{"id":645,"date":"2026-04-30T09:08:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T09:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=645"},"modified":"2026-05-07T22:31:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T22:31:28","slug":"the-end-of-als-career","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/?page_id=645","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;THE END OF AL&#8217;S CAREER&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-from-2026-04-30-09-20-37.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-699\" style=\"width:586px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-from-2026-04-30-09-20-37.webp 960w, https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-from-2026-04-30-09-20-37-300x213.webp 300w, 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.dot{width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:#2100ec;margin:14px auto 0}\n.mjl-col{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px}\n.mjl-bub{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:10px;max-width:90%;margin-bottom:6px}\n.mjl-bub.l{flex-direction:row;align-self:flex-start}\n.mjl-bub.r{flex-direction:row-reverse;align-self:flex-end}\n.mjl-av{width:46px;height:46px;min-width:46px;border-radius:50%;background:#111;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden;border-width:3px;border-style:solid}\n.mjl-av img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover}\n.mjl-av span{font-weight:900;font-size:14px;font-family:'Courier New',monospace}\n.mjl-nm{font-family:'Courier New',monospace;font-weight:700;font-size:10px;letter-spacing:1.5px;margin-bottom:3px}\n.mjl-msg{background:#f0f0f0;color:#111;padding:10px 14px;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;font-family:Georgia,serif;white-space:pre-wrap}\n.mjl-msg em{color:#666;font-style:italic;font-size:13px}\n.mjl-bub.l .mjl-nm{text-align:left}\n.mjl-bub.r .mjl-nm{text-align:right}\n.mjl-bub.l .mjl-msg{border-radius:2px 14px 14px 14px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid}\n.mjl-bub.r .mjl-msg{border-radius:14px 2px 14px 14px;border-right-width:3px;border-right-style:solid}\n.mjl-sys{text-align:center;color:#777;font-size:12px;font-family:'Courier New',monospace;padding:10px 14px;letter-spacing:1px;font-style:italic}\n.mjl-sys.tape{color:#2100ec;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:3px;padding:18px 14px;border-top:1px solid #2100ec33;border-bottom:1px solid #2100ec33;margin:10px 0}\n.mjl-sys.silence{color:#444;letter-spacing:2px;padding:24px 14px}\n.mjl-back{text-align:center;padding:30px 0 20px}\n.mjl-back a{display:inline-block;border:2px solid #2100ec;border-radius:6px;padding:10px 24px;font-family:'Courier New',monospace;font-weight:700;font-size:11px;letter-spacing:2px;color:#2100ec;text-decoration:none;background:#0a0a0a}\n.mjl-next{text-align:center;padding:10px 0 30px}\n.mjl-next a{display:inline-block;border:1px solid #2100ec66;border-radius:6px;padding:8px 18px;font-family:'Courier New',monospace;font-size:10px;letter-spacing:2px;color:#2100ec;opacity:.7;text-decoration:none}\n.mjl-ftr{text-align:center;padding:20px 0}\n.mjl-ftr .line{width:60%;height:1px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,transparent,#2100ec44,transparent);margin:0 auto}\n.mjl-ftr .cp{color:#333;font-family:'Courier New',monospace;font-size:10px;letter-spacing:2px;margin-top:16px}\n*{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-outer\">\n<div class=\"mjl-wrap\">\n\n<div class=\"mjl-hdr\">\n<div class=\"sub\">M\u2605J\u2605L UNIVERSE \u2014 METACHRON<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier\">\u2014 THE BRAIN \u2014<\/div>\n<div class=\"title\">END OF AL&#8217;S CAREER<\/div>\n<div class=\"num\">PIECE 01 OF 09<\/div>\n<div class=\"dot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-col\">\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#ff1493\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-clay.png\" alt=\"Clayboy\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#ff1493\">CLAYBOY<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#ff1493\">Al? You sure about this one going first?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Just press play, son.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#4ca626\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-bubby.png\" alt=\"Bubby\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#4ca626\">BUBBY<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#4ca626\">Sh-shiyet&#8230;.General? You don&#8217;t gotta-<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Anyone that&#8217;s ever mattered has already seen up the skirt, Bub &#8211; the allure is gone&#8230;Hit play &#8211; that&#8217;s an order!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys tape\">\u25b6 TAPE BEGINS<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(sighs)<\/em> Look Shorty, before we begin this jackass rehearsal I thought up&#8230;I just wanted to say thanks for takin&#8217; the call&#8230;helpin&#8217; me out.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Least I could do, &#8220;Featherman.&#8221; This makes us even on that jeep I crashed&#8230;right?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yehehw son of a Bitch&#8230;.that sure was a fun night wan&#8217;t it?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>(blinks calmly and begins to lift a piece of paper)<\/em> Sure was, Al&#8230; <em>(winks)<\/em> \u2014 you ready?