CLEM: *sits up, sleepily looking around*
ANIMAL: *curled in a ball on the floor, dozing*
CLEM: *gets up and slowly walks across the floor; slowly opens the front door, careful not to make a sound*
BB: *sitting outside the door, jams a foot across the threshold, blocking him* Not so fast, buster.
CLEM: *looks at him in surprise*
BB: Get back in there, Clem.
CLEM: *steps over BB’s foot*
BB: *leaps up, shoving Clem bodily back into the temple*
CLEM: *grabs him by the shoulders, slamming him into the wall* Get out of my way!
BB: *grunts loudly*
CLEM: *punches him in the stomach*
*a pair of strong arms grabs Clem from behind, dragging him back into the room*
BB: *falls to his knees, gasping for breath*
CLEM: *struggles*
*hands tighten around his shoulders and neck, clamping down*
CLEM: *grabs the person’s wrists, trying to pry them off* Let go!
OOGIE: I’m not gonna let you go, Mister Clem.
CLEM: *kicks at him, desperately struggling to get free*
OOGIE: *calmly holds him, letting him kick*
CLEM: *slowing* Please . . . lemme go . . .
OOGIE: I can’t, Clem . . . wish I could.
CLEM: *sags against him, panting for breath*
OOGIE: *takes him over to the couch and sets him down* I might not be smart but I’m strong.
CLEM: I need to . . . go to her . . .
OOGIE: She’s not nice, Clem.
CLEM: Yeah . . . she is . . . she’s wonderful . . .
OOGIE: She’s a bad lady.
CLEM: *starts to get up again* No! She’s not!
OOGIE: *blocks him* She’s gonna hurt you. Nezi jus’ wants to help you.
CLEM: *pushes at him* He’s holdin’ me here!!
OOGIE: *pushes him back* I can’t let you go, Clem . . .
CLEM: *draws back to hit him*
OOGIE: *just blinks*
CLEM: *lets his hand drop* Just . . . lemme go . . . please?
OOGIE: I can’t . . . I’m sorry. It’ll be over soon—Nezi’s lookin’ for a cure.
CLEM: There’s no cure for love . . .
BB: *staggers over* Yeah, but what you got ain’t love.
CLEM: How do you know?
BB: *picks up a book from the nearby table and opens it, flipping to a page with an illustration of a lion lamia* Because THAT’S what you married, buddy boy. *shoves the book into Clem’s hands* That’s what attacked Nezi yesterday.
CLEM: *throws it across the room* NO!
BB: YES.
CLEM: *glares at him*
BB: I saw it with my own eyes, Clem.
CLEM: You’re jealous . . . she said other men would be.
BB: I’m sure she did. Personally I think she’s uglier than some of the bugs I’ve scraped off my shoes.
CLEM: *leaps up with a snarl, tackling BB*
OOGIE: That wasn’t smart . . . *reaches to separate them*
CLEM: *punches Oogie in the jaw, still trying to get at BB*
OOGIE: *stumbles backward, then grabs Clem, yanking him up*
CLEM: Let me GO!! *kicks out at BB* I’ll tear his tongue out!!!
BB: *crawls to his feet, wiping his bloody lip*
CLEM: *manages to get one arm free, reaching out to grab BB’s shirt*
BB: *smacks Clem’s hand away* Don’t touch me!
CLEM: *grabs him again, yanking him closer*
BB: Oog, get him offa me!
OOGIE: *tries to haul Clem backwards*
CLEM: *punches at BB, jerking his other arm free*
BB: *head snaps around*
CLEM: You fuck! *punches again*
BB: *jerks around, tearing his shirt as he rips himself free from Clem’s grass* Ow, fuck!
CLEM: *punches Oogie again, taking several staggering steps towards the door*
OOGIE: Animal! Help!
CLEM: *thrashes, trying to get free of Oogie again*
OOGIE: *looks up as Animal comes in with several lengths of rope* Not too tight . . . we don’t wanna hurt him . . .
CLEM: *wrestles Oogie to the floor* NO!
ANIMAL: *jumps on top of him, quickly binding his wrists together behind his back*
CLEM: *screams* NO, damn it!!!
