Mouse (to Vincent): Little brother, are you awake?
Ripper (to Eep): Hey, weird question. So the reason you asked about release forms wouldn't by any chance have to do with a student film, would it?
Eep (to Ripper): What? Oh, right! Jesus. I completely forgot about that. Don't worry about it. I contacted the school about it.
Ripper (to Eep): Yeah, I know you did.
Eep (to Ripper): Uhhhh... OK?
Ripper (to Eep): I think I just watched the film you were in last night. The school wanted me to see if it breaches the release forms.
Eep (to Ripper): Oh Jesus fucking Christ... You're not fucking joking, are you?
Ripper (to Eep): I wish I was. If it makes you feel better, I'm going to recommend that the school goes after the production company. The school's going to hit them hard. They take this stuff very seriously. I'm actually surprised no one at the school had caught wind of this before.
Eep (to Ripper): Yeah. That, uh, that does make me feel a little bit better. I mean, it's bad enough I was involved with the fucking thing... But, Eddie distributing it as a porno was just... God.
Ripper (to Eep): Well, don't worry, it'll be pulled from distribution in no time... And, your secret is safe with me.
Eep (to Ripper): Pfft. You say that as if half my friends and coworkers HAVEN'T already seen it. Jesus... This is just a little bit humiliating. Whatever. I haven't got the head space right now to worry about that drunken abomination. Sorry I got you subjected to it.
Ripper (to Eep): No worries. We've all done things we regret in our past. I can't even begin to tell you about the stuff I did to pay for college.
Eep (to Ripper): Heh. Yeah, well, at least you got paid. That was the beginning of one of the worst tailspins I ever put myself in. Anyway...
Ripper (to Eep): Well, I'm sorry to have brought it up, but I thought you should know that the school's going to deal with it. I've gotta run to class. Take care!
Eep (to Ripper): Yeah. Thanks. See you later.
Vincent (to Mouse): Sorry, hun. I was making a coffee run. I didn't feel up to making it myself. Plus, there are no cute barristas at home. Want anything? I can make a second trip. I think I recognize one of the lads there from Drac's. He gave me a free scone. :-}
Mouse (to Vincent): I would actually love a mint mocha... and, when you get here, I need to talk to you about something.
Vincent (to Mouse): Will do. Want extra whipped cream as per usual, I'm guessing. I'll be there in a few. What's up, sweetie?
Mouse (to Vincent): Actually, no whip cream this time. I've got the memory scan done for Emmett & well, there's something I need to tell you... It's probably best for face to face.
Vincent (to Mouse): Ah. I understand. Usually face to face means serious. I'll be there as quickly as I can. Do you need me to bring anything stronger than coffee?
Mouse (to Vincent): I don't think I'll need it, but I have some rum if you do.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh. Oh dear. ... Well, I'm in line now, so I should be there shortly. I'll see you soon, hun.
Mouse (to Vincent): Okay, see you soon.
A couple hours later:
Mouse (to Eep): Hey, handsome, could you please talk to Vincent? He was really upset when he left.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Yeah. Shit. I'm guessing you talked to him about what happened with Smythe. (to Vincent) Hey. Are you OK?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, he just sat there quietly & then grabbed the scan device, said he had to get it to the Davenports & left...
Vincent (to Eep): I... No. No, I'm not. Do you know what that son of a bitch... Do you know what happened to Mouse?
Eep (to Vincent): Uh, yeah. She told me last night. She didn't want to say anything to you because she didn't want you to be upset.
Vincent (to Eep): Do you know what a Tesla arch FEELS like when it hits you? It won't burn you. It doesn't leave a mark, but it fucking HURTS. The idea that this... this CREATURE did that to my sweet, shy, older sister... I have never wanted to hurt anyone so severely, and so profoundly in my entire life. When I find him, because I WILL find him, I will pay him back tenfold for everything that was more than an unkind whisper, for each SUGGESTION of pain he inflicted on her.
Eep (to Vincent): Uhhhh, wow. Oooookay.
Vincent (to Eep): I'm going to get this device to the Davenport sisters, and then... I don't know. There's nothing that can be done right now. So, I'm going to go find something to hit. (to Emmett Davenport) I have the memory scan device for you. And, it looks like Smythe has a TeslaArcht. He's been using it for interrogations.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): How on earth did he get his hands on one? ... No matter, you can either deliver MSD to us yourself or pass it on to Poppy.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): I don't know, but I have the overwhelming urge to cram it straight up his nether regions. (to Poppy) I have the MSD for Emmett. Can I ask you a favor, hun? I have a mighty need to hit something hard and repeatedly. May I use your gym for a while after I drop it off?
