Public Access

    "Remind me again why we're watching this?" Josh shifted in his position on the couch to look at Robert, whose attention seemed focused upon the television in front of them.

    "Because it's there," was the reply, as Riley idly scratched at the two week's worth of beard on his face.  If anything, that was the only reason he ever shaved; after a while he just couldn't stand the itching, especially in the summertime.

    "Touché," Josh conceded, his eyes traveling back to the screen.  "I think that we should at least have some standards, though.  I mean, this is pretty low."  He gestured toward the television, which was currently showing what appeared to be a man in a turban dancing to some sort of techno/dance remix.

    "We're expanding our cultural horizons, Grant."  Riley took a sip from a bottle of beer.  "Plus I lost the remote.  You don't expect me to get up, do you?"  He shot a sideways glance at Josh, who laughed.

    "All right, all right.  You win," Josh said.  "There's got to be something better to do with our time, though."  Riley looked at Josh and snorted.

    "Of course there is.  I mean, everybody's got so much free time during finals week!  Just because we're finished doesn't mean that the rest of the population is."  This observation was followed by a shrug.  "Besides, it's not as if we know people."

    "Crap, you're right again."  Grant sipped his beer moodily.  Quite suddenly, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck begin to stand on end.  "Rob," he said slowly, "Rob, something's not right here."  Riley raised an eyebrow, staring at Josh.

    "Is that so..." Robert slowly said.  "I don't see what.  You're here, I'm here, Scotty's here,"--at this, Scotty looked up from his position on the floor and wagged his tail, earning him a scratch between the ears from Riley--"What's wrong?"

    "Not sure," replied Grant, "but it's something big.  It's like something's looming ominously over us."  He looked around the apartment and shuddered.  "It's kinda freakin' me out, man."  Riley shrugged.

    "Well, I don't know what it-"  Riley broke off, the sudden realization hitting him like a thunderbolt.  "Oh!"

    "What?  What?"  Josh asked frantically, now truly frightened.  Riley grinned and let out a sigh of relief.

    "It's just the chest, man," he replied, pointing towards his bed.  Josh turned and looked.  Sure enough, a dark shadow was looming near the bed.  Closer discernment showed it to indeed just be the chest.  Josh stared, amazed.

    "It looms now?"  he asked.  Riley merely nodded.  Grant turned back to face him.  "Why is it looming?"  Robert shrugged.

    "Not sure.  It does that from time to time, though," he said.  "I can make it stop, if you like."  Josh nodded.

    "Yeah, could you?  It gives me the willies having it do that."  Riley shrugged.

    "Understandable.  You should try waking up to it sometime.  Now that's unnerving."  Turning, he whistled to Scotty.  "C'mon Scotty, stop the loom."  The dog obediently trotted over to the chest, unaffected by the threatening presence, and hopped up onto the chest.  After rotating in circles for a few moments, he lay down on top of it.  Almost immediately, the threatening presence diminished, then vanished completely.  Josh turned, open-mouthed.

    "How'd he do that?" he asked.  Riley shrugged again.

    "Not sure, but my guess is that the looming presence just can't loom when there's a fuzzy animal there."  Riley took a sip of beer and turned his attention back to the television.  
    
    Josh shrugged and did the same, muttering, "Wonder why that happens..."  Riley chuckled.

    "Two words, my friend:  Plot device."

    "Plot device?"  Grant replied.  "Wasn't aware there was a plot."