Drabbles of Golden Villainy

little problems

"Little problems"

Golden Brain was strolling in his secret compound when his top general cane running up to him. Golden Brain's brow arched when the general stopped in front of him. Golden Brain rolled his eyes at his general who was struggling to catch his breath.

"Sir! W-we have-! A bit!...of a-! Problem!" His general managed to pant out. Golden Brain brought his cane up to his chest, grabbing it with both hands.

"Problem? What type of problem?" He demanded with a hint of irritant. "With what?"

"It is the weapon you wanted."

"What?" The grip on his cane tighten in growing anger. "I thought I told you I didn't want any drawbacks. I sent clear instructions!"

The general sunk in terror. "It wasn't my fault! It was Therese!"

"Therese?" Golden Brain blinked and released his powerful grip off of his cane. "How? All she ever does is make the weapons better!"

"S-she told me that she can't figure out how to make it work!"

"Oh please, how much trouble can it be? I seen her fix and improve countless weapons before...ah, I better go check on her. Just go and train the grunts, will you?" He said, shooing his general away. Golden Brain swiftly made his way down the hall to the inventions room. It was a large room that held most of their destructive products and office supplies. He saw Therese with half of her body into a hatch of a giant machine. She was kicking her legs, as if she was struggling to get out. Golden Brain rushed to her side.

"Therese! Are you alright?" He asked as he peeked inside of the hatch. He saw that her dress was stained in black oil, completely ruining the fabric. Her face was covered in black and her hair was a mess.

"I uh! Just need a little help, please!" She yelled out. Golden Brain set his cane down and grabbed her waist with both of his hands. With one pull, she was out of the hatch.

"Thanks, Mr. Brain..." Therese muttered. It was a different tone than what he was used to. She was usually so energetic and now she looked like a sad kitten.

"Therese, what's wrong?" He asked gently. "I never seen you so flustered..."

Therese bit her lower lip and rubbed her elbow. "It's just..." she let out a sigh. "I can't fix the wheatgrass extractor or the "subatomic particle ray" as you call it."

Golden Brain chuckled nervously as he pulled at his collar. "W-what's wrong with it?"

"I can't turn it on. Something is off with the machine which was why I was looking inside of it. But now...I don't know." She kicked at the ground and crossed her arms. "I just can't figure it out! I tried everything!' She exclaimed and began to pace the floors as she gave him a full list. "I check the fuel gauge, the power source, the wiring and even the tubing!" She leaned against the metal machine, holding a frown. "And I still can't figure it out. I'm sorry, Mr. Brain." She said.

"W-what are you apologizing for? It's just a slight hiccup."

"But its not!" She argued. "I know you expect a lot from me and I really want to fix the machine but..I'm not as brilliant as you." She said in a small voice. Golden Brain was surprised. One being that she called him brilliant, which he was, but in how she compared herself to him. He could tell she had been working on the machine for more than an hour, possible even a few. She could have gotten the grunts to look at it but she didn't. She always wanted to do it herself. She wanted to get all of his machine in great, working order. She gave herself that responsibility. Now, when he stared at her, all he saw was her disappointment in herself.

Golden Brain took a step towards her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Miss Therese." He began. She looked up at him, still holding her frown. "You are the most brilliant person I had ever known." Her eyes widen from his words and he saw her frown beginning to lift up.

"Oh. You are just trying to be nice." She replied.

"No, no, I'm serious." He said as he tilted his head at her. "You are so brilliant, well, I think...you're even smarter than I am."

"What?"

"Please, don't let me repeat that. It was hard the first time. But it's true." He said as he lifted her chin up. "And...if you are having trouble, you can ask for my help."

"No! I can't do that, you are so busy with running the company I can't possibly ask you to-!" He grabbed her shoulders again, making her face him again.

"Therese, you can come to me. I won't turn you away." She sniffed and turned her head away. Her cheeks turning into a darker shade of pink. He then noticed he was still holding her. He quickly let go and placed his hands down to his side. "I...What kind of boss would I be if I didn't help my most promising employee?" She giggled at his response which made his eyes lit up, if he had a mouth, he would have been smiling alongside her.

"Then, Mr. Brain...Can you please help me?" She asked. Golden Brain chuckled and rolled up his sleeves.

"But of course! Let's see if we can find the problem together, shall we?"

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