(no subject)

[spit_it_out]

Bruce follows Guppy into the infirmary. He's not surprised to see Javert in exactly the same the same place he left him. He lies on his back, face turned away from the door. His eyes are open, but he doesn't show any interest in his surroundings. An empty water jug says he's been drinking water, but a plate of food lies untouched on the table within reach. The remains of his uniform sit on the chair next to the bed.

Bruce shoots a look at Guppy - see? - then he takes a seat across the room. He'll listen, but everything screams at him to leave this well alone.

Comments

[spit_it_out]

Bruce, in truth, was trying to hide a smile when Javert gave in to Guppy's matter-of-fact treatment of him. But nothing else about this is funny.

'I outright told him this wasn't Purgatory. He just won't hear it. Maybe he'll get the idea once you get him out of here.'

He looks to the bathroom door.

'He needs a shrink. I mean, I'm no expert. But unless you know how to get through to him...'

He spreads his hands. And then stops.

'Does he know how to work anything in that room?'

[guppy_sandhu]

"He certainly needs psychiatric input, but it would probably help to acclimatise him first."

Guppy thinks.

"Good point. You reckon he's decent?"

[spit_it_out]

'...only one way to find out.'

His face has rather you than me written all over it.

[guppy_sandhu]

Beat.

"We can send a waitrat. Have you met the infirmary waitrats yet?" Guppy asks, going to the office to try and find them.

The older rat is curled up having a sleep on a little cushion. Two other rats are playing tetris on the computer between them.

"That's Aesclepius having a doze." he says. "He's getting on a bit so don't work him too hard. That's Work Experience bouncing on the space bar, and Backup is on the arrow keys. They're mirror images because Backup got sort of cloned from him during the apocalypse." Beat. "Can you two pause that for a minute, I need you to go and check whether the guy in the bathroom has clothes on and whether he knows how to work the tap."

He leans over and taps on the P button. The two waitrats scurry off towards the bathroom.

[spit_it_out]

Bruce follows, because meeting the rats is probably a good idea.

He ends up staring. A lot.

'I've been Bound for months, and that is, without question, the weirdest thing I've seen yet.'

A moment later, the bathroom door opens. Javert is still dressed, and is holding one of the rats at arm's length, by the scruff of its neck. Guppy is getting the full force of his glare, as if the creature is some sort of personal affront.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy moves over and very gently takes Work Experience off Javert.

"Don't worry, he's squeaky clean. Do you know how to operate the shower?"

Work Experience scurries up Guppy's shoulder, sits there, and makes vaguely rude paw gestures at Javert.

[never_shall_yield]

The rat is uncouth. And unnaturally gifted. He glares at it, then at Guppy some more.

'No.'

The sound of running water suggests that experimentation has yielded results in the bath. There had even been a moment of appreciation for the efficiency of this method of tub-filling, though there is no sign of it now.

'Go away.'

He shuts the door.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Okay. Sorry!"

Guppy takes the three waitrats, and starts writing a note for Charles.

"Bruce? Don't take that as a successful example for teaching."