Jeff thinks about his predicament. Was he ready to give up?
He shook his head and pressed “No”. There were still some things he was curious about. How did the world work, now? What did it mean for human rights? Where did object-people come from? He resolved to keep reality mostly the way it was. However, he certainly wasn’t going to be able to fully explore it as a dumpster. Besides which, it was a disgusting choice in form that he had more than enough of. If he was going to continue with this, he was going to do it as something less gross that can get around more.
Just then, he heard someone call his name. Looking up, Jeff saw that Ryan was standing in the driveway looking into the garage. Jeff had to do a double take because it looked like Ryan was giving a piggyback to a naked boy. He was! It was Jason!
Jeff was a little nervous but for the first time in his life Ryan actually looked humble.
‘Listen, Jeff,’ Ryan approached, ‘I came to apologise.’
Jeff was more surprised by this than by Jason hanging naked from Ryan’s torso, apparently hugging him with his arms and legs, embracing him so securely and intimately, his genitals flat to Ryan’s back.
‘I shouldn’t have-’
‘We shouldn’t have,’ interjected Jason, leaning to the side to look over Ryan’s shoulder.
‘Right,’ Ryan continued, ‘we shouldn’t have treated you so badly.’
Jeff couldn’t help but ask, ‘what happened to you guys?’
Jason chuckled, ‘we learned our lesson.’
‘We ended up getting taken to Genetilabs and got processed to be inanimos just like you,’ Ryan explained, ‘I got off easy, but Jason is a partially-programmed backpack.’
Jeff had no idea what Genetilabs was or what “partially-programmed” meant, having spent the night on the curb being pissed on by cats, but he got the gist of what happened.
‘Well, apology accepted I suppose!’ Jeff shrugged. He wasn’t sure what else he could do or how much they really meant it.
‘Maybe we can try again, like, be friends, now we have this in common?’ Ryan shuffled, kicking the floor a little.
Jeff thought for a moment, ‘Well, I can see you really mean it.’
‘We do!’ Jason nodded.
Jeff glanced back at the Chronivac. He was planning on changing what item he was, but here was someone who had never had a choice in the matter like he did.
‘Look, guys, I can change you back,’ Jeff admitted, ‘in fact, I was about to pick a new form for myself when you showed up.’
The three all exchanged looks.
‘Honestly,’ Jason blushed, ‘I kind of like being Ryan’s backpack.’
‘He’s certainly lighter than he looks,’ Ryan chuckled, ‘and I’m not programmed so really it’s just an extra career prospect if nothing else works out...’
‘So that just leaves you to pick something less stinky than a garbage can!’ Jason beamed over Ryan’s shoulder, ‘what’ll you be?’
‘Actually,’ Ryan interrupted, ‘If you can really change it, and change it any time...’
Ryan trailed off until Jeff prompted him to continue.
‘Well, I have a big game on Monday, and I could use a new jockstrap,’ Ryan finished.
‘You want me to be your jockstrap?’ Jeff was stunned.
‘It’s just that Jason is such a comfortable backpack, I figured an inanimo jockstrap would cradle me just right...’ Ryan shuffled, blushing.