Chapter 127: Wretches
The City of Townsville. Suburbs. The House.
16 MAR (Thursday) 1989. 1948.
The Head of the USDO social services, Alice, stepped out of her old banged-up wagon car, adjusting her thick spectacles. She could feel the oppressive aura of The House even from afar. It had changed drastically, and this was reflected even superficially, with the first-floor windows shuttered. She had been briefed on what to expect. Sergeant Selicia Goodwin had attacked the Powerpuff Girls, the local Powerpuff Task Force detachment, and an assisting security force before disappearing into the night. It was deemed likely that Selicia had died on the retreat, judging by the amount of blood she had lost.
There were soldiers waiting for her this time, and they escorted her to the front door after a pat-down; they were likely afraid that someone else from within the USDO might attack the Girls. When that was done, she pressed the doorbell and waited.
There was the gentle patter of small feet. Someone on the other end had to struggle to unlatch the door and unlock it. The door finally opened after that. Blossom stood at the door, wearing her signature pink dress and black sash. It was dirty with food stains and wet from water at places, possibly due to spilled beverages. Her face was similarly dirty, and her red bow was askew, set upon hair that was all stringy and greasy, with single strands going haywire all over the place. Whatever was going on, Blossom wasn't being well taken care of. Alice could only expect Bubbles and Buttercup to look the same.
Something had to be done. After accepting a good, long, and tearful hug from Blossom, Alice made her way through The House and up the stairs first, witnessing first-hand the horror within. Boot prints were all over the carpet. There were stains and trash everywhere. The coffee table still bore the same coffee and alcohol stains from Selicia's final binge. The kitchen smelled, and soiled plates were far more common than clean countertops. A swarm of flies was buzzing over a kitchen sink full of unwashed crockeries.
Heading up the stairs, she went through the Girls' doors to find a condition that was barely liveable. Toys and books and clothes were scattered all over the place. The bed was unmade to the extreme. There was a foul odor in the air, and it finally occurred to Alice that the Girls hadn't bathed nor changed their clothes.
Bubbles was sitting against the foot of the bed, hugging Octi. Her thousand-yard stare concerned Alice deeply, and the syringes by her side made things look worse. How long had she been sitting there? And those syringes… Buttercup, on the other hand, seemed too oblivious to the deterioration of the family; she was indulging in her toy cars, imitating sounds coming from a normal day of traffic. She was the filthiest of the three, with mud all over her dress and body. What had she been doing?
The first thing that Alice did wasn't to sit the Girls down for a psychiatric session. It was to herd them into the bathroom for a much-needed bath, with some resistance from Buttercup. Buttercup's response was expected, but her surviving sisters' weren't. They seemed apathetic to the idea. Their minds were on something else, such that a bath, an activity that girls normally liked, had sailed over their heads.
Alice had tried her best to take care of them as a mother would, but it was hard. The Girls were uncooperative. Blossom and Bubbles were constantly spacing out, while Buttercup would grumble and hesitate and delay everything. Alice did not mind, however. She knew what was going on - Bunny's passing, the disappearance of Selicia, and Professor Utonium's total abandonment of his post. Yes, the professor's recent activity hadn't gone unnoticed even within the USDO, mainly because reports had been left unfiled, something which was almost unheard of with the professor.
She took her time, putting the Girls in the bathtub, foaming them up with soap and shampoo, cleaning them up and drying them, clothing them in fresh dresses. In the back of her mind, Alice had always wanted this. She had applied for it, only for General Blackwater to select Selicia over her as the Girls' 'mother'.
When the Girls were cleaned up, she had them seated at the living room before bringing Blossom to the professor's study, one of the few places in The House that were somewhat pristine and unsullied by discarded food and mud.
B-47, B-48 & B-49 Psychiatric Session 03161989
Excepts of the psychiatric session has been selected based on relevance. For the full transcript, please consult USDO administration.
DOC: 16 MAR (Thursday) 1989.
Timestamp: 2021.
BLOSSOM
-TRANSCRIPT START-
Psychiatrist Alice: You sure you don't want a marshmallow?
B-47 (Blossom): I don't feel like eating it…
Psychiatrist Alice: You don't have to if you don't want to. Anyway, let's get back into it, shall we?
B-47 (Blossom): Do we have to?
Psychiatrist Alice: Letting it all out is good for you. Don't you feel really lousy if you have no one to talk to about all your problems?
B-47 (BLossom): Yes…
Psychiatrist Alice: So, about Bunny. Do you blame yourself for her passing?
B-47 (Blossom): It's all my fault.
Psychiatrist Alice: Why do you say that?
