∮ 002. backdated early morning of 6/16.

[elongates]

[ reed sits, as usual, in an empty laboratory. ]

I'm not the first one to remind you all about the incoming holiday. I'd ask you all a question of a vapid nature like "What does it mean to be a father?" but I would be lying if I said it would be of use to anyone. I know what constitutes a good father, and, well. I know what doesn't.

[ while his shoulders slump low toward his desk, his torso nearly unravels into loops around his work area. ]

The simple fact is: I am going to be a father one day. I’ve been aware of enough of my multiple selves to comprehend this. Children and love are my constant, as they are Susan’s. [ bitterly: ] At least one of us has to accept this reality.

[ plucking a test tube off a bunsen burner with tongs, he passive-aggressively mocks a toast toward the communicator. ]

So, here’s to the inevitable Franklin and Valeria Richards!

[ clink. ]

May you arrive to a better world with nicer, less abusive people.

Comments

[conflagrations]

they're not inevitable
you know that, right?
since you're the smartest guy around you know that not every reality is the same, right?

[elongates]

You don't understand. I know now―I know I can make realities the same.

You see? I can change fate as we know it.

[conflagrations]

she's going to marry ben
if she does have kids, they'll be his kids not yours

you can't change what she wants

[elongates]

You're wrong. She'll see the truth eventually.

It's only a matter of time.

[conflagrations]

no
she won't

i'm sorry

[elongates]

First, she will. Second, you're not.

She'll understand me. She'll realize she doesn't need other people like you do.

[conflagrations]

can you just

what happened to you? how did you get like this?

[elongates]

[ for a moment, he just stops. his eyebrows knit together in thought.

then, earnestly: ] I grew up.

[conflagrations]

so did i
you didn't have to change into a totally different person though...

[elongates]

You know what? Excuse me for growing a spine.

I absolutely had no right not to let people walk all over me!

[conflagrations]

that's not what i'm saying.

[elongates]

You're saying I'm a different person. That's why.

It's a major leap.

[conflagrations]

that's what we thought too
when it happened
we didn't believe it

[elongates]

You mean when I changed? There wasn't anything that happened.

It wasn't marked by anything.

[conflagrations]

you know what it was marked by

[elongates]

[ laughs for a second!! and stops, since it's super transparent. ]

Nope.

[conflagrations]

i'm gonna hang up
but you really need to back off sue

[elongates]

[ he's all like, whatever. ]

Fine. Bye.