ANIMAL: *quickly ties his ankles* He fight much. *pants* Me tired out.
CLEM: Let . . . me . . . go . . .
ANIMAL: I tired hear him say that . . .
CLEM: Lemme GO!!! *finally lets his head fall back, panting*
ANIMAL: *winces*
CLEM: *sighs and strains against the ropes*
ANIMAL: No struggle. I make ropes tight.
CLEM: Need . . . Morgan . . .
ANIMAL: *looks at Oogie* Why he want her so bad?
OOGIE: I don’t know, Animal . . .
CLEM: Love her . . . she’s my life . . .
ANIMAL: How she your life? She just woman!
CLEM: Don’t understand . . . *licks cracked lips*
OOGIE: *comes back with a glass of water* I brought you some water . . .
CLEM: Not . . . thirsty . . .
OOGIE: *nods at Animal, who pushes Clem up and forces his mouth open*
ANIMAL: You pour now.
OOGIE: *nods and pours some water down Clem’s throat*
CLEM: *nearly chokes, but swallows*
ANIMAL: *holds Clem’s nose* Again.
OOGIE: *pours some more*
CLEM: *gags*
ANIMAL: Swallow!
CLEM: *cough* Don’t yell . . .
ANIMAL: Then you do what Animal say. I try help you.
CLEM: *swallows, drinking most of the glass*
ANIMAL: *pats his shoulder gently* There. You do good.
CLEM: *tears roll down his face*
OOGIE: We’re sorry you’re hurting. Nezi thinks you’ll thank us someday.
CLEM: I love her . . .
ANIMAL: He in love. We should no keep him here.
OOGIE: I know, but Nezi said we can’t let him go. And he’s smart.
CLEM: She makes me feel so good . . . makes me . . . play better . . . I’m whole with her . . . I’m hers . . .




TRISTAN: *approaches Nezi in the stacks* Hey, man . . . what’s wrong?
NEZI: *jumps*
TRISTAN: Sorry . . . didn’t mean to scare you . . .
NEZI: No, it’s . . . quite all right. *continues flipping through the book in his hands*
TRISTAN: So . . . what’s going on?
NEZI: I’m trying to save Clem.
TRISTAN: Clem? What’s going on with Clem?
NEZI: He’s married to a lamia . . . some kind of vampiric creature.
TRISTAN: Shit.
NEZI: And I have to find some way of breaking her enchantment . . . or he’ll die.
TRISTAN: Have you talked to Ari?
NEZI: Haven’t had a chance. He wasn’t in when I went by Mich’s.
TRISTAN: *nods* Well, if I can help you out, just let me know . . . but don’t tell Cin.
NEZI: *raises an eyebrow*
TRISTAN: If it were up to her, I’d still be in bed right now.
NEZI: *nods, absently tonguing his split lip*
TRISTAN: So where’s Clem right now?
NEZI: At the temple. Oogie and BB and Animal are keeping him locked up safe.
TRISTAN: *nods*



CLEM: *runs unsteadily out the door of the Temple*
TRISTAN: *sees him and stops* Clem . . . what’s wrong?
CLEM: Get away from me!
BB: *comes to the door, shirt ripped and blood trailing down his chin* Tristan! Stop him!
TRISTAN: *is confused but grabs Clem*
CLEM: *punches him* NO! Morgan! Where are you!?
ANIMAL: *bounds out the door, racing after Clem*
TRISTAN: *falls back in pain; Clem punched him in the chest*
CLEM: MORGAN!?
ANIMAL: *roars and leaps on Clem’s back, knocking him down*
MORGAN: Get off of him!
TRISTAN: *manages to stagger to his feet, holding his chest* Wh-what the hell is going on here?
ANIMAL: *looks at her and snarls*
CLEM: Morgan . . .
TRISTAN: Clem, why’d you hit me? And what’d you do to BB? I thought you and he were friends . . .
MORGAN: *stalks closer* They’re no friends . . .
BB: He’s crazy! Animal, get him back inside! You and Oogie tie him up!
TRISTAN: *eyes Morgan* And just who the hell are you?
MORGAN: His WIFE.