B-47 (Blossom): I didn't believe her when she tried to tell me about the… the…
Psychiatrist Alice: The victory parade?
B-47 (Blossom): (Sobs) Yes. She died because of me.
Psychiatrist Alice: I think you need to-
B-47 (Blossom): (Sobbing) I was mean to her all the time, and I wish I could change all that (unintelligible)
Psychiatrist Alice: Blossom, hey, look at me. You didn't know. You couldn't have known.
B-47 (Blossom): (Sobbing) But I was mean to her and I never got to be with her.
Psychiatrist Alice: You were under a lot of pressure.
B-47 (Blossom): But I shouldn't have been mean to her…
Psychiatrist Alice: Yes, you shouldn't have, but we all make mistakes. Were you ever nice to her?
B-47 (Blossom): Yes… I taught her how to fly and we'd play sometimes. I talked to her when- when…
Psychiatrist Alice: When she was dying?
B-47 (Blossom): Yes…
Psychiatrist Alice: If I were her, that's all I would ever want, a good sister who'd stay with me to the end. Some people had to die alone, but not Bunny. You were kind to her before, and I think she sees that. I believe she remembered that all the way to the end. It's what people do to find comfort. See? It's not all bad.
B-47 (Blossom): Thanks…
Psychiatrist Alice: Now how about some juice and marshmallow?
(10 minutes later)
Psychiatrist Alice: How do you feel about… Mom?
B-47 (Blossom): She's… gone.
Psychiatrist Alice: Yes, she is. I'm sorry, Blossom. If this is too much…
B-47 (Blossom): No, it's nice talking to you. I… I don't know how I should feel.
Psychiatrist Alice: Are you upset?
B-47 (Blossom): Yes…
Psychiatrist Alice: Why?
B-47 (Blossom): She was nice to me before. She was really nice at the new year and in January after that. She would buy me sweets and toys, and she seemed really happy when we celebrated another birthday that month. She read me books…
Psychiatrist Alice: But she'd hurt you, didn't she?
B-47 (Blossom): Are you mad, Alice? Did I make you mad?
Psychiatrist Alice: I- no. I'm sorry. I was just thinking of something else.
B-47 (Blossom): She… she would hit me sometimes…
Psychiatrist Alice: How bad was it?
B-47 (Blossom): I'm not sure if I should say...
Psychiatrist Alice: There's nothing to be ashamed about. You shouldn't be the one who should be ashamed.
B-47 (Blossom): She said I was wrong and she's right.
Psychiatrist Alice: What did she do?
B-47 (Blossom): She would slap me until my lips hurt and there was this once- this once when…
Psychiatrist Alice: Go on… I'm here with you.
B-47 (Blossom): (Crying) She used a stun baton to- to shock me at maximum setting. I… I couldn't stop making a m-mess on the floor and she just kept shocking me with that thing!
Psychiatrist Alice: That's- She shouldn't be doing that.
B-47 (Blossom): (Crying) I deserved it. I was wrong to leave Bubbles out there, and Bunny died because of me…
Psychiatrist Alice: Blossom, stop. Two wrongs don't make a right. Has your father ever taught you that?
B-47 (Blossom): Yes…
Psychiatrist Alice: Then those were some of those times. Your mother shouldn't have done that to you. That's just wrong!
B-47 (Blossom): May I have a hug?
Psychiatrist Alice: Sure.
BUBBLES
Psychiatrist Alice: -And how are you doing with your, urm, medication?
B-49 (Bubbles): It's better… I guess…
Psychiatrist Alice: You don't sound so sure of yourself.
B-49 (Bubbles): I had an… urm… a…
Psychiatrist Alice: An episode?
B-49 (Bubbles): I attacked Blossom and Buttercup during the parade. I couldn't control myself.
Psychiatrist Alice: Is it because you took another dose of His Secret 2.0?
B-49 (Bubbles): No… It's strange - it was as if someone else was controlling me…
Psychiatrist Alice: Bubbles, the sensation of losing control is normal. Even adults have difficulty controlling themselves at times, and you're really young. You shouldn't blame yourself for it.
B-49 (Bubbles): I guess…
Psychiatrist Alice: I noticed several syringes by your side just now. Were you trying to overdose?
B-49 (Bubbles): Over…dose? N-no…
Psychiatrist Alice: Can you explain the syringes?
B-49 (Bubbles): Those were my medication… I've been sitting in my room all day, I guess… I think I might have fallen asleep too.
Psychiatrist Alice: I see. I- I apologize.
B-49 (Bubbles): Are you mad at me?
Psychiatrist Alice: No, just- just afraid for you. I was worried that with things this tough, that you'd-
B-49 (Bubbles): No, I won't.
