck- driving home in absolute silence. He just couldn't believe it. His BEST friend… had erased him. They'd been dating for four years, and THIS was how Butters wanted to end it- by erasing Eric completely from his memory? He didn't even know things had gotten that bad ….
Pulling into his driveway, Eric didn't get out he just sat there with his head placed on the wheel he finally broke down and started crying; resting his forearms on his steering wheel.
Eric was the smartest teen- or at least he told himself so… so in his mind it was like a game of chess, Just him and Butters, Just two friends playing for the win; and as much as Eric hated to say it but Butters was winning.
If THIS was the game that Butters wanted to play…. Then Eric would play it. He would find this Company-and he would just erase Butters from HIS Memory.
At Least then he wouldn't be plagued by the hollowing heartache he was feeling now and with the headache he would feel in the morning. Butters hated him enough to wipe him out of his memory. His Best Friend: his recent ex-boyfriend had erased him… and he didn't know why.
He'd never felt more alone, and resentful; it was true Eric wasn't always nice to him but Years of friendship, Adventures and memories just down the drain…gone… all gone…
3 hours later
"Mam? You have a Mr. Cartman here. He's the one who's been; er… calling constantly he has a colorful language." The receptionist Interrupted as he cracked opens the door to the doctor's office.
The young woman nodded, "Ah yes. Send him in" she said, Motioning to him with her hand
Backing out, the young man was soon replaced by Eric. He walked in, looking rather tired and exhausted mixed with anger, but also had air of determination around him "Eric isn't it? It's nice to meet face to face. Please sit" She spoke, giving him a smile.
Sitting in the chair on the other side of the doctor's desk-Eric simply tossed the telegram he'd taken from Kenny onto the wooden desk.
"I want to do it" Eric simply spoke, not making any eye contact
Quirking a brow, the young woman with long dark chocolate hair reached over and picked up their telegram. Reading it over, she nodded "Ah yes… Butters L. Scotch" She mumbled. Looking to Eric, she sighed "You were not supposed to see this. I'm terribly sorry and I do apologize." The woman admitted.
A slam of his first grabs her attention "I want to DO it" Eric repeated in much darker tone. "Butters erased me for a reason, and if I can't fucking know WHY…..then I want to forget him"
The doctor furrowed her brow, setting the telegram down "our flies are confidential Mr. Cartman … so we can't show you any statements or consultations records" She Paused, looking back up toward Eric " Suffice it to say, Mr. Scotch was… not happy, and he wanted to move on. We provide that possibility" She went on "Given the circumstances of this particular situation… I would be willing to perform the procedure on you. If you're sure, that is" she spoke.
Eric Paused-did he really want to forget Butters? His sweet smile, Butters was the only one Eric had ever loved, but really, what did that matter? Butters didn't remember him- and he had decided to erase Eric FIRST.
"Yes" Eric answered finally, his voice clearly broken by the fact he had to do it. What was the point of remembering someone who didn't remember you? "But, uh… is this… safe?" the longed haired boy asked tentatively. "Like I won't have fucking brain damage,I won't forget my friends or anything like that will I?"He asked
The doctor smiled "Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but it's on a par with ….a night of heavy drinking" She described with a casual shrug." Nothing you'll miss." She explained. "The memories that will be erased will relate to Mr. Butters only. We have the best and most efficient technology at our fingertips here, Mr. Cartman. There's a reason we've started in South Park- since technically, this procedure isn't widely accepted. Many consider it controversial. BUT our results have been excellent so far."
Eric nodded slowly
"So… what do I need do?" He asked
The doctor stood, handing Eric a small Pamphlet. "We need to do some analysis and tests on you the day prior- do a base reading. You'll want to empty home…er, empty your life, of Mr. Butters. Gather up anything and everything in your home that might remind you of him…..books, movies, games, pictures." She listed. "Bring everything here. When we do your analysis, we will gauge and map your mind based on the internal response to seeing the items you've brought. We'll dispose of these 'mementos' when we're done here, that way you won't be confused by thief unexplainable presence in your home" she said
Eric nodded.
He still couldn't believe his relationship with Butters had been reduced to this.
A few hours later
Lying down on the rather soft bed, Eric shifted awkwardly
He couldn't believe he was doing this.
He had gathered up everything in his room that might remind him of little Butters: Pictures, toys, books, cards, movies and the heart locket he was given too. The teen had brought everything in a black trash bag to the Office downtown, and handed it over. Eric now found himself in a white room that looked kind of 'hospital-like'; white sheets and a single comfortable bed. There were strange machines around him, but they looked harmless enough.
A guy slightly older than Eric sat beside him in front of narrow, portable computer- he was hooking Eric up to the system; placing small discs and wires around his forehead and some on his arms to monitor his physical response.
"This… isn't fucking dangerous right?" Eric asked again, narrowing his eyes.
The other guy smiled "No man, its cool. I've done this about a million times…Everyone turns out fine" He nodded. "Doctor Alice will be in soon. She oversees everything" He reassured him. Pausing, he smiled again "I'm Danny "but then another thought occurred to him and he chuckled "not that you'll remember"
"Yeah... Whatever" Eric mumbled with an annoyed sigh. Why did this guy insist on making lame jokes about this? The doctor had told him that along with the memories they erased involving Butters. They would also erase any memory of the company involvement- obviously, since this event in itself could be linked to Butters, and the source of Eric's initial pain.
But the arrival of Dr. Alice distracted Eric's nerves as she came in.
"Ah, good…. You're on your way, how are you Mr. Eric?" She smiled. "Good. We'll get started shortly. The results from your initial physical reading all look good. We've done a map of your internal memory by gauging your reaction to seeing each item you brought in. It'll be a simple measure of going through each of these mapped memories, and removing them" She nodded.
Eric tried to calm the nerves raging inside him. His dark chocolate eyes looked over to see Dr. Alice approaching him with a needle.
Well, he couldn't turn back now… this was happening…
Everything he knew about Butters Scotch would be all gone.
Eric cursed as he felt the needle briefly pierce of his skin, before it was removed. "This is just an anesthetic, you'll be asleep for whole process" The doctor explained. "When the procedure is over, you'll be taken back home and wake up in bed"
Eric wanted to talk back but didn't say anything-he just let out a few deep breaths.
His eyes began to get heavy, his vision blurry.
"Is the map up?" Dr. Alice asked- Obviously talking to Danny.
The other nodded, "yup, everything's normal. As soon as he conks out we'll be good to go"
But Eric's eyes were already drooping wearily. He was feeling so sleeply; like a heavy warmth was slowly flooding over his tall strong body, his body starting to turn num starting from his legs- up to his stomach , across his chest – and finally to his head. A fuzzy darkness began to waft through his mind, and before he knew it- Everything went dark
And the procedure began…