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yeah &#8211; let&#8217;s get on with it&#8230;.and don&#8217;t go easy on me. Just give it to me how they&#8217;re gonna come at me&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">General Michael \u2014 everything you&#8217;ve said adds up, but I think you&#8217;re leaving out some very important information.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(snorts and speaks under his breath)<\/em> If ever I saw a sign of surrender &#8211; &#8216;ts good enough for me&#8230;pusillanimous&#8230;. Go on, &#8220;SIR what am I leaving out, SIR?&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys\">[Short sets the paper down and rolls his eyes.]<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(walks behind Short&#8217;s desk, finds the bottle in its normal place)<\/em> Can I pour you one, Shorty? Keep goin&#8217; Evaluator &#8220;dickhead.&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">From my own bottle, you prick? <em>(sighs)<\/em> Make it a double, Al. OK \u2014 here&#8217;s what they&#8217;re gonna hit you with. <em>General Michael \u2014 we&#8217;re not concerned with your wife&#8217;s attempts to disparage you. The fact that you have to take medication to make love \u2014 true or not \u2014 is irrelevant. What we ARE concerned about, and which MAY be true, are these two pieces of information:<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>One. He hates the bureaucracy and the chain of command.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>Two. He&#8217;s so blinded by that hate he&#8217;s made it his life&#8217;s mission to get the second star \u2014 and he&#8217;ll never stop until he gets what he wants.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Th-that&#8217;s it Horace? That&#8217;s all they really got?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">It would appear so, Al&#8230;. <em>(accepts the glass Al just drank from)<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(grins and walks back to his seat with the bottle)<\/em> So all I have to do is tell the truth&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Well it won&#8217;t be THAT simple, Al &#8211; they&#8217;ll try to catch you up &#8211; they&#8217;ll humiliate you a lot worse than I just tried with some of the stuff in here&#8230;.for instance&#8230;the shirt with that Spanish general&#8217;s blood &#8211; that could be something &#8211; but I wouldn&#8217;t dare presume how they might frame it&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(sighs and nods)<\/em> Yeah&#8230;.well&#8230;about that&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">DAMMIT ALEX! What the hell HAPPENED?! My guess, from what I know &#8211; 99% chance you walk clean&#8230;your record is impeccable otherwise&#8230;.Now what&#8217;s your answer, General Michael?!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Alright Horry&#8230;.here it goes. <em>(coughs, clears throat, puts the bottle down, closes the cap)<\/em> The shirt, Sir &#8211; I saw a man abusing his power over civilians I was charged to protect. One of my best men defended them. General Villanueva came into my office where I was speaking with Corporal Wallace, writing my own report &#8211; I&#8217;m sure it&#8217;s available &#8211; if not, I have my own copy here.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">I placed my notebook down and the General from the Spanish unit used his riding crop to shove my notes onto the floor. He lunged. I reacted. His corporal drew a knife. Wallace engaged. Disarmed him. Broke the arm \u2014 bone through the sleeve.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">I helped the General up &#8211; his face bled on my shirt. I hung the shirt up and continued on with my service and there it&#8217;s hung since&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">So WHY didn&#8217;t you get rid of it, Al?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Dammit Short &#8211; ain&#8217;t you ever been to the WRONG restaurant&#8230;.you sht yer damned undies or step in dog shit with yer bare socks on a bender&#8230;.you go inside walkin&#8217; wonky and you take the shit-stained article off and shove it in a corner and forget?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Oh&#8230;shit, Al&#8230;. <em>(giggles)<\/em> The boys are gonna LOVE to hear this one&#8230;.nothin&#8217; you can do to stop me either, Sir&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Don&#8217;t need to, don&#8217;t care to. What you do and say in the beauty parlor is YOUR business, soldier&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Fair enough, General. But now the big questions &#8211; the ones that could cost you your clean break &#8211; the rank, the pension. What&#8217;s your answer, Al? On the two big ones?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Jeezus..you mean about the &#8220;hating the bureaucracy&#8221; and the chain of command? <em>(opens the bottle again and swigs. Refills Short&#8217;s cup, held at the end of an extended arm)<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Exactly, Al &#8211; these are the ones that could REALLY hurt you&#8230;what are you gonna say?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">The truth, Shorty&#8230;I&#8217;ll say &#8220;Sure, Sir &#8211; I don&#8217;t like red tape, the same kind that gets you held up at the DMV or stuck fightin&#8217; with a cable company about the double charge on that big boxing fight that I never got returned. But hate the thing that made me? No &#8211; absolutely not.