Pineapples of Mars: An Artist's Tail #2

So my best friends just got Pokémon and the first thing they did was trash my room. I’m out thousands in damaged goods. Raphael’s been sent to bed to let his arm heal. Mom doesn’t seem to care that much that I’ve lost all my painting supplies. She left a few minutes ago and came back with a gift for me, as if trying to make up for all of this.

It’s a wrist-watch crossed with a cell phone. It’s neat, I guess. Mom had it engraved for me. That means I can’t sell it. Damn.

Bianca and Cheren already have one so the next step, I suppose, is to go get their numbers.

It’s kinda getting late. I’ll go by Bianca’s place first.

Hey, is Bianca home?

I agree with Bianca. She looks like she’s home. Oh, you’re arguing about something else.

Shut up, Bianca. *snuffle*

You broke all my stuff. You owe me $40,000.

Your daughter broke everything in my bedroom. Now she owes me money.

Bianca wants to work with Pokémon Professor? Good on her. What would she do? Actually, what does Pokémon Professor do? It sounds like a sweet job, though.

Oh, that reminds me… Pokémon Professor wanted me to do a job for her. Cheren and Bianca might still be over there.

“Home of the world’s third most lethal bacteria!”

Do either of you know what the Professor does, exactly? I mean, she built her lab out here in the smallest town in Unova. And she’s not listed in the phonebook. So, do either of you know?

You know?

You’re being evas- You know what? Fine. Let’s go meet Pokémon Professor.

Let’s just not touch whatever’s in that glass tube.

Said the spider to the fly.

Pokémon Professor, we know.

Out with it already!

Really? That’s it? Doesn’t sound too hard. Does it pay well?

That’s not a ‘yes’. Why don’t people answer my questions anymore?

Does it have Tetris?

Pokémon Professor!

Online dating service?

This is the best news I’ve had since you guys got Pokémon. A steady job and an excuse to leave this town.

Oh, you’re gonna battle real trainers, huh, Cheren?

Nacrene city has an art store. I should be able to find some paint brushes or easels. On the way there, I’ll fill out the Pokédex like Pokémon Professor asked us to. And we’re gonna fight real trainers too.

Hey, Mom! I just got a job!

Oh yeah, they got jobs too.

Seems too good to be true, right?

Raphael doesn’t like being called ‘cute’.

But aren’t there Pokémon that can destroy much more than bedrooms? How does my uncoordinated dog keep me safe from those? Oh, you brought Raph with you. That wasn't a faux pas, was it?

Hey, thanks. Good to see you, buddy.

Total write-off, I know. Except the Wii. Even if the Wii was broken, I don’t think I’d replace it. I’m just not that into Nintendo games.

Bye Mom, see you in a few years.

Alrighty.

You up to this Raph? Good.

Symbolism, I like it.

Cheren had a nose bleed that he didn't want you to see.

Throw balls at Pokémon to catch them. That’s one of the first things you learn watching the kids channel.

Sorry, no, I wasn’t paying attention. I was too busy remembering my favourite cartoons. Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirtles ranks pretty highly, I think.

Sweet. Free stuff.

Wait. Shouldn’t you stay in Nuvema Town? I mean, you’re the only industry the town has! If you leave, our economy will collapse and none of the townsfolk have Pokémon to protect them on the way to the next town.