By: NightCat
Disclaimer: MST3K belongs to Best
Brains Inc. I don't make a cent off of this.
“That should do it,” Joel said as he replaced a small metal panel on Cambot.
The small camerabot hovered above the table a little ways, as if he was unsure
if he could move or not. When he gained some more confidence, he gave Joel a
quick beep of thanks and hovered off.
Joel’s small home was a wonderland of random gadgets and inventions. Just looking
around in most rooms it isn’t very noticeable, but once someone tried to use
something, like the microwave, Joel’s handiwork showed. A couple rooms were
set aside for the building and storing of these gizmos, one of which was the
room that the group was in now.
“Quite the place you have here,” Mike commented. He had been looking around
the house ever since they arrived.
Joel gave a slight grin as he put his tools away. “It works for my lifestyle.
I think the neighbor’s are a little less appreciative of it though. You have
no idea how many times I’ve gotten calls late at night for me to shut off those
damn tools and let everyone else sleep in peace.”
“Boo-hoo for them,” Crow grumbled, not looking up from his card game with Tom
and Gypsy. Joel had given them the deck for something to do while he worked
on Cambot.
“Crybabies,” Tom agreed.
Joel gave the two ‘bots a look but said nothing.
“I’ll admit it Joel,” Clayton said, looking around the room at the various gadgets
approvingly, “I couldn’t have expected less of you as far as home life goes.
But what’s the deal with the restaurant?”
Joel looked up at his former captor. He had been a little wary of Clayton, even
making a point of telling him not to touch any of his inventions. Joel may be
forgiving, but he was also cautious.
“Well, I’m still running the hot fish shop in Osseo,” he said. “But I was recently
offered a job at this little family restaurant. The pay was too good to pass
up. Besides, I needed a change of scenery. So, here I am.”
“Nice,” Mike said. “Looks like you’ve made quite the life for yourself here.”
“You could say that,” Joel shrugged. “It’s been kinda dull as of late, though
judging by today’s events it looks like things might be starting to get quite
interesting.”
“Be careful of what you wish for,” Clayton muttered. He slumped back against
the wall and crossed his arms.
“What’s your story then?” Joel asked him. “Why are you suddenly trying to buddy
up to your former prisoners?”
“Number one,” said Clayton. “I am not trying to buddy up to anyone. It just
so happens that you are the only people who can help me.” He made a face. “Trust
me, I’m about as happy about it as the rest of you.”
“Gee, thanks,” Tom said. “I feel so loved.”
“The truth of the matter is,” Clayton went on. “There are now two Mothers running
around, both looking for you guys and me. I know it sounds insane, which is
why I didn’t mention it before.”
Mike nodded. “Yeah, I kinda figured it was Pearl.”
Clayton shook his head. “How is that possible though?”
“I’ll explain later.”
“We’ll hold you to that,” Joel said, looking perplexed.
“Anyway,” Clayton continued. “The new Mother, the one that showed up yesterday,
wants to put Mike and the ‘bots back into space and continue the experiment.”
“Wait,” Mike interrupted. “Pearl told us that she was done with it. She even
said that she got a new job.”
“Since when has Mother ever been truthful Nelson?” Clayton countered. “She’s
obsessed with ruling the world. You of all people should know that.”
Mike shrugged. “She had her moments.”
Clayton rolled his eyes.
Gypsy, who had been listening intently, asked, “What about you? What do they
want with you?”
The former mad scientist sighed. “I don’t know. From what I heard, it doesn’t
sound good.”
Mike gulped and hoped that the ‘bots wouldn’t say anything yet. The last thing
he wanted at the moment was either Crow or Tom making a crack about impending
doom for Clayton.
“Therefore,” said Clayton. “I need to lay low, at least until I find out what
they want with me. In return, I warned you about Mother, and I’ll help you get
back on your feet Mike. I think that’s a fair deal.”
“Hey!” Crow said. “What about us? Don’t we get anything?”
“How about not getting turned into scrap metal?” Clayton snapped.
Joel almost stood up. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t talk to my robots
that way.”
“Yeah!” said Tom. “Especially robots who know your fate! You better watch it
buddy.”
“Tom!” Mike warned.
Joel and Clayton looked at Mike. They now knew that he was hiding something.
This didn’t help Mike’s current situation one bit.
“What is it Mike?” Joel asked.
Mike sighed. “I’ll explain later,” he said. “It’s a long story.”
“What a cop-out,” Crow grumbled.
Joel shook his head. “Well, in any case, I think we could all do with some food.
That might clear our minds a little. Who’s up for some Pizza Hut?”
***
“This isn’t right!” Pearl fumed. “He couldn’t have gone that far. None of them
could!”
The other Pearl, present day Pearl, watched her future self stomp around the
stone room. She had been amazed to get a phone call from herself the night before,
but quickly accepted it as a clever plan she had made sometime in the future.
“Knowing him,” Present Day Pearl said, “he probably picked them up and ran.”
“Which is why we need to get rid of the twerp ASAP,” Future Pearl said. “He
took our guinea pigs. If he thinks he can pick up the experiment where he left
off…”
Present Day Pearl listened to the other Pearl’s footsteps echo through the room
in Castle Forrester. She had heard of the place, but until last night hadn’t
actually been there. Now, in the castle of her ancestors, she and her future
self plotted a new plan for world domination. At the moment though, the plan
had run into a snag.
“Okay Pearl,” Future Pearl said, her face strained in concentration. “Think…
where could they have gone?”
Present Day Pearl promptly followed Future Pearl’s lead.