Time Flies [II AU]

Four

When he opened his eyes again, a red paper fan had climbed into the back of the van and was now sitting with Test Tube. He glanced at MePhone, then back at the vial.

"I've read a lot of the files about this model," The fan remarked, "and he seems very.. spirited, I guess? I don't know.."

Test Tube looked at him questioningly.

"Well, I- uh...," He continued hastily, "I'm just saying that he's a bit more... considerate? More than the other models, anyways."

"Fan, what are you trying to say?"

"I mean.. I just.." He looked a bit flustered, so much so that MePhone couldn't help but think about what a nerd he must be. "I don't really want to, quote unquote, 'terminate' someone who's just as knowledgeable as we are."

Test Tube stared at him for a few moments, then sighed. "Fan, we talked about this-"

"I don't like this job." Fan interrupted her, averting his gaze. "It just doesn't feel right."

MePhone observed the scene with narrowed eyes. The idea that this was a dream was slowly fading away.

"Fan.." Test Tube's tone softened. "I told you. We've been working here for who knows how long. Plus, we... don't really have a choice."

"But what if we did have a choice?" Fan retorted indignantly. His voice rose, startling the lightbulb awake. "I'm sure that we could all get respectable careers instead of working like this. I don't like this.... Lightbulb doesn't like this!" He glanced at Lightbulb. She quickly looked down at her feet. "Getting rid of old technology, yeah, I get that, but.. sentient ones? You've got to be-"

"Fan." An assertive voice cut in from the driver's seat. Fan reluctantly fell silent. "Now's not the time, so.. please. Cut it out. We're almost at the junkyard... we can talk about this afterwards."

"...Fine, Paintbrush. I'll just.. 'cut it out.'"

"..."

"..."

"Why can't we talk about this now?" MePhone finally spoke up, not a trace of hesitance in his voice. He knew if he was going to get himself out of this, it was either now or never. "Why are you doing this? What if you could work somewhere else... Have better jobs instead of just destroying old technology? Who says that you have to work for Meeple?"

He didn't know much about their situation, so this was all he thought he should say. He stared at the objects in the van, holding his breath in the quietness.

"..This isn't any of your business." Test Tube finally replied stiffly.

"And who says it isn't?" MePhone retaliated. "You barge into my peaceful life just so you can keep a job half of you don't even like?"

This definitely shut her up. She looked to the side.

An awkward silence.

"He's right, you know." Lightbulb said quietly.

MePhone had the urge to sigh with relief, but he remained silent.

His mind drifted to other thoughts when he registered the fact that nobody would talk for a while. He was worried about MePad. Where was he?

He couldn't search the van since he was still incapacitated, and because he was worried about the scenario where he searched the van and MePad wasn't there. He couldn't help but worry about Toilet as well, though he'd never want to admit it out loud.

He looked out the tinted window of the van and realized that they were slowing down. He wanted to stand up and open the window, and he tried, but he was still unable to move.