56 - Truth

SOPHIA
Previously, on Second Fiddles: Max’s roommate Parker is also his ex-boyfriend, which needlessly irks his current boyfriend, Elijah. After learning that he wasn’t powerless after all, Elijah not only remembered the lost members of Second Fiddles, he also realized he could make people tell the truth with a simple touch. It’s both delightful and unsettling. Let’s begin!

MAT
Episode 56: Truth

Elijah
Hey, Max, are you back home yet?

PARKER
Nah, bro, it’s just me. Hold on a sec!

ELIJAH
Oh. Hi, Parker.

PARKER
Sorry, had to grab a towel. I just took a shower.

ELIJAH
I can… see that.

PARKER
Hey, take a picture, it’ll last longer.

ELIJAH
Do you want to grab a shirt or something?

PARKER
No, not really. And seriously, take a picture. That way you can think about me when I’m not around. Unless you prefer to use your imagination…

ELIJAH
Yeah, no, I’m good. Do you mind if I chill in Max’s room until he gets home?

PARKER
Do whatever you want. You know, you always look so miserable whenever you see me, it makes me feel like BLEEP.

ELIJAH
When I was invisible, I never learned how to mask emotions from showing on my face. Maybe that’s why?

PARKER
You always act like talking to me causes you pain.

ELIJAH
How should I be acting? Oh my god, Cliff Hanger is the best! I love that he lives with Max, especially because he’s the one who took his virginity! Yay!

PARKER
I mean, you’re not wrong, I AM the best.

ELIJAH
Shouldn’t you be getting ready to go out and take off your clothes for strangers?

PARKER
Would you prefer that I take my clothes off for someone I know, instead?

ELIJAH
Well, it’s not like you’re wearing much to remove anyway.

PARKER
No, I’m not working at the club tonight. I took this week off in case Max or Linus needed my help with anything. I actually just got back from patrolling. Hence, the shower.

ELIJAH
Oh. I know Max was out patrolling too, but I hoped he’d be back by now. Sophia’s coming over soon, and we’re gonna come up with a plan to infiltrate wherever Tammy and Chameleon are being held captive.

PARKER
That’s cool. Can I help?

ELIJAH
That depends. Will you be wearing clothes by then?

PARKER
Wow, you really hate me, don’t you?

ELIJAH
I don’t hate you, I just… wish you didn’t live here.

PARKER
I get it. I’m everything that you aren’t, so you’re jealous. I’m confident, independent, I know what I want, I have practical superpowers, and I look like this in a towel. I’d be jealous, too, if I were you.

ELIJAH
You are so wrong, it’s not even funny.

PARKER
Okay, then. Tell me. What have I ever done to you?

ELIJAH
Well, you flirt with me all the time. And Max, too.

PARKER
I flirt with literally everyone. I’ve flirted with Linus before, too. And Ren, and Chameleon. I even told Sophia that her syntax gave me goosebumps in all the wrong places.

ELIJAH
I remember. She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they were gonna fall out of their sockets.

PARKER
See? None of them take me seriously.

ELIJAH
That’s not the point.

PARKER
Isn’t it, though?

ELIJAH
What do you mean?

PARKER
None of them actually think I’m hitting on them. It’s pretty obvious. Why are you taking it so personal?

ELIJAH
I… I…

PARKER
Oh! Is it because you HAVE been taking me seriously?

ELIJAH
I’m… not used to anyone flirting with me.

PARKER
Except for Max?

ELIJAH
He’s my boyfriend, that’s different.

PARKER
But when I first started flirting with you, you really liked it, didn’t you?

ELIJAH
Not exactly. We were on a break.

PARKER
Holy BLEEP, dude. You thought about it!

ELIJAH
No! Wait, thought about what?

PARKER
Thought about me!

ELIJAH
No way!

PARKER
I don’t believe you. I think you were actually vibing with me, and now that you know who I am, you feel guilty!

ELIJAH
It’s not like I was looking for anything! But, I was more single than not, and I was really lonely, so I… This conversation would be easier if you put some clothes on.

PARKER
Why, because you think I’m hot and the fact that I’ve been flirting with you is short-circuiting your brain?

ELIJAH
You’re crazy.

PARKER
Hold on a sec.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS

PARKER
I’m nothing if not a gentleman.

ELIJAH
I’ll believe that when I see it.

PARKER
And just for you, I’m putting on a shirt AND pants!

ELIJAH
Wow! I’m so lucky!

