Epilogue


10:30am-The Keep

Alex, Bobby, and Darien standing in a line in front of the Keeper, waiting in turn for medical treatment.


"Alright Alex, all better. Next!" said the Keeper, much more calm then she had been a half hour earlier.


Darien makes his way into the now stable demented dentist chair.


"Okay Darien, let's check out the damage."


"Hey guys, I'm really sorry about this. I really didn't mean to hurt you, you know? Are you okay Claire, Hobbes, Alex?"


Each nodded in turn."


"And there was a secretary to. Is she okay?"


"She'll be fine partner."


"Thank God. But it wasn't all that bad right? I mean, I left you alone this time didn't I Chief?"


"Hmph," grunted the Official.


"Hey partner. Don't worry about it. We're just glad to have you back. I was starting to worry you were mad for a little to long back there. You said "frelling," spoke Hobbes.


"What? Hey man, there is no way I said "frelling", okay? You must have been hearing things."


"No, you said "frelling". I was down in the basement here waiting for you, and when you were running around all crazy trying to get out of the smoke I heard you say "frelling"."


"Hey Hobbes. I know what I say and what I don't say and I did not say "frelling"."


"Whatever ever you say Fawksey, but you said "frelling"."


"Listen Hobbes, I know I did not say..."


"I'm not saying you don't know what you're saying, when you're sane, but back there I heard you say "frelling"."


"Hobbes, for the last time, I did not say..."


"Well, maybe your little alter-ego there likes to say it."


"Yeah, well my little alter-ego can take your "frelling" and "frelling"..."


"Gentleman!" interrupted the Official, "enough of the chit chat. Hobbes, speaking of the smoke, how did you accomplish that?"


"Well, I remembered that when you mix certain chemicals together you get smoke, and I figured that somewhere in the Keep here I could find those chemicals. I did find them and luckily nut case over there hadn't smashed'em yet."


"Watch it Hobbes."


"Sorry partner. Anyway, I then headed over to the main boiler room where the main controls for the sprinklers are located. I knew that in addition to getting water through the plumbing system we have a back up tank of water for the system, just in case. I emptied out that water and rewired the system so that when the sprinklers were set off it would empty the emergency tank and not pull water from the plumbing. So, I threw all those chemicals into the tank and turned on the main sprinkler switch. Voila! I was able to flush out Mr. Kooky and get'em where I wanted him."


"Very ingenious partner. Clever, but I really resent that "Mr. Kooky" remark okay?"


"Hey, sorry partner, but you weren't exactly Mr. Composure at the time."


"True, but it still hurts man."


"I said sorry."


"Gentlemen! Now, Agent Hobbes that was quick thinking on your part and I am sure we are all grateful. However, Eberts has informed me that the sprinkler tank was damaged by that act and the cost to repair it will be coming out of your paycheck."


"Sir? Eeeberts...."


"Now that that's settled, I believe that we are still at work aren't we? About that case we were starting on this morning. Eberts?"


"Uh, yes. I was saying this morning, before we were interrupted by Agent Fawkes little monotony-breaking excursion..."


"Shut up, Eberts. On with the case."

"Yes, sir. We have reports of what could be terrorist activity in the northern part of San Diego. Several items..."


A great songwriter once wrote "Time is on my side". Well, for me that couldn't be farther from the truth. Time is never on my side. In fact, it is probably, and might always, be my worst enemy. But, fortunately I can at least pass it with some enjoyment, knowing that my friends will always be here for me; no matter what time has in store for me.