The Placebo Express, Scene II
“And you’re sure it’s the only place open…”
The camera stops panning immediately as the operator’s ears just barely catch the beginnings of a conversation just outside the train car. Quickly moving towards the door the camera captures the images of Doc Placebo & Erica in conversation with someone who appears to be a random passerby. Both the Doctor and his raven haired mistress are quite bundled up as the night’s chill winds nip at them and the unknown man with whom they are engaged in conversation…
Doc Placebo, “Damn.”
Erica, “Your sure?”
Stranger, “Yeah… this late at night? You’re pretty much screwed.”
Erica, “There isn’t even a Sheetz around here?”
Stranger, “A what?”
Doc Placebo, “Ah don’t worry about it… maybe they didn’t go there.”
Erica, “Yeah right…”
Thanking the unknown Good Samaritan with whom they were just speaking Doc and Erica look to their left. Placebo’s head falls slightly and his left hand grips into a tightly held fist out of pure irritation. Nodding to the stranger before moving onward to their destination the odd couple… which just happens to be a Denny’s Family Restaurant?
Meanwhile Inside the Denny’s…
Now within the Denny’s the camera centers on the three Minions which were last observed abstaining from the dog food rush of two nights earlier on board the train car. Each of the Minions are seen fully engrossed with their meals which appear to be three separate orders of the French Toast Club. The Andorran and Erica enter the establishment and with their combined eyes quickly spot Minions 1, 2, & 3. Quite obviously in a rush the couple hurry behind a waiter as they specifically ask to be seated in the smoking section to attempt to avoid any contact with the eating slaves while a waitress approaches their table as she passes by apparently recognizing the hapless trio…
Waitress, “Hey, hey! Champs, how’s it going?”
Minion 1, “Sweetness! Ya know babe… I hate to break it to ya… actually… I can’t… Three can you take this one?
Minion 3, “Me? It’s Two’s fault!”
Minion 2, “Is not!”
Waitress, “Whats wrong guys? Did you lose the belt?”
Minion 1, “Ehhh… yeah kinda… TPW stripped us of the Tag Title.”
Waitress, “WHAT?”
Minion 2, “It’s cool, I’d almost want to be back in UWA and being forced to listen to Nightmare talk on an on about how ‘scary’ he is… I swear that kid’s as scary as a Donald Rumsfeld eating out Janet Reno on her period in the back of a Super Blackhawk.”
Minion 3, “Dude… that’s fuckin scary.”
Waitress, “…So… what are you guys up to these days?”
Minion 1, “Chillin' Babe. Been settin' the record straight on all those UWA wannabe’s in the Crucible this weekend.”
Waitress, “You guys are in that? I’ve seen all three back when they were hosted on UWA TV but when Cosmos left I thought it was all over.”
Minion 2, “Well we ain't exactly in… but we’ll be there. Some fools gotta be straightened out.”
Minion 3, “Stewart Ratliff…”
Minion 2, “That kid’s an idiot… he’s still talking about the Koven… that was SOOOoo… 2004 it isn’t even funny.”
Minion 1, “Don’t forget Cosmos and Snow…”
Waitress, “Hey… what’s wrong with them? Aren’t they still buds with Doc?”
Minion 1, “….eeehhhhhh… no.”
Waitress, “No way… they’ve been in the Kovenant for years now… what happened?”
Minion 1, “Beats me Hun, they didn’t join the Kovenant team! Doc called ‘em out on it but nothing yet…
Minion 2, “All I know Dora is this… those two little punks don’t know who their tryin' to get crazy with. Don’t they know Doc’s loco? Cosmic Winter is about to be taken to school of hard knocks courtesy of one Omega Sin.”
Meanwhile in the Smoking Section...
Sitting in a secluded section of the Denny’s Doc and Erica and just out of earshot of the Minion’s conversation with Dora. Although they cannot hear their conversation the Doctor and young woman are still sitting low in their booth hoping that they are not seen eating at the same restaurant as the Minions as their waiter returns…
Waiter, “Hey Folks how’s it going? What can I get for you tonight?”
Erica, “I don’t know just yet… can you give us a few more minutes?”
Waiter, “Sure thing Miss, back in a jiff!”
Dumbfounded or in shock Placebo simply stares at the waiter as he leaves. Erica nervously pesters the Supreme Tag Champion to stop staring by sending him a quick glare before going back to her menu in search of whatever food she might fancy ordering for the night. The Doctor blinks a few times before coming to his senses and returning to his menu as well.
Erica, “What was that about?”
Doc Placebo, “Did he just say…. jiff?”
Erica, “Maybe… why?”
Doc Placebo, “Nothing… just… weird.”
Erica, “So what are you going to get?”
Doc Placebo, “I… have no idea… I guess the Original Slam looks good.”
Erica, “I can’t believe there isn’t even a damn Sheetz around here…. and now we have to eat here with THEM.”
Doc Placebo, “It’s… odd… but never mind that. We have an interesting few days ahead of us.”
Erica, “Yes… Fallout and the Crucible. You know I think Nightmare might still be mad at me…”
Chuckling.
Doc Placebo, “I think I would too if I got kicked as hard as he did after my eyes had been burned with mace… but Nightmare’s still nothing.”
Erica, “What? You think Fallout may actually turn out to be the tougher challenge?
Doc Placebo, “It could be… however, my opponents are pretty much one notes. They’ve all jumped on the D&D bandwagon poking a few little jabs at Rilo using some dumb jokes they stole from some internet site. But I’m not too entirely worried about them.”
Erica, “Why not?”
Doc Placebo, “Simple, their already on my beck and call. In my last televised appearance I pretty much told them exactly who they would match up against. And they actually followed my orders…”
Erica, “Really?”
Doc Placebo, “Yeah… and since they’re already doing what I tell them to do I think I’ll give Blair another little command since he’s being a good dog and obeying me, his new master. Lay down tomorrow for the three. Just give up and save yourself because I am coming for you and I don't care if I win…”
The Waiter returns and addresses Placebo and Erica hoping that they have finally decided on something for their late dinner however he is once again rebuked as the scene fades to darkness.