Reply to Guest: It's good to be skeptical and prepared, I guess.
B47, B48 & B49 W12 Medical & Experimental Report
DOC: 12 FEB 1989 (Sunday)
Created by: Professor Utonium
Title: Important Developments in B47, B48 & B49
Medical Report - Intelligence Quotient
It is now almost 3 months since the Girls have been created following the lab accident caused by Jojo, and they have been developing at a rapid pace. Time, however, does not seem to fly, and I am afraid that I have some potentially disturbing news, though it could just be my own bias as the Girls' guardian exaggerating things.
I have administered a second IQ test to the Girls, 2 weeks after the first. The IQ test in question has been adjusted to the Girls' mental development. Though their mental development is incredibly uneven compared to that of other children (for full details, please consult my earlier reports on the Girls' development), I have decided to place them at 4 years old.
Their previous IQ are rated as such:
Blossom (B47): 181
Bubbles (B49): 113
Buttercup (B48): 164
At previous rates, even Bubbles, who suffers from genetic factors reducing her intelligence (note: see the report on Bubbles' genetic source, Ester Olofsson for full details), has a level of intelligence considered to be high-average.
This is the result of the current IQ test:
Blossom (B47): 165
Bubbles (B49): 108
Buttercup (B48): 147
There appears to be a relatively steep decline in their intelligence quotient, across all Girls. I am deeply worried about this development. MRI brain scans have revealed nothing so far.
To explain the origin of their heightened intelligence: Chemical X is the causal factor in their increased intelligence. I suspect that their brains and nervous systems have been tapping on Chemical X's vast energy reserves to propel chemical and electrical signals in their brains and nerves to their maximum speed and efficiency. This also means that they don't get tired as easily from sustained thought. I even suspect that Chemical X's high incidence of quantum tunneling has been utilized somehow to transmit information throughout the Girls' brains and nervous systems faster than the speed of light.
I fear that somehow, this ability of theirs is receding. I don't know how, and I don't know why. This is a worrying development. As it is, the Girls are having difficulty navigating the complex and often confusing world of law enforcement out there. I cannot imagine what will happen if the Girls were to revert in intelligence back to their genetic sources' baseline. Bubbles, who will revert to an IQ of 81 if this is the case, would barely be able to even function as an average human being, much less fight crime.
I have consulted the Girls and USDO's own early childhood development specialist, Miss Keane, and she will be attempting to counteract this trend by focusing especially on methods to improve logical thinking and creativity, in addition to the usual enhanced curriculum she has arranged for them. However, she has stated that she believes their absence from class to be a contributing factor. I have spoken to Psychiatrist Alice on the phone about this as well, and she believes that it could be a symptom of mental stress and the many mental issues the Girls are facing.
Medical Report - Growth
I have another potentially dire issue to report. I have performed another physical examination on the Girls, and although I have found no abnormality in their cell and blood samples or any part of their bodies, I have made a discovery that could potentially have severe implications for the Girls and their role as long-term law enforcement agents with the USDO and Townsville. Below is some information to illustrate my point:
30 NOV 1988 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45 Pounds
2 DEC 1988 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45 Pounds
5 DEC 1988 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45 Pounds
11 DEC 1988 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45 Pounds
17 DEC 1988 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.4 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42.1 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.5 Pounds
(It is only here that they have put on weight, mainly additional muscle mass, likely from training)
29 DEC 1988 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.5 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42.2 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.6 Pounds
(I had to skip multiple height/weight measurements because of the operations the Girls have been taking part in and the injuries they suffered)
7 JAN 1989 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.5 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42.2 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.6 Pounds
14 JAN 1989 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.3 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42.1 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.4 Pounds
(They appear to have lost some muscle mass, likely due to the lack of any challenging law enforcement operations. Sergeant Selicia Goodwin had also given them a training break for a week)
21 JAN 1989 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.3 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42.1 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.4 Pounds
28 JAN 1989 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.2 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.3 Pounds
4 FEB 1989 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.2 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.3 Pounds
12 FEB 1989 Height/Weight Results
Blossom (B47)
Height: 44 Inches
Weight: 43.3 Pounds
Bubbles (B49)
Height: 43.5 Inches
Weight: 42.1 Pounds
Buttercup (B48)
Height: 44.5 Inches
Weight: 45.4 Pounds
(This is today. I had to delay the physical examination until today due to the Girls' recent security operations and injuries.)
