Logic was having a hard time believing her eyes.
She'd turned around for a second, to make sure the Manuals were nicely organized, and what did she find waiting for her but Anger manning to console solo, her hair in flames and screaming like it was the apocalypse. Short-Term Memory had gained more than a few ember-red memories. Fear lay crumpled in a corner, whimpering and clutching her side, as if in pain. The other emotions cowered by the idea shelves, Sadness blubbering into Joy's dress. Outside, loud voices (including Sarah's) shouted insults and accusation. Daughter Island was running - and how.
Logic knew that Sarah had been having a "discussion" with her mother about whether or not she was pulling her weight and reaching her full potential. Logic had known exactly what to say in order to end the lecture, and she'd been doing just that with the assistance of Fear and, at some points, Sadness. Joy had stood ready to help take over once they could escape and Loner Island activated.
Anger was undoing everything Logic had done up to that point. At the rate she was going, Sarah would be grounded for life if this continued.
"Anger."
The brick either didn't hear Logic or pretended not to. "You did not just say that, you lying hypocrite!" she yelled beyond the screen at Sarah's mother.
"Anger..."
"Ever heard of a little thing called empathy? Ever considered that people besides yourself have thoughts and feelings?"
"Anger!"
Headquarters fell silent. Logic rarely raised her voice, so the emotions knew that things were about to happen, and they doubted they would be good. Anger whirled around and stared Logic right in the eye. "What is it, Jigsaw Jones?" she said with an edge.
"First, you know I hate that nickname, even if my body shape is that of a puzzle piece," Logic responded icilly. "Second, I have never seen such blatant disrespect in all my days. You, Anger, keep causing more trouble than you're worth. You are the main reason Sarah gets into trouble. You need to be taught a lesson."
"Make me!" Anger snapped.
Logic turned to her fellow emotions. "Sadness, go help Fear," she ordered. "Disgust, go find some rope or something similar. You can use some spare clothing if you need to, we just need to immobilize Anger for the moment. Joy, call the Train of Thought and tell them we have a delivery for them, and ask them to take it to the Subconscious."
Anger paled at the mention of the Subconscious as the other emotions scattered to do Logic's bidding. "You.. you wouldn't," she stammered, moving backwards. "No one's allowed in the Subconscious. You don't have any authority..."
"It's only for twenty-four hours," Logic explained, "or until you choose to admit the error of your ways. I said you needed to be taught a lesson, and I meant it. Sadness, how is she?"
"It looks like just a bruise," Sadness explained. "It's big, though. It's going to take a while to heal. Come on, Fear, I'll help you to the apartments."
"Thank you so much," Fear gasped as Sadness helped her up.
Joy hung up the phone and announced, "They're on their way. Shouldn't be more than fifteen minutes."
"Good. Anger, again, this is only temporary. Just until you can behave yourself."
"Fine. I'll go. But only because I want to."
"That's better."
"Yes, Grinch, I'm well aware of the growing animosity between Poetown and Burtonville. Perhaps if we arranged for - hold on. *click* Ecstasy, this had better be good, because I am in the middle of a meeting."
Sorry, ma'am, wasn't aware. The Stem just called - there's going to be a delivery from the Train of Thought soon.
"Well. That is good. Did they provide further details?"
It's from Headquarters, and should be here in about a half-hour. Oh, there was something about discipline that I didn't quite get.
"Excellent. Alert Rage and Envy, would you? We're going to need to prepare a welcoming committee. Send them to my office for further instruction."
Will do, ma'am.
"Thank you, Ecstasy. That will be all. *click* Looks like there's been a - shall I say - derailment in our plans for the day? Perhaps the time has come to finally put my plans in motion..."