The Death

Ch_004_000: The Death

Brother Midnight stood up a bit slowly on his last evening. Pal was bone tired, but he pulled on his wig over his bald head. He limped over to his vanity and sighed.

“I could still find a puppy in a well. They coddled my son, but my time is done,” said the old man to the mirror. He was going to have a final great meal before the thing that he knew must come, and must come tonight.

He remembered Lassie had proved eternal in both film, her birthplace, and now television. Lassie transcended media and her appeal was not gender-bound. Both girls and boys loved the dog in equal measure.

The man met Weatherwax just outside his cell. The dog led the man to a large hall where his son and grandson were waiting.

His son, the recent Day, was supremely successful. The Miller Farm Era defined Lassie as a recurring, repeatable, and now eternal brand. Brother Midnight’s genetic twins, his son and grandson, would rule human-based media for all foreseeable time: potentially tens of thousands in dog years.

Lassie Junior, now Brother Dusk, hugged his father and asked what he had ordered for his last meal. The old man laughed and said, “Hoping I’ll share, Junior?” His son returned the laugh and they both looked at the new Day.

Spock’s hair was full, blonde and white. She looked stunning in a perfect Lassie coat. She seemed ready, her eyes down at her feet when Midnight approached. “Thank you, young man. I was wrong about you after all,” said Midnight as he looked at her appearance.

The new Brother Day smiled and thanked her grandfather. She wished him well and left the hall.

Dusk said his goodbye and nodded to Weatherwax before leaving as well.

The dog and Midnight sat at a table. A dog brought a hot dog on a bun with mustard to the table. Midnight chewed and enjoyed his hot dog. After the last bite, he cleaned the corners of his mouth as there was some froth there. He tried to stand but his legs couldn’t bear his weight. He sat down to avoid falling.

Midnight slumped dead from the poisoned meat.

Weatherwax called on others to dispose of Midnight. It would need to decant a Lassie tonight. Brother Dawn was unfilled.