TRISTAN: Seems to me that you’re the root of the problem.
ANIMAL: *drags Clem up and onto his shoulders, carrying him back inside*
BB: *slams the door behind them*
CLEM: LET GO!
MORGAN: How would YOU like it if you were kept from your wife?
BB: If she was YOU I’d be thrilled . . . *dabs at his bleeding lip*
TRISTAN: I wouldn’t like it. But Cin wouldn’t try to control me the way you control Clem . . .
MORGAN: I don’t control him. I give him pleasure and gifts.
BB: Yeah, death. Some gift.
MORGAN: All mortals die.
BB: Yeah, but Clem’s not as old as me!
TRISTAN: Yes, that’s true. But you also don’t force someone’s death before it’s time.
MORGAN: Ask HIM if he’s wiling.
TRISTAN: That wouldn’t be a fair answer. You’ve got him bewitched.
MORGAN: *moves closer* Give him to me.
TRISTAN: No way.
MORGAN: I don’t want to have to destroy anyone.
BB: *scoffs* Oh blah blah blah . . . you’re not destroying anyone, lady.
TRISTAN: You’ll destroy Clem if you get near him again.
MORGAN: *growls, slowly shifting shape*
TRISTAN: *stands his ground*
MORGAN: *shifts into a half-lion* I’ll kill you.
BB: *trembles slightly but keeps his place next to Tristan*
TRISTAN: *calmly* No one’s going to kill anyone. Go home, Morgan.
MORGAN: *leaps at them*
TRISTAN: *quickly TKs her away*
MORGAN: *snarls in anger and confusion, getting back up*
TRISTAN: I don’t want to hurt you, Morgan.
MORGAN: Give me my husband!!
CLEM: *from inside* MORGAN!
TRISTAN: No.
MORGAN: *snarls, baring her fangs*
TRISTAN: The only way you’ll get Clem back is if you promise not to hurt him anymore . . .
BB: *snorts* Yeah, RIGHT.
MORGAN: I don’t hurt him . . .
CLEM: *screams from inside the Temple* NO, damn it!!!
TRISTAN: You’re sucking the life right out of him, Morgan . . . that’s not hurting him?
MORGAN: He wants it, too.
TRISTAN: Because you’ve put some kind of spell on him. If he were in his right mind, he wouldn’t want it.
MORGAN: He’s mine.
TRISTAN: He’s part of our family.
MORGAN: He’s my husband!!
TRISTAN: Because you tricked him.
MORGAN: *paces outside the Temple*
TRISTAN: *watches her*
MORGAN: I’ll have him . . .
BB: *to Tristan* I don’t know how much longer we can keep this up . . .
TRISTAN: I don’t know either, but we have to try for Clem’s sake . . .
BB: Maybe we should let her have the crazy bastard . . .
MORGAN: *smiles*
TRISTAN: Is she using some kind of mind thing on you, man?
BB: Huh? No—of course not! But I’m just tired of getting beat up by that loony!
MORGAN: *moves closer to the Temple*
TRISTAN: Think . . . we’ve got to do something to stop her . . .
BB: Like what?
MORGAN: *drags her nails across the window glass*
BB: Shit!
MORGAN: *slices through the glass*
BB: *turns and sees Nezi running through the trees* Thank God . . .
TRISTAN: Nezi! Did you find anything out?
MORGAN: *hisses*
NEZI: No. *springs at Morgan, his lightsaber flaring to life*
MORGAN: *backs away quickly, retreating ito the woods*
NEZI: *flicks it off* Handy thing, this.




NEZI: *comes into the Temple, followed by BB* You can untie him. Morgan’s gone.
CLEM: *lays back, staring at the ceiling*
ANIMAL: *unties him and pulls him up onto his feet* What we do now?
NEZI: Get a good hot meal in him and then he’ll sleep.
CLEM: *lets himself be moved*
BB: Him? Sleep?
NEZI: If we put sleeping pills in his food, yes.
CLEM: Not . . . hungry . . .
NEZI: I don’t care. You haven’t eaten in a long and you’re not going to last much longer. You’ll either eat or I’ll have Animal feed you and MAKE you eat. *closes his eyes tiredly*
CLEM: *sighs*
BB: Nez, you gotta get some rest yourself, okay? We’ll take care of him.




