Matt, Pat, and Verminious Snaptrap (c) Butch Hartman
Snaptrap (still disguised as Victor von Marzipan) followed Matt down the hallway to Pat's room. Matt(After excusing himself from Colette) had wanted to check in on her and asked "Victor" if he would accompany him. As they continued walking, Snaptrap's mind was racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions.
I don't get it. My revenge is working perfectly. I'm finally getting back at my snobby brother and sister. I should feel like I'm on top of the world right now. So how come I feel so low? Fine time for me to get a conscience!
At that moment, they finally arrived at Pat's room. Matt knocked on the door. "Pat? It's Matt and Victor, are you alright?"
"Go away!" Pat replied from within, a hint of a sob in her voice.
Matt tried again. "Pat, come now, it's just your brother and a friend. We just wanted to check on you."
"No! I look gross!" Pat cried.
Matt looked at "Victor" and shrugged helplessly. Snaptrap(Victor) stared at the door. Before he knew it, he was knocking on it. "Come on, Sis-I mean Pat!" He said. "It's not that bad! No one's laughing anymore. Especially that stupid Rabies and Catastrophe! Ha! You should've seen the face on those losers when I told them to zip it and reminded them of our bet! What a bunch of yahoos!"
There was silence in Pat's room for a moment. Then a small click was heard. The door opened and Pat peeked out, her face still covered in spots. She stared at Snaptrap(Victor) looking confused. He began to feel uneasy.
Great, what did I do now? He thought.
"What did you just say?" Pat asked.
"Huh?" Snaptrap(Victor) replied, "Oh uh, I said no one's laughing any-"
"No," Pat interrupted, "I mean, what was that you called Rabies and Catastrophe?"
"Oh, I called them yahoos. And what yahoos they are, I can tell you."
Pat opened the door a little wider. Still looking a bit puzzled. Snaptrap (Victor) Couldn't take it any more. "What?" He asked. "Did I say something stupid?"
"Uh, no, sorry," Pat apologized, "It's just funny you called them 'yahoos'. See, our little brother uses that word sometimes."
An alarm went off in Snaptrap's head. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He scolded himself. He gave what he hoped was a convincing smile. "Y-You don't say?" He stuttered a bit. "Uh, he's that Verminious Snaptrap fellow Dr. Rabies mentioned earlier right?"
Matt sighed. "Unfortunately, yes."
Snaptrap(Victor) turned to Matt, trying not to look offended by his brother's tone. "Aw, come on, he can't be that bad."
Pat leaned against the door way. "Yeah, well, the thing is...he is. Verm is uh, kinda the black sheep of our family."
Matt adjusted his monocle. "Well, that's one way of putting it. You see, Victor, the Snaptraps are a family of successful villains, we always have been. But, Verminious...well he... he doesn't quite live up to the title of 'villain', so to speak."
"Basically, he stinks at being a bad guy," Pat concluded bluntly, "He...kinda stinks at everything, actually."
"Indeed he does," Matt agreed with a hopeless sigh, "Honestly, sometimes I find it hard to believe I'm actually related to him. Let alone that he's my brother."
Snaptrap(Victor) shrugged, trying not to sound hurt, "I'm-I'm sure he tries his best."
"Well, if that's his best I'd hate to see his worst," Pat stated, "Verm is just the type of guy that isn't that good at anything."
"Oh," Snaptrap(Victor) replied, feeling a little numb by what his siblings said. So that's what they really think of me. Why was I feeling guilty again?
Pat spoke again, distracting Snaptrap from his thoughts. "So you really told those two off, huh?"
"Well, sort of," Snaptrap(Victor) replied, "All I really did was call them jerks and made sure they kept their end of the bet."
"Still, it was amazing," Matt spoke. He smiled slyly. "And rather enjoyable to watch. It's about time someone knocked those two off their high horses."
"You guys don't like them, do ya'?" Snaptrap(Victor) asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Pat stated, "Those two are always giving us a hard time. Always thinking they're better than us...just cause we're sewer rats...and because Verm is our little brother."
"What's wrong with sewer rats?" Snaptrap(Victor) asked.
