The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Once Tech and Harriet got home with the groceries, Ralph helped put everything away in the kitchen while Tech set up a role of toilet paper for himself in the bathroom, stashing the rest in the hall closet for later. Afterwards, he settled down next to Rev on the sofa and pulled up his laptop and the two started searching through the list of nearby clinics that Lila had given to Tech, searching for a place for Rev to continue his physical therapy treatments.
A few hours later, Rip arrived from school and peered over Rev's shoulder as Tech scrolled down the homepage of one of the clinics' websites. "You guys looking for an outpatient clinic?" Rip asked. "Yeah, and I'm starting to realize just how many outpatient clinics there are around here," Tech sighed, "Most of them have okay reviews and legal backgrounds, but I've yet to find one that is certified as 'reputable'. Ugh… this is infuriating."
"What about Argentine Cliffs?" Rip asked, "Remember, Rev? That therapy clinic about 45 minutes from here? It's where Dakota went after… well, you know. Rev visibly winced and nodded, "Ooh… y-yeah, yeah, I-I remember. But it could be worth a check." Rev turned to Tech with an expectant look and Tech sighed, opening up a new tab and typing the clinic's name into the search bar. A smile stretched across Tech's face as he read up on the clinic and looked genuinely impressed upon opening up the clinic's website's homepage.
"So, what do you think, Tech?" Rev asked. "I like it," Tech said excitedly, "I've actually heard of the Argentine Cliffs but it was my understanding that they were located a lot farther from here, which is why I didn't think to look into them. Good call, Rip."
"Eh, it's what I do," Rip said with a smile and a shrug, "They did wonders for Dakota, so I doubt that whatever Rev needs to get done will be anything they can't handle." Rev and Tech exchanged an awkward glance and shrugged, "I'm sure you're right." Rev said with a chuckle.
"What's going on in here?" Harriet asked with a friendly chirp. "I think we found the perfect place for Rev." Tech said turning the computer towards her so she could see. "Oh yeah, I remember the Cliffs," Harriet nodded, "It's a lovely facility, and surprisingly affordable for the quality of service they provide."
"The Cliffs?" a voice pipped. Everyone turned to see Ralph trotting into the room, "Come on now, surely there's another place Rev can go? He needs exercise, not sex therapy."
"Ralph!" Harriet snapped, "You know that's not the only thing they do there. Argentine Cliffs is one of the most reputable clinics in the state, let alone the area. Plus, it won't cost us a leg and a wing for Rev to go there for his treatments."
"I just think that we ought to look into other options just in case," Ralph said holding his hands up defensively, "Besides, what would the neighborhood think if they found out Rev was going to the Cliffs?" "Who cares?" Rip groaned.
"Okay, well your two other best options are," Tech said turning the laptop back towards him and opening two tabs, "The Corona Estates, which is more of a boarding school-slash-sanitarium than an outpatient care facility. It has a going rate of $500 per week to rent a room and an overall average customer rating of 2.5 out of five stars. And… then you have the Rockies Outpatient Care Center that has even less credentials than a newly opened restaurant and offers the kind of physical therapy Rev needs at about $350 per session. And those are just the ones that don't require you to commute more than 15 to 20 minutes to get to by car."
Ralph groaned, rubbing his temples and asked, "What about the others you were able to find?" Tech let out a wheezing laugh and said, "Every other facility we've looked at is either just as expensive as Corona or suspiciously cheap, has bad reviews," "Heck, some have horror stories!" Rev interjected, to which Tech just nodded and continued, "And/or have apparently just recently opened for business because the amount of information I'm able to find about them are maybe one or two articles and their company website."
Ralph groaned again, took a deep breath and sighed in defeat. "I guess we'll just have to keep it on the downlow until I can come up with a reasonable explanation." "Ralph, will you get out of your own head for a second and think about what actually matters here?" Tech barked, "I don't know what Dakota, whoever that is, went to the Cliffs for, but that shouldn't have any bearing on the here and now or give you a reason to pass up the opportunity to give Rev the best hope he has to recover in a safe, healthy environment. And, pardon my French, but who gives a good Goddamn what the neighbors think? It's none of their business anyway unless you make it their business."