CLEM: *sits on the bed, sleepily looking at a tray of food*
MICH: *comes in, sitting down next to him* Hi, Clem.
CLEM: *blinks, looking up at her* Mich . . .
MICH: How are you?
CLEM: Tired . . . confused . . .
MICH: *reaches out and gently touches his shoulder* I know. Nezi told me all about it before he passed out.
CLEM: I didn’t mean t’hurt anyone . . .
MICH: You haven’t. Not really. BB’s lip is already healing and he’s a bit of a complainer anyway.
CLEM: *picks at his food, not meeting her gaze*
MICH: Hey, it’s okay . . . they wouldn’t have been so stubborn if they didn’t care. If they’d worried about getting hurt you wouldn’t be here.
CLEM: *sighs* I know, bu— *suddenly gasps in pain, grabbing his left hand*
MICH: What is it? What’s wrong?
CLEM: *shudders, letting out a loud cry. Leaps up, staggering a few steps before hitting the floor, curling up and biting back screams*
MICH: NEZI! Quick!
CLEM: *shrieks, holding his hand tightly to his chest as the odor of burnt flesh becomes noticeable*
NEZI: *staggers in, haggard from sleeping* What is it? *sees Clem* Oh no. *rushes over* What happened?
MICH: I don’t know—he just doubled over! *runs from the room and comes back a few seconds later with a towel soaked in cold water; wraps it tightly around Clem’s hand*
CLEM: *silver band on his ring finger has become white-hot, metal is beginning to melt*
MICH: Nezi, hold his arm! Tight!
CLEM: *eyes roll back in his head as he faints*
MICH: Good. He’ll hold still. *wraps her hand in her shirt and quickly pulls the ring off, hissing and dropping it on the floor as it burns her through the fabric*
CLEM: *shivers, teeth chattering. Ring melts into a pool of blackish silver, then disappears, leaving a scorched area on the floor*
MICH: *sucking her fingers* Whoa.
NEZI: *props Clem up against himself, carefully unwrapping the towel*
CLEM: *ring finger, as well as the pinky and middle finger are charred to the bone, hand is swelling badly. Streaks of red run up his wrist to his forearm*
MICH: He needs to get to sickbay NOW.
NEZI: *looks over his shoulder* OOGIE! QUICK!
OPAL: *comes in, looking tired and frayed, one shoulder looking to have been slashed by large claws* It’s over.
MICH: Opal! What happened to you?
OPAL: *pales when he sees Clem* Shit . . . Is he? I mean . . . did I do right?
MICH: *shakes head* I don’t know.
OOGIE: *comes in, looking from Opal to Clem and back* Which one needs help?
OPAL: She’s gone . . . destroyed . . .
NEZI: *lifts Clem up and into Oogie’s arm* Oog, take him to sickbay, quick. Keep his arm elevated. He’s been badly burned. Now off with you.
OOGIE: *nods and carries Clem out*
NEZI: *turns to Opal* Are you sure? She’s gone?
OPAL: *nods* Completely . . . trust me.
NEZI: *sighs heavily* Thank heaven. I don’t know how much longer Clem was going to last. Come on. You’re wounded.
OPAL: I . . . didn’t know it was gonna affect Clem like that. I’m sorry.
NEZI: *takes him into the outer room and sits him down* You couldn’t have known. Besides—the hand will heal if Mich’s Cartwright doctor has anything to say about it. What you did was right—you probably saved his life.
OPAL: *nods a little* I . . . just wonder sometimes if I do the right thing anymore . . .
NEZI: *stands over him, tending to the wounds on his shoulder* You did in a few hours what I wasn’t able to do for days. How did you destroy her?
OPAL: What I’m good at . . . *sighs* I incinerated her . . .
NEZI: Good. I had been feeling . . . as if I had somehow failed.
OPAL: You’ve kept him alive this long . . . You did good.
NEZI: *nods* Some of these are deep . . . she must have hit you pretty hard, my boy.
OPAL: *shrugs, wincing* It’ll heal . . .
