video

[the_prodigal_son]

It was my birthday on the first.

I think.

[That's it. That's all he has to say.

He doesn't even look that excited.]

Comments

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

More like the fifties, I wasn't in America for the sixties...

[A pause.]

Star Wars?

[Jack Wynand grew up on a farmhouse. Even he doesn't know jack about movies.

Haha, Jack.]

[video]

[tofudog]

Uh, only the best story ever told. Okay, so, it all happens "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." There's this Empire, right, and they're totally evil. And in this galaxy there's a thing called The Force that's like magic, except it's in everyone. Only this order called the Jedi can--

Actually, you know what? Forget your plans for tonight! We're taking over the rec room.

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[Way to confuse the hell out of him he's not even sure if this is a book or something.]

Won't there be people in the rec room? I don't know about people. I... Uh.... [Cue puppy eyes.]. Bad things tend to happen when I'm near people.

[video]

[tofudog]

[SORRY JACK.]

It'll be fiiiine. They can watch too!

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

That's not what I... Meant.

[His hands tighten on his wrench.]

It's been a.. Long time since anyone was near me and I didn't have to kill them. I'm not ready yet. I don't think.

Could we do it in my room instead? I don't share it with anyone.

[video]

[tofudog]

Oh.

[Yikes.]

Okay, two questions:

[He holds up one finger]

Do you have a TV in your room? Aaand

[He raises another]

One-to-ten, how likely is it I'm gonna make it out of your room in one piece?

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

Uhh...

[Hm.]

I don't have a TV but it'd... fit, if you can get one.

And... I won't hurt you. I promise.

[Even if he looks super nervous.]

[video]

[tofudog]

[Beast Boy isn't that worried. He doesn't know what Jack's power is, but he's gone up against some pretty tough enemies. Anyway, he'd never forgive himself for letting the poor soul go another day without knowing Obi Wan's heroic sacrifice.]

Okay, new plan. It's still early enough that there'll be like, no one in the rec room. We go, get the TV, and then tonight? Private viewing. No one's going to miss it for just a little while.

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[Well, this gets a bit smile out of him.]

I can carry the TV. I'm really strong...

[Strong enough to smash a golf club through someone's skull. He shudders.]

...I can carry huge guns all by myself. Like grenade launchers. For ages.

[video]

[tofudog]

You got it!

[He's... just going to ignore the grenade launchers thing. Has this guy seen more action than he has? Because it's kind of sounding like it.]

So that's your mutation, super strength?

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

Uhh... I think it's that my everything is the best it can be. I'm just... Built for living. I can go forever without eating or sleeping or smoking too and run for a long time... I can't get drunk though, that's harder.

...And I don't know how much of it is natural. I used to have more but they were from drugs, I guess they wore off on me or something. Maybe they'd come back if I smoked...

[This boy has seen a lot of action.]

[video]

[tofudog]

You smoke? You drink? Coool.

[Beast Boy no]

Hold on--they can make powers? And give them like medicine?

Re: [video]

[the_prodigal_son]

'Course I smoke and drink. I'm an adult!

[No you're not, Jack.]

And... Back in Rapture they sold powers like candy. Fontaine made them with the same scientists that made me. But they weren't... Stable... And...

[He glances down at his wrench.]

I don't want to talk about Rapture.

[video]

[tofudog]

[Someday, Beast Boy wants to hear Jack's story. But today is not that day.]

Are we even allowed to have that stuff? I mean, it's a school...

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

I don't know. But I'm gonna get some anyway. I wanna smoke.

[Jack no]

Do you want some if I get it?

[Jack no]

[video]

[tofudog]

Uh, yeah!

[Is that even a question? They don't let him do that stuff at home!]

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[He raises his brows a bit. Even Jack Wynand started early on smokes and booze, though, so it's mostly the enthusiasm that surprises him.]

They don't taste that good, don't expect anything amazing. But I'll see if I can teach you how to smoke without killing yourself.

[Somewhere in the afterlife Andrew Ryan suddenly feels twice as disappointed by his son.]

[video]

[tofudog]

Oh man, this is so cool!

[Surprised? This is forbidden fruit, Jack! Until today, Beast Boy assumed he'd never get a chance to try either! It's not like he could go buy some without everyone freaking out over his mutation.]

Don't even worry about it, dude. Loads of people do it, how hard can it be?

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

You've gotta learn how to smoke. 'Cause it's literally smoke going into your lungs, your body won't like it at first.

[Talking about smoking is nowhere near as nice as smoking, though. Hmmm how easily can he find some without getting crowded...]

...It's not as hard to get used to as ADAM, though.

[video]

[tofudog]

Who's Adam?

[Ya lost him.]

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

ADAM is the drug that gives you superpowers. There's different kinds like Electro Bolt and Incinerate and Winter Blast... they're made out of sea slug blood, I think. Something in them makes mutants.

I used to have a lot of ADAM powers. Like.. ten. But I guess I don't anymore.

[video]

[tofudog]

[Jack said he didn't want to talk about Rapture, but Beast Boy is having a hard time holding back the questions. Everything Jack says seems to bring up three more.]

Well, who needs that other stuff? Your natural power seems pretty cool on it's own, dude. You're tough.

[He punches his own hand. Like a tough guy.]

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

["Natural". That's hilarious.]

I miss some of my ADAM powers. But I got a glove from Mr. McCoy that works like Electro Bolt.

[Give him a second to fish it out from his pocket... And then he shows off an arch of blue lightning from a black glove on his left hand to the tip of the wrench in his right. He's so... Mixed feelings about still being able to do this.

Less importantly this gives Beast Boy a great view of his tattoos. Yet another mystery to unfold.]

[video]

[tofudog]

[Tattoos too? How come someone as cool as Jack is even talking to Beast Boy? Aside from him not knowing how cool he is. Oh, and the electroglove is badass, too.]

Man. How come he didn't give me one of those? I wanna shock bad guys!

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

You can borrow it if you want. It's probably big on you.

[But his mixed feelings turn into quiet pride at Beast Boy's enthusiasm. Even Atlas didn't make him feel this cool, even if it is all normal stuff for him.]