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INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Do you know why you were summoned here, Mr. Muddlefix?"

Darius shrugs.

DARIUS: "No, sir ... not really. And ... the name is Middlefax ... not Muddlefix."

The Inspector General coldly eyes Darius.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Yes, well ... we will see about that."

Two giant sentries step out of the darkness and flank Darius, who timidly looks up at them.

DARIUS: "Who are they?"

Inspector General smiles.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Oh, there's no need to be alarmed. They're your bodyguards."

Darius relaxes then.₁

INSPECTOR GENERAL (CONT'D): "Now, tell me ... Muttlefish. What precisely is your function here on Electra, anyway?"

Darius tries to act naturally.

DARIUS: "What exactly do you mean, sir?"

The Inspector General frowns.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Your purpose ... your reason for living."

OVERLORD ONE: "Do you have a purpose in life, Mr. Middlefax?"

Darius smiles, somewhat relieved.

DARIUS: "Oh, yes, I'm a RecordKeeper, of course. I work in The Perpetual Hall of Eternal Records — Room One-Oh-One."

The Inspector General nods.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "I see. Are you sure? You seem very sure of yourself, don't you?"

Puzzled, Darius shrugs again.

DARIUS: "Of course I'm sure, sir."

Inspector General smiles.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Really. Then tell me, exactly how long have you been at your present occupation?"

Darius scoffs.

DARIUS: "That's easy enough. I've worked in the Hall of Records for, uh ... for twenty-three years now."

Inspector General tilts his head curiously.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Really ... are you sure?"

Darius begins to turn pale.

DARIUS: "No, wait, thirty-seven years, that's right. I've worked there for thirty-seven years. No, wait, I'm sorry, it's been twenty, uh ... no, no. I'm so sorry, Inspector General. I don't know what's come over me. I'm afraid I can't remember how long I've been at my present job."

The Inspector General gazes benevolently at the flustered Darius.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "And would you like me to tell you why you can't remember?"

Darius squints his eyes, trying to decide.

DARIUS: "Yes?"

The Inspector General continues slowly.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "You can't remember because your memory was ... deleted."

Darius is stunned.

DARIUS: "Impossible. I don't believe it."

Inspector General shrugs his huge shoulders.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Of course, I understand. Then maybe I can help you refresh your memory."

The giant sentries each take hold of one of Darius' arms, holding him securely in their grasp. The Inspector General steps forward, holding up a huge hypodermic needle, full of green fluorescent liquid. Darius gasps.

DARIUS: "What are you going to do with that?"

The Inspector General smiles.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "Don't be alarmed. It's just your own residual memory ... contained in this marvelous fluid."

OVERLORD TWO: "Liquid memory."

OVERLORD THREE: "What was taken from you is now simply being returned; that's all."

The Inspector General moves the needle closer to Darius' forehead.

DARIUS: "No, please. What have I done to deserve this? Did I commit some sort of crime? I have no recollection of having done anything to deserve this kind of treatment. I demand to know what I have done?"

The needle is thrust into Darius' skull.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: "And so you will have your answer, my friend."

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