In the Balance

In this Our World story, Jax is visited by friends during his coma.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

```
Without warning, we're going to go to an unknown space. An unknown time.
So deal with it.

Mystery Voice:
"Hey Jax. It's me..."

Bozo:
"Bozo. Heard you had a nasty fall earlier today. But don't worry, you're in good hands. GLACIA's got some good doctors. They'll fight if you'll fight. And I told them that's all you know. Fighting, that is.
"They asked if I knew any of your next of kin or anything like that. I didn't know. Apparently, you wrote me down as an emergency contact on your GLACIA paperwork. Well, me and/or Beau. Which, seeing as he's recovering himself, they got me.
"Jax... I'm not going to lie, you look pretty bad. You're pretty heavily bandaged. And you're old. But I know you're an unstoppable Juggernaut, and you'll do your best to hang on. I told them as much. I have to go now, but I will be back later to check on you. I promise."

Bozo:
"Hey Jax. It's me, Bozo. Had to make a big decision today. You've been in a coma for a week. They asked me if I should pull the cord on you. Of course, I told them no. Told them you'd keep fighting. Even if it doesn't look like it at the moment. You're not one for being sneaky, though. So... Just to let you know, you're making me more than a bit concerned, biding your time like this.
"So, just... Whatever you're working on in that noggin of yours, speed it up a bit? I know speed's not your thing either, but... Anyway. I'll be back."

Bozo:
"Hey, Jax! It's me, Bozo. I've brought a friend."

Beau:
"You really talk to him like that?"

Bozo:
*Whispers.* "Yes! The doctors say that familiar voices, smells, sensations, and all that help heighten his chances. That's why I brought you. Now, talk, Boss."

Beau:
"In that case, maybe we should bring him some fire." *Nudges Bozo with a smile.*

Bozo:
*Disapproving stare.*

Beau:
"Too soon?"

Jax:
*Sighs deeply.*

Bozo:
"Jax?"
*Eagerly checks vitals and symptoms.* "Everything... checks out..." *Turns to Beau.* "See? You got through to him. Something new happened."

Beau:
"Or he just sighed. Don't get me wrong Brenda, I'd love for him to wake up."

Bozo:
"I know you do, Boss..."

Beau:
"But do you really think talking to him in his sleep is gonna help?"

Bozo:
"It's not sleep, it's a coma. *Waaay* different. That's what the doctors say."

Beau:
*Shrugs.* "Whatever you say..."

Bozo:
*Nods repeatedly.*
"I'll be right back." *Exits swiftly, leaving Beau alone with Mudbaum's silent form.*

Beau:
*Sits down on a chair beside Jasper.* "Just so you know I'm only talking to you to get the mad dog off my back. But if I'm here I might as well catch you up on everything. Brenda probably told you what happened after the crash and all that..."

A few moments of awkward silence pass. Awkward for Beauregard at least.

Beau:
"Oh! Jack and Angela got married. So that's a thing... You'll never guess who was there. That's right. The bird who got you in this mess."

Jax:
*Face twitches.*

Beau:
*Chuckles.* "Don't worry buddy, I left him for you to clobber. That's really all I can think of... Things aren't as crazy without you around."

Bozo:
*Calmly walks in, loudly munching on a candy bar.*
"...Thanks, Boss."

Beau:
"No problem. It wasn't so bad..." *Gives Bozo a smirk and a wink.* "...he's a good listener."
*Leaves Brenda with Jasper.*

Bozo:
"...See you around, Jax." *Leaves.*

Bozo:
"How's he doing?"

Dr. Reason:
"He's stable."

Brenda Gutrail observes her old friend, Jax the Juggernaut.
Sleeping, bandaged. Resting. Just as he has been, off and on, for months now. Of course, there's less bandages now than when he'd first gotten here. Only the bandages on his head remain, crossing his right eye.

Bozo:
"No changes though?"

Dr. Reason:
*Shakes his head quietly.* "The surgery went well... We got the best brain surgeons around, thanks to your very rich friend. But. There's no change." *Frowns.* "All I can continue to recommend is to continue to visit and *gently* stimulate him with memories. Anything from old possessions, to any memories you have, and want to tell."