NEZI: Just hold still . . . almost done . . .
OPAL: C’mon . . . let’s go then, see how Clem’s doing . . .
NEZI: Okay. *looks around* Mich is already gone . . . that woman could teach Gareth something about fading away without a trace.
OPAL: *laughs a little*
NEZI: *walks with Opal through the trees* How is Gareth, anyway? I hear he doesn’t come home much anymore.
OPAL: He’s been staying with me . . . helping me with a case . . .
NEZI: A case?
OPAL: Murder case. rain’s daughter Jaeline and Mattie’s son Tyler . . . killed several people . . . brutally. Tortured them. And they’ve warped Johanne as well . . . he’s killed two that we know of. It’a a mess . . .
NEZI: *stops, closing his eyes*
OPAL: I’m sorry . . . I shouldn’t have said anything.
NEZI: *resumes walking, reaching up to rub his black-circled eyes* No, it’s all right. I would have heard about it anyway. It’s . . . a shock, that’s all.
OPAL: *nods* Yeah.




CLEM: *moans, tossing his head back and forth as he begins waking up, sweat covering his body*
OOGIE: *gently holds his injured arm still so he doesn’t hurt it*
CLEM: *hoarsely, panting with pain* M-Morgan . . . ?
OOGIE: No, Clem. It’s me, Oogie.
CLEM: *bites back another scream as he instinctively tries to use his hand*
OOGIE: Clem, just hold still, okay? You’re hurt, an’ I’m carryin’ you to the doctor. We’ll be there soon an’ he’ll fix you, I promise . . .
CLEM: *mumbles*
OOGIE: *carries him into the Library and up to sickbay* Mr. Hoss! I got an injured man here!
HOSS: *comes in* Who is it? What’s wrong?
OOGIE: This is Clem, Mr. Hoss. His hand’s hurt.
HOSS: *unwraps Clem’s hand* Holy Christmas . . . how did this happen?
CLEM: *clenches his teeth in agony, his body stiffening* M-Muh . . . *starts sobbing, shaking violently*
HOSS: He’s a mess . . . gotta take care of that hand . . . *gives Clem a painkiller and an injection to numb his hand* Oogie, is it? I need you to hold him still . . . just make sure he don’t move while I’m takin’ care of his hand.
CLEM: *tenses as he feels Oogie’s grip tighten, starts trying to thrash* N-No! Lemme . . . No!
HOSS: Easy, easy! Oogie, not so tight . . . just rest your hand on his forearm . . . real gentle . . .
OOGIE: *nods, moving one of his hands away and loosening the other*
CLEM: *relaxes a little, still mumbling incoherently. Legs kick out now and then*
OPAL: *walks in with Nezi*
NEZI: Hoss, how is he?
HOSS: Maybe you fellers can explain what the hell happened to this man . . . *turns back to his work, watching as the swelling gradually recedes*
NEZI: *explains about Morgan*
CLEM: *struggles finally calm as he gazes around dazedly*
HOSS: These burns are mostly healed but he’s gonna have to be careful with the hand . . . can’t use it for much for a while and he’s got to keep it clean.
NEZI: He will. How are you, Clem?
CLEM: *doesn’t answer, turning his face away from them and closing his eyes*
OPAL: *turns and leaves the room*
NEZI: *follows him* I don’t understand . . . if Morgan’s gone he should be snapping out of it.
OPAL: *softly* I killed the man’s wife . . .
NEZI: No, you killed a creature that was killing him. Opal, please. She was going to end up consuming him—I read up on her kind.
OPAL: *sits down, putting his face in his hands* Please keep telling me I did the right thing . . .
NEZI: *kneels down next to him* You did. I’m certain. You saved him from death or possible suicide . . . something that would have been very hard for me to bear. Especially if I’d have let it happen.
OPAL: *nods* I hope he’ll be okay . . .
NEZI: I do too. Maybe . . . without her influence he’ll have a chance to come back to himself.
CLEM: *stares at the wall, cradling his hand against his chest, rocking slightly*
OOGIE: Mr. Clem?
CLEM: *whispering* Yeah?
OOGIE: Are you okay?
CLEM: Yeah . . .
