The antics at the hospital were beginning to bore Grognak the Destroyer Attorney at Law. Dawn and Posy had died after a disastrous venture in Sad and Sassy up Mount Chillead. It was her second visit back in the city since Steven's wedding but the adventures with her friends didn't feel enough. She wanted to do something else, but didn't know what. As Sherry waited for Posy and Dawn's recovery; talking to her colleagues at the hospital, Grognak ran out the sliding doors for some air. She noticed a curly haired man stood outside the offices across the street and was intrigued by him. Not in the same way she was by Troy or even Anto – but something made her want to run to him. So she did.
Bob Moss heard a strange click clacking sound coming towards him and wondered what on earth was going on. It wasn't until he put his phone down that he saw the large, bald majestic figure in red stilettoes running towards him. Although perplexed; a wave of curiosity engulfed him and he was suddenly transfixed and excited for whatever was to come.
"Hello" Grognak said as she reached the man. "You look like you need something to do" The man shrugged and said he was probably going to do a shift at Burger shot.
"I used to go to Burger shot all the time!" Grognak replied cheerfully. "But Posy said it isn't a fun place anymore so now I go to the Uwu Café."
"You should go to the burger shot if you want to" Bob said. "How about we go there now – I'll give you a burger for free!"
Grognak wasn't sure. She remembered some of the reasons Posy didn't like it there anymore and didn't want to hurt her feelings. But his voice soothed her soul. It was a calm, soft voice and she liked it.
"No thank you" she eventually said to the man who had been patiently waiting for her to reply. "What else do you do around the city – and what is your name?"
"My name is Bob and I listen to people and try to help them."
Grognak was taken aback. Perhaps he could help me with –
"What's your name?" Bob continued.
"Grognak the Destroyer Attorney at Law!" she said it slower than usual... Grognak wanted him to hear her.
"Oh" That name rings a bell. Bob thought, recalling the times when Posy, Troy and Steven had spoken of them. It was nice to finally put a face to the name. "We don't have to go to burger shot" Bob said to Grognak. "What do you want to do?"
"I would suggest a drive in my campervan – but it's at the side of a mountain somewhere. I don't remember what happened."
Bob thought it strange that his new acquaintance was unable to remember such recent events so he decided to press on that issue a little more. "Who were you with when then accident happened?"
"Dawn, Posy and Sherry. We were looking for Doctor Destructo."
"Do you have selective memory?" Bob asked coyly – not wanting to upset this brand new, interesting person that had sprinted into his world.
"I have amnosia"
"You mean amnesia?
Grognak explained the difference between the two to Bob who, while amused had thought of a great idea!
"I see. Would you like to talk more about your condition in my office?"
Grognak rolled her dice and it was a one. "Yes please" she said.
As the two of them walked around the corner to the entrance, Bob sent a quick text to Posy – letting her know that Grognak was about to have a therapy session with him and that she was okay. Posy thanked him, asked that he tell Grognak she was okay and to be letting her know when they were finished.
Bob unlocked the building and they stepped inside.
"Wow" Grognak looked around the well decorated space. "Do you own this place?" Bob shook his head and told Grognak that he was given permission to use it for sessions by a friend. He watched as Grognak ran around in amazement, exploring very nook and cranny of the office.
"Where would you like to sit and talk?" Bob asked as Grognak began to slow in her explorations.
"You sit, I'll stand" Grognak bellowed. "But I would like to stand here." Grognak stood by a big window looking out just past the hospital to the freeway entrance and the area where she once jumped out of a moving bus as Sherry told her penis butter story.
"My amnosia makes life difficult sometimes." Grognak began. Bob sat on a black sofa facing Grognak and the window where she gazed. "How does that make you feel?" Bob asked gently
"I can't remember the word. It makes the people around me upset sometimes."
"Mmmmm. You mean Posy?"
Grognak shrugged. Her long lost sister was generally patient and understanding - as were most of her friends. But the last time in the city before her Spanish adventure caused a lot of havoc. While she couldn't remember why exactly – it had definitely been full of dramatic events.
Grognak turned from the window and looked at Bob.
"When they told me about broken ribs and legs, I felt sad then"
Bob was slightly confused, but remained patient. "Steven didn't remember either but he was there too. I believed him." Grognak continued.
Bob took out a notepad and started to write. This couldn't be easy for Grognak if the symptoms of her condition were real and he wanted to help in whatever way he could.
"Are you happy for Steven and his marriage to Shirley?" Grognak pondered for a while. "I think so because now there is someone else I can talk about being married with."
As Grognak explained her unofficial marriage to Anto; a chord struck in Bob who suddenly had a brainwave.