Bozo:
"Of course." *Sits down in her usual chair by Mudbaum's bedside.* "I have something like that today."

Dr. Reason:
"Wonderful. Well, if you don't have anything you need from me, I'll check on other patients."

Bozo:
"Thank you, Doctor."

The door closes behind the doctor, leaving Brenda alone in the room with Mudbaum.

Bozo:
*Sighs.* "Hey, big guy. It's me again. Bozo. Heard you needed something rearranged in your skull. Had a bit of airplane in your noggin or something. They say that while they were in there, they may have inadvertently rearranged some memories and stuff too. Well, more than what the initial head trauma did, anyway. Basically, more of the usual dire circumstances that you like." *Smiles wryly.*

Jax:
*Is as emotionless and silent as ever.*

Bozo:
*Sigh.* "Well, I have some interesting news. And this time, it's not about how the world is going bonkers without you." *Waves a hand.* "Moving cities, mind control, Burning Rangers, all that crazy stuff. You've had enough of that."
*Looks back at the door.* "No, this time, I have a friend with me. Someone you might recognize."

The door opens slightly, creaking.

Mystery Figure:
"You know, suddenly, I'm thinking this is actually a bad idea. Yes, quite the bad--"

Bozo:
"Oh, shut up and get in here already. He's *comatose*, he's not going to leap up and choke you to death!"

Mystery Figure:
"You say that, but I've dreamed it."

Bozo:
"Are you seriously going to make me go get my wrench from downstairs to help you feel safe?"

Mystery Figure:
"I believe you said it's not allowed in the hospital?"

Bozo:
"I know what I said!"

Mystery Figure:
"..."

Bozo:
"..."
"...I'll go get--"

Mystery Figure:
"Nonono, I'm coming in."

The figure steps into the room. A tall, debonair rat in impeccable evening attire sashays into the room with practiced elegance, but his eyes are laser-focused on Mudbaum, terrified.

```

```
Ritz:
"Cheese and crackers... He looks bad."

Bozo:
"He's better than he was before, thanks to you."

Ritz:
"Well, it's the least I could do."

Bozo:
*Shrugs.* "This is true." *Turns back to Mudbaum.* "Jax? Twitch is here. As a friend."

Ritz:
"Hello."

Jax:
*Slow, shallow breaths.*

Bozo:
*Nudges Twitch.* "*Go on, say something?*"

Ritz:
"*Like **what**???*"

Bozo:
"*Anything!*"

Ritz:
*Looks down at Jax, a flurry of emotions forming as beads of sweat on his face.* "Hey, Jax. It's me, Twitch. Hope you're feeling better. Don't die, okay?" *Glances at Bozo as if to say, "Is that good?"*

Bozo:
*Shakes head, and waves him on "Keep going!"*

Ritz:
*Straightens up, getting annoyed.* "How do I know he can even hear me?"

Bozo:
"You don't. Keep going."

Ritz:
*Rolls his eyes.* "This was a stupid idea. I can't believe you talked me into this." *Turns to leave.*

Bozo:
"Twitch, you walk out that door, I swear--"

Ritz:
"This has been a massive waste of time."

Jax:
*Winces.*

Bozo:
"I'll tell him!"

Ritz:
*His hand rests as it rattles the doorknob.* "...Tell him what?"

There is a long pause...

Bozo:
"Everything. Whatever it is you're hiding."

Ritz:
"...And what is it I'm hiding, Brenda?"

Bozo:
"..."

Ritz:
"No deal. You don't have anything to bargain with."

Bozo:
"Twitch, wait--"

Ritz:
"The name's not Twitch. It's Mr. Ricotta." *The door is swung open, and the shuffle of retreating feet indicates Ritz's swift departure.*

Bozo:
"No, Twi--I mean, Ritz, wait! Wait!"

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Brenda Gutrail
* Beauregard Cheddarosier
* Jasper Mudbaum
* Ryan Reason
* Ritz Rakghoul Ricotta

## Participants

* Mortimer
* BeauX