OOGIE: Yeah?
CLEM: Hurts . . .
OOGIE: You burned your hand pretty bad.
CLEM: Don’t feel good. M’sick . . .
CLEM: *rolls over a little, gagging*
OOGIE: *moves quickly, holding his head and grabbing an empty basin from the bed next to him*
CLEM: *throws up, heaving violently. Putrid black blood gushes out into the basin*
OOGIE: *gasps, nearly losing his grip on the basin* Doctor!
HOSS: *rushes in* What is it? What happened?
OOGIE: *tilts the basin so Hoss can see inside it*
CLEM: *coughs, vomiting up more*
HOSS: *runs over, grabbing a tricorder and scanning Clem* It’s okay . . . his body’s gettin’ rid of somethin’ that don’t agree with it. Vitals are stabilizin’ . . . he’s gonna be okay.
CLEM: *moans, dry-heaving* Oooooohhh.
OPAL: *peers in through the door*
OOGIE: It’s okay . . . he’s just throwin’ up.
OPAL: Is he okay?
HOSS: He will be. Gettin’ rid of that stuff is doin’ him a world of good.
CLEM: *moans again, sweat dripping from his face* Oooohhh . . . hurts . . . *tries to sit up*
HOSS: You just lay back down, mister. You’re not goin’ anywhere until I’m sure you’re okay.
CLEM: *tosses and turns*
NEZI: He’s not out of the woods, is he?
HOSS: No, but he’s doin’ a lot better than he was when he came in . . . just give his body time to heal.
CLEM: *bites his lip hard enough to draw blood, groaning loudly*
NEZI: I wish there was something I can do . . .
CLEM: Please . . .
NEZI: *coming closer* Please what, Clem?
CLEM: *tears in his eyes* Please . . . hurts . . . *kicks out with his legs*
NEZI: *looking up* Isn’t there anything you can do for him, Hoss?
CLEM: M’sorry . . . M’so . . . sorry . . . Please . . .
NEZI: *shakes his head, tears coming to his eyes*
CLEM: *shivers, pulling his hand closer to him*
NEZI: *pulls a chair up to Clem’s beside and sits, burying his head in his forearm*
CLEM: *lightly touches Nezi’s shoulder with his uninjured hand*
NEZI: I should have done more for you, Clem. I’m sorry.
CLEM: Don’t . . . *pant* N-Nezi . . . y’helped . . . *grits his teeth*
NEZI: And now . . . I have to sit by, helpless.
CLEM: M’sorry . . . m’bein . . . a weaklin’ . . .
NEZI: Hardly a word I’d use to describe you, Clem. Not with the fight you put up yesterday.
CLEM: Didn’t . . . mean . . . t’hurt . . . no one . . .
NEZI: You didn’t. We were all more worried about you than about us.
CLEM: M’just . . . hurtin’ . . . s’bad . . .
NEZI: I know . . . but it will end soon, and then you can resume your life.
CLEM: *grunts and squeezes his eyes shut*
NEZI: *sighs*
CLEM: *suddenly sits up, letting out a gasp of pain* I gotta move . . . somethin’ . . . I can’t stand this . . .
NEZI: *holds out his arm* Here. Lean on me.
CLEM: *leans against him, shaking; gets to his feet, swaying slightly. Pants for breath as he pales*
NEZI: Clem, I wish you wouldn’t push your body . . . it’s been through so much lately.
CLEM: I have to . . . get my . . . mind off the . . . pain . . . please . . .
NEZI: *expression hardens* I once said I’d never do this . . . *places his palms on Clem’s temples* Clem, I want you to think about the pain . . . and pass it to me.
CLEM: NO! I’ll . . . be okay . . . *winces, purposely laying his hurt hand against the bed for support*
NEZI: Clem, do as I say, or I’ll end up exhausting myself pulling it out of you. I’m healthy, and moreover I know how to handle pain. It will hurt me less.
CLEM: *lets out a short, sharp cry of agony. Face turns a waxy shade of white as he sways* M-Maybe . . . L’jus . . . p-pass . . . out . . .