SFX: FOOTSTEPS

PARKER
I could tell you were actually getting upset, so I got dressed. See? I’m not a total jerk.

ELIJAH
Your crop top doesn’t leave much to the imagination, but… thank you. I guess.

PARKER
You’re welcome. Hey, if you’re still into me, maybe we could try a throuple. You, me, Max. It could be fun!

ELIJAH
I knew it! I knew you still liked Max!

PARKER
Dude, I’m joking. Lighten up.

ELIJAH
I don’t believe you.

PARKER
Is that why you’re here every waking minute Max is home? You don’t want to leave us alone together?

ELIJAH
Pretty much. But I also have a lot of free time now, and my parents are kind of suffocating me.

PARKER
I thought the whole reason you didn’t want to move in with Max was because you didn’t want to leave your parents.

ELIJAH
Well, it was, and it is, but– but, now that I’m visible I don’t need them as much, and they won’t let up. They’re treating me like a little kid instead of a man.

PARKER
Oh believe me, you are one hundred percent man.

ELIJAH
Stop it!

PARKER
I can’t help it! Flirty is my natural state!

ELIJAH
You wouldn’t be saying that if Max were here.

PARKER
Yes, I would. Max would giggle and be like “oh yeah he is! I love my visible man!” and then I’d make fake barfing sounds and go watch TV in my room.

ELIJAH
Hm. Okay, yeah, that actually sounds about right.

PARKER
See? We’ve spent enough time around each other lately, you know me better than you think.


ELIJAH
Yeah, but–

PARKER
But not enough to trust me?

ELIJAH
No. I’m sorry.

PARKER
Don’t be. You know, there’s an easy way to fix that.

ELIJAH
There is?

PARKER
Yeah. I know all about your new powers. If we’re touching, I can’t tell a lie, right?

ELIJAH
I haven’t really been public with that… Did you overhear me and Max talking about it?

PARKER
Duh. You guys are loud.

ELIJAH
I wouldn’t want to use my powers on someone without their consent. I mean, other than a bad guy.

PARKER
Well, then, I give you my consent. All of my consent.

ELIJAH
Gross, stop it!

PARKER
Sorry. So how does this work? Do we hold hands?

ELIJAH
Pretty much. Yeah.

PARKER
Like… this?

ELIJAH
Yeah, I guess. Are you sure about this?

PARKER
Yes. Ask me whatever you need to.

ELIJAH
Okay… Do you still have feelings for Max?

PARKER
No, not romantically. Occasionally, he’ll make a joke, or smile in a funny way, and I’ll remember our times together, but that’s it. Just a case of lingering nostalgia.

ELIJAH
Really?

PARKER
Really.

ELIJAH
So when you flirt with him, you don’t mean it?

PARKER
Nope. I just like teasing him.

ELIJAH
So you weren’t serious about a throuple?

PARKER
Oh god, no. I’m all for sexual experimentation, and I’ve had a three-way before, but it got weird. I prefer to focus on one person at a time.

ELIJAH
And that person isn’t Max?

PARKER
Nope, not Max. Anything else?

ELIJAH
Huh. Why are you so flirty?

PARKER
I’m incredibly insecure. I have pretty damaging body dysmorphia, so even though I show off my abs and brag about my looks, everytime I look in the mirror, I see an ugly troll. BLEEP! You weren’t kidding about this truth power!

ELIJAH
We can stop if you want.

PARKER
No, this is oddly cathartic.

ELIJAH
If… you’re so insecure, why do you strip?

PARKER
I’ve said this before: I like the attention. I might not think I look good, but having others look at me with lust in their eyes really fills that part of me that usually feels empty. And… the exercise from pole dancing is top notch! Seriously, if you want to work on your core strength, I can get you on a pole in no time.

ELIJAH
Umm, maybe some other time. So, do you… fraternize with a lot of people from the club?

PARKER
Not really. I pretend to be a player, but I’m super picky. I’ve actually only hooked up once since I moved here. I haven’t had a serious boyfriend since university.

ELIJAH
Since Max? Seriously?

PARKER
No, the school I transferred to in London, not Rose Academy.

ELIJAH
Oh. Why? I mean, I know you said you’re insecure, but is there anything else holding you back?

PARKER
When I was working as a vigilante after I moved to Rose City, I didn’t want to expose anyone else to my vigilante lifestyle. And then I moved in with Max, and the idea of bringing a guy over here is absolutely terrifying.

ELIJAH
Why? Because you live with your ex?

