Candice and Josaline are cautiously walking down a hallway.
JOSALINE
Candice, huh?
CANDICE
Yeah?
JOSALINE
Oh nothing. I was just admiring your name. It's beautiful.
CANDICE
Thanks.
JOSALINE
I wish I had a beautiful name like as yours.
CANDICE
What are you talking about? Your name is...ummm...
They stop walking.
CANDICE
It's on the tip of my tongue.
JOSALINE
It's-
CANDICE
Don't tell me. I got this. It's...
(1 minute later)
Candice is still trying to figure out Josaline's name.
CANDICE
(Sigh) I can’t do it. I give up.
JOSALINE
Josaline.
CANDICE
Josh say what?
JOSALINE
My name is Josaline!
CANDICE
Really? I could've sworn it was Clementine.
JOSALINE
(Another idiot.)
Josaline and Candice starts walking.
CANDICE
Anyway, Josaline. That's an OK name.
JOSALINE
OK?
CANDICE
Yeah. You know what I mean. Right?
JOSALINE
(irritated)
No. Please elaborate for me.
CANDICE
I'm saying your name is not too pretty nor to lame. It's in the middle; it's OK. I think its better that way.
JOSALINE
Why?
CANDICE
Because when I was in school, people thought I was a girly-girl. I have my name to thank for that.
JOSALINE
So you're playing for the other team?
CANDICE
Other team? What are you talking about?
JOSALINE
Do I really have to spell it out for you? What I'm trying to ask is...are you gay?
Candice punches Josaline on the top of her head. Josaline grabs her head in pain.
JOSALINE
Owww!
They both stop walking.
CANDICE
Why would you ask such a stupid question like that?
JOSALINE
I just wanted to make sure.
CANDICE
Don't jump to conclusions.
JOSALINE
I apologize.
CANDICE
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Just forget it.
Candice begins to walk away from Josaline.
JOSALINE
Wait up!
Josaline catches up to Candice.
JOSALINE
Candice?
CANDICE
What do you want now?
JOSALINE
Would you mind finishing your story?
CANDICE
There's nothing more to say about it.
JOSALINE
Well, I still think your name is beautiful.
CANDICE
(Sigh) Your name is... very unique.
JOSALINE
Really?
CANDICE
I think so.
JOSALINE
Well, I don't think so.
CANDICE
(I can't believe I'm going to ask this.) How come?
JOSALINE
Funny you should ask that question.
CANDICE
(And here we go.)
Josaline looks depressed.
JOSALINE
When I was little, the neighborhood kids would always make fun of me because of my name. They would call me things that rhymed with my name; Vaseline, Gasoline, Tramp-o-line and so much more.
Candice starts laughing.
JOSALINE
What's so funny? Why are you laughing?
CANDICE
You!
Josaline turns away from Candice and crosses her arms.
CANDICE
Oh girl...I needed that.
Candice looks at Josaline.
CANDICE
Come on. I'm just messing with you.
JOSALINE
There's nothing funny about that.
CANDICE
I'm only laughing because you made yourself sound fragile. Don't let something like that get to you.
Candice puts her hand on Josaline's shoulder.
CANDICE
There's no need to be ashamed of your name. It's just like cloths. Since you have it, you may as well wear it proudly.
JOSALINE
Worst line ever, but I guess you're right.
Josaline smiles a little.
CANDICE
That's the spirit.
JOSALINE
Candice?
CANDICE
Yeah?
JOSALINE
Thank you for making me feel better.
CANDICE
You're welcome.
They continue to walk down the hallway.
JOSALINE
Candice?
CANDICE
(This girl is going to get on my nerves.) Yeah?
JOSALINE
Before, you said my name was unique.
CANDICE
What of it?
JOSALINE
Would you like it if you had my name?
CANDICE
No! Your name is probably the worst I've ever heard.
Josaline stops smiling.
JOSALINE
What?
CANDICE
That name is horrible.
JOSALINE
But what about the things you said earlier?
Candice stops walking to look at Josaline.
CANDICE
The truth is, I felt bad for you. What I said earlier was meant to boost your morale. All of what I said was a bunch of crap.
JOSALINE
But why?
CANDICE
I got a question for you. Why are you still alive? If I had a name like that, I would've off myself a long time ago. A bit of advice for the present.
Candice starts walking.
JOSALINE
(sarcasm)
Thanks for the great advice.
Josaline starts walking.
CANDICE
You're still here, Tramp-o-line? I thought you would've ran off by now.
Josaline was about to punch Candice, but stops herself.
JOSALINE
Anyway, let’s change the subject. How did you get here?
CANDICE
I could ask you the same thing.
JOSALINE
(Boy. Her demeanor has change.)
Josaline starts smiling.
JOSALINE
I got here by-
CANDICE
I don't care.
Josaline stops smiling.
JOSALINE
Well, what are you doing here?
CANDICE
None of your business, Tramp-o-line.
JOSALINE
It's Josaline!
As they're walking, a door opens and Kindra walks from behind the door into the hall and faces Candice and Josaline.
CANDICE
Who are you?
Suddenly, Candice is gets hit on the back of the head by a blunt object. She falls to the ground, unconscious.
(Meanwhile)
Charlie is lying down on a couch in a room, asleep. He starts to wake up.
CHARLIE
Uhhh...What happened?
Charlie slowly opens his eyes and notice Dark Knight in his face.
CHARLIE
Dark Knight?!
DARK KNIGHT
Yes and I'm here to rescue you.
Suddenly, Canari gets in Charlie's face.
CANARI
With his trusty sidekick, me.
Dark Knight and Canari backs away from Charlie's face.
DARK KNIGHT
Nobody cares, CANARI.
CANARI
You care.
Canari starts touching Dark Knight. Dark Knight grabs Canari by the neck and punches him in the face.
DARK KNIGHT
What did I tell you about touching me?! Stay on your side of the room!
CHARLIE
Not this shit again.
