006-- Video

[in_texas]

[Jake's communicator clicks on as the cowboy is shown stirring awake. He's been sleeping in his clothing and just tipping his hat over his eyes, so he tips it back again and yawns. With a lazy sweep of the apartment, his eyes settle on a potted cactus not too far from him.]

...Billy? Is that you, Pardner?

[He moves over and examines it, a smile

Comments

/has never seen a cactus

[u_n_asplode]

What kind of plant is that?

[Her attention is drawn to the edge of the screen--and immediately locks onto the dark-colored splatter.]

...what's wrong with the sleeve?

And he realizes his communicator is transmitting

[in_texas]

...how long has this been on?

It's a cactus, Pardner. And, um, there's nothing wrong with the sleeve.

[He pushes the clothing out of focus]

:D

[u_n_asplode]

I don't know.

...what's a cactus?

[Headtilt.]

...was that blood?

:D :D :D

[in_texas]

It's a plant you find in the desert.

[He doesn't want to be rude, but he doesn't want to talk about the coat.]

What? Where?

[idkmybffmrhat]

Billy? You.. named a cactus?

[in_texas]

Of course. Don't you name your pets, Little Lady?

[idkmybffmrhat]

A plant is a pet?

[in_texas]

Well, sure. Billy here's been with me for years. Best cactus a man could ask for. Listens real good and never interrupts.

Voice 1/?

[investigative]

Mr. Marshall? Is something wro....ng.........

[Her voice tapers off]

Voice 2/?

[investigative]

Isn't that....!?

3/3

[investigative]

..............................

[And silence.]

[in_texas]

This has to be someone's idea of a joke.

And I don't like it one bit.

[thatfuckingvase]

[the feed is here.... but..... she's... silent.... and very confused.]

[in_texas]

[Jake examines the feed, but can't tell who it is]

Someone there?

[thatfuckingvase]

[ignores the coat]

It's good to see you got your cactus back.

[in_texas]

....yeah. Been asking after him. Guess someone figured he was what I needed.

[He too ignores the coat.]

[dividend]

... I hate the scientists.

[in_texas]

They do this?

[dividend]

This happens every now and again. It looks like it's getting worse each time.

[in_texas]

Worse? How are they going to do worse than-

...I don't even want to ask.