S2 Inbetweeners Episode 3 - On the Surface
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“What happened back there?” Test Tube asks, looking at a screen with diagnostic tests about Bot. In a rare moment, Test Tube appears to be puzzled by what she sees. “Your entire circuitry is on the fritz,”
“I rather not talk about it,” Bot says, turning away from Test Tube.
“Bot, you can tell me,” Test Tube says.
“I don’t think I want to tell anyone ever,” Bot says, trying to grab their legs and put themselves into a ball.
“…If it’s related I might need to know,” Test Tube says.
“I rather be rebooted than tell anyone,” Bot says.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Test Tube says with a sigh then gets back to studying the diagnosis, no closer than before.
“Sorry Cabby! Maybe some other time!” Book says as she runs off with Price Tag.
Cabby frowns but puts the file she has in her hand away. As Journal comes around dragging Suitcase by the handle.
“Can you make sure she doesn’t kill herself while I’m away? Thanks,” Journal says while leaving Suitcase there next to Cabby and then walking away.
Suitcase is on the floor and she remains unmoving. Cabby pauses and then picks her up and puts her onto her feet. All that does is have Suitcase lean into her with all her weight. Luckily for Cabby she is a lot more sturdy than Suitcase so it doesn’t really hurt.
“Don’t you want to do something today?” Cabby asks, no reply from Suitcase.
This niceness routine hasn’t really done Cabby any favors. She sighs and looks around, she doesn’t have the team to deal with this. She has to get her facts straight and her files organized. Also then see when Book is available to help her with getting more facts in her files.
“What are we going to do with you?” Cabby asks with a bit of a smirk and a teasing tone.
“Kill me,” Suitcase says.
“Even when I…” Cabby’s smirk immediately falls, she looks around and frowns.
“You want some help?” A voice says Cabby turns and sees Chrome Gradienty.
“…I do, but-” Cabby begins to say.
“I’m trying to be a better person,” Chrome Gradienty says. “If you’ll just give me a chance,” She says with a smile.
Cabby looks around then sighs.
“Might as well,” Cabby says and hands Suitcase over to Chrome Gradienty then leaves by going up the elevator.
“Here’s how it’s gonna go,” Chrome Gradienty says. “I’ll let you die but you have to promise to say good things about me when they come back for you,”
Suitcase says nothing, only flopping onto the ground.
“…Great,” Chrome Gradienty says. As Fish Taco runs down the stairs and out of the door into the grounds.
“Leafy!” Fish Taco says. “I need your help!”
“Oh hi Taco! I’m sorry but I can’t help right now, but do you know who can?” Leafy asks. “Taco!” Leafy says and slams Taco right onto the ground in front of Fish Taco.
“How did I get here?” Taco asks.
“Good enough!” Fish Taco says and runs away with Taco.
“Guess I’m going this way now,” Taco says.
Fish Taco runs and carries Taco through the building, almost crashing into Liam.
“Hey!” Amelia says.
“Pardon us,” Taco says. “I don’t understand why but she’s in a rush,” She says as she and Fish Taco get farther away.
“Are you okay?” Bryce asks.
“…Yeah, I just don’t want any more death,” Liam says.
“You can say that again,” Vase says. Amelia looks at her skeptically.
“…Maybe it should just be us,” Amelia says to Bryce and Liam.
“She’s here for moral support and to make sure nobody goes off the deep end,” Liam says. “Like a moderator,”
“I think you mean meditator,” Amelia says.
“Oh,” Liam says.
“Let’s just find Taylor and get this over with,” Bryce says.
Luckily they find her a floor above chatting with a bunch of her team members. Cola Bottle is the first to see them approach, almost instantly she points to them. Taylor turns, Liam awkwardly waves.
“Hello!” Cup says happily.
“Uh, hi!” Liam says.
The two groups awkwardly stand across from each other.
“Are you guys gonna talk?” Cup asks.
“Right! Taylor, we want to make sure we are all alright with each other,” Liam says.
“…Okay…” Taylor says.
Another moment of complete silence, Amelia knudges Bryce.