NEZI: *grits his teeth and concentrates, pulling as much pain out of Clem as he can bear*
CLEM: *all resistance vanishes as he starts to collapse*
NEZI: *withdraws, face pale and drawn with pain, lifting Clem back up onto the bed before sagging heavily into his chair*
OPAL: Hoss . . . get him a bed too . . .
HOSS: *nods, sliding his hands behind Nezi and pulling him up onto a bed*
OPAL: Isn’t there anything you can give them . . . to help the pain?
HOSS: With the way Clem’s body’s fightin’, I don’t wanna risk givin’ him somethin’ that might throw that off. *scans Nezi* And Nezi’s body’s wracked but his mind’s clear and calm . . . *stares* He’s sleepin’. Peaceful as can be.
OPAL: Wow . . .
HOSS: I knew he had mental control, but this is just amazin’ . . .
CLEM: *stirs* N-Nezi . . . ?
HOSS: He’s sleepin’.
CLEM: G-good . . .
HOSS: How’re you feelin’?
CLEM: Tired . . . hurtin’ . . . really bad . . . M’sorry . . . f’bein . . . a wuss . . .
HOSS: What’s a wuss?
CLEM: A . . . whiner . . .
HOSS: Son, if I went through what you did I’d be hollerin’ a lot louder, believe me.
CLEM: M’sposed . . . t’not . . . Let it . . . get t’me . . .
HOSS: Pain gets to everyone sooner or later . . . no matter how tough you are.
CLEM: *sighs, biting back another moan*
HOSS: I’m gonna give you somethin’ that’s gonna relax your muscles and put you to sleep . . . your poor body’s just about had it and that burn didn’t help. Just relax . . . you’re gonna be fine.
CLEM: *nods a little*
HOSS: *presses a hypospray to Clem’s neck and triggers it* Best thing you can do is relax and let yourself heal.
CLEM: *body starts to relax* Th-Thank . . . you . . . *eyes close*
HOSS: You’re welcome.



CLEM: *sits propped up in bed, poking at a half-eaten plate of food. Still cradling his injured hand*
HOSS: *comes in* Hey there, Clem. How’s the hand feelin’?
CLEM: *shakes his head* Hurts bad . . . M’sorry . . .
HOSS: Don’t be. Burns hurt worse than any other injury I know. Can I see?
CLEM: *nods, gingerly holding his hand out with a choked gasp of pain*
HOSS: Just take it easy . . . *carefully unwraps the bandage* Still swollen. *takes an instrument from his pocket and runs it over the burn, taking down the swelling*
CLEM: *moans*
HOSS: *gently peels away some of the dead skin* There . . . very nice . . . it’s healin’ good . . .
CLEM: Don’t . . . mean t’be . . . a baby about it . . .
HOSS: Boy, what did I just tell you? Burns hurt bad so go ahead and howl if you want . . . this might hurt anyway . . .
CLEM: What? *looks at him in alarm*
HOSS: I’m gonna flex your fingers. Make sure they still work. You feel pain lemme know . . . *carefully flexes Clem’s fingers a little*
ARMANDO: *walks in* What, what? Is this a bad time?
HOSS: *glancing up* Not at all. Have a seat.
CLEM: *screams, jerking hard enough to knock the tray to the floor*
HOSS: Whoa! Easy now! *frowns* It’s healed enough that it shouldn’t have hurt that much . . .
CLEM: *lays there, shaking and sobbing openly*
HOSS: *gives Clem an injection to dull the pain* I’m sorry, Clem . . . wouldn’ta done it if I knew it was gonna hurt you like that . . .
ARMANDO: *sits, wide-eyed and pale*
HOSS: Who are you again? I can’t tell you fellers apart . . .
ARMANDO: I’m . . . *swallows, trying to regain his composure* I’m Armando . . . Clem’s brother . . .
HOSS: I didn’t know he had a brother . . .
ARMANDO: We’re twins . . .
CLEM: M’sor-sorry . . . y’had . . . t’see me . . . like this . . . *wipes at his face with his other hand, still trembling badly*
ARMANDO: *walks over* Shhh . . . It’s all right, don’t be sorry . . .
CLEM: *buries his face in Armando’s shirt and cries*
HOSS: *makes a quiet retreat*