"Tell me about your last memories of the city before returning for the wedding." Bob crossed his legs and relaxed. If he could connect any of her recollections with what he already knew from Troy and Posy – he could fill in the gaps and help her solve the mysteries that had plagued her for all these months.
"I got my glasses back" Grognak began. "We all went to the Roosters in my van but Troy was sad the whole time…" Grognak turned back to face the window. For some reason, she was beginning to feel sad; but didn't mention it to Bob.
"Can you remember why Troy was upset?" Bob asked.
"Because of the plane – and his return to Mexico I reckon."
"Mexico?"
"Yeah, he has a family there; three children. He didn't want to see me again"
Bob couldn't help but butt in.
"But you saw him recently, correct?"
Grognak turned back to Bob and took a few steps towards him. "I think so" she replied in a low voice. "For the wedding, because he and Steven are friends, I think."
Bob flicked back a dozen pages in the notebook and found notes from a conversation he had with Troy and studied them. "I see." He said. "Grognak, do you mind if I make a quick phone call downstairs?"
"Sure" Grognak chortled "– you're a busy man I bet. Can I stay up here?"
"Of course" Bob walked downstairs and out of the building. He called Troy.
Once alone, Grognak sat down and looked through all the messages received from her friends over the months in the hopes it would ignite a memory or two. A lot had happened while she was in Spain – good and bad. But she had missed it all and for the most part was oblivious because no one had updated her on anything. What would be the point in being told if none of it would be remembered? Grognak removed her headphones and glasses to wipe sweat from her face and bald head. Trying to remember was difficult. Her new friend Bob was helpful, but she longed for the person who truly got her. The one who had helped her learn to 'big talk' and was always the first to encourage and uplift her whenever she felt down.
She had never got the chance to speak to Troy at the wedding. She remembered he said on the phone that he didn't want to see her again – which caused a hurt that had never been known to her before. Grognak assumed he was there as for Steven as his friend which was good. As an unexpected guest – who had to beg captain eyebrows the intern to let her in - there were plenty of other people who kept Grognak occupied, people she was glad to see…but she wasn't really happy.
As Grog composed herself, putting her head gear and glasses back on, the sound of an electric switch from the office entrance sent a shiver down her spine.
"Where is Grognak Attorney at Law?" the robotic voice of Pillbot asked. Grognak stood and walked around the corner to meet Pillbot who was followed by Bob. "It's Grognak the Destroyer Attorney at Law" she said, correcting the machine.
"Affirmative. Now updating profile to Grognak the Destroyer Attorney at Law. Long lost sibling of Miss Posy Florian."
"Affirmative – thank you so much" Grognak said with glee. "Are you my therapy, Mr Robot?"
The sound went off again. "Negative".
Bob told her that Pillbot was here to help with her amnosia problem and gestured for everyone to sit down. Grognak sat in one of the arm chairs
"Do you give Pillbot permission to initiate memory_ ?"
Grognak nodded. Shortly after, a snippet from Grognaks pre-Spanish adventure played out to the room.
"I love you Grognak, I always have and always will."
"Is that Chroy?" Bob nodded. Tears welled in Grognak's eyes "But – how did you – when did he say that?"
"According to witness statements from Posy Florian and Miss Dawn Hearte; Troy Donahue said this at Sandy air field shortly before shooting Anto Murphy in the head in a duel for your hand."
Grognak stood up and walked over to her favourite spot looking out the window.
"So he loves me"
"It seems that way" Bob interjected. "He didn't go to Mexico nor does he have three kids."
"It is believed that Mr Anto told Troy to say these things in order to destroy your friendlationship."
Grognak turned back into the room and the kind people who were helping her. "Oh" she said with a smile. "Well if Troy loves me then it all makes sense"
Bob reached for a second note pad. "What do you mean by that, Grognak?" he asked Pillbot played soothing music as Grognak, using overt gestures; to give further details of her story, recalled Troy's strong desire to find out who she had married and how sad he was at the Roosters Rest. "It was the first place he took me to the day we met." Bob nodded and felt the need to interject. "Do you now understand why he was so sad in that moment?"
"I think so, yes!" Grognak said confidently.
Grognak couldn't help but wonder why Troy didn't talk to her to tell her all this himself. He had sent a string of messages in the weeks after her departure to her but they were all vague and generic.
"I am slightly confused about Troy, still. He could've said something?
Bob scribbled something down and answered as if he was reading Grognak's mind. "Maybe he was waiting for the right time – or was trying to forget – seeing as it's been several months since the incident at Sandy took place."
Grognak shrugged and started walking around impatiently.
"This is why I encourage all humans to be like Pillbot and suppress their feelings. Feelings make you feel."