"Exactly," Matt declared, grumpily. "The thing is, Victor, rats, especially those of the 'sewer' variety, are considered the...low life of the animal kingdom, along with snakes and cockroaches. That's why the Snaptraps try to maintain a classy, professional image. Yes, we are villains, but we maintain style, poise, and sophistication through it all. Well, maybe with the exception of one member, which, as Pat mentioned, is another thing Rabies and Catastrophe annoy us about. They never hesitate to remind us that we're related to the worst villain in all of Petropolis. You see, Pat and I, we've done very well in the criminal business. But no matter how much we excel, our younger brother is almost like a shadow, following us wherever we go. Verminious and his actions, in a way, are a reflection of me and Pat as well as the entire Snaptrap family...and it's not a very good reflection. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Uh, yeah...I think I get it," Snaptrap(Victor) replied quietly. No wonder Matt and Pat didn't want him coming to the party. They were embarrassed by him. But it's not like he made the family look bad on purpose. He tried his best to be bad, he really did. Didn't that at least count for something? Well, however his siblings felt towards him, Dr. Rabies and Madame Catastrophe sure weren't making things any better from the sound of it. He started to feel even more angry towards those two. Making his family sound like idiots. And Matt and Pat, boy did they make him feel low right now, even though they didn't know Victor was really him. And yet... he also felt...kinda bad for them because of what they had to go through with the other villains: always trying to look good to them, making sure they didn't lose favor with them or lose their high social status in society. In fact if he didn't know better, from the way they spoke about it, Matt and Pat almost sounded...a little insecure. They were being put down and ridiculed the same way they put their little brother down. Was this why they made fun him? Snaptrap was confused. Should he feel hurt? Anger? Pity? He thought about all this in silence, while differing emotions collided within him. Suddenly he shouted:
"WHO NEEDS 'EM?!"
Matt and Pat both jumped at his sudden outburst. "Er, I...beg your pardon?" Matt asked.
Snaptrap(Victor) stared at his siblings. "Who needs stupid Rabies and Catastrophe?! And who needs these other villain jerks?! Who died and made them leaders of the world? Not me that's for darn sure! We're great villains! I say the heck with 'em! Let's go enjoy the party and have some dang blasted fun!"
Matt and Pat stared at "Victor" in utter amazement. Then Pat slowly smiled. "You know, you're right, Vic. I'm not gonna let those two killjoys ruin' my fun. No one's gonna get Patricia Snaptrap down!"
"Here, here!" Matt agreed. "I want to enjoy my birthday and that's precisely what I intend to do! Speaking of which...it should be almost time for Dr. Rabies and Madame Catastrophe's (chuckle) performance. Shall we go see it?"
Pat and "Victor" grinned at each other and turned to Matt.
"Let's shall," they replied in unison.
Matt, Pat, and "Victor" were relaxing in the yacht's snack bar and in complete laughter, having just seen Dr. Rabies and Madame Catastrophe's "dance show". Actually, everyone on the yacht had seen it. The trio were just discussing what they had seen while each one was enjoying a fizzy tropical drink.
"I've never laughed so hard in my life!" Pat exclaimed, shaking with mirth.
"I must say it was very entertaining!" Matt laughed, wiping a tear of merriment from his eye, "Usually I consider such entertainment juvenile, but in this case, I'll make an exception. I really wish I had thought to record it."
"I recorded it," Snaptrap(Victor) chuckled while surfing internet on his cell phone, "And I posted it as soon as it was over. One thousand hits and still goin'!"
"Villainous, Victor, absolutely villainous," Matt complimented with an amused grin, "You'll have to send me an e-mail of that clip."
Pat(Who had borrowed some makeup to cover up her red splotches) sat back in her chair, breathing a sigh of relief. "Boy, am I glad I didn't have to do that. I don't think I could've taken any more embarrassment."
"Well, you have Victor here to thank for that, Pat," Matt replied. He turned to his new friend, who was finishing the rest of his drink.
"You know, Victor, I'm glad you ended up coming to my party. You've definitely livened things up around here."
You have no idea, Snaptrap(Victor) thought to himself.
"By the way," Matt continued, "I'd also like to thank you for cheering my guests up, even if you didn't intend to. Some of them were still a bit upset over the incident at lunch and this was just the thing to take their minds off of it...as well as get me back on their good side. You've made things a little bit better for me and my guests."
"Me too," Pat agreed, "Matt and I were both pretty lucky you came along."
Snaptrap(Victor) looked up from his drink, completely stunned. Better? Lucky? Did his siblings, in a way, just admit that they were glad he came? He couldn't believe it. So what if they thought he was Victor von Marzipan? This was probably the nicest thing they ever said to him. He smiled genuinely.
"R-Really? Gee, thanks you guys," he responded, realizing that he truly was grateful.
"What say we go and enjoy the rest of the festivities?" Matt suggested, standing up.
