[o]

[cueball]

Phone

[So Scratch finished his census and he is just really bored. Time to pick up that phone.]

That census was a chore to fill out. Honestly, I'm hoping for something less droll than last year's battle royale murder spree. Killing is also boring and tedious. Well, there are consequences for it now. But, that doesn't change how anti-climatic it is. And if they choose to run it again, then it will only be because they are running out of creative ideas and just want to see everyone turning against each other. [A dramatic sigh, done only for dramatic purposes.] We'll see what happens. I won't make any bets either way, by way of not being a gambling man.

And, that reminds me: I wrote a note to myself after that series of events ended last year that I would send gift baskets to the ones I took out. My apologies for letting that slip my mind. The human mind is not good for flawless memory storage and retrieval, unlike my original head.

Let me see - Nall, Ilsa Higa, Charles Fei-Ong and Sanae Hanekoma. If any of you are still around, tell me what you want in your gift basket. Food, clothes, essential household items, if it fits in I'll send it over. If you don't reply I will assume that you are still in a sour mood over the events of the last year and not send you one out of respect of that mood. That or you're droned. Either or. If it's the former, I advise you that being bitter is not a very good way to live. It wasn't at all a personal affair or one done out of hatred. The first time is always the hardest they say. [tl;dr, stop being mad that I murdered it, it was my first "crazy thing" going on in Mayfield.]

One more other thing: Bernkastel, would you like a rematch? Our fight was undecided and we never had the chance to make it up. We could do something else that is less taxing on our power if you choose to. I know you enjoy games of chess, for example.

And yes, because I am sure you are dying to know, I am that Doc Scratch. The one with a cheap gold trophy in the roller rink I never visit. I saved you several moments of suspicious thoughts toward my message. No need to thank me.

[It's hard, being Doc Scratch and bored. So hard...]

Comments

[cuestickgenius]

Wait. You're Scratch?

[let's pretend I didn't abandon that thread out of pure failure and embarrassment and they played a perfectly normal pool game that, much to his chagrin, droog lost]

[cueball]

[its ok i still love you......]

Yes, I am. Doc Scratch, to be more precise, but Scratch is fine so long as it comes without confusion. [ie The Scratch, but not that Droog knows or cares about it.]

[cuestickgenius]

[/)_(\]

Well this explains a lot.

[cueball]

What does it explain?

[Not that he doesn't already have a general idea of what he means.]

[cuestickgenius]

Why you're a smug bastard who is uncannily good at pool. And why I felt the need to bash your head in that whole game.

[cueball]

Haa Haa.

Just because the gang follows a theme toward pool, much like Midnight Crew follows playing cards, doesn't mean it contributes to my skill. And really, wanting to bash heads is just because you're so violent.

[cuestickgenius]

Your head inspires it more than most. I had a hard time keeping the cue aimed at the white ball on the table.

[cueball]

Hee Hee.

Well, my real head is a cueball. So, your desire to nudge me across the pool table is understandable. Not that I would allow it - don't get cocky because you managed to kill the others.

[cuestickgenius]

Heh. Can't know until I've tried.

[cueball]

Your boss already did. He wasn't successful. I don't have many hopes that you will fare better, despite your heightened natural intelligence.

[cuestickgenius]

Idiot probably ran in by himself.

But you're welcome to keep thinking that, you smug bastard.

[cueball]

He had no choice. All of you were dead in the timeline that led him to my doorstep. And I don't need to think - I know. Consider it one of my many natural skills and what makes me a suitable officer of Lord English.

[cuestickgenius]

Out of all your time bullshit, predestination has got to be one of the most obnoxious.

[cueball]

I think it's actually one of my favorites. That something will certainly happen and almost certainly already has. And it's his calling card - already being here, that is. But, I suppose to someone who has a thing for murdering time travelers, it must be bothersome for you.

[cuestickgenius]

Yeah. It also lends itself to being a smug bastard like you.

[cueball]

I have a right to be smug. I'm omniscient, omnipotent, charismatic, very good looking and can best you in pool.

[cuestickgenius]

Three out of five is a majority, I guess.