PARKER
No, because I’m afraid any connection I make won’t… compare.

ELIJAH
Won’t compare to what, my relationship with Max?

PARKER
Yeah. I’m jealous, and it’s really hard to see the two of you together every day.

ELIJAH
What are you talking about? I thought you said you didn’t have any feelings for Max.

PARKER
I don’t.

ELIJAH
Then why are you jealous?

PARKER
I’m jealous of Max because he gets to be with you, okay? I’m afraid no guy I meet will compare to you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a boyfriend. You’re sweet, and adorable, and kinda possessive, which totally works for me, and the fact that I’ve been able to stand here and hold your hand for a few minutes has made this the single best day I’ve had since I moved back to Rose City.

ELIJAH
Parker…

PARKER
I know it’s just a stupid crush, and you’re with Max, and I’m not being realistic, but seeing the two of you every day is starting to hurt more and more, because every time you smile, I wish you were smiling for me, so that’s why I flirt and tease you all the time, because even though you roll your eyes at me, I see the smallest hint of a smile at the corner of your lips, and that makes it all worth it.

ELIJAH
Whoa. Sorry, I had to let go. I… I can’t do this anymore.

PARKER
That was intense.

ELIJAH
Yeah.

PARKER
So, you trust me now?

ELIJAH
I- I mean, yes, but–

PARKER
But now you’re weirded out knowing how I feel?

ELIJAH
A little. I’m sorry.

PARKER
Don’t be sorry! I knew what I was getting into.

ELIJAH
You know I’m going to have to tell Max, right? I can’t pretend you didn’t just unload like that.

PARKER
Hey, it wasn’t the kind of unloading I would’ve preferred, but I’ll take what I can get.

ELIJAH
Hey, you can stop with the honesty!

PARKER
You don’t happen to have a gay twin brother hiding somewhere, do you?

ELIJAH
I’m an only child.

PARKER
Damn. Well, hey, I had to ask. What about a clone?

ELIJAH
Nope, no clone. There is an evil alien shapeshifter in lockdown at the league headquarters who refuses to stop using my face, but I don’t think Ploonjer would make a very good boyfriend.

PARKER
Oh, that Kromin that Ren and Cassie went to babysit?

ELIJAH
Yeah, he’s the worst.

PARKER
No thanks, I’ll stick to humans.

ELIJAH
That’s probably for the best.

PARKER
So…

ELIJAH
So…

SFX: DOOR OPEN, CLOSE

SOPHIA
Hello, Elijah! Hello, Parker!

ELIJAH
Sophia! You made it!

SOPHIA
Of course! Why are you two acting like I interrupted something?

ELIJAH
You’re not interrupting anything, we were just talking.

SOPHIA
You are both rather flushed, and nervous. I’m excellent at reading body language.

ELIJAH
Don’t worry, Sophia, we were just… having a hard conversation.

SOPHIA
I see…

PARKER
I just asked Elijah to use his powers so he would finally learn to trust me, and I confessed that I have feelings for him. But don’t worry, it’s not mutual.

ELIJAH
Why would you tell her that?!

PARKER
Telling the truth feels really good! Hmm, I wonder if I’m, like, honesty-drunk from your powers, even though we’re not touching anymore. Is that a thing?

ELIJAH
I don’t know! Maybe?

SOPHIA
I would normally offer to leave so you can talk more to resolve this, but I’ve barely been given any dialogue since taking on the role of narrator, so I’m not going anywhere. We have to plan a rescue!

PARKER
I might not remember Max’s sister or any of those other heroes, but I’m here to help!

ELIJAH
Did you figure out where Chameleon was taken?

SOPHIA
Yes, we tracked their watch to a location outside of Rose City. It appears to be a compound. We sent Gale to fly nearby, and she saw several buildings, and gardens, and a wall up around the entire compound. Even though she could see it with her eyes, it doesn’t show up on any satellite imagery.

ELIJAH
That’s weird. So it’s like a farm or something?

SOPHIA
I have no idea. The closer Gale got to it, the weaker her powers became, and she almost fell out of the sky. Luckily, she was able to turn around and get back safely, but that likely means the entire area is surrounded by a dampening field.

ELIJAH
Meaning, if we try to break in, we won’t have any powers?

SOPHIA
You will still have powers, but everyone else will be defenseless.

PARKER
Which means Linus probably isn’t the best person to bring. Without his forcefields, he’s not a great fighter.

ELIJAH
And without his regeneration, Max won’t be very helpful.

