The Bonsai Gardens

"The brain is in a foul mood today," said one monk to the other, as they walked down the hallway to the bonsai gardens.

"But, Brother Mark Hamill," said the other monk, not unkindly. "You seem to think the brain is in such a mood everyday."

Mark Hamill looked perturbed. "Today it is most assuredly in a foul mood, Brother Russel Lopez. I can feel it in my bones."

Russel laughed and slapped a friendly arm on Mark Hamill's back.

"Yes, yes, your bones! We've all heard the stories about those bones of yours! Now, take in the soothing sights of the bonsai garden we just walked into and worry not about the brain. The brain can fend for itself."

Slowly they strolled off, like lovers on a spring day. They were so relaxed in preparation to enjoy the bonsai gardens that they hadn't even realized that they had walked right past the bonsai gardens! What a day those two were having!

Back in the Wolf's Den, Joe Demar's brain looked out of it's glass jar angrily, using it's brain eyes to see the world around outside. It was quite displeased with what it saw.

Monks! Monks everywhere! If there was one thing the brain hated it was slimey monks. Always strolling hither and thither, talking in pragmatic ways.

"Pah!" thought the brain to itself. "Lousey monks!"

He sighed a great brain sigh and lit an imaginary cigarette, thinking back on the days when he was the world's greatest avaitor.

Suddenly, the comm screen turned on behind him.

"What's this ugly brain doing here!" shouted the voice from the comm screen.

The brain was just about to say something in his defense when he turned around to see the grinning face of Colonel Jimmy Snell's brain on the screen.

"You old rat bastard!" he said, laughing with his mind, somehow causing little bubbles to rise to the top of his jar of brain fluid. "How the hell are you?"

"Oh," the colonel's brain sighed, "I've been better."

Joe Demar's brain seemed to suddenly notice the pain behind the colonel's smile.

"What's wrong, friend?" he asked, concerned.

"Well," he began. He started to speak but thought better of it, sighed and finally said, "My wife's brain is dying."

What news! Colonel Jimmy Snell's brain had been married to the brain of Serena Tsuda ever since the end of that damned war that had brought the colonel and Joe Demar so close.

"They tell us she caught Monk Fever," the colonel's brain finished.

"My god," said Demar's brain. "How long does she have?"

He sighed the sigh of a saddened brain. "We don't know yet. Not long."

There was a silence before the colonel's brain shouted out in blind rage, "Those damned monks!" slamming his fist against the side of his glass jar.

Demar's brain was caught up in thought, suddenly memories of the war gushed into his him. Seeming to pick up on what he was thinking, the colonel's brain lightened up a bit and chucked, despite itself.

"You were quite the rogue in that bloody war. Damn near gave me a heart attack twice."

"Three times!" said Joe Demar's brain, laughing now.

"Oh yeah! Three times!" the Colonel's brain was laughing, remembering that hilarious third time. "That third time was hilarious."

They laughed together until their laugher dimmed down and they could hear once again the sound of monks talking quietly outside, putting them both back on edge.

The colonel's brain cleared it's throat.

"Well, listen Demar, I'd love it if you'd come have dinner with us tomorrow night." His brain smiled warmly.

Demar returned the smile, "I'd love to, chum. Is it alright if I bring this new girl's brain I'm seeing? She used to be a hooker!"

"Ooh! A hooker!" The colonel's brain perked up. "Sure, sure! Bring her by, Serena would love to meet her."

"Those women sure can talk!" said Demar's brain.

"Yes, I know!" laughed the brain of the decorated Colonel Jimmy Snell.

Demar's brain somehow saluted Jimmy Snell's brain and then the comm screen went blank. Outside the monks were chirping away, pointing at birds in disbelief and pushing thin little wheels along with sticks. The brain looked out at all the monks and scowled. Lousey monks, it thought. However, after a moment or two passed he was softened by their carefree attitude and found himself smiling.

He sighed and retreated to his brain bed, laid down and went to sleep.

He dreampt of being younger and being in the war, and he was...happy.

the end.