The reason why I took constant, careful measurements of Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup's height and weight, much to their annoyance, is because of their explosive growth upon creation, from mere micrometers as stem cells to their present height and weight as fully-formed 5-year-old equivalents. I had long suspected Chemical X to have a side effect on the Girls' growth patterns, and I was deathly worried that it could rapidly age the Girls until expiration, resembling cases of the Progeria group of diseases, except hyper-accelerated to the point where the Girls' lifespan would be measured in the months. I was also suspecting Chemical X of negatively affecting the Girls' pituitary glands, resulting in abnormal growth and even gigantism in the long run. Thankfully, neither proved to be the case. However, I have discovered something else.
The Girls' height has not increased even a fraction of an inch ever since their creation. It is now 10 days away from their 3rd month's birthday. There should have been at least a 0.3-0.5 inch increase in their height, or 1 inch maximum. However, there is no recorded increase at all. I have been observing careful experimental etiquette for the procedures. I have taken several measurements each time to eliminate human error. Machines, calibrated on a weekly basis, were used for the measurement. Human error, I don't think, is the issue here.
It is possible that the Girls are locked in some kind of growth stasis. Should that be the case, knowing Chemical X, the best case scenario is that they remain in their current physical state with no abnormalities. They will remain as children forever – while this is not exactly optimistic, there could be a chance that they might be effectively immortal. This, however, will depend largely on the effects Chemical X have on the integrity of their genetics, particularly their telomeres. More investigation is required before any conclusions can be drawn.
The worst-case scenario, however, is what I find it hard to type here. Chemical X could have induced a condition causing Dwarfism, along with other symptoms that have yet to surface, that are pathological and debilitating to the Girls. I will keep a close watch on the Girls. I will have to run some tests focusing on their hormones and do more bloodwork to ascertain this.
However, I believe that I might have a solution to this, though the original intention has not been to alleviate their growth stasis. I will keep the council updated on this.
I believe it is prudent not to tell the Girls about this condition. Over the months, I've been very optimistic about the future. The subject of growing up and adulthood comes up often in my conversations with them. They are all optimistic about the prospects of growing up. I fear that I might have painted myself into a corner here. They would be devastated if they find out that they will remain as children forever. Especially Blossom.
I hope my solution to their growth stasis works. It has to.
Capabilities Report
Ever since the near-disastrous operation in the Silver Age Cineplex last Friday, the Girls have developed new powers. In a previous report, I mentioned that adversity appears to be a major motivational factor in the Girls' development in terms of enhanced abilities. It appears to be the case here. Below is a summary of my experiments and testing involving their new abilities.
Buttercup (B48)
New Ability: Laser Vision - split into Laser Drill & Laser Slice (Note: I know it sounds corny, but this is essentially what it is.)
Description: Buttercup appears to have developed the ability to fire laser from her eyes. In my lab tests, she appears to consistently emit a spectrum of laser about 531nm in wavelength.
The mechanism for this appears to be similar to Blossom's Infrared Vision and zooming vision. On close analysis, multiple vortexes consisting of transmuted Chemical X would form before her eyes, with the closest ones being 0.1-0.3 inches from her pupils. I believe these vortexes act as lenses to focus the laser beams released from her eyes.
The laser beams are capable of cutting through anything from paper and leather to Kevlar and steel, the time needed to do so is near-instantaneous for the thinnest widths. Steel and Kevlar up to an inch thick could be cut through with ease. Anything more requires seconds of sustained bursts. Much of this depends on numerous factors, however. Buttercup was able to cut through 3 inches of steel instantly regardless by pushing herself harder, all the way to exhaustion since it appears that she is getting used to the new ability and it is taxing in the time being.
