October 10, 2005
Week 24 - The Quest 3
Episode 1
Hal steps into the cafeteria of his Middle School. After a moment, Chuck Agnew walks up to him, holding a tray of food.
"What up?" Chuck says.
"Hey," Hal answers.
"What've you got there, brown baggin' it? Pity! Check out these baked beans, they are to die for!"
"Those things are ultra disgusting."
Chuck shrugs. "Whatever." He looks around. "Hey, check this out! Time for my favorite sport." Hal follows him as he walks to a table near the back where a small boy sits alone, reading. The boy is very thin, his hair is greasy, and he wears thick glasses. Chuck sits down next to him. "Hey, Murray, buddy, how you doin'?"
The boy glares at him. "Get out of here, Agnew."
"Hey, Hal, ever meet my buddy, Murray Rosen? What are you reading, Mur?" He grabs the book. "'Babylon 5: Shadow War'. What the hell is Babylon 5, that's some Star Trek wannabe, right?"
Murray tries to take back the book, but Chuck holds it out of his reach. "Are you, like, studying for some geek final exam? I could get you a deal on pocket protectors, if you want. I got an uncle..."
Murray swipes back the book. "Asshole," he mutters. He stands up and walks away.
Hal sits down next to Chuck. "What are you messing with that kid for? He wasn't doing anything to you."
Chuck scoops some beans into his mouth. "Listen, you're like a brother to me, you know? I'll give you some advice. It's all about playing the hierarchy, man."
"The f--k does that mean?"
"You and me, we gotta know our limitations, right? We ain't never gonna be on the top... But that's okay, that's not so bad. Just so long as we ain't at the bottom, you know? And how do you stop from being at the bottom? You do what you need to, to make sure that niche is taken. That freak Murray Rosen, he was born at the bottom. I'm just doing my part to keep him there."
Hal pulls a sandwich from his bag. "Man, Chuck, you are one evil f--k!"
Chuck grins. "Ah, flattery!"