Psychiatrist Alice: Excuse me?
B-49 (Bubbles): I don't ever want to do it again, taking those things. I don't ever want to hurt my family again. Besides, Daddy needs me, and so does Blossom… and Buttercup, too, I guess.
Psychiatrist Alice: You've changed a lot, you know that?
B-49 (Bubbles): I have?
Psychiatrist Alice: Yes. You're strong, determined, tough. You're something else altogether.
B-49 (Bubbles): Really?
Psychiatrist Alice: Yes. Last year, I saw was a terrified little girl forced to fight crime and endure all sorts of hardship. Now, you're a little girl and a heroine, fighting crime and saving the day for your family and friends.
B-49 (Bubbles): It's just…
Psychiatrist Alice: What's the matter? You seem upset.
B-49 (Bubbles): It's not enough… Bunny's still dead, and so is Mom. It's all my fault…
Psychiatrist Alice: Honey, it's not your fault.
B-49 (Bubbles): But it is! I didn't believe Bunny and now she's dead… Mom wanted to kill me and I deserve it. She died trying to punish me.
Psychiatrist Alice: Bubbles, look into my eyes. Good. You don't deserve to die! Whatever she's blaming you for, she's wrong. You were just- you were tricked, you made a mistake! She wasn't there for you and you were forced to make a choice you weren't prepared for!
B-49 (Bubbles): I don't know…
Psychiatrist Alice: But you were. Bubbles, I want you to take it to the next level. You've overcome your fears and weaknesses, and now I want you to overcome this trauma. You've done it before. You can do it again. Will you try that?
B-49 (Bubbles): I guess… You've always been nice to me.
Psychiatrist Alice: I'm glad to hear that. I'll always be here to help you along. We'll talk about it again next time. Here, let me show you something.
(Silence)
B-49 (Bubbles): How did you pull that out of my ear?
Psychiatrist Alice: Why it's magic! See? Anything is possible in this world. Here, you can have the coin. It's actually chocolate on the inside.
B-49 (Bubbles): Thanks, Miss Alice. I'll try to be better.
BUTTERCUP
Psychiatrist Alice: Okay, Buttercup, I think that's enough marshmallow for one night. That's half the pack, and it was a big one.
B-48 (Buttercup): (With mouth full) But I love marshmallows!
Psychiatrist Alice: Your Dad will never forgive me if I keep you up all night with all that sugar (laughs).
B-48 (Buttercup): Oh, he won't care. He doesn't care about me.
Psychiatrist Alice: Buttercup, I don't think that's true. Your Dad loves you more than anything, despite…
B-48 (Buttercup): 'Despite'? What do you mean 'despite'?
Psychiatrist Alice: Nothing. Look, your Dad cares about you. A lot.
B-48 (Buttercup): Then why did he kill Mom!?
Psychiatrist Alice: I don't know all the details, Buttercup, but didn't she try to kill you? That's what Captain Scott said. That's what your Dad said in the report, too.
B-48 (Buttercup): She wasn't trying to kill me!
Psychiatrist Alice: Okay, dear, calm down-
B-48 (Buttercup): DAD'S A BIG FAT LIAR! HE'S ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAT LIAR!
Psychiatrist Alice: Buttercup!
B-48 (Buttercup): And you're lying too!
Psychiatrist Alice: Buttercup, sit down - you- you're going to hurt someone like this.
B-48 (Buttercup): You're afraid of me, aren't you? (sound of feet stepping on a table)
Psychiatrist Alice: I'm here to help you. Buttercup-
B-48 (Buttercup): Are you? I could kill you right now, Miss Alice, and it'd be very easy.
Psychiatrist Alice: (Heavy breathing) Buttercup, we're friends.
B-48 (Buttercup): We're not.
Psychiatrist Alice: Your Dad loves you, just- just remember that-
B-48 (Buttercup): 'Daddy' doesn't love me!
Psychiatrist Alice: What did you say? The way you said that…
B-48 (Buttercup): Can I go now? I wanna go to bed.
Psychiatrist Alice: S-sure, go right ahead.
B-48 (Buttercup): (sound of hand scooping up marshmallows and scrapping against glass) Bye, Miss Alice.
Psychiatrist Alice: Bye.
B-48 (Buttercup): (distant) Good thing I don't have to go to that stupid school tomorrow-
The City of Townsville. Suburbs. The House.
16 MAR (Thursday) 1989. 2138.
When Alice was done putting the Girls in bed, it was her turn to search for the professor. Going by what Blossom said, the professor had been spending most of his days roaming the underground lab, more cryptid than a father at home. Even with the narrowed search area, it still took her some time to corner him.