Usage: I have advised Buttercup to avoid cutting people with her new Laser Vision ability unless her life is threatened. I have also advised her on its possible applications as a tool for breaching and surgical cutting, especially if she needs to execute these actions quietly. Furthermore, she could use her Laser Vision in several ways - either 'drilling' or 'slicing'. Drilling could be used to go deep into an object, while slicing is better for separating large swathes of material into two. Please ensure that she does not 'drill' and 'slice' people up on a whim. I will advise Blossom to watch Buttercup.
Bubbles (B49)
New Ability: BerXerker (Note: This is the tentative name as my investigation into this has not yet yielded any conclusive results. I think I am getting very good at naming the Girls' abilities)
Description: My report on Bubbles' elusive BerXerker power will come mainly from the Girls' account. Most of the information I have had come from Blossom, who recounts that Bubbles was 'different' when she used this ability. She was much more daring, vicious and hyper-aggressive, even reckless and ruthless.
Bubbles did not want to talk about it at first, but when I approached her, I guess she knew that she had to. She believes that it is her new ability. When I asked her about what it does, she stated that she believes it makes her stronger, faster and more able to take pain and injuries. She made no mention of her aggression and recklessness until I brought it up.
This BerXerker power could not be replicated in the lab. The set-up was simple: I pitted Bubbles against both Blossom and Buttercup (for safety, in case she overwhelms one of them) - heavily kitted out in their riot gear (heavily armored and padded versions of their tactical gear), and instructed her to spar with them. She attempted to attack, only to the restrained by both Blossom and Buttercup with ease. This was repeated three times.
Bubbles believe that she couldn't do it against her sisters - this could extend to all friendly targets. This could mean that her new power appears to have some sort of in-built IFF (Identify Friend or Foe), which is fortunate, considering how difficult to control it sounds like. However, this is inconclusive as she had given other reasons for her inability to reproduce her new power: ranging from exhaustion, 'not feeling like it' and being upset. The experiment is a failure.
I do not wish to push Bubbles any further as she does indeed seem upset at being unable to demonstrate her new power and potentially losing control to it, I have decided to delay my investigation of this to a later date. In the meantime, I am more optimistic of Bubbles' outlook in law enforcement, even if as her assigned parent, as it means that she will cope with it better.
B-47, B-48 & B-49 Psychiatric Session 02111989
DOC: 11 FEB 1989 (Saturday)
Timestamp: 2205
- TRANSCRIPT START -
Bubbles: (Yawns)
Psychiatrist Alice: I'm sorry we're doing this late today. We won't do this often at all, promise. You sure you don't want a marshmallow?
Bubbles: No, thanks…
Psychiatrist Alice: I thought you like marshmallows? Is something wrong, Bubbles?
Bubbles: I… just don't feel like eating. Besides, Dad said not to eat sweet things when it's late.
Psychiatrist Alice: Huh. Okay. How have you been, Bubbles?
Bubbles: I think I'm okay.
Psychiatrist Alice: (scribbles something on notes) Really? That's good news, sweetie.
Bubbles: You sound disappointed… Aren't you happy that I feel better?
Psychiatrist Alice: Yes, of course I am. It's just- you sound very different from the last time we meet, Bubbles. Do you know what caused that change?
Bubbles: I guess it's because… urm… (pauses) I've done better in crime-fighting, I guess.
Psychiatrist Alice: I heard about everything, Bubbles. The Purple Man in the forest, the mission in The Strip. Are you sure you're okay?
Bubbles: (Begins crying)
Psychiatrist Alice: I'm sorry, Bubbles. Do you need some time?
Bubbles: (sniffling) No, I… I'm fine. It's over and Blossom has forgiven me.
Psychiatrist Alice: Yes, I've heard about Blossom too. How are things between the two of you?
Bubbles: We're fine now. She's forgiven me and I… guess I've forgiven her too. Poor Blossom wasn't allowed to go to the Puppet Pal show with us and I feel sorry for her.
Psychiatrist Alice: You guess you've forgiven her?
Bubbles: Yeah.
Psychiatrist Alice: Is there anything more you want to add to that?
Bubbles: N-no, not really…
Psychiatrist Alice: I see. Never mind. Now, about your battle at the… (flips through notes) Silver Age Cineplex. I heard that you did well that day, and it's due to a new ability, is that correct?
Bubbles: Who told you about that?
