Chapter 70: To Hell in a Handbasket
[Scene: The Midori house. Zoi walks in. The TV is on but the house still feels unnaturally quiet, and oddly haunted.]
Zoi: Dad?
[There is no reply. Zoi walks into the livingroom, where the TV is on, but nobody is watching. The TV is turned to the SciFi channel, but to the best of Zoi's knowledge, his father has never watched the SciFi channel.]
TV: "My name is Talky Tina and I'm going to kill you."
[Zoi grabs the remote and turns off the TV. Now the house is deathly silent.]
Zoi: Dad?
[Zoi has a sudden vision of blood spattered all over the kitchen wall. He runs into the kitchen only to see there is no blood. His father is sitting at the table face down with his head in his arms. The table is set and there is a plate of food where Zoi normally sits.]
Zoi: Dad?
[He walks over to his father and touches his shoulder lightly. His father sits up and Zoi's so startled he lets out a shriek. But he's relieved that his father has just fallen asleep that the table.]
Zoi: Dad, don't do that. You scared me.
Chief Midori: [groggy] Where have you been? I've been waiting for you to come home.
Zoi: I was at a friend's, remember? You wanted me to stay out all night.
Chief Midori: Oh. I see.
[His father seems out of it, and though Zoi tries to tell himself his father is just sleepy, Zoi is a bit concerned. To the best of Zoi's knowledge, his father has never fallen asleep at the table like that, but that would explain the door, the lights and the TV.]
Zoi: You left the TV on in the living room.
Chief Midori: Oh.
Zoi: When did you start watching the Twilight Zone?
Chief Midori: I don't want to talk about it.
[Zoi gives his father a questioning look. His father's eyes are dazed and his voice sounds almost mechanical. Zoi's seen his father like this before. He can't remember when or why, but he remembers it meant something really bad.]
Zoi: Dad, are you ok?
Chief Midori: Yes, son. I'm fine.
Zoi: How did things go with Justice Blackmoon?
Chief Midori: I don't want to talk about it.
Zoi: Did he threaten you?
Chief Midori: I don't want to talk about it.
Zoi: Dad. What did he say?
Chief Midori: I don't want to talk about it!
[He seems more frustrated than angry, but Zoi backs away]
Chief Midori: I made you dinner.
Zoi: Dad, it's eleven at night.
Chief Midori: You need to eat something. You're becoming far too thin.
Zoi: I just had about half an extra large pizza at Umino's.
[Zoi sees what looks like a photograph lying face down in front of his father. He reaches for it, but his father snatches it out of his reach.]
Zoi: What's that?
Chief Midori: Nothing you need to concern yourself with.
Zoi: Is it a crime scene photo?
Chief Midori: I don't want to talk about it.
[Zoi looks at his father. Behind the weariness in his eyes, Zoi can tell he's under a great deal of stress.]
Zoi: Dad, what's wrong?
Chief Midori: Nothing's wrong. I'm fine. You need to eat.
Zoi: I just told you. I already ate. I just want to go to bed.
[Actually he doesn't. He knows something is terribly wrong with his dad and he's tempted to call for an ambulance. But he doesn't know what they can do if his father keeps insisting he's fine.]
Chief Midori: Sit down. I made your favorite. Carne Asada.
Zoi: Really dad? I've seen you burn instant oatmeal. And you decided to attempt something as complex as Carne Asada?
Chief Midori: Sit down.
Zoi: It's late. I'll try it in the morning.
Chief Midori: No. You have to eat it right now.
Zoi: Dad?
Chief Midori: Eat. I've made it just for you. I know you've had a rough time. With Kunzite leaving you the way he did. Even though you are still madly in love with him. I thought it might make you happy.
Zoi: No.
Chief Midori: Eat.
Zoi: I'm not saying I don't appreciate the thought. But you do realize you could have achieved the same effect by making me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
[His father doesn't seem angry. He seems stressed out and robotic and more than a little spaced out. If Zoi didn't know better he'd think he was stoned out of his mind.]