Poppy (to Vincent): Of course, honey... can I watch?
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): Dare I ask what has brought about this desire for violence?
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): He used it on my sister. (to Poppy): I suppose, if you really want to. I don't know how pleasant my company will be, I'm afraid.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, sometimes I find that people like to talk when they're upset... but, I will leave you alone, if need be.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): Oh god, I am so sorry. I swear to you, we will find him & make him pay.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): Oh, I know we will. It's what I do, and he made a VERY big mistake by making this personal. (to Poppy) I'm sorry, Poppy. I'm angry, and I don't know what to do with all this pent up emotion.
Poppy (to Vincent): I might have a few suggestions, honey, but I suspect the gym will be your best bet.;-)
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): We need you clearheaded, Vincent. This is too important to let your feelings cloud your judgement. Go blow off some steam!
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): No. No, you're right, hun. Thanks for reminding me. I'm angry. Angrier than I can remember being, but this isn't the time. (to Poppy) I'll be over shortly, and you are, of course, welcome to join me in the gym. Thank you for worrying, hun.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): And, I am so sorry that we weren't able to stop Smythe from getting your sister. Communications with Poppy were spotty as we couldn't quite figure out what time/space she had landed in your world.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): I know, Emmett. I never for a moment suspected Smythe would go after Eep again, however circumspectly. Oh, about Poppy, I know you were just trying to keep her close to me, but next time Klaude programs her for subterfuge... Please ask her not to use program her to get close to me by becoming my girlfriend. That was... Lord, that was confusing.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): What are you talking about? Klaude wouldn't do that. Poppy was just supposed to observe, stay close & interact as necessary. I mean, Klaude did program her to act like a human girl... maybe, some of her files got corrupted during the transition.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): Really? I should say some files got corrupted. She told me... Well, it doesn't matter. She should have the MSD to you soon.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): I can have Klaude take a look at her the next time we meet up, if you think there might be a problem with her systems.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): No, no. That's not necessary. She was never... Well, let's just say she seemed VERY human. And I certainly can't fault her taste.
Thirty minutes or so later:
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): Alrighty, then. The MSD has arrived, so I'm going to bring to Klaude. I'll let you know if we find anything useful.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): Thanks, hun! Keep me in the loop.
Eep (to Mouse): Holy shit. Wow. Vincent's, uh, he's PISSED.
Mouse (to Eep): At me? I knew I shouldn't have said anything.
Eep (to Mouse): No. Nooooooo. It's a good fucking thing we don't know where Smythe is right now, because if Vincent knew... I, uh, I think his exact words were something along the lines of how he will pay him back 10x for everything he's done to you.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh... well, he's going to have to get in line. Though, there may not be enough of Smythe left after I get done with him.
Eep (to Mouse): He said that the arch thing Smythe used on you hurts. Really fucking hurts, actually. Are you sure you're OK?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, it's been a two weeks since he last used it on me... and, Otto taught me some tricks to deal with it.
Eep (to Mouse): He used it on you TWO WEEKS AGO?! Christ! I... Sorry. God, that... That's not what I meant. I mean, are you feeling OK? Four months is a long time to be trapped with a crazy dickhead who's hurting you. I'm worried about you.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm just trying to feel normal again... I'm really glad you're around.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, right now it's all I can do. So, lemme know if you need anything. Whatever you want, I'll do it.
Mouse (to Eep): Will you... will you move in with me, just for a little while? I seem to sleep better with you here.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, yeah. Sure. Of course. If that will help. Whatever you need, Killer.
Mouse (to Eep): Thank you for humoring me, I know it sounds silly...
Eep (to Mouse): It isn't silly. It's normal. I mean, I was so desperate for someplace to stay after Maddie, I shacked up with the Creep... How do you feel about empanadas for dinner tonight?
Mouse (to Eep): Empanadas would be wonderful. Thank you.
Eep (to Mouse): And I will make you SO many empanadas.
Mouse (to Eep): And, I will eat so many of them...
Eep (to Mouse): Oh holy shit! I totally forgot. Want to hear some totally unrelated bullshit news?