Psychiatrist Alice: It's not important-
Bubbles: I need to know, Miss Alice. Please. Who told you about my new power?
Psychiatrist Alice: (hesitates) Your father did.
Bubbles: W-what did he say?
Psychiatrist Alice: Oh, that you've discovered a new ability. Something that makes you stronger and fight harder?
Bubbles: Oh…
Psychiatrist Alice: Were you expecting me to say something else?
Bubbles: No…
Psychiatrist Alice: How does this new power help you feel better, Bubbles?
Bubbles: (nervous) I… urm… I just feel safer since I know something new…
Psychiatrist Alice: I see. What exactly does it do again? This new power?
Bubbles: It's like what Daddy said. It makes me stronger. I don't want to talk about it anymore…
Alice: Bubbles, you're sweating and shaking. Are you sure you're okay?
Bubbles: (shouting) I don't want to talk about it, okay!?
Alice: (shocked) Bubbles!
Bubbles: I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… (cries)
Alice: No, I should be the one apologizing – I didn't mean to be pushy.
Bubbles: Can I go now? (cries)
Alice: Do you want a hug?
Bubbles: I just want to go… (cries)
Alice: Of course. (Pattering of feet, before there is the sound of a door opening and closing)
Alice: (louder, facing voice recorder) Is it just me, or has Bubbles' personality changed completely? She's never acted this way before. She seems really nervous and defensive, even secretive when we're talking about her new power. I doubt she's hiding anything but… this requires further investigation. My next obvious lead will be Thomas Upton himself. He might know what's going on. It could be this 'Anti-X' he's been talking about that could be causing this.
Timestamp: 2221
Blossom: Hi, Miss Alice.
Alice: Hello, Blossom. How are you?
Blossom: I'm fine… I think things are getting better now.
Alice: That's great. What's that you have in your hands?
Blossom: I made this just for you. (Hands something fluttering like paper over)
Alice: They're beautiful!
Blossom: I spent a whole day making those papier mache flowers. I'm sorry for what I did last time.
Alice: It's all but forgotten, Blossom (laughs). It'll take a lot more than that to get rid of me.
Blossom: I don't want to get rid of you…
Alice: I know. (sound of paper getting set down on a table) So, I heard that you're having problems managing your anger?
Blossom: Yes. It's just so hard… I know I'm wrong.
Alice: How?
Blossom: I've hurt Bubbles because of it. I'm afraid of hurting her again.
Alice: It's not all bad.
Blossom: Really?
Alice: You know what's wrong. That's how you know how to change yourself. It's how we grow, and learn.
Blossom: But I don't know if I can take it the next time…
Alice: How do you mean?
Blossom: It happens whenever I think about all this crime-fighting and how people are getting hurt. It's worst when it's our fault…
Alice: It's not. It's never your fault. You keep blaming yourself for it - even your dad said so. You shouldn't.
Blossom: (shouting) But we're supposed to help people! Of course it's our fault! Stop telling me I'm wrong!
Alice: I understand where you're coming from.
Blossom: (crying) I'm sorry… I've done it again, have I?
Alice: No, Blossom. Hey, it's alright. Blossom, you don't have to go. (sound of sofa crinkling and distant crying) Shh… It's okay. Hey, I'm fine, see? Here, sit back down and let me show you something.
Blossom: (upset) What?
Alice: A perfect little girl like you… I bet I can pull something nice out of you – here!
Blossom: But how did you-? Did you just pull a chocolate coin out of my ear?
Alice: But of course I did. It'd be impossible for me not to. Everything about you is nice, Blossom. You could do a lot worse. Here, the coin's yours. I took it out of your smart little brain, after all.
Blossom: (shyly) Thank you…
Alice: You see? It's not all bad. Whenever something bad happens, just remember that sometimes it just sounds a lot worse than it is. Sometimes, you just need to avoid thinking too much about it. You're a leader in your own right – and at such a young age! That's a real achievement right there. So all you need to do is just focus on the problem. And as you do, remember the good times. Like right now, and with your parents, and sisters.
Blossom: Like just now? When Bubbles gave me a puppet? (Laughs)
Alice: Yes. Did you talk to your Dad about this? About getting angry?