&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Go on.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">You see, Sir, with all due respect \u2014 I joined the service when I was sixteen or seventeen &#8211; hell it&#8217;s been so long I can&#8217;t even remember&#8230;.My own damned daddy signed the paper for me. I wanted to follow in my buddies&#8217; footsteps who got drafted. I ended up in Vietnam during the last year or two.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">The chain of command is the only thing I&#8217;ve ever known and respected my entire adult life as an American Man &#8211; as a warrior, as a soldier. It made me who I am today and learning to submit to it made me what I AIN&#8217;T&#8230;.Keepin&#8217; the shirt I forgot about was a mistake of youth, sure. But servin&#8217; how I served &#8211; for my men and their loved ones, for mercy, for justice, for love of righteousness&#8230;.that&#8217;s the only thing that&#8217;s ever mattered, and there&#8217;s no framing you could possibly come up with to make me feel different about what I&#8217;ve done up until I caught my wife in our marital bed with another man.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>(trembles and sets down his glass, rolls his chair around, blows his nose)<\/em> Well, General &#8211; you&#8217;ve certainly convinced me&#8230;. <em>(coughs, rolls back around)<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(shrugs)<\/em> Thanks Shorty&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys\">[Both men sigh.]<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Now PLEASE tell me about the broken leg, Al&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys\">[Both men laugh.]<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yeah well&#8230;what was General Alexander Michael at his finest &#8211; let me tell YEW!!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Yeah, boy!! <em>(scoots his chair in and licks his lips. Takes off his glasses)<\/em> Let&#8217;s have it!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Well, Lieutenant Colonel Shorty\u2026 <em>(grins wide)<\/em> here it is, pal&#8230; <em>(pulls his chair in closer)<\/em> So &#8211; I was drunk when I got there. I entered MY OWN god damned property with MY OWN key believing I was gonna be alone in MY OWN god damn house&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Yeah? Reasonable so far&#8230; what happened next?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">I heard a noise in the can&#8230; the downstairs one&#8230; the one SHE always used&#8230; we had one of them&#8230; what do ya&#8217; call it&#8230; the mirrors with the lights all around like them movie stars use&#8230;?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Hmph&#8230; Vanity mirror&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(glares at Short)<\/em> Your ex made you get one too&#8230;didn&#8217;t she, Shorty?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">She thought the wrinkles would go away for the symphony, Al. Nobody ever told her she just looked like a fresher scarecrow.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys\">[They laugh.]<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Cheers to that one, fella!!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">So you walked in and heard her gussyin&#8217; up\u2026.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yeah, boy\u2026.As I got closer I could SMELL the Aquanet&#8230; enough to punch a god damn fuckin&#8217; hole in the ozone, Horace&#8230; that shoulda told me&#8230; but I didn&#8217;t even think it could be Carol Anne&#8230; but sure enough&#8230; there she was, sittin&#8217; on her ass in some skimpy outfit teasin&#8217; her bangs like it was the 80&#8217;s again. She had Bon Jovi on the radio&#8230; GOD! I hate people from New Jersey!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">A fair assessment, General&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(chuckles)<\/em> Yeah well she looked up \u2013 her fake ass eyelash f- <em>(begins to laugh)<\/em> Her fucking eyelas fell off and she begin to squeal &#8220;Ayal&#8230; Ayal what r yew doin&#8217; here?!?! Oh ma god! I, I, I, I, I, I&#8221; \u2014 I WHAT, BITCH?!?!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">&#8220;Bitch! I LIVE HERE!!!&#8221; I said&#8230; then I heard it&#8230; HIM&#8230; I guess&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">The Coasty\u2026.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yup\u2026 that second rate ocean chump fuckin&#8217; dickhead water nurse with the senator uncle, got me in this position\u2026.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">In YOUR house&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yeah&#8230;well\u2026.so I said, uh&#8230; &#8220;Intruders?!?! Wait here Honey!! I&#8217;ll save you!!&#8221; I said.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>(smiles)<\/em> Oh NO\u2026.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yeah &#8211; She was screaming real loud&#8230; tryin&#8217; to get my attention or warn him&#8230; both I&#8217;m sure&#8230; &#8220;Ayal wait&#8230; WAIT!! Don&#8217;t go up there I need to talk ta yew!! I, I, I&#8230;&#8221; I turned around&#8230; bitch was still holdin&#8217; her curler in place. She couldn&#8217;t even talk. I says to her&#8230; I says&#8230; uh&#8230; &#8220;Wait there honey&#8230; it could be a bear!!!&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(unsheathes the Ka-Bar, looks a bit remorseful)<\/em> I wasn&#8217;t gonna use it, Horace&#8230; we both know that&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Do we?