[ video ]

[hostage]

[Jesse's reporting in from the lab, for once, which probably looks a little strange for anyone seeing him in hazmat coveralls for the first time. Look at him. Professional-like. Behind him is a peek at the Initiative's futuristic chemistry equipment, but the focus is on a vial of clear liquid pinched between Jesse's fingers.]

Yo. Remember how I said like a month ago I was working on something? I finished it.

Wait - Um, backing this up a little in case you missed it. We got word a few months back that the U.E.'s been drugging their people with something called verstatsi. A lotta the Exiles that turned up here ended up sick 'cause they couldn't get their fix. A lotta them were dying from the withdrawal. It was pretty bad.

Anyways, I was developing an anti-addictive drug. We tested it this week.

[He taps the vial he's holding, looking pretty proud of himself.]

It's working. Everybody we gave it to stabilized in like under two hours. Cravings totally gone, symptoms gone. And the dose is only once a day, which - if you've ever been on methadone - that is huge, okay.

I know a lotta you are probably like, "Who cares? I'm not a junkie anyway." No, seriously, this shit? This could save your life if the U.E. ever captures you. This is big. We're gonna keep testing it, but I'm making sure the clinic gets stocked A.S.A.P., yo. All my research notes'll be there along with it so I don't gotta sit here explaining science to you for three hours. Everything about dosage... Recipe, too, in case anything happens to me.

So... Yeah. And thanks to Vanadi and Rin for helping me out with getting chemicals. We totally did it, you guys.

Comments

[hostage]

Jeez, um...

[He has to check his paperwork, give him a minute.]

I wanna say at least enough for five thousand people to get a month's worth. But we don't know for sure yet how long it'll take for tapering and all that. Could be we won't need that much for each person.

[whatsupcroc]

How're we bringing people in to that program?

[hostage]

I... am so not in charge of that. I go wherever the Initiative's people tell me. I dunno how they picked our subjects.

[whatsupcroc]

Yeah, well, kick some butt and tell me who's in charge on their end, because they're not hands on enough with the Exiles to be left on their own picking who runs this trial! They need to get in on the Exile hospital, that's that. You can make that happen, Jesse, I know you can!

[hostage]

[Wow, that's mildly terrifying.]

Um, yeah. I'll talk to 'em.

[whatsupcroc]

( She believes in you this much, Jesse!!! )

Yes! I knew you would. Thank you, Jesse! You're amazing.

( She grins. )

From little things to help people feel at home, to helping save lives. Yet you're the guy thinking you couldn't do anything before! I bet you can't say that now. Or you can, but I'll have to kick your butt for saying so. How did the welcoming cookies go this month, by the way?

[hostage]

[Jesse's stunned by her little speech there. She really can't know how much that touches him. After a brief moment of silence, he nods and offers a faint smile.]

It was good. Yeah. Glad I did it.

[whatsupcroc]

( She looks a little cat caught the canary pleased when he says he's glad he did it. )

I had a feeling you would be. Did Saul help out at all?

[hostage]

[He snorts at that.]

Yeah, he actually did. I put him to work in the kitchen.

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette giggles, enjoying the mental image of Saul in the kitchen. It leads her to asking... )

Did you have him in an apron and everything?

[hostage]

I didn't have one for him. But next time...

[whatsupcroc]

Oh! Oh! Will it have ruffles? He's look great in ruffles!

[hostage]

You know, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[whatsupcroc]

Gonna get his name embroidered on it?

[hostage]

Absolutely. What do you think? Pink and purple?

[whatsupcroc]

Oh, for sure. With gold trim!

[hostage]

Perfect.

[whatsupcroc]

Make sure to take pictures!