Part 13

"Remember Ernest?"

In the dark Overcastdale streets, Dusk wanders around. She walks pass an ice cream parlor, a funeral parlor, a 7-11, another funeral parlor, a Radioshack, another funeral parlor. Notice a trend here? After crossing a few blocks, still not really knowing where she's heading, she stops in her steps, afraid to turn around. She slowly does a 180, and faces an old man, in a Police uniform. He's staring intently at Dusk, and takes a few steps toward her.

Dusk

            -Um, can I-I help you?

Old man

            -I don't have a problem, I can stop anytime I want! You know that right? You do believe me don't you?

Dusk

            -Yeah, no problem with you.

Old man

            -I will stop maaaan. Right after one. Last. Drink. BEER!

He lunges at Dusk, who starts to scream. A really, really, really high pitch scream. Dusk falls with the weight of the old man atop her, but suddenly he's pulled off of her. Dusk looks at the scene, and sees Spear throw the drunk away. Of course that sets off his chip.

"Baby when you finalleeeeeeeeeee, get to love sombodeeeeeeeeeeee"

Spear ignores the pain, and continues shoving the drunk away.

Spear

            -Touch the kid again, and you'll get a whole lot more than a sodding hangover.

The old man runs away, or tries to. Have you ever tried to run drunk? It ain't easy.

The chip stops playing the music, and Spear comes over to Dusk to help her get up.

Spear

            -You allright, then?

Dusk

            -Yeah. Just fine.

Spear

            -Mind telling me what a bit like you is doing out here with all these nasties lurking?

Dusk

            -It doesn't matter. Technically, I'm not even here.

Spear

            -No, if I'd arrived a few minutes later than I did, then technically you wouldn't be here.

Dusk

            -You wouldn't understand.

Spear, tilting his head to the side

            -Try me.

Dusk

-I'm only about 6 months old. A bottle of beer. Apparently Bory wants to kill me, she's the one who's turning everybody here into Ted Kennedy. It's all my fault.

Spear, tilting his head to the other side

-Rot. It doesn't matter much what you bloody were. It's more about the present than anything else. What you do in the now. And as for this Bory chippie, big sister will take care of her.

Dusk

            -You really believe that?

Spear, tilting his head again.

            -I do. Now, can we stop with this talk, I'm getting a neck cramp.

Dusk

            -Um, Spear? Thanks for saving me.

Spear

            -No problem.

Dusk

            -While we're talking. Can I ask you a question?

Spear nods.

Dusk

            -Don't you think you should wash those clothes? I mean it has been awhile Spear.

Spear

            -Well, actually I have a whole closet full of them.

Dusk

            -Oh. So you're like Ernest.

Spear

            -Ernest?

Dusk

-Yeah, you know; Ernest goes to Camp, Ernest gets Scared, Ernest saves Christmas. The classics. He always has the same clothes on too. 

Muffy, running up to her

            -Dusk! Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere, Mom's been so worried.

Dusk

            -Why? I'm not her kid anyway.

Muffy, grabbing her sister by the shoulders.

            -Dusk listen, it doesn't matter how you got here. You're my sister. I love you.

Awwwww.

Dusk, hugging Muffy

            -Muffy. I'm scared.

Muffy

            -We'll stop this. Don't worry. Now let's go home. Spear? What are you doing here?

Dusk

            -It's okay Muffy, he saved me from a drunk guy.

Muffy

            -Oh. Thank you Spear.

Spear

            -Hmph. Whatever, I'll be heading back to my crypt. Angry Beavers are on in 15.

Part 14

"You fought over that?!"

Maple's dorm room. Esuoma is sitting on the bed reading a book; "How To Get Your Name In The Opening Credits", while Maple is sorting through her clothes.

Maple

            -Well, Muffy called earlier, looks like everything is sorted out with Dusk.

Esuoma

            -Poor her. I mean, to find out that you were never really born. That you just kind of popped up here.

Maple

-Yeah, well I think  that we all need a break. I asked if she and Dusk wanted to come to the hockey game with us tonight, but she said they'll just stay in.

Esuoma

            -Well, next time maybe.

Maple, holding up a blue shirt

            -Hey do you like this shirt?

Esuoma, putting the book down

            -I like the red one better, honey.

Maple, stares at her

            -What? I thought you hated the red one? You never told me you liked it?

Esuoma, getting up

            -Well, I don't hate it. It's a nice color…

Maple

            -This isn't about the shirt is it? It's about all the other changes in my life!

Esuoma

            -Ummmm… what?

Maple

            -You're afraid I'm gonna hop on the next bus to Boystown!

Esuoma

            -Well now that you mention it. Should I be?

Maple

            -That's it. I'm storming out. This is clearly my room, but I'm still storming out.

Maple, well, storms out. Esuoma just stands there, not quite sure what the hell just happened. Like the rest of us.

Esuoma

-Ok. Well I could go sulk in my room, like a normal person would. But I think I'll still go to that hockey game, so I can feel even lonelier. And later on, Maple can resent the fact that I still went without her. Sounds like a plan.

Part 15

"Never order from cheap litterature."

Inside a lavishly decorated apartment, sitting in a sofa, looking at her shoe, is none other than Bory. Around her are 4 short men with hardhats on. The hardhats have little flashlight on the front.

Bory

-Stupid "Everything You Need To Be An Effective Villain" magasine. I order 4 minions, and they send me 4 miners. I guess it'll have to do. Okay, listen up! I want you to watch that annoying Muffy and her friends. The Beer is one of them. I know it. Find out who is the newcomer. Report back to me at the end of the day. Go!

The 4 miners, er, um, minions head off.

A few hours later the minions come back, looking quite happy with themselves. They all gather around Bory, who is now staring at her other shoe. They inform her of their findings.

Bory, standing up.

            -Excellent! Hihi! This was easier than expected. I'm going to collect the bottle! And destroy it!

Part 16

"Why, oh why did you still go to the fair, I mean hockey game?!"

At the Overcastdale hockey arena, the crowd is filing in. Yes, there's an arena in Overcastdale. I mean along with the 20 million cemetaries, the hospital, the schools, the university, an abandonned military complex and a huge castle, there is now a hockey arena. And still only one Starbucks. Yup, a one Starbucks town, this is.

Esuoma is sitting in her seat, while there remains an empty chair next to her. The hockey game starts. Quickly the first period is over. 2-1 for the home team, but I guess the score is unimportant at this point. After going to get a cup of beer, Esuoma returns to her seat. Somebody sits down next to Esuoma. Hmm, guess who.

Bory

            -Is this seat taken?

Esuoma

            -Um, no I don't think…

Esuoma realizes who shes talking to, and just stares at her.

Bory

            -Hi there. I don't think you should scream. I'd kill you here and now, along with pretty much everyone around.

Esuoma

            -What do you want?

Bory

            -I think you know what I want. The bottle of beer. That's you sweetie.

Esouma

            -I-I-I'm not…

Bory, suddenly notices that Esuoma is holding a cup of beer.

            -You lied to me! You little tramp! The Bottle doesn't drink American brew! You're not the Bottle!

Esuoma

            -I-I'm uh, I-I didn't, uh.

Bory

-No matter. You can still help me. Tell me who the bottle is, and I'll let you keep your sanity, um, soberness. Well you know what I mean! I know you know who it is!

Esuoma

            -I'll never tell you.

Bory

            You sure? It's a real pain when you're crazy. Last chance.

But Esuoma just looks at her, prepared to say nothing. Bory shrugs and in a flash of light brain-drunks Esuoma. People around her are of course oblivious to what's going on, since background people in this town seem to be incredibly non perceptive.