Dave: Be the Producer.

"C'mon and admit it, this script is gold."

"I admit, I like it." The older gentleman said. "But you've got no name talent attached, no previous, and you're 18. This won't get made even if I vouch for it." He paused, considering the bundle of paper in his hand. "In fact, I'd probably get sacked for even trying."

"Fine, then I'll go make my own production company. With blackjack. And hookers. Actually, forget the production company."

"Mr. Strider..."

"That was a joke. I know you Hollywood types aren't big on subtle irony."

"Mr. Stri-"

"I could'a been a contender!"

"M..."

"This town deserves a better class of filmmaker, and I'm gonna give it one."

"ANY OTHER MOVIES YOU WANT TO QUOTE AT ME DAVID?" The man grew impatient with the young upstart who's somehow gotten a script past his slush pile despite his age. Dave gave the man a deadpan look, before removing his shades and staring the man coldly in the eyes. He gave a dramatic pause.

"Yippie Kay Yay Mutherfucka."

"Get out."

"So I take it that went well?" Dirk questioned Dave after seeing him get thrown out of the entrance by security.

"Nah, guy wouldn't no comedy if it smacked him upside the head like puppet dong."

"That's an oddly specific metaphor."

"The other version of you was kinda fucked up honestly. I don't really wanna go into it right now." Dave sat down on the bench next to his sort-of-brother.

"So what's the plan then?" Dirk asked while staring at his phone.

"We do it ourselves." Dave waved the script in his hand.

"Well, we'll debate the logical fallacy of that statement later." Dirk handed him the phone. "Scratch just scheduled a conference call." Dave read over the terse message, which Dirk had summed up.

"And it's about damn time!" Dave grinned. "Thought we'd never get started." The two of them stood up, as Dave stepped towards the street and raised his hand. "YO TAXI!" It's didn't take long to catch one in this part of LA.

Los Angeles, 2030 AD

About an hour later, the Strider brothers arrived back at the small two story house Scratch had acquired as living quarters and base of operations for the Los Angeles cell. As they stepped in the front door, to their immediate right sat a tall and thin young man with short brown hair and bi-colored glasses, currently absorbed in the dual monitor screens of his computer terminal. Also in the room, four individuals sitting on the couch in front of the television monitor, playing Smash Brothers on a very-retro-for-2030 Gamecube.

"Hi Dav—E, Hi Dirk." One of the girls in the group adressed them cheerfully. She wasn't holding a controller anymore or paying much attention to the screen, a quick glance informing them that Feferi was already knocked out of the match. As he glanced at the screen, Mewtwo was knocked off the top of the screen by a well placed Up-B from Luigi, taking his last life.

"wwhat the fuck wwas that?!" The young man sitting next to Feferi demanded at the other girl.

"It hits farther from the right angle..." Aradia rolled her eyes, before focusing on the last remaining opponent, the much older man to her left who controlled Ness on the screen. As Dirk wandered towards the kitchen, from which the smell of popcorn and the sound of Jake English's off key singing emanated, Dave watched the final round. Aradia lost. No one could beat The Mayor at games. He is simply the best there is.

"You get the conference call message?" Sollux called out to Dave from the computer.

"Yeah."

"Chiicago is already on iif you want to say hii." He gestured at the computer. Dave stepped to Sollux's side in front of the webcam. On the screen was a four paned window, with each pane displaying a video feed. The lower right displayed Dave and Sollux, with the small letters "L.A." In the lower left window, labeled "C.H." sat a girl with brown hair that partially covered her eyes. Unlike Sollux, she was forgoing her signature eye-wear, but was instantly recognizable from her cheshire cat grin.

"OMG, SOLLUX, 1S TH4T D4V3?"

"Sup TZ. How are things out there?"

"UGH, NOT SO HOT." She sighed. "1 M34N, J4N3 4ND 1 H4V3 4 GOOD TH1NG GO1NG, BUT 3V3RYON3 3LS3 JUST W4ND3R3D OFF 4ND ST4RT3D DO1NG TH3IR OWN TH1NG." She protested. "TH3Y WOULDN'T 3V3N COM3 1N FOR TH3 CONFR3NC3 C4LL."

"So it's just you and Jane then?"

"Hiya Dave." A voice came from off-screen on Terezi's end.

"Hi John's hot mom." Dave replied. There was a split second of silence before Terezi giggled and Sollux snickered. Jane's head poked into the frame, blushing.

"Gosh darn it to heck Strider, stop calling me that!"

"Not a chance." Before they could continue, the upper right window flickered on, displaying "N.Y." and Jade on camera.

"Hi Dave!" She called enthusiastically.

"Holly shiit what iis that on your head?" Sollux stopped her, questioning the dog ear headband. Jade frowned, and Dave gently bumped Sollux on the shoulder.

"Shut up man, they whimsical and adorable. Whimsadorical."

"If you're gonna be a flirt..." Jane's voice came from off camera again. "At least make up your mind who in the sam hill you're flirting with!"

"BUT J4N3..." Terezi took on a mocking tone. "D1DN'T 1 T3LL YOU? D4V3'S 4 TOT4L PL4Y4!"

"Wait..." Jade stopped them. "What was going on before I came in?" A bead of sweat rolled down Dave's face, mercifully concealed by his shades.

"Ahem." Another, clearly synthesized and altered voice interrupted. The fourth panel was now on, displaying a black screen with a white, calligraphic "S"

"While this is amusing, my time is valuable as well as finite. Let's begin."

Jade: Take notes.