By Regalo3000
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Part 2
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I'm just way too meek for this kind of thing, said Slow Motion. He and Reno were sitting underneath a gazebo that was situated on the roof of the Institute. Around them were small plants, there was a small waterfall, simple design, but delicate, someone had taken great care in how things were placed in this small garden area.
Killing is not an easy thing, said Reno. I still wake up some nights sweating, rude awakenings from some dream that was a flashback to some battle we had. Blood, screams. Some of us are cut out for it, you are definitely not. But, don't fret. There's a place for you here, you just have to find it. I'll leave you alone for a while, see you at dinner. By the way, do you still intend to lie down in the hallways?
Slow Motion grinned embarrassed, Only when the need hits me, he said. No, those days are over for me.
Good, said Reno, you almost got a nickname.
Oh yeah? And what was that?
Salamander Sam.
But Sam's not my name.
Neither are you a salamander. Reno laughed and walked off, through the roof door, and down the stairs.
Slow Motion grinned and turned to look at the tiny waterfall, so delicately designed. It was then that out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw movement. He looked about but there was nothing. Then he saw it again, it was a young black boy and he was wearing the uniform of a Blue Blaze Irregular. He ran from one obstacle to another. Clearly he had no intention of not being seen, that is, he was making no effort to remain hidden, he wanted to be noticed. Before long the playful youth had run between every obstacle, moving closer and closer to where Slow Motion was sitting.
How'd you like my perfromance?
I saw you!
You did? I was doing my damnedst not to be seen.
Slow Motion laughed.
Scooter Lindley at you service, my dad's Caspar, we helped fight against the Many Johns in the Red Lectroid Uprising.
I know who you are, you're famous.
Yeah, the kid sounded bored, I don't like how they draw me in the comic books. They say it's called artistic license, but, I still say I ain't got that big a nose. They say you're a great shot.
Slow Motion rose and began to walk away.
I know where this is going, I'm not going to teach you how to shoot.
Oh, I already know how to shoot, I just came to gab, and to invite you to see our play.
Play?
They say you were Captain of the Drama League at college.
Yeah, I was, what of it?
Scooter grabbed Slow Motion by the hand and began tugging him, C'mon, c'mon and see. C'mon ...
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The youngest Blue Blaze Irregulars Slow Motion had ever seen were standing on a makeshift stage made up of crates. On the four corners of the stage were four poles, which Slow Motion realized were actually four coat racks (the kids referred to them as "The Four Corners of the World") and the kids were hanging their hats and costumes on them as if it were the most natural thing in the world, to have a coat rack handy at all times. A kid playing Buckaroo had just shouted yahoo after having shot a Red Lectroid and Slow Motion took offense, but, just as he was about to voice his displeasure a helicopter descended from the sky. The boys thanked Slow Motion for watching their play and ran with heads lowered, one by one climbing into the chopper. It took off, whisking the boys away. Dirt got into his eyes making him tear. Then there was silence.
Buckaroo would never say "Yahoo! I bagged me one!" But there was no one left to say it to.
Slow Motion began to walk back to the main building when a thought struck him -- The Blue Blaze Irregular Action Drama League! No, no, too ... corny. I don't work that well with kids, anyway. The BB Threatrical Players? The Banzai Institute Theatrical Dream Machine? Oh , man, so may possibilities. The right name will come, if I only take it ... slowly. Reno was right, there is a place for me here.
A sense of warmth filled his spirit.
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