“What? Oh. Uh, I’m sorry for lashing out at you, for, you know, saying that I should’ve gone to the police,” Bryce says.
“Right…” Taylor says. “Guess I’m sorry for lashing out in the first place… you should’ve still gone to the police though,”
Bryce face turns from mostly neutral to angry. Amelia pushes him back.
“Glad we got this sorted out,” Liam says. “I’m really sorry too, I would’ve gone if I knew that the police were looking for me,”
“…Yeah…” Taylor says. “Thanks… See you later,” Taylor says with a wave goodbye.
Bryce only looked more frustrated by the second as Liam, Amelia and Vase push him away from the scene before he blows up at the situation. Eventually they get far enough away to where Taylor can talk to her team.
“That was nice of them to come by and talk to us!” Cup says.
“We really need to teach you social skills,” Treasure Chest says.
“What was that?” Cola Bottle asks, giving a confused look to Taylor..
“Their attempt at an apology I guess,” Taylor says and awkwardly looks to the side away from everyone else.
“Hey,” Cola Bottle says and puts an arm on Taylor’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay,”
“Thanks,” Taylor says with a soft smile.
Bryce is ushered outside for some fresh air which makes the group pass Suitcase being dragged by Chrome Gradienty. The latter is slowly trying to pull Suitcase over to a nearby seat. Finally getting Suitcase up there after an unneeded amount of attempts.
“Let me die,” Suitcase groans out.
“Oh my gosh shut up! This whole dying crap is annoying and out of character! Even I know that!” Chrome Gradienty says.
Suitcase doesn’t say anything instead she lays on the seat as Chrome Gradienty thinks to herself.
“How about…” Chrome Gradienty gets out a piece of paper and draws.
After a moment she shows it to Suitcase, who takes it begrudgingly and looks at it, her eyes go wide.
“It’s so lifelike!” Suitcase says holding onto the drawing of Gold Ingot.
“How about this? If I keep doing that for you, you give me a good report and that way people can like me again!” Chrome Gradienty says with a bright smile.
“This already makes you the best person here,” Suitcase says.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Chrome Gradienty says with a smirk.
“…How is that… what even is that… what color… can that even…” Test Tube says as she’s working on Bot.
“I don’t need to hear every comment,” Bot says looking down and away.
“Sorry, thinking out loud,” Test Tube says. “I… Bot, you have to be honest with me,”
“I said I don’t want to tell you!” Bot says.
“Let me show you what I’m seeing,” Test Tube says and turns her screen to Bot.
Everything is coated in either black or purple. It looks almost like the screen is completely blank, if there didn’t happen to be diagnostic materials on screen as well. Yet Bot knows it’s what they feel, everything that is there makes perfect sense.
Test Tube can see the dread on Bot’s face.
“Bot, you have to tell me what’s going on,” Test Tube says.
“…I don’t know what it is but… when I played Rosey she somehow infected me with this glitch. I’ve been able to see it ever since… and it’s everywhere,” Bot says.
That immediately sends Test Tube into fight or flight mode, her face twists into anger as she begins to walk out of the room.
“I’ll be right back,” Test Tube says then runs out of the room.
Bot would follow her but they don’t feel like they can move. Soon enough Fan enters the room, he shyly waves.
“I’ll be here if you need anything,” Fan says, trying his best to make them comfortable.
Bot knows Fan can’t help.
“I think we can separate after the next challenge, especially if we lose,” Spraypaint says, throwing a ball up and catching it when it comes back down.
“Do we really need to? So soon?” Kit asks. “It’s not like we’re not popular,”
“We’re unstoppable when we’re together!” Spraypaint says.
“Wouldn’t it maybe be better to build up relationships?” Kit asks.
Spraypaint stops and looks at Kit.
“So that way the pain will hurt that much more?” Kit says with a nervous smile.
“This is why you're the smart one,” Spraypaint says. “Maybe this is a bit stupid but I rather it just be us,”
“It won’t be just us after we make that new team, you know that right?” Kit asks.
“Maybe if we push enough people away… maybe we can invite Limey. Nobody really likes him,” Spraypaint says.