"And if someone asks about it?" Ralph asked crossing his arms. "Just tell them the truth, or at least the PR-approved truth." Tech's ear twitched as Rev gave an irritated sigh, placing his hand on Rev's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze before he continued, "Rev was in an accident during a fight out in Acmetropolis and he's getting physical therapy as part of his recovery. Simple as that."
Just then, there was a knock on the door that made everyone jump. "Hello? Ralph? Harriet? Riphon? Are you all there?" a nasally, feminine voice called out in a thick accent that Tech couldn't quite identify. "Oh dear Lord, not her," Ralph groaned, his voice low and irritated. "Tech could you please go upstairs for a second?" Harriet asked as politely as she could.
"Um… why?" Tech asked. "Just go," Rev said waving Tech on, "Trust me, best you make yourself scarce for now. I promise, I'll explain later." Tech let out a scoff as Rip grabbed his wrist and led him up the stairs. Just before they got too far beyond the point where they were out of sight, Rip tugged on Tech's sleeve and signaled for him to just wait there, signaling to stay quiet as they heard the front door open.
"Karen, what a nice surprise," Harriet greeted. "To what do we owe this visit?" Ralph asked. Tech peered around the corner and saw a tall, curvy black necked swan; she was dressed in a very fancy red dress and white knee-length pants that all but blended with the white feathers of her arms and fluffy tail. She wore no footwear, which wasn't unusual for avians with webbed feet, but she did have a fair bit of cheap costume jewelry like large silver bracelets that hung loosely around her arms and fake plastic pearl necklaces. Her jet-black hair feathers had been styled in a long bob cut and were clearly dyed a light bottle blonde that physically hurt the coyote's eyes to look at.
"Is it safe to come in?" Karen asked, pushing her way in before either Ralph or Harriet could answer, "Good, because we need to have a little chat about your… son. Oh, Rev, you're here?" Rev just waved as Karen acknowledged his presence in the living room. "I thought you were in some kind of outpatient care clinic." "Not yet," Rev said in a pained voice, "We're still looking into the local facilities."
"Do you think you could give your parents and I a few minutes alone?" She asked in a sickly-sweet voice. Tech felt his fur prickle, as her tone felt very condescending; it was the kind of voice you'd use when talking to a pet or a very young child.
"Did Rip do something wrong?" Harriet asked as she and Ralph moved closer to the sofa. "It's not Riphon I'm worried about," Karen honked, "Well, I mean I am, but that's a topic for another day. I'm also worried for his safety, all of your safety, in fact." "What are you talking about, Mrs. Huddleston?" Rev asked in a strained voice, turning away as he broke into a coughing fit; Rip had to hold Tech back as he moved to rush down the stairs, shaking his head and signaling for Tech to wait. "That's quite the cough you've got," Karen said nervously, "I hope it's not catching."
"Trust me, it's not." Harriet said firmly handing Rev a glass of water. "No need to get snippy. I'm just saying Harriet, you've been out of practice for how long? How can you be sure that it's not a virus or something?"
"I'm pretty sure fluid buildup in your lungs isn't contagious," Rev said between sips. "And if you're not here for Rip, than you must be here about me. So tell me, what did I do to offend you this time? Better question, what could I have done this time?" Karen let out a growl and snapped, "Don't get smart with me, young man." "Lady, I am a legal adult; you can't push me around anymore. Deal with it." Rev clicked, "Not only that, but I'm sicker than a goat, so if you've got something to say to me than say it. Otherwise, I would appreciate it if you just left, and I doubt I'm the only one."
"That's telling her, Rev," Rip snickered.
"Now, Reverend, don't be rude," Ralph chastised, "I'm sure whatever concerns Mrs. Huddleston has are perfectly valid. We should at least hear her out."
"You're dang right they're valid!" Karen honked, "My son texted me around lunch time that your family is harboring a predator." "Nonsense," Harriet snapped, "We don't associate with criminals. In fact our son fights them on an almost daily basis," Ralph declared proudly, "Or at least he did before his… accident." Rev had to suppress the urge to groan, clenching his wrist as a sharp pang ran up the length of his arm. "You alright, son?" Ralph asked. "Yeah," Rev grunted, "Just muscle spasms."
