🚀 go-pugleaf

Original post: https://lists.eyrie.org/mailman3/hyperkitty/list/racc@lists.eyrie.org/message/SZVTCARLDLPV6D6YXD5QXIYE6TSVKQIM/

On Sun, Jan 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM Arthur Spitzer <arspitzer2@gmail.com> wrote:

> And it's some more Martin Phipps's LNH v1 -- this time
> #29-30!  First off the LNH gets some therapy!  Will it
> do any good -- or is it -- A TRAP?!

I mean, they sure could use some

> And then some
> Star Trekish version of that Classic X-Men Kitty's
> Fairytale yarn!  Will that also be -- A TRAP?!!!

I prefer the Princess Mouserella version~

>   "Hi kids!  You know what time it is?!  That's right!  It's time for
> .. wREAM AND STIMPY!  I'm wReam and this is Stimpy!"
>   "Hi!"
>   "WOW, I'm in such a good mood today ... I can't think of *anything*
> that could possibly spoil it!"
>   "Nothing wReam???!!!  Not even ..."
>   "Not even what?"
>   "Legion Legion angst angst  Legion Legion angst angst ..."
>
>   "I didn't wake up until he'd finished the whole song ... without so
> much as a comma."

Heeheehee. *Man* the 90s were weird.

>   "What other types of dreams have you had?"
>   "I dreamt once that I was Ice wReam."
>   "Ice wReam?"
>   "Yeah.

...can, can you inform us as to what the joke is here

>   "Well, one approach is that, in all these dreams, you have no sense
> of 'self': you're someone else, drawn from a program or a comic book.
> It's as if you're searching for an identity you'd be comfortable with
> and so, in the process, you're assuming different personnas to see what
> sounds good and fits."
>   "wow"
>   "I *might* be completely off base though."
>   "No, I think you're right: ever since Master Roster Man took over
> roster duty, 'RosterwReam' didn't seem to fit."

Aha! So THAT'S who's talking! @-@

>   "You knew what I was going to say before I asked."
>   "Of course."
>   "How?"
>   "Because I'm writing this story."

Okay, I guess this is Deja Dude?? @-@

>   "Tell me, Doctor, have you ever stood in a computer room waiting
> for someone to finish their work so you can post a story."
>   "Well ... no."
>   "Well, it's awful.  You have a story you want to post and maybe you're
> the only one who'll like it but you don't care because you have to get
> the damn thing out of your mind and get on with your life."

Awwwwww... Yeah okay, I get it.

>   "Look, Doc, I really appreciate this."
>   "You do?"
>   "Well, part of me does: the Master part."
>   "And the Blaster?"

I'm glad he's putting this stuff in. I guess this is intentionally
stylistic, which is valid.

>   "He sees you as a threat, pure and simple.  He doesn't act out of
> malice: he acts out of instinct."
>   "And you?"
>   "I act out of reason.  Doc, I didn't know it'd be like this."
>   "Like what?"
>   "I only have limited control over the Blaster.  I thought it'd be
> different ... I'd be Master when necessary, Blaster when necessary ...
> but Blaster wants total control."
>   "Why?"
>   "That's just the way he is."

This is genuinely some good characterization, and something that feels
like it disappeared from later stories.

>   "They tell me that you are hounded by a demon."
>   "Oh yeah?  Who are 'they'?"
>   "Well, Pocket Man for one."
>   "Yeah, well, he's a jerk!"
>   "Isn't he your friend?"
>   "Maybe ... maybe not."
>   "Tell me about Dah Rrik Ulz."
>   "Why should I?"
>   "You don't have to."
>   "You've got that right!"

The characters that aren't Martin's get less deep treatment, unsurprisingly.

>   "Let's try some word association: I'll say a word and you say the
> first word that comes to your mind."
>   "OK."
>   "Black."
>   "Black."
>   "No, a different word."
>   "Does it have to be?"
>   "No, I suppose not.  Tell me, does it bother you when they call you
> 'Super-Apathy Lad'."
>   "No."

You could do a *lot* with this.

>
>
>   "You don't look very relaxed."
>   "I'm not."
>   "Why is that?"
>   "I've got work to do."
>   "Then you'd better go do it."
>   "Oh."
>   "Something wrong?"
>   "I ... like being a Legionaire."
>   "But?"
>   "I don't always have time."
>   "Because you have work to do."
>   "Yeah."
>   "What work do you do?"
>   "Lots."
>   "What have you done lately?"
>   "Lately?  Well, not much: I still have to get organized."
>   "Some might accuse you of procrastinating."
>   "Oh, NO!  Look, Procrastination Boy is just the name I go by.  It
> doesn't *really* mean anything."