“He’s been hanging around that gate girl,” Kit says. “They seem… close,”
“Ooooo, did the mad genius fall in love?” Spraypaint jokes.
Kit can’t help but laugh a little bit.
“I do like that idea, getting to people’s graces… sort of. I think some people hang out around here somewhere… at least a few of ‘em,” Spraypaint says and looks around like she’s going to find them by still sitting in one place.
“Ususally they’re outside… I think,” Kit says.
“Awesome!” Spraypaint says and takes Kit by the hand and runs off.
The two run from their spot but as they go outside, Kit can see Amelia come in. The two make eye contact and Kit can see her getting mad by the millisecond.
Thankfully nothing comes out that.
Amelia lets her anger go and the four of them manage to carefully walk past the places where Taylor could be and back to their rooms. Also passing Taco and Fish Taco.
“That was a very important thing I will say,” Taco says.
“You think I would grab someone for something trivial?” Fish Taco asks.
“We have not particularly conversated so I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea of what you would wish for me to do,” Taco says.
“…Yeah, sure,” Fish Taco says. “Maybe we should get to know each other! You know, we seem so similar,”
“I think that’s really only appearance wise,” Taco says.
“I don’t think we look that much alike,” Fish Taco says. “My hair is completely different!”
“Others would disagree but I digress we should get to know each other,” Taco says. “Let’s start with something simple, favorite color?”
“Oooooo, that’s a good one! I’ve always liked blue!” Fish Taco says.
“Interesting, I say black usually but I’ve been really finding green quite nice lately,” Taco says.
“Oh! What’s your favorite food?” Fish Taco asks. “Mine’s Burritos but I’ve grown a big appetite for pie!” Taco grimaces at that burrito comment but lets it go.
“…I’ve always liked spaghetti,” Taco says. “Personally I prefer drinks, like tea,”
“Totally, I like tea as well! Really helps me meditate!” Fish Taco says.
Test Tube runs past the two as they near their stairs. She has a grand amount of focus and determination on her face.
“Woah!” Fish Taco says.
“She’s like that,” Taco says. “One time she stopped an alien ship with a cannon,”
“Wow,” Fish Taco says.
Test Tube runs down the stairs and outside. She looks around to find Rosey.
“I told them if they can’t handle the heat they shouldn’t be in the kitchen!” Spraypaint says to the group.
“Hahahahahahaha…haha…haha… what does that mean?” Bowling Ball asks.
“It’s a metaphor,” Bouquet says.
“Oh! Awesome! I love metaphors!” Bowling Ball says.
“Cool,” Kit says. “This is pretty cool, we should hang out more,”
“Yay! I love hanging!” Hanger says.
In the back of the group is Rosey looking at a flower. She watches as it waves back and fourth, yet it is flawed not in a natural way but in a wrong way, something’s wrong with the world.
“You,” Test Tube says. Rosey looks up to see her in a completely blind rage.
Rosey stands up and backs away. Everyone in the group turns around in time to see a Test Tube begin to walk forward.
“What did you do to Bot?” Test Tube asks, looking like she’s about to pop a blood vessel, if she had any.
Test Tube steps on the flower, Rosey feels nothing. Instead of answering that question given to her, Rosey pauses then runs. Tripping Test Tube on her way out, thankfully Test Tube catches herself before her contents spill and begins to chase Rosey. Who runs into the forest to avoid Test Tube’s wrath.
“What was that about?” Ring asks.
“She's always been like that,” Taco says still talking about Test Tube as she chases down Rosey. “Honestly, it’s intimidating,”
“She’s pretty cool,” Fish Taco says.
“Yes,” Taco says. “…You and Leafy are friends, correct?”
“Oh yeah! We are,” Fish Taco says. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to steal your girl. I am not about that,”
“I wasn’t worried about that actually, more asking how you became friends with her,” Taco says. “She always said how lonely she’s been, she did mention you a few times and said that your friends but she’s says that about everyone,"
“Makes sense, we got closer on BFB. We really liked to talk and honestly we had a lot in common. I was also exiled a bit and when I heard her side of the story I understood how unfair that could be. So we became fast friends because I was willing to give her a chance and I don’t regret it,” Fish Taco says.
