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Brain rubbed his temples and sighed. Beside him was a trash full of balled up paper, and in front of him was another failed plan. He paced on the wooden table, still planning in his sleep-deprived state. Beneath his pinkish eyes were distinct, dark circles, which contrasted his snow-white fur. He grabbed the paper in front of him, and in frustration, he crumbled and threw it away.
It wasn’t just the writer’s block that was keeping him awake, it was the cigarettes. If he could have one harmless puff, it would be okay, right? Brain shook the thought from his head. He knew Pinky wouldn’t be happy if he started smoking again. He tip-toed towards the cage. After looking through the cage bars, he saw Pinky lying asleep on the sponge bed. Perfect Brain thought, If I’m reticent enough- god what am I thinking? If Brain started smoking again, he knew he’d feel awful about himself. The idea of being so dependent on that… that stick was enough to drive him up a wall. He sat down on the table. The urges alone felt like they were burning a hole in his chest. His heart raced a mile a minute. The only way he knew he could find a cigarette would be to go outside the lab.
After walking out of the lab noiselessly as possible, Brain was met with the pouring rain. The rain soaked his white fur, and turned it into a grayish color. After a bit of searching, he found a cigarette butt and carried it back towards the lab. Pinky was still sleeping, but woke up from the creaking noise of the door. Brain pushed and pulled to get the cigarette onto the table. There weren’t any lighters, but there were few bunsen burners nearby.
Pinky sprang up from his bed. He first noticed that Brain wasn’t there, and secondly, Brain didn’t wake Pinky up for his fun, fun silly-willy plans!
“Brain! Where are you?!” Pinky shouted.
There was silence. No answer. Brain kept quiet. He didn’t want Pinky to catch him in such a vulnerable position. After all, if Brain wanted to rule the world, he’d have no vulnerabilities at all. Pinky walked out of the cage, calling Brain’s name. He then tripped over the air, giggling to himself. Behind one of the bunsen burners, Pinky caught a glimpse of Brain. Brain’s fur was soaking wet, and he looked rather tired. Pinky couldn’t see the cigarette; it was obscured in the lighting.
“Oh hi, Brain.” Pinky said.
Pinky was going to ask the usual question, but Brain didn’t look okay. He seemed sad and dejected. It was a contrast to his usual stoic nature. Brain’s face was crestfallen and his head skewed downwards. Pinky was going to ask if he was okay, but something else caught his eye. It wasn’t something he could discern, but getting a closer look he could tell it was a cigarette.
“Brain, have you been smoking again?!” Pinky shouted.
Brain lifted his head to face Pinky. Tears suddenly streamed down his face. He felt sad and ashamed. He hated feeling this weak and vulnerable.
“I was g-going to,” Brain paused, sniffling, “…Pinky.”
The sight of Brain’s sadness pulled a few strings in Pinky’s
already big heart. He knew that cigarettes made your lungs all black and icky, but if smoking hurt Brain, then it must be bad!
Pinky asked, “Will you promise me one thing, Brain?”
“Yes?” Brain responded morosely.
“Never ever, ever, ever smoke again!” Pinky declared.
Brain said, his voice wavering, “Pinky, smoking is incredibly addictive. The likeliness-“
Pinky interrupted, “Then why you like an stick that makes your lungs all black and gooey?”
“In layman's terms, they’re made to be liked. Once you start, it’s incredibly difficult to stop,” Brain said.
“Oh, that’s what that means!” Pinky exclaimed, “I thought it was a syrup bottle.”
Sighing, Brain gained his composure. Sometimes Pinky couldn’t understand him. To him, it felt like Pinky wasn’t taking this topic seriously.
“Yes, a syrup bottle,” Brain said monotonously, “Only a simpleton like you could say that.”
Brain said, “But very well, I promise not to smoke again, Pinky.”
“Narf! Alright Brain-o!” Pinky blurted
Brain growled, “Pinky, don’t call me that again.”
“Oh, sorry Brain,” Pinky muttered.
Brain sauntered towards the cage, motioning for Pinky to follow, “Come, Pinky, we must prepare for tomorrow night.”
Pinky asked, “What are we doing tomorrow night?”
Brain said, “The same thing we do every night, Pinky, try to take over the world!”