Part 11: Theatre of Failure Part Five: VGA Madness

Sir? May I have a word with you?

Yes, Officer Durant?

Bonds, sir. It's Bonds. I think we need to talk about Steve.

Who?

..."Officer Rufus". I'm not sure he's capable of continuing these movies.

And why is that?

Well, I don't think we can even use the one we just made for this week, sir. With the shootout? He didn't do too well.

I thought it was a rather spectacular illustration of the dangers of ignoring procedure, myself.

It was, sir, but I think his injuries were a bit too... realistic?

We used blanks for that, didn't we?

Yes, sir. I switched them over myself. That's why I'm kind of worried about the fact that he dropped to the ground and started bleeding anyway. And then he started talking to people that weren't there, sir, and not in any language I know. I don't know that I want to make him watch that movie again right away. I'm not sure we shouldn't burn it.

Alright, son. I see what you're saying. We'll hold off on showing the movie for now. Maybe next week if we can edit it a bit. This week we'll do a live presentation, but we'll give him something nice and quiet where nothing can go too wrong. Alright? More just a little chat than a real demonstration.

That's... almost suspiciously reasonable of you.

Mmm?

Uh, nothing. I'll go get ready. Back in an hour for the presentation, sir.



You going to be okay?

I'm fine, Sonny. I'm fine. I just need some rest. Just need some rest. Yeah.

Dooley wants us back at the station house to give a live demo in half an hour.

I don't know if I can go back there right now.

Why?



...no special reason, I guess.

Steve, you've been taking an awful lot of blows to the head recently. I really think you need to talk to a doctor.



Haha! No... for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can see. I'm fine. Everything is fine.

If you say so, Steve.

In fact, let's go right now. I have got to get into a car before this wears off.

What?

Bye!



Hee hee hee.



Ha ha ha ha!



(You all ready, Steve?)

(Oh, yes. I couldn't be readier. Let's start this little play.)



Home again, home again, jiggedy-jig!

Here we are back at the station house. You've been called back by the sergeant for unknown reasons.

Nothing is unknown to me now.

Uh, right. So, as you enter, you are approached by the sergeant, who says...



YOU'LL ANSWER FOR YOUR CRIMES! OH, YES! YOU GET IN THERE AND FACE THEM NOW!

Heh. We'll see. We'll see who answers. Yes.



You see that, son? Don't think I don't know. Don't think I don't know who's responsible for all this.

Can you see it? I see it. I see it so clearly.

Guys? Uh, guys? Steve? Are you okay?

Are you okay? Steve?

I'm okay. I'm better than okay. I can see it all now. I see you! I can see you.



It's there, Sonny. It's just there. It's such a simple problem. Simple solutions for a simple problem. I know what to do now.



Christ, that is a real weapon! Everybody down! Dammit, Steve, what are you doing?

Cleaning up the world, Sonny. And then we can go get some drinks. How about that? You and me and Jack?



Yes... at the Blue Room.



The Blue Room...



...



...just fainted...

...off the stage... a cell for now I guess...



Well, cadets, I'm sorry you had to see that. I want you to know that our friend will be given the best possible care. Don't worry about him. Let me talk to you a bit about the proper procedures for filing for medical leave...

ha. ha. ha.



ha. ha. ha.



ha. ha. ha.



He's got away from us, Jack.

Afraid you're right, Sergeant. He's gone.