Brian Saves the World, Maybe

Chapter 32 - The Participants

"Participants?" Ralph said, looking at Brian and Dale.

Brian pursed his lips. If Ralph insisted on giving their group a name, it could certainly be worse. "I like it," he said, simply.

Dale nodded. "Something low key is best, so it doesn't arouse suspicion if someone hears it. I approve."

Brian rolled his eyes, just as Ralph thrust his fist in the air, shouting "Yeah!"

Dale's phone buzzed. "It's Watkins," he said, looking at it. "He still wants to meet us."

Brian gave him a weary look. "Back at the park?"

Dale shook his head. "He's nearby, so I'm sending him your address."

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Brian greeted Officer Watkins and ushered him into the living room with the others.

"I apologize for missing our appointment," Watkins said, "I was... delayed."

No kidding, Brian thought. "That's okay. Why don't you have a seat?"

"I brought doughnuts," Watkins said, holding up a white bag.

Ralph pumped his fist. "Sweet! Pass one over here!"

Watkins looked at Ralph, still in his Iron Man costume, and raised an eyebrow.

Brian coughed. "Uh, this is Ralph. We work together."

Watkins grunted.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Dale added, "It's okay, he's on the team."

"You could say, I'm a participant," Ralph added, with a smirk.

Brian grimaced. "Thanks for coming, Jim. Did I get your name right?" He was pretty sure that was the name Aunt Carol had used.

Watkins gave a quick nod. "Dale indicated you wanted to talk," he said, setting the bag of doughnuts on the coffee table. He sat down in a chair opposite Brian.

Brian nodded. He decided to get right to the point. "Jim, my aunt has left a lot of questions unanswered. Can you tell me what the Resistance is up to? How do they plan to stop the Borae?"

Jim looked at Brian for a moment, chewing on his lip, as if deciding what to say. "Carol keeps things close to the vest. Very few know her plans—only those in her inner circle."

"And, I take it you're not in that circle?" Dale said, pulling an apple fritter out of the bag.

Jim said nothing, his expression unreadable.

Brian furrowed his brows. "Can you tell us who is?"

"I am not authorized to share that information," Jim said, folding his arms.

Brian frowned. "But, you agreed to talk with us."

Jim leaned back in his chair. "And, we're talking."

This is a waste of time, Brian thought.

Perhaps he can replace the phone, TV said.

Brian sighed. "Jim, Aunt Carol gave me a phone on our first visit. A special red one I was supposed to use to report to her. Something... happened to it. Do you know where I can get another one?"

Jim stared at Brian for a moment, unblinking. "Nope."

Brian quickly stood up, annoyed. "Okay then, I guess we're done, here. Thanks for stopping by," he said, gesturing to the door.

"Do you know the history of those devices?" Jim said casually, remaining seated.

Brian cocked his head, frowning. "Uh, no."

"It's interesting, really," Watkins said, taking a bite of his jelly doughnut, "See, early on, the Borae needed a way to get information to, and from, Observers."

"Isn't that what the bio-chips are for?" Brian asked, sitting back down.

"Sure, but the first chips couldn't communicate directly with the Borae. They had to be paired with another device."

Brian nodded. "The phones."

Jim continued, "So, the Borae had the Originals plant special devices inside common objects that Observers would come in contact with on a regular basis."

Brian frowned. "Originals?"

"First-generation Observers. Anyway, at first, they installed them inside household items, but back then, the hardware was bigger, and people were finding the devices and asking questions— Got real messy. Finally, they found the perfect solution: payphones."

"Wow," Ralph said, his mouth full of doughnut, "I've heard of those! My parents told me about 'em."

Brian shook his head. "Well, thanks for the history lesson, Jim, but—"

Jim continued, "Yeah, so there was a time when every pay phone on Earth had Borae tech inside." He chuckled. "Of course, they worked just like normal, but when an Observer used one, well, they weren't just talking to humans."

Finishing his jelly doughnut, Watkins stood up. Apparently, the conversation was also finished.

Brian stood as well, and escorted him to the door.

"I've never even seen a payphone," Ralph said, as Jim reached the door.

Watkins half-turned, with his hand on the doorknob. "Check out the one at Bailey's." He opened the door, and before stepping out, added, "I hear it's still... functional."

The door closed.

Brian scratched his head. "That was strange."

"Let's go!" Ralph shouted.

"Go where?" Brian asked.

Dale smirked. "To Bailey's. Try to keep up."

Ten minutes later, they were all in Dale's van, on their way to Bailey's Bar and Grill.

Brian looked out the window, frowning. He had been so annoyed with Jim that he hadn't fully considered what he was saying. A payphone could really get him back into the Gateway program? He shook his head. "How exactly is this going to work? What if people see me?"

"Don't worry about it," Dale said. "While you're on the phone, I'll be making sure no one gets too close. And Boba Fett, here, will keep an eye on you."

"Iron Man," Ralph said, giving Dale a dirty look. "We got this, boss!" he added, flashing a thumbs-up signal.

Somehow, Brian wasn't feeling very reassured.