Blossom: Yes…
Alice: What did he say?
Blossom: A lot…
-TRANSCRIPT PAUSED-
The City of Townsville. Suburbs. The House.
11 FEB (Saturday) 2019. 1340.
"What are we doing out here, Dad?" Blossom said as she was scratching herself near her battle wounds. "And why are you bringing those nails? What's the hammer for, Dad?"
Dad did not answer immediately. He continued walking out into the backyard – he did not have his jacket and snow boots on. He was just in his lab coat and office-wear. Blossom followed and had no idea what was going on and what her Dad was trying to do.
"I'm going to show you one of those things my own dad did right," Dad said the moment he stopped, right next to one of many fence posts marking the boundaries of the house. "Put out your hand, Blossom."
For some reason, Blossom could feel her blood running cold when her Dad had ordered her so. Reluctantly and apprehensively, she did as she was asked. Ever since that night when her Dad had acted as if he wanted to throw her out to make his point, she'd been more guarded around him.
Dad put the handle of his hammer in her hand. She took it, her heart still thumping vigorously.
"You okay, Blossom?" Dad asked, concerned, his voice slightly shivering from the winter temperature. Blossom nodded her head. He handed her a nail, which she took with her other hand. "Here, put the sharp end of this nail against this fence and hammer it in."
Blossom had never handled carpentry tools before, and so her Dad had to guide her hands and teach her how to do it.
"Gently now – I really don't want to have to fix this fence just because you sneezed," her Dad said when he was finally confident that Blossom was going to do it right.
Blossom did as she was told, still wondering if her Dad was going to act again to put his point across to her. Gently, she began hammering the nail in, taking care not to activate her enhanced strength and ruin half the fence.
"Was that difficult, Blossom?" Dad asked cryptically.
"No... It was actually easy," Blossom said.
"I see. Here's the rest of the nails. Hammer all of them in," Dad continued. Blossom took them and hammered them in one by one. By the end of it, there were five nails in the otherwise pristine white fence post.
"Do you know what the fence and the nails represent, Blossom?" Dad asked mysteriously.
"I don't know… a fence post and nails?" Blossom answered. Despite her vast intelligence, she was still limited by her age – had she been a normal little girl, she would be spending most of her time in a rocking cradle, ignorant of even the alphabets and single-digit numbers. Metaphors were still a tough concept for her to grasp, but her Dad would have a hand in making it easier.
"Think of the nails as the things you say when you're angry, Blossom, or the things you do when you're mad," the father explained patiently. "And this fence post is whoever it is you're talking to or doing something to when you're mad. Now remove the nails with your bare hands, Blossom."
Blossom proceeded to grab a nail by its head using her tiny little fingers, and with the tiniest application of effort, rip the nail out of the fence post. Dad stared at the feat, his mouth agape. It wasn't supposed to go like that.
"Was it harder than hammering it in?" he asked purposefully, trying to keep his fatherly, sagely straight face on.
"I don't know," Blossom said, ignorant of the moral lesson her Dad was trying to teach. "It was kinda easy to pull out."
"Urm- nevermind. Look, it's supposed to be harder to pull the nail out than it is to drive it in," Dad would go on to say, before demonstrating that he couldn't pull the nail that Blossom had hammered into the fence out. "Do you know what it means?"
It was at the tip of Blossom's tongue. Try as she might, she couldn't quite put it all together immediately. For seconds, Blossom tried, and for seconds she'd only gotten that uncomfortable feeling of not-quite-getting-it. It was a feeling she hated, whether she'd encountered it in school or at home while trying to understand a story on her own. She had to know everything and anything she encounters.
While Blossom was trying to make sense of it, Dad had taken the hammer from her, and with some difficulty, pulled the nails out with the claw side of the hammer, further driving home his point.
"Do you see the holes these nails made, Blossom?" Dad finally said. Blossom nodded when she saw the unsightly holes in the fence. It'd reminded her, for some reason, of poor Mister Wilbur, or 'Boomer', as most people liked to call him. "It represents what happens every time you act poorly on your anger. For every wrong thing you say or do, you're hurting someone or something, and sometimes, it can be permanent like these holes."