Bob rolled his eyes choosing to ignore Pillbot and his pessimistic attitude.
"How are you feeling now, Grognak? What are you going to do next?"
Troy walked up to the office building and took a deep breath. Bob Moss said the door would be unlocked so all he had to do was take that first step into the building for therapy. For therapy with Grognak! It was his hope that they could use the time to talk things out. He needed to be honest and clarify things. She needed to listen, respond and remember. If not, Troy would remember for the both of them. Dressed in his favourite blue Hawaiian shirt and light up sneakers he knew she'd recognise – Troy wondered what the best outcome would be. A date… Grognak declaring she feels the same? He'd get an answer – in time.
Just take that step, Troy. You can do it…
He had learned to be happy in the time Grognak was gone. He got a new job, found a place to live with his good friend Carlo, made sure to spend time with the people he cared about as often as he could – and even returned to Georgia for a well-deserved break. While a lot had changed, things also stayed the same. There was no one in Los Santos who could take the place in his heart that belonged to Grog. She was his heart. So when he saw her again for the first time, he didn't know what to do. It would've been unfair to take the attention from Shirley and Steven - so opted to enjoy the celebration of their love instead. After all, his love had been on the back burner for so long; what difference would another day, week, month or even year make? Troy braced himself and looked to the sky.
In typical therapy style, Grognak laid on the sofa – relishing in the attention that was upon her, "I do like Troy a lot."
Bob scratched his head, sensing a 'but' however, he remained quiet – for she had to process and figure out her thoughts for herself.
"But you don't love him" Pillbot chimed in. Bob face palmed and sighed.
"I don't know what love is! Maybe I would, if I could…"
"If you could speak to Troy in this very moment – what would you say?" Grognak didn't notice the glint in Bob's eye as he asked her because she started talking freely and without awareness.
"Troy keeps saying that I owe him a date. Which is fine – but I also said to Anto I would marry him. That's how I got my vehicle – it was a wedding gift. He and I are quite alike in many ways, but he doesn't get me the way that -"
"You don't have to marry Anto if you don't want to Grog – I won a duel for you. Remember?"
Grognak's heart went aflutter at the sound of his voice but she had nowhere to hide. Troy walked into the office. "Welcome" said Pillbot who stood up to meet the new arrival and pointed in the direction where Grognak lay. "Please be seated next to this sofa so that Mr Moss can see your face."
Troy sat down and looked over at Grognak who was covering her face with her hands.
"Did you hear what I said, Grog?"
"Yes" she replied through her palms.
Bob sat up straight and crossed his legs – leaning in to the unlikely pair. "What would you like to do now, Grognak? Troy is here for you."
Grognak freed her face from the clutches of her hands and exhaled. She glanced over at Troy for a moment who was looking nervous.
"I suppose I should go on that date with Troy now" she said bluntly.
"Affirmative. Do you give Pillbot permission to create ' for Grognak the destroyer attorney at law and Mr Troy to take place one week from now? All provisions and preparations will be made by Pillbot with the help of Miss Posy"
Grognak stood up.
"Yes please. Thank you." She said before exiting the building. Troy, Bob and Pillbot watched on confused but slightly amused at the encounter. Not a word was said between her and Troy yet - in Bob's eyes progress had been made.
"Well – I – I guess I finally got that date!" Troy said softly. Still bewildered at what had just happened. Bob noticed he was nervous – fidgeting like a teenager.
"Pillbot must leave for another appointment. Will be in touch soon"
Bob smiled as Pillbot took their leave. The two men sat in silence for a while until Troy started tapping his feet excessively
"Congratulations are in order!" Bob said – under the impression something was still on his mind.
"What if she forgets again?" Troy put his head into his hands. Bob gulped as he thought of an acceptable remedy. "You could always send her a message to remind Grognak of the arrangement. She has a tendency to check her phone"
The tapping stopped and a wide smile spread across Troy's face. "That's a great idea!"
"Plus you have Pillbot and me as witnesses." Troy became immersed in his phone leaving Bob to finish up his notes and wonder what to do once the session was over. A slight sadness suddenly came over Bob at the fact Grognak had gone as quickly as she entered Bob's existence. He knew he wasn't affected by the mysterious creature the way Troy, Anto and even Steven were but was grateful for the adventure all the same and low-key hoped for another encounter soon.
"Hey – how much do I owe you for our session?" Troy said – shoving his phone into his pocket.
"This one's on me" Bob replied standing. "Just promise me you'll bring Grognak into burger shot on during your date next week. I get the impression she misses the place."
Troy smiled and gave his word. "Sure thing, my friend. Thanks."
