Super Meals: Part Twenty Seven

            Because Doctor Ralph was putting all of his focus, concentration, and energy into holding stock-still.

            Walter had again clamped his hands over his mouth and Mimi was again cracking up, but Doctor Ralph didn’t dare risk getting caught. He’d barely rolled out of the way and was glad that he did, given the hole in the shrubbery, but now that he had kept himself from getting blown away, his mind was racing with possibilities.

            Who was this guy? He thought. I’ve been tracking foodies for years and the results are always terminal… He looked up at Walter, trying to memorize a face that was instantly forgettable.

            Mimi, meanwhile, had stood up and clapped Walter on the shoulder. “That was awesome,” she said. “You wanna try again with a little control? See if you can’t get it to come on command?”

            “Phrasing,” whispered Walter, pulling his hands away from his mouth. “But I don’t know how I did it those times,” he continued. “What am I supposed to try?”

            “Well, first,” said Mimi, “How about you stop being such a wiener and talk normally?”

            “You think we can risk it?” asked Walter.

            “Yeah,” said Mimi. “I’m willing to take that chance. Remember, it only came after you got angry, so maybe it’s emotionally triggered?”

            Walter opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself and turned away, aiming his mouth elsewhere.

            Incidentally, this was right at Doctor Ralph.

            “All right,” said Walter. “Lemme try this again.”

            Doctor Ralph swore under his breath.

            “Try to remember how you felt when you did it last time,” offered Mimi. “What was it like? Anger? Frustration? Desperation?”

            “Kinda all three, really,” said Walter. “I was frustrated that it wasn’t working and I couldn’t get it to work on purpose, and I was pissed off that you were calling me names, and I wanted it to work…”

            “All right, I think I get the idea,” said Mimi. She sighed and said, “Think you can call that up again?”

            Walter took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Okay,” he muttered. “I’m angry, I’m pissed… I wanna make the big voice… I wanna get this bitch to leave me alone…”

            “You what!?” said Mimi.

            “Nothing, shut up, I’m just talking myself through this,” said Walter.

            Mimi sulked and leaned against the picnic table again, muttering to herself.

            Walter kept his eyes shut and rubbed his temples, psyching himself up for the blast. He looked like he was praying.

            Mimi waited…

            Walter took a deep breath.

            He opened his eyes.

            He felt the rage and frustration build up.

            He opened his mouth.

            And Doctor Ralph leapt from the bushes at him.