Head Games — VS3.13 — Virtual Season 3
1
Head
Games
By glenaan, Jude Mustard and
Rachel Wilder
Episode
VS3.13
2
Virtual Season 3 — VS3.13 — Head Games
Prologue
Original Cindy and Maxʹs Apartment, Sector 5, Seattle ‐
November 12, 10:00 pm
Max stood at the door, her hand raised. She didnʹt want to
startle Original Cindy, but it was her home. She was
home. As she continued to mull over her options, the door
swung open.
ʺDamn, girl, I wondered how long it was gonna take you
to get your bony behind up here. Been watchinʹ you
standinʹ down in the street for practically twenty min‐
utes.ʺ
Original Cindy grabbed Max and enveloped her in a
warm hug, pulling her tight. After a moment, she released
Max and stood back, looking her roommate up and down.
ʺLooks like that dream vacation didnʹt leave you too much
the worse for the wear.ʺ
Max snorted. ʺStill kickinʹ. So…you up for sharinʹ our crib
again?ʺ
ʺDamn straight, girlfriend. Original Cindy was not made
for single livinʹ.ʺ
She stepped back and let Max enter the apartment. Max
walked in and looked around the room.
ʺHome sweet home.ʺ
ʺYou bet. Original Cindy didnʹt change a thing while you
were gone.ʺ
Max set down her bag and sighed. ʺYou sure? ʹBout havinʹ
me here?ʺ she asked. ʺI donʹt want to be in your way with
Head Games — VS3.13 — Virtual Season 3
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Ginger.ʺ
ʺOriginal Cindyʹs wondering the same thing. Why you
want to come back to this crib? I figured youʹd be movinʹ
on up to the East Side with Logan.ʺ
Max stared at Original Cindy for a moment, a confused
look on her face. ʺEast side? Who lives on the east side?ʺ
Original Cindy sighed. ʺMan, girl, we need to teach you
some lessons about basic African‐American history and
the story of how our people finally broke the color barrier
in situation comedy. But anyway, youʹre not movinʹ right
in with Logan?ʺ
ʺNot the right time,ʺ Max answered.
ʺMy thoughts exactly,ʺ Original Cindy replied.
ʺMen.ʺ
ʺWomen.ʺ
They both laughed and Original Cindy pulled Max into
another long hug. When she pulled back, she took Maxʹs
hands in hers and examined Maxʹs fingernails.
ʺWell, some things never change...these things are rag‐
gedy, girl.ʺ
ʺYou thought I came back here for the view?ʺ Max teased.
ʺIʹll get you fixed up in no time,ʺ Original Cindy an‐
swered.
Max sat down on the couch while Original Cindy set a
teakettle on the burner in the kitchen.
ʺSo, you had enough of Chez Terminal City?ʺ Original
Cindy asked.
ʺYeah...enough to last me a lifetime,ʺ Max answered, as
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Virtual Season 3 — VS3.13 — Head Games
she leaned her head back on the top edge of the couch.
ʺYou make Mole the new mayor?ʺ
ʺSomethinʹ like that. He seemed to want to stay, along
with some of the others. Personally, I couldnʹt wait to get
out of there...beds sucked, food sucked...a girl needs her
space.ʺ
ʺHurtinʹ your love life?ʺ
ʺMajor cramp in my style,ʺ Max answered.
ʺSo what are you doing here?ʺ her friend asked.
ʺWell, I donʹt know about you, but...well...he didnʹt ask.
Just told me he was going home. What about Ginger?ʺ
ʺSaid she still had stuff to take care of there...had to look
out for the ones who would still need to break bread in the
commissary.ʺ
ʺResponsible woman,ʺ Max replied.
ʺYeah,ʺ Original Cindy answered.
ʺMen.ʺ
ʺWomen.ʺ
* * * * *
Head Games — VS3.13 — Virtual Season 3
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Act One
Jam Pony XPress ‐ November 13, 8:00 am
Max dismounted in front of Jam Pony, paused, then
pushed her bike inside the building. It appeared as if noth‐
ing had changed. Messengers were pouring in and out of
the building while Normal sat in his cage shouting out
instructions over the din.
ʺBip, bip...ʺ Normalʹs last ʺbipʺ was lost as he caught sight
of Max standing in front of him. ʺWell, if it isnʹt the de‐
fender of the transgenic free world.ʺ
ʺNormal,ʺ Max answered.
ʺSo...well...what...ʺ
ʺYou got some work for a skilled professional like my‐
self?ʺ she asked, interrupting his stammer.
ʺUh...well...what kind of...I mean...with your...ʺ
ʺDamn, Normal. You chokinʹ on yourself?ʺ Original Cindy
asked as she rolled her bike up to his desk. ʺYou got a run
for her or not?ʺ
ʺGet a locker, missy. Youʹll have to start back at beginning
scale on account of your extended vacation,ʺ Normal re‐
plied, seeming to have recovered himself.
ʺSure thing,ʺ Max replied as she headed toward the row of
lockers.
ʺYou gonna take that from him?ʺ Original Cindy asked as
she followed Max.
ʺWell, I hate to give up the fifty cents per run, but I am a
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