A horse's ass

'Is that the news?'

'Yep. Oh, how tragic. Tate's coming out of hospital. I'd rather hoped he'd have to stay a good deal longer.'

'That's a shame.'

'Never mind. He's certainly spent enough time there this past year already, at any rate. They'll reserve him his own private room soon.'

'All because of you. The ball-stabbing incident still holds top place in my heart, though.'

'Oh yes, it's certainly a favourite of mine. I really should've got you to film it. Instead, I have to settle for reliving it through imagination only.'

'Oh well.'

'No matter. I do wish this particular incident had been more of a success, though it's certainly not your fault. You did well.'

'I was only Charon's lookout. Can't blame him either for it not being fatal, though. It would've been hard to land.'

'I can imagine. Still, the fact that he survived the meteor only ends up being a good thing, in the end. I'm far from done with him.'

'Did you have something in mind...?'

'I need to think more on it. It's a matter of logistics and planning. There's no good in risking it with a half-assed plan. But yes, of course I intend to visit him again.'

'Well, yeah. The day you decide to stop pursuing Tate is the day I decide to get you checked for dementia.'

'Ouch, wow. What a terrible thing to say.'

'I know. That was pretty careless of me, actually...'

'God knows I've said worse. So, I think for now it'd be more effective to get Brianne to leave. If I don't see movement from her soon, I might have to step it up a bit.'

'...You'd better not be hurting anyone innocent.'

'No, Hazel. We already agreed... I promise, I won't harm anybody else that doesn't deserve it. I know you don't agree with those methods, and I'd much prefer not to alienate you. I'm not going to do anything to her. I just want the stupid woman to see sense. Causing Tate pain is fun, but there's a lot to be said for hurting him indirectly too.'

'I doubt he gives a shit about Brianne or the twins.'

'Of course he doesn't, but he'd still be angry on principle. He'd be alone and having to start over yet again, and someone like him simply can't stand to be on his own. He isn't happy unless he has a family to make suffer.'

'Exactly why I wanted to kill the bastard and be done with it.'

'It's not enough to just kill him. I want him to be completely ruined by the time somebody finally puts him out of his misery. After all, he still has a loyal fanbase of voters who have no idea how vile he truly is.'

'I'm surprised you haven't done something about that already.'

'Anything against him would be far more credible coming from his family rather than me. And again, it's all about timing. There's little point in striking before election season, when all eyes are on him. If you make controversies happen too soon, people may forget.'

'...Of course, some people can get away with anything. Tate certainly has his base of core voters in that circle who will always support him so long as he panders to them. You know exactly the kind of demographic he targets. And, with it, some sad people under the delusion that he'll help them too. We aren't talking about smart people here.'

'You think a load of people would still vote for him even if they knew about the awful shit he's done?'

'Not all of them, but some would. It happens. And they say I lack morals... At least I'm honest about it.'

'They'd excuse abuse? Murder?'

'People are inherently selfish, Hazel. It just isn't always socially acceptable to admit it. But you know, if the scandal were to be big enough and horrible enough, the vast majority would no longer find themselves able to publicly support the scum.'

'Will that happen, then, when the time is right?'

'I'm sure it will, even if it isn't me who makes it happen.'

'Welcome home, babe.'

'Thank you, Brianne. Ugh, what a complete disaster this has been... I'm sick of that hospital.'

'Are you okay?'

'Well, what do you think?'

'...Sorry, stupid question. I just meant, are you in a lot of pain...?'

'Yes, but I'll manage. I just need bed rest and a lot of painkillers. I think I'll head off to bed now, actually. Make me a coffee and bring it up to me, will you?'

'Yeah, sure... Um, first, I wanted to say... I'm keeping the baby, Tate. I don't want an abortion.'

'…..Wow, what a nice present for me coming out of the hospital. That's so considerate of you.'

'Hey, there's no need to be like that! I just wanted to tell you as soon as possible, otherwise it'd just be on my mind! Jeez, you don't have to act like a horse's ass over it.'

'What the hell did you expect? Did you think I was going to jump for joy? Even if I could right now, I wouldn't. Christ.'

'Well, I hope you warm up to the idea of your new child before it's here, because I don't want you talking about it like that in front of it.'

'If it's even mine.'

'For God's sake...'

'Anyway, coffee. See you in a few minutes.'

'Ah, hello. I'm managing okay, thank you for asking.'

'Oh, no, I wasn't directly hit. It was mostly debris. If it'd landed right on me, I would probably be dead. Actually, I wanted to ask you a favour relating to this.'

'It was no act of nature, and I know very well who did it. I should've sold that miserable excuse of life for his organs as a baby.'

'My own grandson. And that's why I'm calling. I need you to sort him out. Actually, I think he's going to this wedding soon, and I'd rather not have to see him and everyone else all there. They'll suspect, and cause a scene I really can't afford now. It'll have to be after. Make it as painful as possible. He doesn't get away with trying to kill me...'