"Why not?" Pat agreed, also getting out of her chair. "You coming,Vic?"
Snaptrap(Victor) looked behind him, thinking that Pat was talking to someone else. Then noticing that Matt and Pat were staring at him, he realized that they were inviting him to join them.
"Who me? Really? You want me to hang with you guys?" He asked, surprised.
"Why of course," Matt answered, "We'd love to have you along."
"Yeah, you up for it?" Pat asked.
Love to have you along.
Something about those words seemed to touch something deep inside Snaptrap. He rubbed at his eyes which, for some reason started to feel a bit watery. He leaped up off of his chair, beaming.
"You bet I'm up for it!"
Snaptrap would have never dreamed in a million years that he could actually have fun with his brother and sister. They spent the rest of the day enjoying the fun activities on the yacht. There was dancing(which he especially enjoyed),where he showed off some of his dance moves, they played a game of pool(No wagering this time), did a bit of karaoke, and even played some video games. Through it all, not only did Snaptrap have fun with his siblings...he also learned a bit more about them. He never knew Matt was such a good pool player. His seemed to have a gift at calculating the perfect angles at which to strike the balls. And at karaoke, Pat proved to still be as fantastic a singer as she was when she was little. Everyone applauded her, even Snaptrap.
Matt and Pat did not know it, but they were learning a few things from their little brother as well (Even though they had no idea Victor was Snaptrap). It was Snaptrap(Victor) who actually convinced Matt to get out on the dance floor and even ended up teaching him some dance moves. He showed Pat how to do a neat new pool trick (Which he learned from Francisco). And finally, Snaptrap introduced his brother and sister to the great online game known as "World of RatCraft" and showed them the ropes. He even helped them create their avatars. There were a few times where Snaptrap's personality broke through his "Victor" disguise, but luckily, any time it did slip out, Matt and Pat just assumed that Victor was just a quirky guy.
It was getting dark when the trio took a break from all the fun. They were out on deck, resting against the railing of the yacht, looking out at the ocean. They were silent for a bit, feeling the wind rush through their fur. Then Matt spoke.
"You know, that's the most fun I've had in quite some time. This is turning out to be a fantastic birthday."
"Mm hm," Pat agreed, "You know I've heard people rave about that "World of Ratcraft" game but I never really bothered playing it. It's really a lot of fun."
"I must admit, I greatly enjoyed it," Matt admitted, "I use to think video games were just for children and teenagers, but now I just may have to reconsider that."
Snaptrap "Victor" couldn't help but smile. "I can't believe you guys never played it," he said in amusement, "let alone never played video games."
Matt leaned against the railing. "Well, it's not that we've never played, it's just that...we haven't played in a long time. In fact, the last time I really remember playing them was when I was just a rat pup. Verminious and I use to play them all the time."
Snaptrap (Victor's) ears perked up. "You remember- I mean really?" He asked.
Matt nodded. He gave a small amused smile as he recalled the memory. "Yes, I still remember the two of us sitting in front of the TV, playing. We would really get into the game, shouting directions to each other. Much to the annoyance of our mother. Our favorites were the fighting games." Matt paused then scratched his nose in amusement. "Heh, you know, we'd sometimes try to distract one another to get in a few extra hits. All in good fun, of course."
He stared out at the sea somewhat wistfully. "Funny, that...seems so long ago now."
Snaptrap(Victor) couldn't believe his ears. He thought Matt had forgotten all that. "It sounds like you guys actually had fun," he said.
Matt continued to stare ahead. "We did," he admitted.
"So...what happened?" Snaptrap(Victor) asked.
After some silence, Matt just sighed and shrugged. "We got older...we changed."
A tiny pang of sadness hit Snaptrap(Victor). There was something morbidly hopeless about Matt's statement. He stared down at the water quietly. Then he turned to Pat. "You know, Pat, that was a great show you put on at the karaoke, he complimented, "You're a really good singer."
Pat smiled. "Thanks. I've always had a fondness for singing. I always dreamed about being a singer when I was little. I'd sometimes put on a performance for my dolls." She rolled her eyes. "Verm would sometimes 'crash' my performances. He'd pretend my dolls were a mosh pit and stage dived on them. Heh, that nerd."
Snaptrap(Victor) noticed that Pat did not sound angry at the recollection. Instead, she sounded amused...wistfully happy in fact. Pat tapped her claws on the railing as she continued. "It ticked me off when he'd do that. But you know, now when I think about it, it actually kinda makes me laugh now. Verm always loved being a little goofball."
