We pulled my trusty old Trans-Am into the garage of a random old gas station that Dr. D had called home(at least for this week). Girl leaned over the center from her spot in the back seat and smiled wide.
“We’re here!” She yelled, climbing over Kobra Kid and kneeing him right in the balls.
“OW!” he cried, cupping them as soon as Girl was out of the car. We then followed Girl, and got out of my car.
If there was one person that made you happy just from seeing them, that person is definitely Show Pony. He rolled his fabulous self out of the main section of the old garage and stuck a pose. He was dressed in his famous white and blue polka dot leggings, a black thong over that, and his cut off, white T-shirt that read NOISE across the chest.
“Well helloooooo, Gorgeous!” he said, as Girl ran up to him.
“SHOW PONY!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his legs and hugging him tightly.
“How’s my little motorbaby?”
“I’m awesome!” Grace smiled, pulling back from the hug. “I stole a ton of batteries and a beamer today!”
“Really, Little Lady? And where is this beamer.”
“Party Poison took it away” She pouted, crossing her arms. “He said I’m too young.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure that it’s for a good reason.”
“Is Dr. D in?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’s in the transmission room” Pony replied. I nodded, and then looked over to Ghoul. He nodded as well, almost as if he knew I was going in there to inform my boss of my impeding death.
Show Pony had really made this place shiny. He had hung up a shiny disco ball on the ceiling and there were banners and old posters. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Maiden, and Kiss. These were bands that I had loved since before I was stuck in this hell hole. To the left of me was a desk, covered in papers, maps and plans. To my right, was a gross ass, unclean window, with a large shatter in the glass. In front of me, there hung the same flag on the back of Jet Star’s jacket, only larger. The flag was above another desk, which held all the equipment for transmitting orders, music and news.
“And remember, Tumbleweeds” Doctor Death Defying said into his microphone, “Die with your mask on and never let them take you alive. Dr. D, signing off”
“Good show,” I said, walking over to the desk at the left and leaning against it. “Will you be broadcasting my funeral too?”
“You’ve always been extremely cynical” he replied, using the joystick to maneuver his wheelchair.
“You know what I say, nothin’ better than a jaded mother fucker dying of radiation poisoning,” I retorted, pulling off my scarf and to show off the rash.
“Radio Rash”
“I’m dying, Dr. D”
“Looks like it. You know, that could be easily cured in Batt…”
“I’m not going there. “ Doctor Death Defying sighed and nodded.
“How long do you think you’ve got?”
“Month maybe.” I answered, shrugging my shoulders. “I just found it this morning.”
“Anyone know?”
“Just Fun Ghoul”
“What are you gonna do ‘bout Grace?” he asked.
That was a good question. I didn’t know. I had promised to protect the girl until Better Living Industries was gone, but it looked like I would be dust before that even happened. Girl would be alone, without my protection. A baby chick in a nest full of snakes.
“I’ll figure it out” I said.
“Better do it soon.”
I stepped outside of the garage and sat down on the closest step I could find. I never used to think about my mortality. I was carefree, did everything on a whim. You only live once right? But that’s just it. You only live once. And my once was almost up. I was about to be what was left of Party Poison, not actually Party Poison. All I would leave behind was a shell that encased every fiber of my being. I wasn’t going to be me anymore.
I sighed and sunk my head into my hands. I actually did something I hadn’t done since I was a kid. I cried. I let out a loud, echoing sob and let tears that had been threatening to spill over, finally fall. It’s at moments like these when you realize you done fucked up. I remember wanting to be somebody, finding a cute girl, falling in love. But that wasn’t likely to happen. It was more likely that I would be gone.
I was actually thinking about something I never thought of before. My mortality. I had always been ignorant of problems and did what I wanted. You only live once, right? My once was almost up. I was going to die. My life was going to end and I would be nothing more.
I immediately thought of Grace. Who would watch out for her? Who would she turn to? She would be alone. Like a baby chick in a nest of snakes. I had to suck it up. I had to plan ahead. I sniffed a bit and wiped away the tears I had. I looked up to the sky, praying that whatever higher power was up there would hear my cry for help. Almost as if it was a sign, a loud clap of thunder rolled and the sky opened up. Just what I needed. Fucking rain.

Notes