Walter Kidney

Sixteen friends gathered around their boss in the hospital room.

“Don’t be so quiet.” He ordered suddenly. “I’m awake now, can’t you tell…?”

“Sorry… boss.” Julie apologized for the team.

Anti slammed his fist on Bozo’s bedside table.

“I should’ve been there… I could’ve stopped them.”

“It’s no use either way.” The CEO sighed, turning to his provided window that only showed the disastrous park he was soon to lose. “Even… if we caught them… this… all of this would still be ending. You win some… you lose some. It’s only capitalism.”

“Well, it’s not fair.”

“It’s the truth.”

The room became silent again. No blessings were counted then. No thankful greetings were exchanged. Wheel hoped the glare from the fluorescent lights would hide his tears under the thick reflection of his glasses. Oda was still holding her weapon, clinging to the pole like a stuffed animal, and Lee had started to back up into the corner, biting his thumb. Wilton kept his head down, and not even Denny had anything to say. Q was lacking even the slightest bit of the usual energy, and Foxlam was dumbfounded.

Every single one of them figured they’d lost for good this time.

Then a couple officers from down the hall walked in.

“Wait, you uh- why isn’t your TV on?” The fresh blood of her squad butted in, interrupting the solem trade of silence.

“Sheesh, someone’s sleeping on the job.” Officer Bartlet sneered. “Quincy, get the remote.”

“Yes sir!”

She pressed a few buttons, and in a moment's notice, the television positioned in the defeated Bozo’s direction lit up with the visage of Walter Kidney himself.

“What the…”

The ancient man was looking younger again. His cybernetic smile shined with the same light it probably always had, whoever was still alive who’d seen it back in its heyday. His moustache was sensible- well-trimmed, not understated, nor superfluous- he was the very image of a man. Yet, with his innocent eyes and a perfectly-directed gaze of untold wonder at the world, he maintained an air of childlike whimsy about him, even with his mature posture and aged attire. His was as vibrant as a suit could be without any color. The black-on-grey chevrons seemed to move as he did, almost mesmerizing as he emoted with well-practiced confidence through his endless pool of experience. He sat behind an old walnut desk, atop which rested an assortment of books, slightly scattered as if he’d actually been reading them moments before- and behind him were even more: the study library he always presented from was a rich collection of not only texts, but also visual arts, as you’d be remiss not to spot the myriad posters and production materials for his many works, from his park attractions and city plans to his undyingly popular animated films.

Through every syllable of the creative’s speech, you could taste his enthusiasm like sweet sugar.

“…To say farewell, and part ways with anything is never a happy moment. It may seem like, with those words spoken, whatever you’ve lost won’t ever return. But… our hearts can keep anything alive. And I think we’d all get a lot better out of this life if we could only believe.”

Nobody in the infirmary talked over Kidney, and indeed, it felt almost like the whole city’d gone silent just then- if not the entire country. As the nation’s uncle spoke, all listened.

“Believe that your memories with Venge City Kentucky… with your families and friends… don’t have to end. Believe the money you’ve lost doesn’t have to go away, Believe life itself… can go on forever.”

He turned towards a closer camera, drawing in the viewers with an angle that felt more personal than before as his expression darkened only slightly to convey his seriousness.

“Some of you may have been unaware that Kentucky’s star theme park- Venge City- was… attacked, earlier today. Bad people did bad things, and wounded the dream of the park’s creator. I am here to revive not only that dream, but to ease the burden of any guests unlucky enough to have had their stay dampened by this experience, as well as the kindhearted, hardworking souls who run that park.”

Returning to the previous angle, he held up a red card, which was the shot was then cut for it to be zoomed in on.

“One of these December 2012 Kidneyland Kansas Passports will be distributed to each and every person present at Venge City Kentucky on the day of this tragedy, before the park was closed off just a few short hours ago.”

Returning to his signature shot, he leaned in- propositioning to the viewer something he thought they’d find very interesting.

“But that won’t be all- as a way to recuperate the losses of Coaster Bozo and Tough Boys Comics as a whole, I’ll be allowing anyone at the park this month to pay in and join a little “game” of sorts. In keeping with our great American spirit and the so-often overlooked children within ourselves, all participants will compete to win sums of this money. Of course, I, myself, will be contributing much of the prize pool.”

Suddenly, the camera moved. It followed Kidney as he walked to a giant map in the room, three times taller than himself. Showing the entire park and all its varied zones, he motioned to it as a king would his kingdom.

“Across the entire original Kidneyland location in Agra, Kansas, fun and exciting competition where kids and adults may participate side-by-side and head-to-head will run rampant. As you face off against your fellow guests, you’ll be betting these Moon Tokens among your them.”

Again the camera was brought in. He held up to it a small, silver coin- a little badge in the shape of our beloved Luna.

“Whoever collects the most of these by the twenty-fourth of December and presents them to our staff at the final collection will be deemed the first prize winner, and claim themselves a large sum of money- as well as a well-earned dose of pride and the respect of myself and all those watching.” He began walking back to his seat. “But worry not, for the runner-ups, both second and third, will too receive some sliver of the prize pool. Just don’t expect your road to be any easier on the way there. Shoot for the stars- or I suppose, in this case, moons- and you’ll go far.”

He stood behind his desk again, resting his hands at us as he smiled in childlike anticipation.

“Now- that’s not to say the game is all I have in store for you folks. Because, you see- at the end of the sport, when all our fun’s been had, and our handshakes exchanged- I’ll have one more surprise for you. An announcement… that will shock and delight the entire universe. I do hope you’re as excited for it as I am right now telling you about it.”

With that, he clasped his hands professionally, and nodded to all those watching with his upmost appreciation.

“Thank you, to the residents of Venge City Kentucky, and all others watching. Always dream, never sleep.”

In the hospital room, Bozo gripped his IV.

“B-boss?” Inio stuttered, looking to his CEO as the others still remained processing what they’d seen.

The hero grit his teeth.