Blossom's description of him did not do him justice.
"Thomas, I'm so glad to find you," Alice said, her tone more than awkward. The circumstances weren't exactly ordinary, even by psychiatric standards.
The professor said nothing. He was still slumped against the wall, at the same place where Blossom found him; outside the Chemical X storeroom. Alice had nearly lost her nerve, seeing all that blood mixed in with the Chemical X and how the floor was painted with them.
Professor Utonium did not reply.
Straightening her long skirt, Alice sat down on the floor opposite him, by the airlock door leading into Chemical X storage. The professor wasn't just neglected physically. She could tell instantly that, mentally, he was a tangled mess of ropes and knots.
"I've put the Girls to bed, Thomas," Alice said, hoping to coax some kind of a reaction out of him. Anything she could grapple on and turn things around with. When nothing came of it, she continued: "You know, I think they would have loved it if it was you putting them to bed."
Nothing.
"Thomas…" Alice went on, adjusting her spectacles. "What's gotten over you? I know you've lost a lot recently. Bunny… Selicia… But Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup need you. Grieve all you want, I'd encourage that, but what about the living?"
Nothing, once again.
"Look-" Alice said, but was swiftly interrupted this time.
"I can't," the professor croaked.
"Why not?" Alice asked.
"I just can't," he said.
"You can tell me, Thomas. How long have we known each other?" Alice said.
"Then you should understand why I can't," the professor whispered stubbornly.
"I want to hear it from you," Alice replied with equal stubbornness. She had her theories, and she was very sure that she was right, but it wasn't just about being right. The professor was talking; that's the first step in the right direction, but there had to be more.
"Eileen. Bloome," the professor said with cracking voice, fresh tears arising from the wells of his eyes. "They were gone on my watch."
"And now it's happened to Selicia and Bunny too," the professor added. "Everyone I ever loved is gone-"
"Not Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup," Alice quickly asserted, like a pilot trying to avert a tailspin.
"You don't understand," the professor moaned. It was only now that Alice noticed how parched he was, with his cracked lips and dry skin.
"You're right I don't," Alice said. "So help me understand."
"If I keep this up, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup will follow Eileen, Bloome, Selicia, and Bunny to the grave," the professor said as he stifled a sob. "I can't be their father anymore."
"Thomas, I can't believe I'm saying this… but you're being irrational," Alice said. "It doesn't work that way."
"Irrational?" Professor Utonium laughed bitterly. "No, I'm very rational. I wouldn't back a horse with odds like that."
"We've talked about this before. These are extraordinary times, and the Girls… they're extraordinary kids thrust into extraordinary circumstances," Alice tried to reason with him. The professor simply laughed it off.
"And so they need an extraordinary dad, not… not this wretched failure of a father," the professor said, smiling brokenly at her. "Do you think I should tell them?"
"Tell them what?" Alice asked with a concerned look on her face.
"That all this is just a lie, that they are just a bunch of lab-grown knockoffs endowed with superpowers by accident, that they never had parents and I had just been playing house to fill a void?" the professor said. "Or should I just… go? Leave and not come back?"
"Where are you going to go?"
"To Eileen and Bloome - to where they're resting, then to the beach she loved and…" the professor reminisced.
"And what?"
"I don't know, to join them and see them again," the professor said. This was it, Alice thought. If there was a sure sign that the professor was cracking, it was when he'd begun talking about the supernatural or the religious.
"And what about Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup?"
"Someone else will take care of them. Someone better."
"Thomas, there's no one better than you," Alice said, scooting over to take his hand. "You're all they have left. If you leave, the USDO will put some grunt in your place, and guess how that will go? That's if General Blackwater doesn't take them away first. Or even take them out…"
"You're not alone in this," she added. "I'm here with you every step of the way. You know, we can even-"
Alice stopped herself before she went any further, her heart thumping as if she had just hit a wall running. She could feel it in her neck, her wrists; her pulse was racing. Here was Thomas, sitting in the middle of the lab corridor, vulnerable. With Selicia out of the picture, he was in need of a woman's touch once again.
But it would be wrong, not to mention unprofessional. Professor Utonium was her patient, and at this rate, had become her patient once more. He was still grieving, and Selicia had only just died, presumably. A funeral was likely a day or two away.
"Even what?" the professor asked, at this point barely conscious.
"Nothing. I can help you with the Girls once in a while, but you have to stand up and be their father again because no one else is going to do it for you. They'll just exploit your children, and yes, they ARE your children," Alice said. The professor did not respond at first, but then he nodded his head.
"I'll be damned if I let anyone else touch them," the professor had finally come around. "Help me up."