CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains the usage of drugs. Reader discretion is advised. Don't do drugs, kids. It's bad. You want a chance to experience escapism? Buy a video game. It can be just has addictive and will also leave your wallet just as empty. That's why I'm big brain 'cause I play Dark Souls. It's even more addictive, but also offers a lot more gameplay with each death... a lot more gameplay...


ZAP!

CURTAINS OPEN

AISHA, sitting in one of the sofas of the Last Drop's main office and is visibly relaxing while twirling a butterfly knife.

AISHA, sighs in contentment.

The door opens violently, and DUCHESS comes in. She closes the door with force. She sits down on the opposite sofa and takes off her mask. TAYLOR sinks down onto the sofa.

AISHA, looking confused.

What is it?

TAYLOR, looking at the ceiling annoyed.

I just spent the last half hour listening to your brother ranting at me.

AISHA

Why?

TAYLOR, still looking at the ceiling.

Your brother was angry about the fight earlier. Kept telling me that I shouldn't have given you the hand cannon. Apparently, he was a bit disturbed in how you used it.

AISHA, visibly amused.

Don't tell me you agreed with him? A bit hypocritical if you did. I mean, what did you do earlier? Cut off a hand, wasn't it?

TAYLOR, looks to AISHA with a frown.

Cape fights are dangerous, true. A bit of dismemberment isn't uncommon. (Sighs) But he is somewhat right. We can't make this a common theme in our fights. Soon enough people are going to compare us with the Teeth. (Shakes her head) That's a reputation we don't want.

AISHA, stops twirling the knife and sits up on the sofa.

You serious? We killed a couple of villains already! Put up their skulls on our desk like they are Junior League Baseball trophies! What we are planning to do with Krieg al-

TAYLOR, interrupts AISHA mid-speech.

It's necessary. Promises and threats only work if people understand that we will carry through with them. Taking down villains with force is all well and good but what if next time we go against the heroes? New Wave or the Protectorate, or hells, the Wards? We can't use that type of violence all the time.

AISHA

I know the shit you are building here, Taylor. That's a pretty fucking nice glass house you live in, better not start throwing shit at it, don't you think?

TAYLOR, gets up from the sofa and starts pacing across the office.

Fine! I get it!

AISHA, picks up a pipe and starts smoking from it.

Then stop pacing around like a headless chicken and do something about it, smartass.

TAYLOR, still pacing.

I know you like my smarts and my ass, no need pointing that out, sweet stuff.

AISHA, quirks an eyebrow.

That and your legs.

TAYLOR stops pacing, blushes and fumbles a bit.

Silence for a few seconds.

TAYLOR, resigned.

Damn, I need better comebacks.

AISHA, snorts.

Yeah, you are really bad at flirting. You need to get your game on, girl. Ain't gonna catch no fish with that bait.

TAYLOR

… You are so lucky you are hot. It's unbelievable. You and your brother are so hot is unfair to the rest of us.

AISHA, makes a face of disgust.

Ewww. Don't make me think of that. (Narrows her eyes at TAYLOR) I think there are other people just as hot as us here. Like Lisa. What do you think of her?

TAYLOR, resumes pacing slower than before.

I like her freckles. (Shrugs) Makes a nice cutting figure with her catsuit-

AISHA, interrupts slightly distressed.

Alright, we are getting off topic. You have problems with the violence. What are you going to do about it?

TAYLOR

Give me a moment. I'll think of something.

The occupants of the room keep doing their activities. TAYLOR sometimes mumbles something to herself while AISHA keeps smoking from the pipe. The room fills with blue smoke.

TAYLOR, stops pacing.

Can I see your gun?

AISHA, takes gun from somewhere in her leather coat.

Sure. Here.

TAYLOR takes the gun and goes to the lab side of the office. Mechanical sounds come from the lab. The clock on top of the office's door shows 20 minutes passing while AISHA continues to smoke.

TAYLOR, gets out from the lab, her hand behind her back.

Here. Close your eyes and give me your hands.

AISHA does as instructed, although she pouts a bit. From behind her, TAYLOR takes out a gun. It's a barrel is just as big as the hand cannon, but it is transparent with a copper coloured coil inside connected to the firing mechanism. There is a small dial at the side and blue ampoule serving as the aim.

TAYLOR

You can open your eyes now.

AISHA opens her eyes and recoils from the sight of what it is in her hands.

AISHA, awed.

What is this? Why is it blue? What does it do?

TAYLOR, visibly smug.

It's a stun gun. You fire it and electricity comes out. You can calibrate the power output enough so that it can definitely kill someone but low enough but that way it won't be lethal. I call it the Zapper!

AISHA, still awed turns to TAYLOR amused.

Zapper? That's a terrible fucking name. Hmmm… I'll think of something better.

TAYLOR

Like what?

AISHA, starts mimicking firing the gun while making pew-pew noises.

(Murmurs) Pew, pew, stop there vile villain, pew pew.

TAYLOR, sighs.

I'll be back when you aren't high. Don't shoot the thing indoors!

AISHA, distractedly.

Yeah sure, see ya. (Murmurs) Pew pew, die alien die, pew pew.

TAYLOR exits the office through the main door leaving AISHA behind her still mimicking firing noises. AISHA notices a small button near the dial and messes with it. The gun misfires sending a blue lightning bolt through the office and its content until hitting the wall. The sound from firing is loud reverberating through the building.

TAYLOR, yelled voice comes muffled through the door.

AISHA LABOURNE! WHAT DID I TELL YOU?!

AISHA gets up from her seat and runs away out of the office.

CURTAINS CLOSE