Space-Time of Death: an Al Squires of the Protectorate Novel

Ch.13.1: Hooray For Hollowodd!

"Disclaimer," I said out loud as the bus pulled up in line to the front gate of Warner Bros' studio lot, "the following most likely feature parts of various scenes from various films by Warner Bros., as well as feature the likenesses of celebrities of this era- some of which we'll probably meet and interact with- whose depictions might not entirely factual in this particular universe. All rights are reserved to the rightful owners of anything that is mentioned at this point on and beyond. And maybe some parts from earlier, if that's even possible. Everything else, including plot, characters, and some earlier locations belongs to whoever came up with these 'crazy adventures.'" Naturally, I used air-quotes for 'crazy adventures;' for too many reasons to go into, really. "Other than Cara, her likeness, her other incarnations and their likenesses, and her various and too numerous associates."

"Why did you just say that?" Norah asked, baffled by my odd statement. Everyone else around us silently shared her puzzlement.

I shrugged. "Consider it a preemptive measure," I told her. "Just in case we need to cover our bases to keep the lawyers at bay. I figured that were going into a real movie lot, we might need it."

Norah gave me a skeptical look. "But I've heard you mention all sorts of pop culture references before," she countered. "How come you didn't 'disclaim' them, or whatever?"

"That's different," I replied. "They were just that: references. It's one thing to mention someone else's IP by name, it's that proverbial horse of a different color when said IP is featured firsthand in a story; and that could spell trouble not only for us, but for the guy who created all of this as well."

Instead of arguing with me on this, Norah just sighed, shook her head, and turned to look out the window. The others looked out their windows as well. They made small-talk as they did this, and I was able to pick most of them up. However, there was only one that I picked up that I thought worth mentioning:

"What did he mean by that last part?" I heard Kilpatrick ask Lady Lane in a whisper. "Was he talking about God?"

"I think so," replied in a whisper. "Although I'm not sure that he was referring to the more...traditional version of God that you and I are familiar with." There was a bit of a pause. "Don't be offended by anything Agent Squires says," Lady Lane said. "He's a bit strange and an acquired taste for some, true. However, during my time with him during this mission, I've seen that despite his unorthodox nature, he truly means well and is a very intelligent, creative, and capable agent."

I heard Jorge let out a disbelieving scoff after Lady Lane spoke.

"Thank you very much for the compliment, milady," I said aloud as I turned in my seat to look at her and her seat-mate. "You honor my with your words." Lady Lane and I smiled at one another before I glanced over to Jorge. "A shame that some of your fellows don't share your opinion," I said bluntly, loud enough to get his attention. He merely glared at me for a beat before looking away. I heard another scoff, this time coming from where Mattie sat. She must've thought that I included her in that 'some.' Although, she wasn't far off.

Instead of retaliating on Mattie, I turned my sights over to Kilpatrick. "And she's right about what I say, Liu," I tell him earnestly. "Whenever I go off making odd statements about reality that might make you question your own, just try to take what I said with a grain of salt and try not to unravel any threads."

"Thank you?" Kilpatrick said, unsure of what to make of my words.

I turned back around and gave Norah a small nudge. "You hear that?" I whispered to her, beaming with pride. "She's totally fancies me."

Norah exclaimed with slight disgust. "What is it with you and older women?" she asked softly.

I shrugged. "It's not like I do it intentionally," I said in my defense. "It just something about me that attracts Cougars. I think it's my boyish charm and looks that calls to their motherly instinct."