As soon as Joshua hung up John sprang into action. He speed dialed one of his top associates and ordered him to acquire the six sports shorts Joshua had requested at the nearest supermarket, and to meet him on its roof in less than seven minutes. John knew this sounded like some kind of nonsense operation. He also knew the orders would be followed without question.
All this time John had been sprinting to the roof where he kept his personal helicopter. John called his secretary and put her on acquiring a permit for his short flight through controlled airspace. He knew that she couldn't possibly get it in time, he could only hope that it was in the system before the authorities became aware of a rogue helicopter.
John took off in the helicopter to meet his man on the supermarket roof. John checked the time, four minutes in. John pushed the machinery to its very limits. He didn't have time to stop so as he drew near to the shopping center roof he lowered a long cable. It was a special attachment John had designed himself. The man on the ground grabbed onto the cable and John activated the winch to haul the man up. John checked the time again, eight minutes in. The associate clambered into the helicopter cockpit. John set him to loading the shorts into a special parachute bag and directed him to study the wind so he could make the drop perfectly, regardless of air currents.
This entire time a software program on John's phone had been triangulating the location of Joshua. Or more accurately his phone with a GPS in it. John had been heading in a general direction but now he knew exactly where to go, an alley close to the school. He gave the associate this information and told him to make the drop. Thirteen minutes in, the parachute unfolded and began drifting directly towards Joshua and several young men who were not wearing pants. They were also making quite a bit of noise.
John smiled and felt a great peace settle within him. Whatever his Master, Joshua, was doing, it was surely great and noble. John turned around and began the flight home.
The associate was very, very confused. But he knew better than to question. That's how he had survived all these years.
"Why is every single school I've ever been to a maze? Who designed this place? The Romans at least made sense even if their architecture was a bit too gaudy for my taste." Grumbling, one of my specialties, I can keep it up forever. But I really am late, so I should hurry.
"235, 236, 237, 238! That's the one!" Slightly out of breath, I entered my first classroom. The teacher was handing out packets of papers to read and sign. I slipped silently to the back of the room. A few kids snickered at me but the teacher paid no attention. There were two empty seats in the room, one was next to Erin, the other was next to my school bus friend Bill/Ted. So in reality, there is really only one option.
Stolen story; please report.
"Hey Bill/Ted old buddy old pal, thanks for saving me a seat!" Really! It was very kind of you. Bill/Ted jumped at the sound of my voice as I slid into the empty desk next to him.
"N-no I wasn't actually-" a girl behind us interrupted Bill/Ted and jumped into the conversation.
"Bill/Ted? Is that really your name?" Bill/Ted opened his mouth to answer but I decided to save him the trouble.
"Of course it is, I mean look at him!" I'm surprised anyone would even question that. Of course he is Bill/Ted.
"That is such a cool name! I've never even heard anyone named anything like that before." The girl turned to her neighbor and a flurry of whispering and pointing began which soon spread to the four corners of the room.
Bill/Ted's eyes widened and his face paled as he looked around wildly. All eyes were on him. Whispers of Bill/Ted were heard from every direction. I wonder what he will do? Will Dax accept the new name I have given him?
Bill/Ted focused his gaze on me and glared. I smiled back pleasantly. “I wonder, is a rose truly a rose by any other name? What do you think?”
This is the most interesting thing to me personally. The boy is being given a choice of identity, whether he knows it or not, what he does next will change everything. I don't think there is a bad or a wrong choice, but it is a determining choice just the same.
I created this situation on whim. Because it is interesting, a test. Is it wrong for me to purposely put others in uncomfortable positions? To pull and stretch and rend and tear until they break. I am filled with an insatiable curiosity. What are they? Can I break them? Can I fix them? What are the limits and what happens when they are exceeded? And perhaps at the root of it all, my real question, what am I? Who am I to do these things? If I can. Whoa, that train of thought seems a little scary. Must be careful, I don’t want to be that way. There are, after all, very good reasons for my reputation as a monster.
While I was lost in my self reflections the teacher began taking the role. One by one he called every name and asked if they would prefer a nickname on the roll. Erin's name was called, she managed to answer him without any problems. Then my name followed immediately after.
"Joshua Sterling?" Called the teacher.
"Present!" Was my prompt reply. “Just call me Joshua.” The teacher nodded and moved onto the next name on his list. So my new name is Joshua Sterling, it tastes good when you say it. Ja-shoe-a Sss-terling, it sounds kind of like a sneeze followed by one of those whispers that carries farther than a shout. It will do.
Regardless, another name, another label, another role to play, got to keep things interesting! There must not be any time for idle thoughts! No no no that wouldn’t do! But I wonder how long Joshua Sterling will last? Four years, maybe six? Identities don't last long when you don't age, particularly when you look young and should be developing like the wind. Doesn't help much for casual long lasting relationships either.
"Dax Zyger!" A very strange name resounded through the air. I know who it belongs to! The moment is here! What will he do? Is he pliable? moldable? Or is he firm and rigid?
"Here!" Said Dax, then he let out a long sigh. "Please put my name as Bill/Ted on the role."