by Paul Vayro
Chapter Twenty Three
“….nobody will admit it of course but it is true.” They shared his wisdom with Coincidence.
“Why don’t you prove it? Stop everyone getting it wrong.” Coincidence followed the conversation with sincerity. The two concepts sat atop sandbags awaiting the return of Team A. Karma and Irony stood twenty feet away, discussing something that required a dismissive glance to be thrown at Coincidence every few minutes.
“It isn’t my place to prove things. I merely put the truth out there. It’s for the people to choose whether to believe it or not.”
“Truth?” Coincidence smiled as the two trickled through aimless banter.
“Well, potential truths.” They defended his words.
“And by definition, not ‘the’ truth.”
“Ah but what is truth? Is it the fundamental belief that what we say to be correct or the proven tests of man to verify his ideas? Did Einstein’s theory make Newton before him a liar? If so will Einstein one day be considered a fibber of epic proportions as his theory is usurped? The truth shifts my friend but belief remains.” They nodded; convinced he’d made his point.
“No matter how hard you believe it rice won’t ever be chopped up strands of spaghetti.”
“We’ll see.” It was always difficult to tell when They was being serious. Generally the other concepts would presume he was winding them up. They were prepared to look silly on the odd occasion he meant what he said.
Coincidence turned and looked out across Puddleton just in time to catch the bald head of Spiritwind passing across the ground beneath them. Such timing was a perk of the job.
“I think Team A are back.” Nudging They, the pair stood and wandered over to the door to greet the returning gaggle. Passing Karma and Irony on the way, a snippet leaked from the ladies discussion.
“I wish he’d just be straight with me.” Irony had been confiding in Karma about liking Coincidence.
“Men are never straight. They say one thing but they always mean something else. It’s our job as women to find the true meaning behind everything they utter. Believe me some of the things you interpret are shocking. Fate told me last week he would do anything to see my smile last forever.” The look of scorn left Irony confused but unwilling to admit it.
“Really?” Irony hoped Karma would illuminate the situation.
“If he thinks I’m depressed and bring him down he can just say it to my face. There’s no need for such underhand comments. He regretted it when he made me a bacon sandwich to cheer me up. You wouldn’t think a slip with a bread knife could cause such a wound.”
“I clearly have a lot to learn.” Irony felt puzzled. She threw an irritated look Coincidence’s way without even thinking. He turned back to the door. “And now he won’t even look at me.” She turned to Karma, eager to learn. The lesson was interrupted by the emergence of Fate through the doorframe.
“We have news of success.” Fate let his actions do the talking and stood to one side. He revealed Spiritwind in nonchalant pose.
“You were expecting the little alien to be stood here weren’t you?”
“Yes I was. Where is he?” Fate’s embarrassment turned quickly in to investigation.
“He’s on the stairs, winding Brick up.” Fut entered in his usual manner, assuring the group Brick was on his way. Spiritwind and Fate took a seat as they waited. By the time Brick arrived general chit chat had broken out amongst the concepts, taking away any sense of drama his entrance may have had. He carried a stereotypical looking alien under one arm.
Having struggled to coax Zarg up the stairs Brick realised he was far bigger and stronger than the alien and could simply lift him. He released Zarg once far enough from the exit, or entrance depending on your intentions. Zarg scuttled a few feet before turning to face Brick. Brick had a statement to make.
“And that my little friend is why your attempted takeover is doomed.” Brick flexed to accentuate his point.
“Why, because you can carry me up stairs? Firstly: your ability to carry me has no bearing on the current situation. Your people are frozen whereas mine are in the midst of the most ingenious plan the universe has ever known. Secondly: it took you five minutes to work out you could pick me up. Thirdly: you’re an idiot, and fourthly: I’ve got your wallet.” Brick began to mouth a response before realising what Zarg had just said. His face opted for confusion as the body went into panicked search mode. Brick’s wallet remained in his pocket, much to his relief.
“And fifthly: I can fool you whenever I wish.” Zarg emanated enough smug to power a small village for nigh on fifteen minutes.
“Maybe we should tie the prisoner to something.” Fate intervened as Brick threw a punch with his eyes.
“Good idea. Then he can’t move when I clock him.”
“I’m afraid I can’t condone that. The prisoner should be secured for the purpose of questioning though.” Fate added procedure to the adventure as Zarg searched for hiding places. He wasn’t quick enough as Brick grabbed the belt that still restrained one arm. After acknowledging and greeting the other concepts with a subtle nod, Brick headed to the far corner where a swivel chair sat. It faced a sheet of wood covered in building plans and appeared to double as a desk. Sitting the alien down, Zarg began to speak.
“Do I not get a say in this?”
“You’re the prisoner, we’re the captors. It’s a very simple and clear cut line. You do as we say.” Brick felt obliged to explain.
“Its discrimination you know. It’s because I ‘m green isn’t it?” Zarg had studied the social history of humanity.
“Nope, it’s because you’re trying to take over the planet.” Brick didn’t entertain the argument.
“How do you know that for sure? How do you know it isn’t those new ‘friends’ of yours that are trying to take over the planet and I’m here to save you?” Zarg’s eyes flashed with cunning. Brick mulled the idea over.
“That is a possibility. Unfortunately you didn’t think to say that when we first met. Instead you said you were here to take over the world.” Brick gave the belt an extra tight pull.
“I did, didn’t I?” Zarg remembered and cursed his impetuous nature.
“You did. I may be an idiot but I’ve got a memory. Good try though.” Brick stood up satisfied with his efforts. He felt confident the alien was securely fastened to the chair, the chairs position in time and space required no questioning. “If we weren’t pitted on opposite sides of Good and Evil I think we may get along, in a big brother little brother manner.” Brick revealed an olive branch.
“You mean constantly arguing and fighting?” Zarg questioned the branch.
“Exactly, but with no lasting malice.” Brick beamed at his first attempts at tying up an evil doer within his new hero capacity. Wiping his hands together he turned to rejoin the others. Zarg cursed beneath his breath before trying a different tactic.
“Can I come, if we’re like brothers?”
“No.” Brick answered without turning.
“Why?” Zarg kicked his feet.
“Because you’re still the prisoner and the prisoner has to be tied up.” Brick still didn’t turn.
“Who says?”
“The rules; it always comes back to the rules.” Brick approached a conversation with They and Coincidence while Zarg huffed and puffed about life and its unfair nature. Fate had been pulled to one side by Karma, who had interpreted his latest smile to mean he’d been chatting to another woman. Devoid of a conversation partner Irony looked towards Coincidence, scorning every glance he tried to reciprocate. Fut stood at the edge of the floor gazing out on Puddleton as Spiritwind sat nearby eating cherry drops he’d stored up the sleeve of his T-shirt. The group were slowly gelling, slow being the operative word.
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