Marzipan effortlessly ignored him. "So, Scott… what is it like working for the National Association for the Humane Treatment of Animals?"
Scott shrugged. "It really isn't too difficult. It's a fun job, pretty rewarding. It leaves me a lot of time for… doing other things." He glanced away from her as he finished the last sentence.
"Oh really? Like what?" Marzipan wondered.
Scott looked at Marzipan with a strange gleam in his eyes. "I'm somewhat of an inventor." He disengaged from her stare and continued, "I also like to work with computers. Programming, web design, a little networking. My job for the NAHTA is actually computer repair and maintenance, but I like to help however I can. I'm here to network a research station that belongs to the CEA- that's Centro Ecologico Akumal. They've been keeping an eye over the nesting habitats around here."
"Wow… that sounds like quite a job." Marzipan remarked.
"It has its perks. You know, if you have some time after all of this blows over, I'd be happy to take you down to the station to see the turtles." Scott offered.
"Oh, I'd like that!" Marzipan replied enthusiastically.
"Great! It's a date then." Scott smiled. "Oh, here's the place."
They stopped in front of a huge hotel. On either side of them were large glass windows that revealed richly decorated hallways and a luxurious lobby. A white fence separated them from path that led to an enormous courtyard. The massive space housed an ornate swimming pool, complete with plant life and natural rock waterfalls.
"Not bad." Pom Pom said, raising an eyebrow.
The group walked through the double doors and entered the lobby. Strong Bad flopped onto a velvety lounge chair while Marzipan and Scott went to the counter to ask about Matt and Mike.
"You know, this place would be perfect if it just had some- whoa, I spoke too soon." Strong Bad eyed a shapely guest as she headed toward the pool. "Pom Pom, you and I need to go on a vacation when we're done with this mess. I got a real good destination in mind…"
Just then Marzipan and Scott returned from the front desk. "Now we just have to wait." Scott informed them.
"I'm fine with that… do you think they'd let us wait out by the pool?" Strong Bad wondered hopefully.
"No." Marzipan replied sharply.
"Hey, it was a valid question!" Strong Bad retorted.
They settled in around the lobby. Scott and Marzipan started talking about NAHTA again, Pom Pom pulled out his cell PDA and busily tapped away at the screen with the stylus. Strong Bad contentedly observed the swimming pool through the window.
"You know, it's really nice not having dumpface here. He would totally ruin the beauty of this moment by complaining about something or saying something stupid." Strong Bad sighed. "I think I'm gonna go get a drink from that fountain in the entryway. Be back in a minute, Pom Pom." Strong Bad got up and went over to the drinking fountain. He was just starting to take a drink when a joyous shout startled him into inhaling a mouthful of water.
"STRONG BAD!"
Strong Bad hacked violently as two pale skinny arms wrapped around his shoulders and squeezed him in an awkward hug. He shoved the assailant off of him and spun around, still struggling to breathe freely. To his deep disgust he found himself staring at an all too familiar goofy grin. He felt like throwing up, and he wasn't entirely sure if it was because of breathing in the water.
"WHAT the CRAP are you DOING!" Strong Bad demanded, beyond furious.
"I'm so glad I found you guys! I've been walking all over town with Alex. She found this yellow paper in my backpack and said that you guys would be here- and you are!"
"Don't even talk to me, you weirdo. Man, and things were going so well. Touch me again and I'll punch you into last century." Strong Bad started to walk away.
"But Strong Bad, Scott is-" Homestar made the mistake of grabbing Strong Bad's shoulder to stop him from leaving, and Strong Bad reflexively whipped around and punched him squarely in the face. Homestar crumpled to the floor.
"Hey Marzi, your other boyfriend's here to see you." He said, stomping back to his chair.
"Homestar? Where is he?" Marzipan stood up suddenly.
"He's taking a nap in the entryway." Strong Bad replied.
Marzipan rushed over to the drinking fountain where Homestar was laying. Scott shot to his feet and stared incredulously at Homestar's limp form. "Impossible…" He muttered under his breath.
"Homestar are you all right? Can you hear me?" Marzipan propped Homestar up against the wall. He blearily opened his eyes.
"Marzi… thewe's two of you… oww…"
"Homestar, just wait here a moment. I'll see if I can get you some ice." Marzipan started to leave, but Homestar waved her back.
"W-wait… Scott… he's twicky…" Homestar tried to warn her. "He's a bad guy."
"Homestar, you don't know what your saying. Strong Bad hit you really hard, I'll get you some ice and-"
"No…" Homestar shook his head, just about falling over.
"So, what's the occasion?" A new voice inquired from in the lobby. Homestar and Marzipan looked up and saw two guys in Hawaiian shirts walk into the room.
"Matt!" Homestar sat up a little straighter.
Marzipan walked into the lobby to stand by Scott and Pom Pom.
"Well, it looks like we're all one big happy family now." Scott said cheerfully, and he pulled something out of his pocket. It was a round metal ball.
Do you want to know what happens next? Nah, of course you don't.