Video

[guitar_hero]

[he's hanging out in the tree house. Where else would he be? He's artistically not looking quite at the mirror, but near enough. He points theatrically at the camera]

Hey, babies. What's going on. [he hasn't had the mirror or much of anything in the past long however]

Been a bit bored. Doing some slight renovating as you can see. [he gestures vaguely]

I'm thinking of painting but I haven't yet decided on the color. I'm also slowly dying inside but enough about me, how are you?

Comments

[takeitsleazy]

Hey! ... You're not missing after all, that's good. Someone said you were.

[guitar_hero]

I mean, I have been. I like to think of it as a sabbatical. An escape from the...excitement of life. [he may not sound entirely convincing]

[takeitsleazy]

Funny, I don't think you've ever once wanted to escape excitement, just boredom.

But - hey! Did you know? I went back home. For a really long time, but it was only a week here, and I have so much stuff to tell you about what happened to the Good Place, and the Neighborhood, and everything. You're not going to believe how much.

[guitar_hero]

I was being facetious a little. Humor to escape numbness and pain. The driving ennui of the universe on one hand, having to save it every ten seconds on the other.

I could believe it. I went back too. Things happened, are happening, have yet to happen and will have had happened. That's the nature of it.

[takeitsleazy]

Facetious, right. Sorry. That one still eludes me sometimes, even after ... everything. But we fixed the Good Place! Everyone made it, just like we wanted. And ... and even better? Doc, I got to be human. I'm not a fire squid anymore! ... well except on full moons now that I'm back...

[guitar_hero]

I understand. It's all in the juxtaposition, the incongruity of it. Of course it depends on the person because some people are comedic deadpan and are sincere. But if something is delivered in a flat dry tone, talking about something you feel is strange or not likely to be true, it's likely to be sarcasm to either be funny or mask some underlying depression or pain.

[just saying]

[and then a faint smile]

Human, hm? How did you find it?

[takeitsleazy]

It was great! I even learned how to play the guitar properly. We can jam now: you and I! I can teach you my new songs. I wrote a few, you're gonna really love them. Maybe ... do you think that would help with the depression or the pain? I hope so.

[he loves you, roomie, and he worries.]

Do you need to talk about it over ice cream?

[creepyoldguy]

Where the HELL have you been?! Lydia went off looking for your stupid ass and now she’s been kidnapped and I have to murder a guy!

[guitar_hero]

Ly-- why did she go off looking? Where did she end up? I've been here for the past few weeks. [this seems alarming]

Did she get caught by some corroded?

[creepyoldguy]

Some asshat came on the network.

...There was a notice on the board about you being gone. Lydia’s pal Misery pointed it out.

[guitar_hero]

Uhh I must have missed it. I lost the mirror.

[or couldn't find it. Same thing]

What did the notice say? [he doesn't know a Misery but there's a lot that has changed]

Which asshat? There are so many.

[creepyoldguy]

Said that you were missing and asked for three people to come help you. Lydia was worried.

[He huffed.]

Your pal. “Missy”.

[Another huff, hair flaring red]

A new one.

[guitar_hero]

[just this.]

I'll fix it.

[how? he didn't know]

Does anyone know where they are now?

[creepyoldguy]

Hostages. Guy wants munny, so I’m getting him munny.

[He’d murder him later. Once Lydia was safe.]

[guitar_hero]

Right. I'll deliver it. I-- just need-- to get to the stables first.

[creepyoldguy]

I’ll go.

[It would be easier to make the fella pay in person.]

[guitar_hero]

Right. I'll meet you at the stables. [a pause and then] Bring some friends.