the thmgau rewrite

Banana Strike Back

Coming to consciousness, Cherry found herself in a near-empty room, tied up in a chair. The last thing they remembered were last night's events, when the bananas got them. She had thrown her sword to save Leslie, but got caught by the bananas herself. They knew Leslie was a kind soul. Cherry knew they'd be back to save her.

But right now, Cherry was gonna have to deal with being tied up in a really uncomfortable chair.

"Maybe I can try to untie myself.." they thought. As they fiddled with the rope tying their wrists together, the door handle jingled a bit. Cherry stopped what she was doing instantly as Pim entered the room.

"Well, well, well.. look at what we have here!" Pim said, spinning the Bananainator in his hands.
"Alright, asshole. Cut to the chase. Just do the thing."
"Oh, you mean the thing where I turn you into a banana? I wasn't planning on doing that to you... yet."

Cherry raised an eyebrow. "Yet?"

"You see," Pim hummed. "You're here as bait."
"Bait?"
"I know you have friends. Remember when you all came to eat here just 2 days ago? You all were wearing those little necklaces."
"What do the necklaces have to do with anything anyway?"
"Friends often wear matching necklaces to symbolize their friendship. At least, that's how it is where I'm from."
"Does everyone where you're from wear stupid banana costumes too or are you the outlier there?"

Pim gasped, as if he were offended. "A COSTUME? You think this is a COSTUME?"

"What else would it be?"
"Uh.. my SKIN?"
"You're.. a banana?"
"Well, half-banana, if we're going off technicalities. My mom's a human. My dad's a banana."
"I don't even want to think about the logistics of that- hold on a minute. Don't you run a banana restaurant?"
"Yes? Cannibalism's legal where I'm from, it's fine."
"Alright, not gonna question the morality of that. Why am I here as 'bait' anyhow?"
"Oh, c'mon, I just went over that. You're here as bait so I can turn you & your friends into bananas! Simple as that."
"Why bananas, though? Like, couldn't you just kill us?"
"Why would I kill a potential employee? That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard."
"..Potential employee?"
"I'm sure you've noticed the lack of employees here, yeah? I turn people into bananas so they work here at the restaurant & then I can take over capitalism!"

Cherry was dumbfounded. "...what?"

"You heard me. I'm going to take over capitalism!"
"..first of all, you can't take over capitalism. Second of all, why take over capitalism? Capitalism sucks bad, dude."
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because what the fuck else am I supposed to do?"
"Oh, I don't know.. stay silent, maybe?"
"Whatever. Better than talking to you, anyway."

"Rude." Pim crossed his arms. "Not like you'll be needing to speak for much longer. I'm about to let the bananas out into the city. Soon enough your little friends will be crawling their way back to this place. Better get comfortable!"

With that, Pim left the room & shut the door, leaving Cherry alone to her own devices.

-

Leslie had stayed awake all night long.

Energy drinks & coffee mugs were scattered all across their apartment. One of those mini-whiteboards was on the coffee table, with incomprehensible writing & sketches on it. Various other papers laid around as well, with even more incomprehensible writings. Its laptop was sitting on the couch, with multiple tabs open all to the varying degree of "how to fight bananas".

Leslie had to get Cherry back. It was racking its brain with any ideas - anything at all - to get its friend back. They were afraid Juniper, Nora, & Kalani wouldn't believe them. Cherry getting kidnapped by bananas? It was absurd!