first { video

[gleans]

[ The communicator comes on in the middle of some confused button-pressing, so don't be alarmed when it goes from video to audio, then back to video. Have a nice view of Galen's face at an awkward angle. ]

-- ou mean, new home? What the hell does that mean? Hello? Jesse?

[ The angle gets a little less weird as he lifts the communicator to eye level and peers at it under his glasses. He then drops them back onto his nose and moves his arm back a few inches from his face, showing the ajar front door of one of the houses (number sixteen, actually) behind him. ]

Hello? Can anyone hear this? What the fuck just happened to me? [ He swallows anxiously and looks around the area outside the house. ] ... Hello?

Comments

[goodluckkobra]

I'm your brother, shit-for-brains. Fuck, you really did hit your head, didn't you? Shitfuck!

[gleans]

[ St... ares??? ] I don't have a brother!

[goodluckkobra]

You have always been my big brother, you stupid piece of dog shit! Where are you? I'm comin' to get you and bring you home.

[gleans]

[ Yeah, he's freaked out now. Galen laughs anxiously. ] No! Like hell I'm telling you where I am. [ Pssst, the house number is visible behind him. ]

[ Action ]

[goodluckkobra]

[It takes Kobra a minute to notice and then he just rolls his eyes and cuts the feed]

[A few minutes later, he comes running from his house.]

Party!

[gleans]

[ Whoa, whoa, whoa. Galen puts his hands up defensively when he sees Kobra coming. WHERE'S THE PARTY ANYWAY ]

Look, man, I said fuck off! I'm not your brother, alright?

[goodluckkobra]

Then who the fuck do you think you are? Fuckin' Princess Peach?

[gleans]

[ INCREDULOUS. ] My name is Galen, I'm from fucking New York, and I've never seen you before in my life. Who the hell are you?

[goodluckkobra]

[His eyes nearly roll out of his head.] You're Party. I'm Kobra. We're from Jersey, but we live in California now.

[gleans]

[ He actually sounds a little frightened as he speaks, this time (although he's drying his damn best not to), backing up towards the door of the house. ]

Look, back off. I'm seriously not who you think I am.

[goodluckkobra]

Prove it. [Seriously, he's not buying this at all. He has to take care of his brother!]

[gleans]

[ His mouth drops open, and he closes it, not even sure what to say. He could prove who he is to someone easily, but how does he prove that he isn't someone to someone who doesn't believe him anyway? ]

How? You obviously don't believe anything I'm telling you.

[goodluckkobra]

I don't know. The burden of proof is on you, man. [Damn it, this would be easier if he had some backup...]

[gleans]

Wait. [ AH HA. He pats at his back pockets, then pulls out a wallet (NOT A GUN, IT'S OKAY) and from there, he pulls out a New York State driver's licence, turns it towards Kobra's face. There's a picture where he looks sort of dead, and his info: HOWARD GALEN, A. Manhattan address. DOB: 02-03-82. SEX: M, EYES: BR, HT: 5-08. Happy? ]

This and my word are all I've got, man, I'm not your brother. I just fucking woke up here.

[goodluckkobra]

[Kobra makes grabby hands at the license.]

You've had fakes. It's an old fake, right? You woke up and you couldn't remember and you found that and you think it's you, but it's not.

[He's starting to sound legitimately upset. He needs his brother!]

[gleans]

[ Galen lets him take it, but watches very closely to make sure he doesn't like... break it, or something. ]

Look, I'm sorry, but no. I have a career, I have a life, I even have a fucking credit card in here. Ask me anything, I didn't just pick up an ID from some random fucking wallet.

[goodluckkobra]

[This isn't happening. This can't be happening. He shakes his head.]

Just come home with me. We'll figure this out together. You have to trust me. 'M all you've got.

[gleans]

No. [ But he looks unsure; so much weird shit has already happened. What if this is part of it? And Kobra looks so sincere -- and upset. The look doesn't last long, though. He's got to be sure of himself. He knows who the fuck he is. He reaches to swipe his licence back. ] No, I'm not going with you.

[goodluckkobra]

God damn it, yes you are. I will drag you kicking and screaming, you stupid piece of shit!

[He starts to close in on Galen.]

[gleans]

[ And Galen starts to back up, trying to get closer to the door to... uh, get inside. He doesn't have a plan beyond that. ]

Don't you fucking touch me!

[goodluckkobra]

It's for your own good, shit-for brains.

[He lunges forward and swings his fist at Galen.]

[gleans]

Sto --

[ Galen tries to dodge away, but his back bumps the door, and the hit connects. There's a burst of colour in his vision, then white -- then black, as he crumples to the ground, unconscious. ]

[goodluckkobra]

Idiot brothers making my life harder...

[He's mumbling to himself as he gets a grip on Galen and starts to drag him.]

[gloryisbullshit]

Idiot what-now? [CLAP! APPLAUD! It's Party Poison, rounding the bend all casual like nothing's fuckin going on! He shoves his hand-made hood off his head (it's fuckin cold anymore, man) and scowls at Kobra's armload.] Hi, so--date rape?

[goodluckkobra]

[Kobra flops Galen onto his back and does an honest-to-God double take.]

What the in the fucking shit-eating hell?!