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Ep 59. Out of Mind

9/20/24

Fossil sits staring at egstrom. Fossil gets a flashback to the lab in Reaching Gardens. Push says, oh, good! You're still here. You were great out there. Fossil asks, with the presentation? Push says, yeah, well, you said you haven't been feeling too hot lately, right?
Fossil says, well, to be honest, yes. But I regret mentioning it. Push says, I know you don't like it when people worry about you, but I, um, you know, I thought I'd. She gets cut off by Fossil, who says, ah yes. You want to pity me.
Fossil says, I thought that maybe, after all these years, you saw us as equals. But no. I saw the way you were staring at me today. Pushpin says, that's not, and gets cut off again. Fossil shouts, it must be nice! To make strides in your field! All while Fossil wastes away, trying fruitlessly to fix the terminal errors that made her!
Push says, oh, hah, what a horrible misunderstanding. She gets cut off again. Fossil snaps, and what on earth are you hiding? Push says, oh, ahem, I think you'll actually be ecstatic to know, I was going to ask you out!
Push says, I thought maybe, uh, a nice outing and a romantic endeavor would um, reduce, your stress, and, increase the longevity of, um, your life. Yeah.
Fossil reads the letter. The letter says, Dear Era, I've admired you for so long, not just for your brilliance, but for who you are. Lately, I've noticed you carrying so much, and I can't keep these feelings inside any longer. I care about you deeply, not just as a friend, but as someone I've come to love. I know you're dealing with a lot right now, and I don't want to add to it. But I need you to know that I'm here for you. Whatever you need, I'm here. Yours, Pushpin. Pushpin says, I, um, I didn't realize you harbored such resentment for me. Maybe this was inappropriate anyways, right? What was I thinking?
Fossil says, After twenty years working here with you, what difference would this make? We already spend time together outside of work. Pushpin says, um, a significant difference? Text on portrait says, my family. Pushpin says, ugh, forget it!
Push says, Fossil, sorry, Era. Era, how long have you felt that way? Fossil points at the letter, asking, how long have you felt this way? Push says, It was a long time ago. Maybe ten years.
Push says, I tried to give it some time, to be sure I really wanted that with you. That's, that's what you're supposed to do, right? Fossil says, I, I don't know.
Fossil's face contorts into a grimace like she is about to cry.
Back in the present, Fossil is crying.
Fossil says, I don't know why you didn't think to ask for ten years. Push says, pardon? Fossil continues, clarifying, If maybe I am not even capable of feeling this way. Push says, oh. Fossil walks to the supply closet that Painkiller is hiding in.
Push says, then, that's that, huh? Fossil opens the supply closet. Fossil says, why is it always like this? maybe I don't want to have to tell everyone. I shouldn't have to. And the way people react, makes me feel, guilty.
Painkiller silently reaches out from inside the supply closet towards Fossil's arm. Fossil says, I do not like feeling as though something is, wrong with me. Painkiller takes Fossil's arm in their hands.
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