Young Rufus

"Young Rufus" is the fifteenth episode of Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One (Volume 3), and the forty-first installment of the series overall. It was performed on August 8, 2020 via Zoom as the third commercial break in Show LXII and streamed live on YouTube. It was released as podcast episode 314.
Written by Shane Stefanchik
Directed by Samantha Stark
Previous episode: "Maneuvers"
Next episode: "A Chosen One Walks Into a Bar" 
== The Story ==
One day, when Rufus Reginald Rochester was fourteen years old, he was hiding in a storage locker at school, hiding from bullies. The demon Bjardo spoke to Rufus, urging him to accept an offer of power, which will only cost Rufus his fate. Rufus had been turning down Bjardo's deal for some time, and worries about leaving the world in danger if his fate is important. Bjardo says Rufus has a delicious fate, but fate should mean little to a human, only having value for something like Bjardo.
Bjardo taunts Rufus for acting like an old man, and Rufus admits he doesn't have peers his age, instead focusing on becoming the youngest member ever in the U.L.P. Bjardo says if Rufus takes his deal, nothing will stand in his way. Rufus asks if by accepting the power, could he destroy even Bjardo? Bjardo says yes, but Rufus would still be without his fate and the power would disappear, too.
The bullies, three seniors, find Rufus and yank him out of the locker. Rufus defiantly makes fun of them. Derek, the leader, threatens to kick Rufus' arse because he's tired or Rufus acting like he's better and looking down on them. Rufus says he is better, as Derek is failing all his classes, Quinton is taking Algebra for the third time, and Robbie doesn't even speak. They are slack-offs.
Derek turns the conversation to Rufus' older sister, Rosalyn Roger Rochester, whom they find attractive. Derek threatens to "show her what grownup love is like." This pushes Rufus to accept Bjardo's deal. Full of power, Rufus throws Quinton across the room and rips Derek's hands off with just words.
Bjardo is amused and wants to join with Rufus to overtake the Ultimate Evil. Rufus, however, is shocked at what he has done. As Bjardo encourages Rufus to attack Robbie, Rufus instead decides to destroy Bjardo, judging the power too dangerous to keep. Bjardo desperately offers a reversal of the deal and hands Rufus' fate back in crystal form. But Rufus has seen a small taste of what Bjardo can inflict and can't allow him to survive. Rufus kills Bjardo, the crystal left behind.
U.L.P. operatives burst in and grab Rufus. While agents take care of the bullies, Rufus compliments their response time and asks to speak to someone about recruitment.
== Guest Starring ==
* Grant Dine as Rufus Reginald Rochester
* Nathan Haley as Bjardo
* Wayne Jay as Derek
* Darren Esler as Quinton
* Joe Morales as Robbie
* Chase McCants as the U.L.P. operative
== Trivia ==
* No series lead characters appear in this short, save a younger version of Rufus played by a different actor, though the actor who plays Daniel Kravitz appears in a different role.
* Robbie is a non-speaking character, but he was portrayed visually for the performance.
Category:DK Volume 3