"I hear that certain types of drugs can do that to you," Karen said smugly, turning her attention to the prescription bag sitting on the coffee table, picking it up and shaking it, "And by the sound of it, I'd say you're on a lot of 'em. Maybe that's why you did what you did? Your mind must not be functioning properly with all this crap in your system."
Rev shot up as fast as he could and tried to snatch the bag from Karen's hands, only to fumble forward as she took a couple fast steps backwards. Rev let out a cry as he caught himself from faceplanting on the coffee table, banging his knees on the edge of the glass and making his shoulders spasm from the impact causing him to slide down onto the floor in a crumpled mess of pain and tears.
"Honestly, you two, I think your son needs professional help," Karren said smugly as Harriet tried to help Rev off the floor, "All these drugs, no wonder he's bringing vermin into our fair little town. He needs a detox and some serious therapy. I have a cousin that runs an excellent facility out in southern Cali. It's not cheap, but they're very good at what they do. If you're nice to me, I might be able to get you a discount, since you're, well poor."
Karen let out a shriek as the bag of medicine became engulfed in a bright green light and was yanked out of her hand. Everyone turned to see Tech standing at the top of the stairs, his eyes lit up as he used his EMF to take the bag from Karen and gently place it in Harriet's waiting hands. "Even California has reputable healthcare facilities that aren't overblown gulags for rich people to send their kids to get 'fixed'. And under no circumstances will I let Rev wind up there… where we won't be able to see him. Not until after they've destroyed him." Tech said with a clear ring of disdain as he descended the staircase and stopped on the second to last step.
"I-it-it's here!? In your house!?" Karen shrieked. Tech let out a whimper and covered his ears as best as he could as the swan let out another honking squeal and shouted, "Are you all mad!?"
"Lady, will you please stop yelling?" Everyone looked to see Rip standing at the top of the stairs, having finally come out of hiding, "The dude slept over last night and we're all still alive. It's not even the first time he's stayed over. I think that alone proves he's got more self-control than your average mutt. Besides, he's not going to be here long. He'll probably leave sometime day after tomorrow as long as the weather doesn't turn crazy."
"I don't care!" Karen shrieked, "I want it gone! He has no business being here, and the fact that you'd willingly put all our children at risk like this… how dare you!? And you," Karen screamed as she jabbed a finger in Tech's direction, "Get out! Get out!"
Tech just froze, his ears ringing from the swan's screams that reverberated off the unpadded walls and floors. The lights suddenly seemed a lot brighter for some reason and his breathing became labored as the avian woman continued to yell at him to leave. All Tech could do was shield his ears and shut his eyes as he tried desperately not to fall to the floor, tucking his tail between his legs as a means of trying to ground himself since it made it impossible to sit or lay down comfortably, forcing himself to stay standing even if only halfway.
"Didn't you hear me!?" Karen shouted again, reaching into her purse and pulling out a can of pepper spray, "I said get out!" "You get out!" a voice snapped. Suddenly, everything was quiet and everyone looked to see Ralph standing between Karen and Tech. Tech managed to flutter his eyes open just enough to see Ralph standing in front of him, though he could no longer hear what was being said; his ears were still ringing and what little of the birds' voices got through were too muffled to make out.
Ralph grabbed the pepper spray as Harriet dashed in and pushed her away. "How dare you? Give me back my pepper spray!" Karen honked. "Not unless you promise you'll take it and get out of my house!" Ralph shouted back, "Harriet, please take this and escort our… visitor to the door. She has more than overstayed her welcome."
"Agreed," Harriet said spinning Karen around, grabbing the pepper spray and pushing her a few feet towards the front door.
Karen let out an angry honk, turning around and snatched the pepper spray from Harriet before shouting as loud as she could, "Fine! I'll go! But this isn't over, my husband Terry will hear of this! And for your sakes, I hope that that creature doesn't get loose and eat someone's baby before he leaves. And you'd better pray that, if he does get loose, the child he eats won't be one of yours!" And with that, Karen let out an angry huff and waddled out the door, slamming it so hard behind her that it shook the walls. When the Runners were finally able to turn their attention to Tech, he couldn't stay up anymore and collapsed out cold on the floor.