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IT WASN'T KEVIN'S IDEA to go to the Roane County Fair.
Perhaps a week ago, he would've entertained going even if it presented an obvious ploy for Mayor Larry Kline's re-election campaign. The sky would've been bedazzled with fireworks, beautiful to the eye but would likely prompt him to cover his ears until they subsided. He and Amara would arrive together after their one day of freedom from work, but she'd eventually get dragged away by her friends while he'd be left alone. He'd be perfectly content, elated that his sister now had such wonderful individuals in her life but dismayed that his friends and girlfriend weren't there to celebrate the Fourth of July with him.
With the world ending for the third consecutive time, Kevin was convinced that their companions would be anywhere but the Fun Fair. But as it goes, Hopper refused to listen to reason and now he, Murray, and Alexei were stuck waiting in the parking lot for him and Joyce to inevitably return empty-handed. And yes, Hopper had insisted that Kevin remain in the car for logic unbeknownst to him.
(As for Murray, it made more sense. He had implied that Joyce and Hopper should have sex after all)
"What are you guys saying now?" Kevin pivoted to face Murray and Alexei, who had migrated to the trunk of the canary yellow convertible that would've landed Hopper in jail for grand theft auto if he wasn't the Chief of Police. They were going over the plans for how to disable the machine as he had instructed, and Kevin felt useless just sitting there while his compatriots either searched for kids they wouldn't find or conversed in a language he couldn't comprehend.
"He's asking me if I want to turn off the machine or explode it," Murray relayed. While he and Kevin hadn't had the chance to talk much over the last few days, Murray couldn't help but scrutinize him in secret. He struck him as someone out of his element alongside two adults who couldn't recognize their attraction for one another, caught up with worry for a sister he couldn't contact. That was the most intriguing part, for unlike Murray's past clients it wasn't a romantic relationship that was troubling Kevin.
"Explode, obviously," Kevin replied. "Otherwise the Russians can just turn it back on, right?"
"Exactly what I was thinking," Murray grinned, standing up. "Now come on, let's go have some fun."
"Wait, we're going in?" Kevin questioned, narrowing his eyes. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Hey, it can't be any better than waiting out here like sitting ducks for the lovebirds to return," Murray extrapolated. He'd coined Joyce and Hopper with that term following their very inappropriate for children conversation that had resulted in him and Alexei chortling for a good five minutes afterward, Hopper's face turning redder than a tomato if that was even possible, and Kevin wishing he was anywhere but there. "If you're correct in assuming that they're wasting their time looking for the kids – which I'm sure you are, then we shouldn't have to waste our time."