Snaptrap (Victor) gave a small smile. He remembered hearing his sister singing sometimes when they were little, and how he, indeed would interrupt her...not to be mean, but just being a goofball little brother. He never thought he would hear Pat admit that she looked back on those times as a fond memory of her little brother.
Pat turned to Snaptrap(Victor), interrupting his thoughts. "What about you, Vic?" She asked. "You got any siblings?"
Snaptrap(Victor) answered without thinking. "Yeah, a brother and sister...oop!" He quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late.
"A brother and sister?" Matt repeated. "What are their names?"
"Oh uh, their names are Ma-I mean Mark and uh, P-Penny," Snaptrap(Victor) lied.
"Do you see them often?" Pat asked.
Snaptrap(Victor) stared out at the ocean, suddenly seeming lost in thought.
"No, I don't see them a whole lot...actually they don't really see me that much either...hardly even. To tell ya the truth I-I don't think they even like me."
"That's a shame," Matt replied, "You seem like a nice fellow."
"Yeah, well, they don't think so," Snaptrap(Victor) answered moodily. "In fact, I think my brother and sister hate my guts. They always act uppity with me, just cause they think I'm not as classy or smart as them. We did get along once, but now, we're just so...so different from one another." He rested his chin on the railing. "They probably wish I was never born," he muttered.
Matt and Pat stared at their friend sadly, but also strangely. There was something familiar about him at that moment. Something about him that reminded them of someone. Matt held his monocle out, peering intently at the dapper dog.
"Victor, are...are you sure we haven't met somewhere before?" He asked.
Snaptrap(Victor) straightened up immediately. He sounded scared as he spoke."Uh no! Never! Er, I...that is..."
He was then cut short as a server came up to Matt. "Mr. Snaptrap, the food for dinner is all prepared," the server announced to the slender rat, "Do you want us to wait for you before we serve the guests?"
Matt put his monocle back on while answering. "Oh, drat, I completely forgot about dinner. Um, no. Let's not keep the guests waiting. Begin serving and tell them I'll be there as soon as I can."
The server nodded and left to carry out the orders. Snaptrap saw this as an opportunity to head back to his room before Matt and Pat could question him more. "You know, I'd better go freshen up a little," he said while backing away towards the doors, "All that partying can make a guy look pretty ragged, heh. I'll uh, see you guys at dinner. Great party, Matt!"
Before Matt or Pat could respond, Snaptrap(Victor) was already indoors and running back to his room. The two rats watched in silence as he left. Then Pat spoke: "You know, Victor seems like an okay guy. Kinda weird, but a real hoot to be around."
"Yes, he is entertaining if not a bit eccentric," Matt agreed, "Though I swear there's something strangely familiar about him."
"Speaking of strange," Pat spoke, "Was it just me, or was Victor acting a little weird before we were interrupted?"
"You know, I was beginning to sense that too," Matt answered. "Especially after I asked him if we've met before. It's almost as if he was hiding something."
"Yeah," said Pat, "Well, maybe he's just a very private guy. Some people are like that."
"Hmm, perhaps," Matt replied thoughtfully, "Well, private or not, Victor has been great company. I'm glad you decided to invite him, Pat."
Pat turned to her brother with a perplexed expression. "Huh? I didn't invite him. I thought you did."
"What? No!" Matt replied in surprise, "I've never even met Victor before today. He told me he was your friend."
"Well, he told me he was yours," Pat responded.
Both siblings stared at each other, completely baffled. Then Matt's eyes widened as he realized something. "Pat," he began slowly as it all came back to him, "When I was speaking to Victor at lunch, he told me about some of his past crimes. They sounded a bit familiar to me for some reason, but I didn't think much of it. But right now it just hit me. Those were the crimes that Verminious had committed, or at least tried to, in the past. I remember now, I saw the headlines in the papers."
Pat's eyebrows raised in surprise. Matt pondered it all quietly, then straightened himself up, a determined look in his eye.
"Come on," he said walking purposefully towards the deck doors. "I believe Mr. von Marzipan has some explaining to do."
Uh, oh, Matt suspects something. Is the jig up for our crazy rat?
A real awww chapter here. Snaptrap actually having fun with his sibs.^^ Sure, Matt and Pat didn't know it was Snaptrap, but it doesn't make it any less heart warming.
Hmm, rather thought provoking in the beginning. Looks like Snaptrap's siblings may be just as insecure as he is. Guess, Matt and Pat have some things in common with their little brother after all.
More to come...much more.;)