MAX HEADROOM: KILLER INSTINCT

-Chapter 21: Before the Trial-

Bryce stood in the waiting lobby outside the entrance to the "In Your Court" stage at Network 66. Alongside him stood Edison and Alison.

Jenny stood off to the side, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. To Theora, who was watching from her control desk, the girl looked like she wasn't sure what to do. Theora hoped this was a good sign. That there was hope that she would forgive Bryce for unknowingly breaking her heart. After a moment, Jenny approached Bryce's group.

"I need to talk to you," she told Alison.

Theora tensed.

"Stay calm," Murray told her as he joined her to watch the pre-trial goings on.

"What is it?" Alison asked, back at Network 66. "Who are you?"

"Bryce is my former classmate," Jenny told her. "And he is also someone I love very deeply. I won't let you steal him from me."

"Judging by the fact that you're way over there, I'd guess you're about to throw him to the jackals," Alison retorted. "That hardly seems like love to me. I know how hurt you feel. I've had my heart broken before also."

"What's that all about?" Bryce asked Edison as he watched the two girls arguing.

"They're just fighting over you," Edison told him, casually. "Best not to get involved. You'll just make it worse no matter how good your intentions."

Bryce rolled his eyes and walked over to Jenny and Alison who were now practically screaming at each other.

"Excuse me?" he asked, cautiously.

"SHUT UP, BRYCE!" Both girl screamed at him instantly returning their attention to each other.

"Boys," Alison huffed.

"You'd think they would learn to keep their noses out of things that are none of their business," Jenny agreed.

"Tell me about it," Alison agreed. "You really can't do a thing with them can you?"

"Not a thing," stated Jenny while Bryce returned to Edison's side wondering why an argument about himself was none of his business.

"Between studying women and studying the universe take the universe," Bryce told Edison. "You can make sense out of the universe."

Bryce and Edison couldn't make out what Jenny and Alison were saying. In the end, both girls approached them.

"Bryce," Jenny said, "I need to know how you feel about Alison here?"

"I guess I like her," Bryce admitted. "But I can't be sure. All these feelings are new to me, so I don't even know what half of them are. Why does it matter so much to you?"

"Because I love you," Jenny told him.

"Jenny," Bryce began.

"Damn it, Bryce. I know it's an unwarranted emotional response. Don't you see, that's not important to me. All that matters is that it hurts me to think of you with another girl."

"Jenny, that's not going to matter soon. If this judge gets what he wants, then I am going to die. If I do, please don't blame Alison or yourself. It's not your fault."

Jenny watched him walk away to think as her own mind raced with a single thought of her own.

'If I go along with my testimony it very well can be,'

Back                         Home                              Max Headroom Main Page                              Next