Season Parallel Development - 17. Wrap Up

In short order, the Freelance Police were out the door and running down the hallways, but were knocked to the floor when it felt like the robot had taken off flying.  A few moments later, there was a massive jolt, and Sam and Max got the chance to become acquainted with the ceiling.

“What was that?” Max asked, rubbing his head.

“I think we’ve flown off and landed someplace upside-down.”

A deep rumbling noise issued from below their feet.

“And that’s a little more dubious.”

It didn’t take long before the source of the rumbling snuck up on the Freelance Police.

“Sam, there’s water… we’re gonna drown!” Max shrieked.

“Only if we stay here, Max!  Come on!”

The two tore down the halls all the way to the exit in the robot’s foot.  Sam pulled the door open, but with it came a torrent of water that nearly swept the two of them away.  After a few agonizing moments, the building finally filled up to the point that Sam and Max could swim up and out of the building.

They hit the surface of the Hudson River with a loud gasp.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy to breathe before, Sam.”

“Staring death in the face does that to you, little buddy.”

“I guess, but we’ve done a lot more than just stare death in the face, and I’m still grateful for fresh air in my lungs.  Or, at least, for air as fresh as it can get in Manhattan.”

Sam did his best to look down into the water, trying to find the slightest sign of the building that’d crash-landed there just a handful of minutes ago.  “I’m not seeing the robot, are you?”

“Nope, but it’s probably for the best.”

“Why’s that?”

“I think it affects the property values if one of the nearby buildings is being used for unauthorized vehicular purposes.”

“We never even owned our office, Max.”

“No, but with the rent dropping, it broadens the pool of crazy people who could possibly move in on our street.  And I prefer a higher class of loony.”

Sam and Max eventually crawled out of the river and headed back on over to what was left of BoscoTech labs.  Amazingly, despite a handful of bricks missing here and there, the building itself was in decent shape and was back to its original position.  The street, however, was littered with broken bricks and looked like it had seen better days.

“Guys!” called Dr. Bosco as he, Antonia and Dr. Norrington all came outside.  “What happened?  The other robot just kind of took off at one point.”

“Sam did it!” Max shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at his friend.

“Well, this is one time I’m all right with him saying that.”

“How’d you do it?” Dr. Bosco asked.

“I had a bit of extra electricity leftover from using the compass, so I essentially threw it into the system.”

Dr. Bosco smiled.  “Great thinking, Sam.”

“Hey hey hey, I got the door open, thank you very much,” huffed Max.

“And thank you too, Max.”

“Would you like to have dinner with us?” Antonia asked.  “We were about to order in some takeout.”

Sam scratched his head sheepishly.  “Thanks, but the sun’s almost past the horizon, and Max and I would like to get back to the office.”

“Okay, your choice,” said Dr. Bosco.  “But thanks again, and remember: if anything strange happens, Sam, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“Strange?”

“I don’t know; just anything out of the ordinary.  We still don’t know what’s going on with those powers of yours, so I’d like to keep an eye on you if you’re feeling out of sorts.”

“Thanks, Dr. Bosco.  See you all around.”