It didn't happen immediately, but when it dawned on Blossom what Dad meant, it'd hit her like a barrage of submachinegun bullets from an execution squad. She gasped and her eyes had gone wet.
"Bubbles…" Blossom cried as she felt the holes on the fence post with her tiny fingers. "I did this to her…"
"I'm afraid you did, Blossom," Dad said regrettably. Blossom's hand had gone up to her mouth to stifle a gasping sob as she tried to control herself. Her tears, however, had broken through and froze on her cheeks. They hugged after that. "I'm so sorry you have to learn this lesson now, flower puff. I wish you had more time before you did. But you know what?"
"What?" Blossom replied in dismay.
"Bubbles isn't entirely like this fence post. Sure, you might have changed her a little, but she will heal, grow and accept what you did. Before you know it, the two of you will put this behind you, maybe even laugh about it in the future. You'll just have to be nice to her from now on, okay?"
"I'll be the nicest, sweetest sister to her ever," Blossom promised.
- TRANSCRIPT RESUMED -
Timestamp: 2229
Alice: Your dad is right you know.
Blossom: I know…
Alice: It's really good advice right there. You should listen to him.
Blossom: I just wish I hadn't done all those things to Bubbles.
Alice: What's past is past, Blossom. The most important thing is that you've stopped. Think about what I said, okay? You look tired. Why don't you go now?
Blossom: But I want to stay and, you know, talk to you. (Yawns)
Alice: You're tired. We can always do it next week. A growing little girl like you needs her beauty sleep. (Laughs)
Blossom: (Laughs) Okay… Thanks, Miss Alice. Can I have a hug?
Alice: Sure - You know, Bubbles asked for one too - well, last week, anyway. The both of you are so alike, it's impossible for the two of you not to get along.
Blossom: I hope so. See you next week, Miss Alice.
Alice: Goodbye, Blossom. (Sound of footsteps, before the door opens and closes)
Alice: It seems that Blossom's anger management problem has been arrested somewhat. However, it hasn't been completely eliminated and I'm afraid that our progress towards fixing it might create new problems on its own. Blossom might not consciously know this, but she now sees anger as wrong. This is obviously not true. Anger can be justified. It is a natural human emotion, an important one that helps guide us and shape us as who we are. Like any human emotion, it needs to be managed, but it isn't inherently wrong, just like contentment.
Timestamp: 2235
Buttercup: (Sound of eating) Thanks, Miss Alice. You promised to bring marshmallows and you did!
Alice: It's not a problem, Buttercup. Are you sure you should be eating so many of them at this hour?
Buttercup: I won't tell my Dad if you don't.
Alice: Right. How's your leg, Buttercup? I heard that you've been a brave girl.
Buttercup: It's nothing. It's still hard to walk and fly with it, but it's getting better. I'm tougher than Blossom and Bubbles!
Alice: Haha, of course you are. So, I've heard… nothing about you lately.
Buttercup: What do you mean? Is that good?
Alice: Yes, Buttercup, it kind of is. I'm proud of you for being patient and restrained.
Buttercup: (Pause) It's… nothing. I'm happy too.
Alice: Still, I believe we should continue with our exercises.
Buttercup: You mean the thinking games?
Alice: Yes, Buttercup.
Buttercup: But I don't wanna think about those things.
Alice: You have to, Buttercup, if you want to be loved more by your parents and sisters. You'll be a better girl because of it, and we all know that girls like that deserve a lot of good things, right? Presents and affection and attention…
Buttercup: Okay, fine…
Alice: Now, close your eyes (ruffling through handbag) and wear this blindfold. (sound of cords snapping) Now, the first thing I want you to imagine is your dad's face…
(20 minutes of psychotherapy has been skipped in this transcript. For the full transcript, consult the Psychiatry and Social Services Department, USDO.)
Buttercup: (snoring)
Alice: Buttercup? Buttercup!
Buttercup: (startled) Huh? Hmm?
Alice: You fell asleep.
Buttercup: I did?
Alice: Yeah, it's not a problem. It's getting late. You should go to bed.
Buttercup: Sure, Miss Alice. Thanks for the marshmallows.
Alice: No problem. (Sound of rapid footsteps and the door opening and closing.)
