The All Nighter

Gaius is sleeping on his recliner.

Every so often, he groans and rolls over.

What's wrong with Gaius? asks Terence.

Nothing, says Surfing-with-Whales. It's his recliner, not following the curve of his ....shit! 

That doesn't make sense, says Terence. 

Game over! says Surfing-with-Whales. 

Did you lose? asks Terence.

Yeah, I lost concentration, says Surfing-with-Whales. The aim is to be the last man standing.

On what? asks Terence.

Doesn't matter on what, says Surfing-with-Whales. I died, that's what matters.

Start a new game, says Terence.

I might try Fortnitemares, says Surfing-with-Whales, clicking through.

That looks good, says Terence. 

Yeah, says Surfing with Whales. It's new. And scary! You up for it?

Me? says Terence.

You'll be watching me play it, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Sure, says Terence. 

He watches as Surfing-with-Whales's avatar dodges exploding pumpkins and encounters a challenge called Tricycle Scare.

Ha ha! laughs Terence. A three-wheeler! That's lame.

Bugger! says Surfing with-Whales. Defeated again. 

Sorry, says Terence.

Doesn't matter, says Surfing-with-Whales. Maybe we should try and get some shut-eye.

You promised! says Terence.

Promised what? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

To do an all nighter, says Terence. Like me.

Yeah so I did, says Surfing-with-Whales. Okay.

He makes room for Terence on the recliner.

It's not quite wide enough, but Terence doesn't mind.

Ouch! says Surfing-with-Whales. What's that sticking into my leg?

My claw, says Terence. I put it in my pocket.

Take it out, says Surfing-with-Whales. It can go in my pocket.

What if you lose it? asks Terence.

I won't lose it, says Surfing-with-Whales. I'm a careful type of person.

Terence takes the claw out of his pocket, and hands it to Surfing-with-Whales, who shoves it into his pocket.

Now what? asks Terence.

Let's talk, says Surfing-with-Whales. 

What about? asks Terence.

Whatever, says Surfing-with-Whales. Your claw, for example. How'd you get it?

My blood brother, says Terence.

Where is he now? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

I don't know, says Terence.

That's like me and Farky, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Farky was Sweezus's dog, says Terence.

Yeah but he left him with me, says Surfing-with-Whales. 

Where is he now? asks Terence.

I don't know, says Surfing-with-Whales.

So Terence and Surfing-with-Whales have something in common.