I've Got the Strangest Feeling This Isn't Our First Time Around

55

"We have yet to determine who's trapped in this one." Snoozemore briefs the team. "She was found dumped in the sewers of Poshley Heights. There were signs of a struggle by the pipe to the sewers."

"She was attacked?" Mario fills in the blank.

"That's what the PHPD thinks."

"That's awful." Pauline says.

"Mm, yes." Snoozemore agrees. "But we can't find out who did this to her until we wake her up. Questions?"

"Yes." Spike raises a hand. "Why does Luigi get to have a girlfriend outside the lab, and I don't?"

"He what ?" Mario turns to look at Luigi, who ignores them.

"Snooze here was talking about the case, not me."

"Indeed." Snoozemore says. "Now begin reparations."

Luigi walks away to get changed into his pajamas, but Snoozemore stops Spike.

"My office. Now."

Spike follows Snoozemore, while Pauline stares at Mario in shock.

"I know, I know. Case comes first." Spike apologizes as he closes the office door. "Please don't waste your breath reprimanding me."

"You said Luigi has a girlfriend?" Snoozemore asks.

"Oh? You actually wanna know?" Spike grins. "Her name's Destiny, and if she were single, I would've snatched her up for myself."

"What do you know?" Snoozemore pushes.

"I didn't even know she existed until she surprised him at our apartment this morning." Spike replies. "Luigi never said one word about having a girlfriend."

"I want you to do some recon work on him." Snoozemore orders. "Everything you can find out, I want to know."

He starts to go, but Spike stops him. "What? Uh...do I have to?"

"Pardon me?" Snoozemore clearly wasn't expecting that.

"It was one thing when you first recruited me." Spike says. "But we're friends now."

"And?" Snoozemore shrugs.

"Friends don't spy on friends." Spike insists. "I won't do it."

"You don't get to say no." Snoozemore informs him sternly. "You're paid to do your job, which, right now, is to spy on Destiny. You're not spying on Luigi, you're looking out for him. Friends look out for each other, no?"

Spike nods. "Understood.", the tries, "So, while I got you here, can we talk about---" right as Snoozemore leaves.

"Guess not." Spike sighs.

Luigi walks out right as Mario's making the rounds.

"Monitors?"

"Check."

"Biofeedback?"

"Check."

"Sleep Quality?"

"Check."

"Healing Pods?"

"Check."

"Communications?"

"Check!"

"Starlow?"

"Check."

"Luigi?"

"Heard."

"Okay, so," Mario says as he walks over to the bed. "Right now, we're just looking for a name."

"Consider it done." Luigi lays back. "Can we get a move on, or what?"

"Move along, Rawhide." Mario jokes, but when everyone stares instead of laughing, he blushes and just says,

"Okay! Inducing REM sleep in 3...2...1...GO!"