Chief Midori: Just take three bites. That's all I ask. Three bites and then I'll let you go to your room.
[Zoi is feeling uneasy but he sits anyway. His father rises from the table. Zoi notices he's left the picture behind on the tabletop, but when he looks over his shoulder his father is staring right at him. Actually it feels like there are many eyes upon him. It's almost as if he can hear the walls breathing.]
Zoi: Three bites. Then I'm putting the rest in the refrigerator and I'm going to bed.
Chief Midori: Three bites.
[Zoi cuts a small piece of steak and puts it in his mouth.]
Zoi: [chews the steak. It's cold. It doesn't taste terrible, but it doesn't taste like carne asada either. Clearly his father did not allow the meat to marinate.] One.
[Zoi saws off another piece of steak. He can feel his father's eyes upon him and the breathing of the house seems to quicken.]
Zoi: Two.
[As Zoi lifts the fork to his mouth he racks his brain for when his seen his father like this before.]
[Then he remembers. It was when Kunzite took over his mind and sent him downstairs to make him a beer and a sandwich.]
[Zoi can feel his skin break out in goosebumps. He reaches for the snapshot on the table and turns it over as quickly as he can.]
[It's the picture Esmeraude stole from him in biology class.]
Zoi: DAD!
[Zoi turns in his chair as quickly as he can.]
[His father is holding his service revolver in both hands and is aiming it right at Zoi's head.]
[Zoi jumps out of his seat and backs into the table, more from shock then genuine terror. He holds out his hand to shield himself, knowing it won't be enough.]
Zoi: Dad! Don't do this! Put down the gun!
[Chief Midori just stands there. Pointing the gun at Zoi's head. But he's sweating and his eyes have a caged look, as if there is a glimmer of awareness. As if he is aware of his actions and can't control them.]
Zoi: Dad! I know this isn't you! The Blackmoons are controlling you! They're going to make you kill me to get back at Kunzite! But I want you to know this isn't your fault!
[Chief Midori stands there holding the gun then bursts into sobs]
Chief Midori: I can't do this. He's my little boy.
Zoi: Dad! Put the gun down.
[Instead Chief Midori raises the gun to his own head.]
Zoi: DAD! NO! DON'T DO THAT!
[Zoi is almost relieved when Justice Blackmoon appears out of thin air.]
Justice Blackmoon: Put that damn gun down! Did I give you permission to kill yourself!
[Justice Blackmoon drags a chair from the table and puts it next to the counter where Chief Midori is standing.]
Justice Blackmoon: Now lower your weapon and sit your ass down!
[Chief Midori places the gun on the counter and sits in the chair with the same blank expression on his face. Zoi tries to rush toward him, but five men, including Rubeus Blackmoon, appear out on thin air holding machetes and drag him onto the kitchen table and hold him down on its surface.]
Justice Blackmoon: Now Zoi-zoi, don't be angry at your dad. He was going to give you a nice, clean, merciful death. Unfortunately he failed, so now my boys are going to have to be slow and messy.
[Justice Blackmoon walks over and ruffles Zoi's hair.]
Justice Blackmoon: Before they start cutting into you, I just want you to know this is nothing personal. I've always had a softspot in my heart for my little Zoi-zoi. It's a pity you had to run with such a bad crowd.
[Pats the top of Zoi's head.]
Justice Blackmoon: Don't worry. Your dad will be with you soon. I'm not sure if I'm going to take his life immediately after this, or if I'll make him hang himself in his cell while he's awaiting trial. [sighs dramatically] Such a pity when people hurt their children to get back at their exspouses, but what can you say? Sometimes men like your father just snap for no good reason.
[Justice Blackmoon walks away shaking his head sadly.]
Justice Blackmoon: Alright boys. Now gut the little Shitennou-fucker.