SOPHIA
His antlers would also be a clear giveaway.

ELIJAH
True. Gale and Ren aren’t fighters, either, so… is it up to me?

PARKER
Hey, you can count me in, too.

ELIJAH
But you wouldn’t have your powers.

PARKER
You think climbing walls saved all those people when I was a vigilante? It lets me sneak up on people, sure, but I don’t need my powers to kick some serious butt.

ELIJAH
Fine. But I know Linus, and there’s no way he wouldn’t want to help, too.

SOPHIA
You are correct. As the leader of Second Fiddles, Linus will insist on helping. You can try to convince him otherwise, but I doubt you will succeed.

ELIJAH
Okay, okay. That’s fine. What about you, Sophia? Will you be coming with us?

SOPHIA
I’m confident in my krav maga training, so I don’t need to rely on the strength of my Basher form, but I don’t know how I’d be affected by a dampening field. Without my enhanced memory, would I forget my combat training?

ELIJAH
That’s actually a really good question. Have you ever tried using a power dampener?

SOPHIA
No. I’ve been too frightened. I’m afraid of what it would mean.

PARKER
That’s okay, we got this!

ELIJAH
We do?

PARKER
Yeah!

SOPHIA
I have confidence in you, Elijah. And you, Parker, well, I don’t really know you at all, but if Elijah trusts you, so do I!

PARKER
And do you? Trust me?

ELIJAH
I… do. Yeah. You and Max and I have to have a sit-down in the future about everything you said today, but if you want to volunteer, I’ll gladly take the help.

PARKER
I only signed a 6-month sublease, by the way, so I won’t be around that much longer. I’ll start looking for my own place after this whole rescue mission thing, okay?

ELIJAH
Are you… sure?

PARKER
Yeah, I knew the day I moved in and realized I’d be living with Max that it was gonna be a temporary thing. It’s just too weird. I’ve had a lot of crushes in the past, I just didn’t have to hang out with them every single day, so once I get some space, I think everything will get easier.

ELIJAH
I’m sorry. I remember when I was invisible, seeing Max every day when I was keeping an eye on him for Tammy and Fourth Wall. I liked him so much, but I knew I couldn’t do anything about it.

PARKER
Yeah, but you just had to wait, and your patience paid off. I don’t have that option. I just have to move on.

ELIJAH
Oh… I didn’t think of it that way.

PARKER
Yeah…

ELIJAH
Yeah…

SOPHIA
I like how after I said that I was afraid of losing my powers, which was actually difficult for me to admit, rather than delve into my own personal insecurities, the two of you pivoted back to your own baggage. Hm. Ren or Max would’ve asked me how I was feeling.

ELIJAH
Aww, sorry, Sophia. We’re so selfish!

SOPHIA
It’s quite alright. We have to stop talking and focus on the mission. Lives are at stake!

PARKER
You’re kind of sexy when you get all authoritarian like that.

SOPHIA
Are you looking to get your face smashed in?

PARKER
Too soon?

SOPHIA
It will be quite some time until we’re familiar enough with each other for me to permit that sort of comment from you.

PARKER
Sorry, Recall, Ma’am.

SOPHIA
Oh, don’t ma’am me, that’s even worse!

PARKER
Ah! Noted!

ELIJAH
Okay, so, I’ll call Max and Linus and get them up to speed?

SOPHIA
Yes, that would be ideal. Also, may I just add, my lack of storyline this season is very discouraging. Next season, I’d better be involved in the plot in some way other than occasional knowledge and support!

PARKER
Are we supposed to know what you’re talking about?

SOPHIA
No, of course not. Well, VD, Cliff Hanger, it’s time to suit up.

ELIJAH
Don’t call me that!

PARKER
Heh, V.D.

ELIJAH
I am not using Visidude!

SOPHIA
Whatever moniker you prefer, it’s time to go rescue our friends!

PARKER
Are they my friends, too? I don’t remember ever meeting them.

ELIJAH
Oh my god, shut up!

SOPHIA
Maybe I should be glad I’m in fewer of these episodes. These boys are exhausting.

ELIJAH
Aw, come on, we’re not that bad!

SOPHIA
Well, sometimes the truth hurts.

PARKER
Tell me about it.

MAT
In this episode of Second Fiddles, Elijah is voiced by Nick B, Parker is voiced by Greg M, and Sophia is voiced by Robyn Rime. Music by Pete Johnson, and writing, producing, and sound design by Mat Johnson.

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