Mouse (to Eep): Sure! I'd actually love to hear something somewhat normal.
Eep (to Mouse): Apparently, the Piedmont is gonna go after Eddie for releasing my movie.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, that's wonderful news! How do you feel about that?
Eep (to Mouse): Well, I'm not upset, that's for damn sure. I REALLY wish Ripper hadn't seen the fucking thing, though. Cause that's not awkward.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, I'm sure he's seen far worse movies.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yeah, probably. Christ, I never thought I'd say this, but after everything that's been going on lately... I really can't get all that worked up about it. Still doesn't mean it isn't embarrassing as fuck, though.
Mouse (to Eep): HAHA, don't feel too bad, I happen to know that Ripper once worked as a dancer at a strip club, when he was in college. So, I think you're okay.
Eep (to Mouse): Ha ha! What? Wow. So, that's what he meant about things he did to pay for college... I still think mine is a little worse, but hey... Good to know we're both idiots. :p
Mouse (to Eep): Well, I think being young at the time gives you both some leeway.
An hour or so later:
Mouse (to Vincent): Hey little brother, are you okay?
Vincent (to Mouse): Hey, hun. I'm blowing off some steam. Hitting punching bags is all fine and good, but not really as satisfying as I hoped. I'm sorry I stormed out on you earlier.
Mouse (to Vincent): It's okay. I completely understood why you did it. And, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner...
Vincent (to Mouse): It's alright, hun. If the situation were reversed, I wouldn't want to tell you either. If we're being totally honest... one of the reasons I DIDN'T tell you what I did with my time is that because it's sometimes less than pleasant.
Mouse (to Vincent): I just knew you both were already feeling guilty & I didn't want to add to it. You can always come & spar with me... Otto got me into the habit & I've been keeping up my workout every morning.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, I may take you up on that offer later. Not today, though. I'm too upset to be properly focused. Better to hit a bag improperly than to hit you accidentally, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): HAHA, little brother, that's really funny that you think you could hit me. I'm not the same girl I used to be.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, now. Clearly not. And it's funny you think I COULDN'T hit you, sweet sister of mine. Sibling rivalry will have to wait until later, I'm afraid. Inanimate objects are the only things I feel like hitting at the mo.
Mouse (to Vincent): You know, you & Eep don't need to keep trying to protect me, anymore. I've learned how to take care of myself.
Vincent (to Mouse): And I'm always gonna want to take care of you, hun. It doesn't matter how capable you are. You're my sister.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I feel that way about you. :-)
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, would you like me to bring you something to drink? You've been at that bag for quite some time.
Vincent (to Poppy): Have I? Good heavens, so I have! I would be forever grateful for something to drink, sweetie. Ugh. I'm a state, aren't I?
Poppy (to Vincent): That's alright, honey, sweaty looks good on you... I'll bring you some lemonade & a towel.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Uh, well... I can't say that I agree, but thank you, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, don't start with that, you're faboo whether you're freshly groomed or sweating all over my Egyptian cotton towels.
Several hours later:
Vincent (to Mouse): How are you doing, sweetie? The first day back to your normal routine can be rough.
Mouse (to Vincent): I think I'm doing okay. You tell me.
Vincent (to Mouse): You're doing fine. You seem distracted, but alright. Make Leon take over if you feel overwhelmed.
Mouse (to Vincent): It's weird, I'm just not feeling it, tonight. I wonder if I've lost my deejaying mojo.
Vincent (to Mouse): Awww, hun. You haven't lost anything. It's going to take time to get back to normal. Everything is going to feel a little hollow and insignificant for a while.
Mouse (to Vincent): God, I don't know if I can do this...
Vincent (to Mouse): It's OK, sweetie. You're OK. Have Leon take over for you, and head over to the bar. I'll pour you a LARGE drink.
Mouse (to Vincent): Ok... That sounds good.
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. You doing OK?
Mouse (to Eep): I'm freaking a bit... I don't know if I want to do this anymore.
Eep (to Mouse): It's only your first day back, so it's gonna be weird. Do you wanna go home?
Mouse (to Eep): No, I don't want to draw too much attention. I'll be okay. I'm just going to sit at the bar for a bit.
Eep (to Mouse): Do you need anything?
Mouse (to Eep): No, I think I'm good. Thank you, though.
