The Metaphysics of Marvin
“So, Daniel, how goes it with that, um… Z-P 13 Space Modulator, or something close to that?”
“Do you mean the Zero-Point Module? Space modulator, sheesh.”
“Yeah, that thing, see I was close.”
“No you weren’t, and besides it’s the ‘Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator’. If you’re gonna quote Marvin, at least get it right.”
“I was close… Wait! HOW do you know about Marvin the Martian, Daniel? He’s a cartoon character from the mind of Chuck Jones.”
“He is? Really?”
“Daniel!”
“Oh, all right, but you have to promise me that this will not leave this room. Promise me, Jack.”
“Fine, I promise. So?”
Sigh. “So, as long as you promised.”
“You heard me say it, now spill.”
Daniel inspected Jack closely for crossed fingers, eye squints, some tail, but came up empty. “Fine. Here it is… I liked Marvin when I was growing up. I mean what’s not to like? He wore a Roman soldier’s outfit, like the God of War, sorta.”
“Did you forget about the broomstick handle sticking out of the top of his helmet and the old style tennis shoes he wore? Daniel, the God of War? He was a Martian, fer cryin’ out loud. God of War… Mars? Get it?”
“Yeah, Jack, I GOT it. I used to draw him on my notebooks. I actually got better at it. See?” Daniel drew a fairly decent Marvin the Martian on a piece of paper. Jack snatched it up and eyed it as he walked around the table and sat in a chair opposite Daniel.
“Not bad.” Jack reached for the phone. “Get me Major Carter.”
“Jack, what are you doing?”
“Hey, Carter, find Teal’c and—”
“Jack, you promised!”
Jack muffled the phone. “I’m keeping my promise, Daniel. Your secret stays here in this room. Now I just gotta get Carter and Teal’c *in* here.” He quickly spoke into the phone, “and come to room—”
“What?!?! Give me that phone!” Daniel grabbed the cord and started yanking, trying desperately to rip it out of Jack’s clutches across the table. “Jack!”
“218!”
“Ja-aack!”
The End
