". . . SEE THINGS 2 THE [[Bitter End]] . . . " That was a gut-tangling thought. After all, time had been immensely, immensely, immensely cruel. With time came riches, with time came fame. Time becomes loss. Time becomes [[The Fall]]. Time becomes misery, destruction, rot, and isolation. With time, things would only get worse.
When you've fallen that far, your despair becomes your identity. Nobody recognizes you. You writhe in a hell of your own making, one you cannot control. All outside entities feel hostile. Traitors. Traitors. Traitors. Tr
...Yet, something in the way they said it. Something in their voice, it was... different. Lacking something, yet ringing truer than ever.
For the first time in a while, he was quiet. Pensive. Glasses seeming to morph into empty sockets, only to shift back to their natural state, then back again. One could almost hear a dial-up tone...
"CHAT??? [Are They CooKing] ???? EV3N IF YOU A RE STILL ST1NGY wITH [Deals So Fine They Blow Your Mind], YOU'RE ST1LL MAKiNG [Cents]."
He needed more friends. Even if they'd betray him like the rest, their usefulness would outweigh the pain. That was clearly what Kris had intended with their words.
Shield! Peppina's got her trusty pizza cutters, and looking particularly furious at some cheap shots being made against the other...
— close call! Hadn't noticed the danger looming behind him until what looked to be a schoolgirl intercepted them. Funny, she was dressed very similarly to himself ... was she another of his various selves, maybe?
Whoever she was, she'd saved his ass.
" Grazie mille! I got your back! " he thanked her, shooting her a quick thumbs up before producing his OWN pizza cutter buzzsaw from — actually he wasn't sure. Whatever. Not the biggest of his concerns, in the moment. The saw revved dangerously before he followed after her into the crowd.
It wasn't long after that the show just wrapped up the last round for the day. Seeing the audience attendance dwindle due to their fears meant they couldn't do as many recordings as they normally would in a day, which was not what Banana was used to (for the rest of the staff, it was both a relief and a concern.)
The good thing about being in the Hollywood industry and already feeling like eyes are constantly on him and his actions for long enough is knowing how to act the way the audience want him to. Can't show fear, can't show regret , can't show that the stress of recent thoughts and events was getting to him, either. Showbiz, amirite?
Stupid Fake Noise making his audience be wary of gameshows with toon-heavy gimmicks, juice blenders, and the feeling of constantly being watched...
"Well. It's better than no-shows for no shows. I better go find Dandie and the boys to head back home, then-"
The sound of the gameshow stage's main doors abruptly opening took him out of his thoughts.
What's that big red blur heading his way? Apple-?
@scriptdeviant asked:
Pepperman BURSTS through the studio, in typical Pepperman fashion, skidding to a stop before the Dancing Banana. Is. Is he even aware of the happenings right now? Before there's even time to question him, the pepper gave a dramatic bow - With glittering teeth included. My GOD. He isn't aware, is he?
Once opened, the letter of recommendation would read:
"Don't change your expression or react strongly when you read this. Don't say anything about this message, and don't tell anyone where you're going. Any of the camera feeds I have set up are now his.
I've thought this through, and you're the only one that can reach me without being spotted. See me as soon as possible. Attached are the coordinates.
Oh! And offer the pepper a job painting something, I guess. -PH."
❝ I keep my portfolio on me at all times, if it helps. ❞ He continued to grin. Just as instructed, he hadn't peeked. Blissfully unaware of the letter's actual contents...
...Oh. Nope. Just another pompous pepper.
DB couldn't even get a word in before being given the envelope. A 'letter of recommendation'? He was surprised anybody was still willing to ask for work with the way things are at.
"Well, well, well. Let's see what we have, here." Eh, what the heck, he'll see what it had to say. Would be rude to send him off without at least giving it a quick read...
..............
.............. And boy, was he right on the mark with his earlier instinct on this one.
Remember when we said at the top of this post that the Dancing Banana was really good at acting? Well, here comes another example of that.
"...Hmm. We could use some much needed Artistic Integrity." Wasting no time to place that letter in his Hammerspace Inventory, DB gave Pepperman the good ol' 'CEO-Approved Handshake'.
"Tell you what - we are kinda closing up shop for the day, but I can assure ya that the next time I need a paint job done, you'll be the first I'll go to ask. I can also assure ya that any of your work done for Shovelware Studios property will be credited in full and paid accordingly. How's that sound?"
❝ I almost feel ... naughty. ❞ Pepperman suppressed some giggles as he poured what could only be some of the most ancient wine he'd ever laid his eyes upon. Sure, Pizzahead never elaborated on why they were in the bunker, but that didn't mean they couldn't make the most of it ... right? He was sure it was valid for whatever reason he had to be here. ❝ What movie did we decide on again? ❞
Looks like Pepperman decided to stick around a bit! Not that Pizzahead minded this time, he could use the company while he takes a breather down here. He could've SWORN there was a reason why he was down here to begin with, but... oh well! It probably wasn't that bad after all. Maybe he'll go back up in a few days.
He shuffled through a few VHS tapes, attempting to recall the ones they'd settled on just a moment ago.
"Weeeeeeell, lemme seeeee... we got Eyes Without a Face, The Man Who Laughs, and... The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! Let's just go in that order, yeah?"
Popping in the first film, he reached for his own glass of wine—the 1800's really were a great time for wine, he's glad he saved a few crates! He sat back on the couch, watching intently as the tape started rolling through its initial screens.
Reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaching across the room for the bowl of popcorn he almost forgot about, he offered it to his trusty employee.
Such a shame his other employees never offered to hang out. ESPECIALLY Fake Peppino, er, Zucchini. The guy's practically Pizzahead's son!
...OH RIGHT, THE NEW CLONE. THAT'S WHAT HE FORGOT ABOUT.
You're running 'round in circles
But you won't find no better than this
And after all your searching
You've come back to the place that you've missed
But I'm closin' up for the season
I see you out there, you're freezin'
But I'm never letting you back in again
Olimar chewed on the botanist's words a moment. She wasn't entirely wrong in her reaction. He coined their name, after all! Naming them after one of his planet's most popular exports, it was easy to personify the hearty tuber as one of his loyal Pikmin from time to time.
An admission he's not entirely ready to voice. (He was exhausted, okay?)
The hocotatian wasn't one to give up so easily! He was determined to at least get the Koppaite to give them a taste, even if it took all evening! A few thoughtful taps to his chin was enough to stir up his first idea. "I understand, my friend. I won't press any further if it truly makes you that uncomfortable, but.."
"Would you be willing to try them in a different form?" He asks, offering a warm smile in return.
