video. username: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[There is a mildly anxious child on the feed, sitting on the edge of the community building roof as she munches down on some potato chips; this child's diet is 1000% on point. But more importantly, she flashes the video feed several stories below toward some of the trees. The little accent is full of confusion:]

They are dying. What are they sick with?

Shouldn't someone do something to save them? ¿Dónde está el jardinero?

[Seriously, nobody seems concerned about the leaves all falling off. Or them turning odd colors.]

Comments

[scoutsniper]

Got a problem, rich boy?

[Yes. Really.]

[potentialed]

[ He has to laugh at that because wow. W o w. ]

I'm a "rich boy" now? Why? Because my profession paid a lot?

[scoutsniper]

You need another reason?

Some of us goddam work for our paycheck. We don't just...what? Float around over decent people. [By 'decent people' he means him, obviously. ]

[potentialed]

[ Brows go way up. ]

That's me in my off time. I actually have two jobs here on top of doing extra rounds at the hospital. But thank you for letting me know that successfully performing brain surgery doesn't constitute as "work".

[scoutsniper]

So your hobbies include freaking people out on rooftops [Not that he, himself, was freaked out. Just making a point.] and criticizing the manners of little girls who've already had a shit start at life.

Got it.

[potentialed]

Just because someone's had it hard, that doesn't mean they are above criticism.

[ As the Ancient One let him know several times after his accident. ]

But I am sorry for freaking you out so much, Frank. I'll make sure to warn you properly next time I catch you on a rooftop.

[ Which means he totally won't. ]

[scoutsniper]

She's.

A.

Child.

[Jesus, dude. Save your asshole lecture for adults.]

You never had kids, before, did you?

[This is him blithely ignoring that last bit.]

[potentialed]

Did you get away with everything when you were a kid? You didn't get lectured or told what you should and shouldn't do? You were just given free reign?

[scoutsniper]

I didn't get someone jumping my shit every time I ate potato chips.

It's not like she's selling drugs or some shit. [You are the worst dad.]

[potentialed]

Wanting her to eat something other than potato chips is not being harsh, Frank.

Stop being a soft touch.

[ He's new at this. Leave him alone. ]

[scoutsniper]

They're not going to kill her, Dr Nutritionist. [They're potato chips. Jesus. Lighten up.

He can't not laugh at the insult. ] Soft touch? It's like you don't even know me, Dr Wizard.

[potentialed]

I know you're shit at coming up with names.

[ Okay, fine. He's laughing, too. ]

[scoutsniper]

Trying to keep it clean. Kid's probably listening in.

[Shut up, Dr Weirdo. ]

[potentialed]

[ No way. He's gotta say something. ]

You've said "fuck" how many times now?

[scoutsniper]

You think I count that shit?

[He doubts even you could count that high, Doc.]

[potentialed]

During this conversation? Twice.

"Shit" three times. And "goddamn" three times.

[ You bet your ass he counts. ]

[scoutsniper]

Ever wonder why you don't have any friends, Doc?

[Because Frank here might be able to clue you in.]

[potentialed]

Jokes on you, I already know.

[ He's a know it all, remember? ]

[scoutsniper]

[Goddammit, don't do that. Ruining all Frank's fun. ]

Nice to see your commitment to your job at least. [Namaste, his inner jerk says to yours.]

[potentialed]

[ Stephen has a habit of doing that. ]

Oh, you have no idea.

[ Somwhere, Dormammu's weird gaseous ear holes are ringing. ]

[scoutsniper]

That why you creep around at night?

[He...also tends to creep around people at night but it is totally different.]