Alice: Supplemental notes. Buttercup is still lying about her activities on the outside. It is all but certain by now, based on her behavior, that she had killed recently. The verbal and physical tics I noticed had come up too often and whenever I introduce a trigger. I'm just glad she's not threatening me with death or bodily harm. She was probably too sleepy to do that.
Timestamp: 2304
Alice: Hello, Thomas.
Professor Utonium: Evening, Alice. (Sound of sofa surface depressed) How are the Girls?
Alice: Well, to start, good job with Blossom, Tom. That hammer and nails trick you used sounds like something I'd do, except with a folk medicine kind of spin to it. I think you've taught her a valuable lesson and it's easily as effective as any therapy session.
Utonium: Should I sign up as a counselor then? (Laughs)
Alice: (Laughs) You're fine where you are, Tom – with the Girls.
Utonium: So, how is Blossom?
Alice: It'll be tough for her to control her anger for now, but she'll get there. I think she's doing very well as it is since she's just coming to 3 months old. She's smart for her age. She'll learn quickly.
Utonium: I hope so.
Alice: Bubbles is doing really well. Did you have anything to do with that? Did you inject her with Anti-X and somehow give her a new power accidentally?
Utonium: That's not what the Anti-X does. She discovered her new ability all on her own.
Alice: It seems to be doing Bubbles some good. While I was speaking to her, crime-fighting no longer bothers her as much.
Utonium: Really?
Alice: But there's something else. I don't know why, but she seems… changed. She's really defensive when I asked her about her new power.
Utonium: Oh, she's just shy. She was really shy about her Sonic Scream too. I think it had something to do with Buttercup making fun of her.
Alice: I don't think Buttercup made fun of her this time. While I was working on Buttercup, she even mentioned that Bubbles was cool with her new power.
Utonium: I'm sure it's nothing. I think she'll still be shy about it even without Buttercup's jokes. It's Bubbles we're talking about here. I'm sure she'll open up to you about it next week. I'll probably run some tests on it tomorrow.
Alice: She mentioned that it made her stronger. Did she say anything else to you?
Utonium: Well, actually, she did say that it'd made her faster and braver too.
Alice: Braver?
Utonium: Yeah, she said she didn't feel fear when she used her new power – it allowed her to plow right into the bad guys.
Alice: Isn't it coincidental that she'd suddenly learn a new power that could just magically take away her fear?
Utonium: Borderline miraculous. I know what you mean. I know how it looks like, but I have a theory, Alice. I think it's possible that the Chemical X in the Girls is adaptive. The Girls could harness it for whatever it is they want to achieve. It's why they hadn't grown stronger last month, and all of a sudden, Buttercup's shooting lasers out of her eyes and Bubbles goes berserk when she's been pushed around for too long.
Alice: Buttercup can shoot lasers out of her eyes now?
Utonium: Yes.
Alice: (pause) That's…
Utonium: Yeah, I know. This is why I'm going to go full speed ahead with my Anti-X. It's becoming easier and easier for Buttercup to just hurt and kill people now.
Alice: She's been lying to me.
Utonium: About what?
Alice: About killing. She's been killing people. Someone. I wasn't sure the previous session, but I've been seeing signs of dishonesty in her during my sessions.
Utonium: She wouldn't. She knows how I feel about taking lives.
Alice: Thomas, she's suffering from severe psychopathy.
Utonium: (tense) I don't need you to remind me about that. Don't you think that I, as her father, would remember that? You think I don't blame myself for personally ordering the stem cell samples that became her?
Alice: I'm sorry.
Utonium: No, I'm just- (sighs) I should be the one apologizing. I know what you mean. I just don't want to suspect Buttercup of breaking her word without any real evidence.
Alice: What about my observations?
Utonium: I'm talking about real, physical and observable evidence.
Alice: (pause) I didn't expect that from you. I guess we've gotten off on the wrong foot today. I should go. It's getting late. I'll send you a psychiatric report over the USDO internetwork.
Utonium: Alice, I didn't mean it that way.
Alice: (packing things up) I'll see you next week.
Utonium: Alice- (sound recorder has been switched off at this point)
-TRANSCRIPT END-