“Interesting,” Taco says. “That’s sort of how me and her became entwined as well. My exile was more deserving that both of yours combined. Yet she was so… friendly, even to someone like me. I’ve had friends, yes, yet I never really called them that but when she invited me onto a team. Trusted me enough to do that… I didn’t know what to feel,”
“…Aw!” Fish Taco says with a smile. “That’s so sweet… what were you exiled for though?”
“I stole the prize but it wasn’t because anyone betrayed me, it was because I was greedy and I wanted the money. Didn’t even know what I wanted it for… but I’m trying to be better,” Taco says.
“That’s what we’re all trying to do,” Fish Taco says, Taco smiles at that.
“I think I saw them come out of the forest,” Taco says, looking back out the window.
Test Tube is still chasing Rosey. No matter how much it takes. At this point Rosey has thrown most of the non lethal stuff she can do at Test Tube. As they run out of the forest all Rosey can do now is find a way to get her off her trail. A few more bumps but Test Tube only slightly trips once then. Rosey throws a wall at her, she pauses due to the force but then resumes running again almost immediately. Rosey then propels herself up and lunges an attack at Test Tube which gets her easily in its grasp. Rosey takes her and uses the force to to throw her as far as she possibly can. Then sets herself down. Walking away into the building.
“She killed her,” Both Tacos say at the same time and immediately run downstairs. Seeing Rosey entering into the lobby.
As they avoid her, Chrome Gradienty is drawing another picture unaware of the chaos unfolding. As Suitcase looks happily at the drawings also unaware. The elevator opens and out wheels Cabby.
She smiles as she sees the display before her, an actual happy Suitcase even if Chrome Gradienty looks more smug than happy at this development.
“Wow,” Cabby says. “How did you do it?”
“What can I say? I’m just different,” Chrome Gradienty says. “Also I drew her pictures that seemed to help,”
Cabby looks down and sees Suitcase enamored with one of these pictures and smiles. Then looks back up.
“I’ll take her off your hands now… thank you,” Cabby says and then takes Suitcase and puts her on herself and the two roll away.
Chrome Gradienty lets out a genuine smile, then frowns.
“That took a lot out of me,” She says then walks away back to her room.
She’s replace by Kit and Spraypaint as they walk into the lobby of the hotel.
“We are too good at this,” Spraypaint says stretching herself out. Kit gives the display a small smile.
“…Do you ever think…” Kit pauses for a moment. “We’ve done too much?”
“Wadda you mean?” Spraypaint asks.
“I mean, to the people around us, we’ve kinda messed them up in some ways. I don’t think Amelia wants anything to do with me, anyone else who I betrayed looks at me like I’m disgusting and even people who’ve heard what I’ve done are mostly ignoring me,” Kit says.
“…Pfffft. Don’t care what they think,” Spraypaint says. “It’s a game, games are meant to be played, games are meant to be won,”
“I don’t know,” Kit says. “What if after all of this, nobody can look us in the eyes?”
“We’ll still be able to look each other in the eyes,” Spraypaint says, with a dead serious tone, Kit laughs.
“Got me there,” Kit says.
“Test Tube,” The robotic voice of the recovery center says as it shoots her out to the ground.
Out pops out Test Tube who’s immediately caught by Fan before she hits the ground and spills all her contents. She’s set up carefully as she rubs her head a bit. Bot is on the other side of her.
“I refuse to let her get away with this,” Test Tube says.
“…I think she already has,” Bot says. “It’s not getting better,”
Bot watches as the glitches spike and fall. They come in waves, it is a tranquil sight yet a terrifying one. They consume Bot’s vision and leave with nothing but a scene of dread within Bot.
“Let’s get you fixed up,” Test Tube says and takes Bot by the hand as they go up to their rooms.
Rosey has been looking at the conversation from the forest near them. She frowns, not in a mad way but a sad way. She walks away, going further into the forest. Which the glitches follow her into. They would consume her if she couldn’t already feel them in her thorns.
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