Chapter Thirty -- Secondary Characters Have A Life, Too
"And you wouldn't believe it, Zoey, he was going on and on about all that crap that Connor put in his brain. And others' brains, I'm sure. Can you tell me what makes some people get into this kind of thing? I just can't figure it out by myself," Matty finished his complaint with a deep sigh.
Zoey patted him on the shoulder. He was buying to celebrate the fact that Rusty was making a key for him, and who else was there to do that with than his bestie? "Look, Matty, my bro, my friend," Zoey began, "there are people in this life that are nothing but followers. Now, the problem is who they end up following. Too bad that it's usually evil leaders that get to these people. You know, like religious fanatics. I mean, there are plenty of people who believe in a greater being or more without being looney about it. However, that small percentage that gets so easily influenced does exist. That's life. Sorry your creepy roommate is that kind of person."
"You say that it's only a small percentage, but I hear that the Implacable Team is continuing to recruit new members. And do you recall how many people were there, when he made the first public appearance, as the ultimate leader of S.H.I.T?"
Zoey pursed her lips. "Well, you're right about that. I would've never imagined that anyone would find that eco-bs-loving bozo a charming guy, but it looks like he speaks to the minds of some. It has to be because a part of those people find Connor trendy or something. In other words, it's a fad."
"One that can and might lead to dangerous consequences, don't you think? I mean, today it's only a Nightwing costume that gets it. What's it going to be tomorrow?"
"I have to admit," Zoey relented, "that a thing like that can be quite troubling. I mean, sharp objects were involved."
"The thing is I pity John for falling under Connor's influence. Does that guy even understand what his incensing speeches do to people?" Matty shook his head.
Zoey seemed to ponder over something in her mind, because her pursed lips moved from left to right, and then up and down, repeating the whole cycle a few times. Then, her eyes lit up, and she snapped her fingers. "I know exactly what we should do! I mean, what I should do."
"You? Why? Is your roommate going nuts with S.H.I.T., too?"
"Nope, but you know, what I was telling you, about John and others beings followers and all that? Well, I should practice what I preach. I'm not a follower, but I don't want to be a spectator, either."
"Why do I get the feeling that I won't like where this is going?" Matty asked and took a cautious sip from his juice, his eyes never leaving Zoey.
"You're going to love it!" Zoey waved as if she was completely not sure that would be the case.
"Great. I'll hate it, even," Matty concluded. "I know you're hardheaded and there's no way in hell I'm going to convince you otherwise, but still I should try--"
Zoey wagged a finger at him. "Nah-ah, Matty. You told John you're not going to pester Rusty about what to do with his life. So, practice what you preach, too, when your bestie is concerned."
"Great way to serve that back at me." Matty grinned and gave Zoey two thumbs up. "Now, let me in on your evil plans. I'm sure something good is bound to come out of them because they're yours."
Zoey made a great impersonation of a sniffling poor soul and patted her eyes to dry invisible tears. "You're making me so emotional."
"You should be an actor. People who don't know you are in severe danger of falling for this act."
"Exactly," Zoey said with satisfaction. "That's what I'm counting on. Ready to hear my plan?"
"I believe I was born ready for this kind of thing. Shoot." Matty examined his friend's face for signs of hesitation and saw none. That meant that Zoey was truly serious about whatever it was.
Zoey leaned over the table and protected their conspiratorial space with both her hands. Then, she whispered, "I'm going to infiltrate the Implacable Team."
"What?" Matty asked too loudly, and Zoey shushed him impatiently. "Why?" he added, but in a more subdued tone.
"Because that's the surest way to expose them," Zoey explained. "Duh," she said as an addition when she noticed that he was staring at her, completely nonplussed.
"I don't know what their deal is, and I hope they're not dangerous, only annoying, but I don't think it's that good an idea, Zoey."
"Psh, come on, don't be like that, Matty. What could they do to me, even if they discover, at some point, that I'm not one of them? We don't live in the Middle Ages, thankfully. They won't tie me up with stones around my neck, and then try to see if I sink or if I float."
"I suppose not," Matty conceded. "I don't see college students going as far as that. However, they're not a cool bunch. Why would you do that, Zoey? Please tell me that it's not because they're going after Rusty's crown or something silly like that. I'll never forgive myself as your best friend."
"You're way too serious for twenty-one years of age, Matty. And don't you worry your pretty head," she said and reached over the table to pinch his cheek, knowing all too well that he didn't like it. "No, I'm not doing this for Rusty. That would make this whole thing a selfless act, and, between you and me, let's say I'm a cold-hearted asshole."
Matty snorted and rolled his eyes. "When? When you're sleeping?"
Zoey made a small annoyed sound in the back of her throat without opening her mouth. "I'm telling you, I am."
"Okay, if you say so. I'm not going to deny you the pleasure of calling yourself what you're not."
"It would take all day to tell you all the crazy stuff that goes through my brain on a regular basis, but I like you, and I don't want to see you broken. No, I'm going to infiltrate the Implacable Team and expose them for the morons they are because I need to be noticed."
"Wasn't that what the glitter was for?" Matty asked. "Just checking."
Zoey rolled her eyes. "And? Has it worked so far?"
"You tell me," Matty said slowly, hoping that Zoey would blurt out the name of her crush.
"No, it hasn't," Zoey replied. "Trust me, I've been thinking of a thing so grand that it couldn't be ignored, no matter how--" She stopped abruptly. "The thing is, this can make me noticeable in the highest degree."
"I see. So you're chasing fame," Matty agreed and showed his approval by nodding his head like a sage. "What's that got to do with your crush, though? Is he into chicks who love infiltrating organizations so that she can later play the part of a whistleblower? If that's the case, he must be a guy with very peculiar tastes."
"Matty, Matty, Matty," Zoey said, shaking her head, while her eyes glinted with shrewdness and humor. "That's not the endgame, that's the strategy. When I finally get noticed by him, I can put a hand on my hip, swaying gently and looking him in the eye, and then saying: 'babe, do you come here often?'"
Matty bit his bottom lip to stop from laughing, but it was a losing battle. "All this convoluted plan just to use a lame pick-up line?"
"Hey," Zoey said, putting one hand up and pretending to be offended, "I'm still working out the kinks. Let me think of another pick-up line since you're so picky." She narrowed her eyes in thought. "How about this? Winter is coming, and soon so will you?"