Huhhhhh. This is hinting at an interesting characterization, but I
don't think it's one that was ever applied to this character
elsewhere. X>;

>   "I appreciate the work you're doing, Doctor.  I understand how
> difficult these people can be."
>   "Oh?"
>   "Well, yeah.  I mean there's RosterwReam: he's as bad as Super-Apathy
> Lad or Procrastination Boy!  Deja Dude's just plain arrogant and Master
> Blaster and Sarcastic Lad ... they're just out to annoy people!"
>   "Well, as a ninja, I'm sure you have your own perspective."
>   "Hey!  I'm not just any ninja!  I'm ... ULTIMATE NINJA!"
>   "Of course."
>
>
> Martin Phipps
> aka Deja Dude

Huh. And that's it. Odd. X> But I guess this was one of those things
he had to get out of his head, which is, yeah, totally fair.

> Deja Dude is in the Lobby of Legion Headquarters.  It is late in the
> evening.  He hears sounds from under the reception desk and goes to
> take a look.  He finds Curly curled up in a box underneath the desk.
>
>   "Curly?!"
>   "Yeah?"
>   "Why are you here and not in your quarters?"
>   "I like it here."
>   "Here?  Why here?"
>   Curly smiled sheepishly.
>   "Oh, Curly, don't tell me you're here during the day too."
>   "She's got nice legs."

Ahhhhhh, I see. X>;

>   "Could you tell me a story?"
>   "A story?"
>   "I mean ... as long as you're here ... I'm tired but I can't seem to
> get to sleep."

Awwwww.

>   "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Deep Space Ninja and
> The Deja Knight were stationed on a space station on the edge of a
> wormhole --"

Ahhhh, I see X>

>   "'"Disruptors"?  What's a "disruptor"?'
>   "The Deja Knight shrugged his shoulders.  'As far as I know, they're
> like phasers 'cept bad guys use 'em.'

Pretty much. X>

>   "'Well, we've got proton torpedos?'
>   "'Don't you mean 'photon' torpedos?'
>   "'Depends ... who would you rather have sue us: Paramount or
> Lucasfilm?'

Heeheehee

>   "Deep Space Ninja sighed.  'Look, we haven't got time for this!  FIRE
> AT WILL!'
>   "'Fire at whom?'

He's not on this show

>   "The Evil-Blackhearted Commander appeared before our heroes.  He
> pointed at The Deja Knight.  'The Force is strong in you.  Join me and
> we will rule the galaxy together!'
>   "'NEVER!'
>   "'Then you will die!'  The Evil-Blackhearted Commander activated his
> light sabre.  The Deja Knight did likewise.
>   "'No,' began Deep Space Ninja, 'you won't stand a chance!'
>   "The Deja Knight nodded.  'You're right: here!'  The Deja Knight
> handed Deep Space Ninja his light sabre.

Oh, you know, I actually like that. X>

>   "Deep Space Ninja smiled.  'I'm on to you're tricks!  This isn't
> magic!  Look: there and there!  STAGEHANDS!  They're dressed in black
> so that only a ninja like me could see them!'

Okay that's pretty good. X>

>   "The Deja Knight came out of his trance: he had been building up power
> and was ready to STRIKE!  Lightening shot out from his hands and
> enveloped the Evil-Blackhearted Commander causing him to stop short of
> disembowling Deep Space Ninja.

Whoa, jumping straight to Force Lightning, that's gonna cost you some
Light Side Points

>   "With the Evil-Blackhearted Commander dead, the crew of the BIG space
> ship lost their resolve.  Actually, they weren't sorry to see him go.
> In fact, they had a party.

Heeheehee

>   "Well, Curly, what did you think?"
>   Curly didn't make a sound.  Then he began to snore.
>   Deja Dude smiled.  "Sweet dreams, Curly."

Awwwwww. :>

> Next Week:  Hmm.  Something seems different!  Where did all these
>               blood splattered pentagrams come from?  And all these
>               cigarette butts?  And those sinister shadows that
>               look like they're wearing trenchcoats?  Oh no!
>               Please don't --  Arghhhhhhhh!!!!!

WOO!

Drew "trenchcoat time!" Nilium