Chapter 10: Aftermath

"...and in other news, the Bikini Bottom Breau of Investigation confirmed today that the first sets of restitution were being sent out following Eugene Krabs' conviction last-"

Click

SpongeBob shut off the TV in disgust. He hadn't left his Pineapple since the trial had ended. He was still in shock, and really was slumping into a state of depression. Since Mr. Krabs ended up being found guilty, it essentially went without saying that the Krusty Krab was no good. And of course, with no Krusty Krab meant that there was no job for SpongeBob. Being a fry cook had been his livelihood. He missed grilling and serving Krabby Patties every day, and he didn't know what he was going to do now. Sure he could get another job, but it just wouldn't be the same.

KNOCK KNOCK

SpongeBob just sighed and further slouched in his chair. Gary went ahead and answered it.

"Meow?"

"Aw howdy 'ere Gary! Is SpongeBob home?"

"Meow."

"Can I come in and talk to him?"

"Meow."

Gary let Sandy in, and she saw SpongeBob just lying in his chair, depressed.

"SpongeBob?"

"S-Sandy? What are you doing here?" SpongeBob asked surprised.

"I just came here to check on ya. Haven't seen ya in a while." Sandy replied.

"Oh, thanks. It's just been kinda rough for me the last few weeks..." SpongeBob replied.

"Yeah SpongeBob, I'm really sorry about what happened, butchya gotta move on..." Sandy said.

"I mean Sandy, I don't know how to! I just feel...feel... so betrayed! Mr. Krabs was a second father to me! He tricked me into thinking everything he did was legal, but NO! He was nothing more than a criminal scum! And I just went along with it-"

"SpongeBob calm down!" Sandy said panicked trying to calm down SpongeBob before he snapped.

"Sorry..." SpongeBob mumbled apologizing.

"Look SpongeBob, I get it, it's hard to come to terms with, are you just gonna keep lounging around like a bull during the winter and sulk?" Sandy asked, determined to get SpongeBob motivated.

"I mean, what am I gonna do Sandy? Being a fry cook was the best job I ever had."

"Come on SpongeBob! Forget about the fry cook job! Think about yourself for a minute! What kind of qualities do you possess?"

"Well...Usually I'm happy, outgoing, friendly, and optimistic..."

"Exactly! You can get a job somewhere by just being you!"

"By just being me?"

"Yes! They don't call ya SpongeBob SquarePants for nuttin'!"

"Hey, you're right! I can do that! I know I'll be able to!"

"That's the SpongeBob I know!"

"Thanks Sandy, you're the best!"

And the two hugged.

And they kept hugging.

Let's just say they hugged more than what a hug between friends would last.

"...alright, so I'll come and sign the record deal on Thursday and then we can get to work! Nice to be working with you!" Squidward said as he hung up the phone. He was thrilled. Plankton had held up his end of the promise, and got Squidward connected with an agent, who managed to get Squidward a record label. His dreams were finally starting to become true.

RING!

Squidward picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Squidward my man! Hey, you wanna come down to the Chum Bucket? The just delivered the Secret Formula! I wanted to share it with you!"

"Sure thing Plankton, I'll come right over!"

Squidward entered the Chum Bucket expecting to hear laughter from Plankton, but he heard quite the opposite.

"Plankton? Plankton wake up honey...PLANKTON! OH NEPTUNE! SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE!"