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">What&#8217;s that supposed to mean, Lieutenant Colonel?!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Nothing, Al \u2013 I just-&#8230;just wanna make sure you&#8217;re alright in all of this, Sir&#8230;I apologize. So go on\u2026how did the leg actually break&#8230; WHY are we here?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(smiles with glistening lips)<\/em> &#8220;Oh ma god!&#8221; she said&#8230; &#8220;RUUUN&#8230; RUN RIYICK!! HE&#8217;S GOT A KNAF!!&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">&#8220;BITCH!! Where&#8217;s he gon&#8217; run to on a second floor?!&#8221; I thought to myself&#8230; but&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">&#8230;Well&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Well&#8230; he DID run, Horace&#8230; right out the god damn window&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys\">[Both men erupt in laughter.]<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">So the fornicator lost his leg to gravity by his own choices\u2026.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">That&#8217;s the plain truth of all of it, Horace\u2026<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>(sighs)<\/em> WOW\u2026.uh\u2026.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">An-and so I said &#8220;Well little, Little Ricky Dicky&#8230; The Coastie dipshit with a double titty&#8230; How are YEW, fellow servant of the realm?!&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>(snorts and opens his desk to grab a new bottle)<\/em> A final one, Al?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Laugh&#8230; it&#8217;s alright&#8230; you&#8217;re allowed&#8230; it&#8217;s only me that&#8217;s fucked\u2026 and yeah \u2013 a big one&#8230;I got a taxi waitin&#8217; for me&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">And then what happened, Al?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">And then?&#8230; shit, and then nothin&#8217;&#8230; he was cryin&#8217; real loud&#8230; &#8220;Waaaa ma leyeg&#8230; Waaa you bastard&#8230; yew broke ma leg!!&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\"><em>(sucks air through teeth)<\/em> So that was it?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(shrugs)<\/em> Not everything&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">&#8220;&#8230;so?!&#8221;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">So what?&#8230; the man was naked&#8230; coverin&#8217; his pathetic little pecker as Carol Anne ran outside. She took off that tiny thing she was wearin&#8217;&#8230; I said &#8220;Oh my GOD!! What a sickening sight&#8230; have you people no shame?! There are good Christian folks livin&#8217; here!!&#8221;&#8230; then I tossed the bastard&#8217;s shit out the window&#8230; belt buckle landed square on his nuts.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">I said &#8220;Here&#8230; ready Ricky?&#8221; He put his hands up to catch but he missed&#8230; ain&#8217;t my fault the fuckin&#8217; homewrecking klutz is a butterfingers&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#c9b896\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/grant-baby-boy-obrien4.webp\" alt=\"Short\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#c9b896\">SHORT<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#c9b896\">Here&#8217;s to you, Al\u2026 won&#8217;t be the same without you.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Thanks for hearin&#8217; me out, Shorty.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys tape\">\u25a0 TAPE ENDS<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-sys silence\">. . . . .<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">And that was it, fellas\u2026<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#4ca626\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-bubby.png\" alt=\"Bubby\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#4ca626\">BUBBY<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#4ca626\">we- sh-&#8230;.shiyet&#8230;.A-Al&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\">Yeah, well&#8230;.if you&#8217;re referrin&#8217; to the speech, it made the REAL evaluator kinda emotional like too&#8230;Hank G. Schulte, Ph. D. &#8230;.the Hessian fuckin&#8217;g- cunt&#8230;Gave me everything I was due&#8230;.. The Corps let me walk clean after Shorty helped me realize I wan&#8217;t wrong\u2026\n\nPension, stars, the whole bag. Hung up the uniform with my dignity intact. <em>(beat)<\/em> Then Carol Anne&#8217;s lawyers backed in the trailer and stood up the obelisk. A civilian judge told me to squat-n&#8217;-bare down&#8230;and, well&#8230;a civilian judge and a team of fuckin&#8217; snakes ain&#8217;t somethin&#8217; General Al was prepared for, boys&#8230;that&#8217;s how come I got to keep these here chromium plated stars&#8230;and nothin&#8217; else.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub r\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#ff1493\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-clay.png\" alt=\"Clayboy\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#ff1493\">CLAYBOY<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-right-color:#ff1493\">Jesus Al. <em>(shrugs and blinks dripping eyelashes)<\/em> I-I&#8217;m sorry&#8230;.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-bub l\"><div class=\"mjl-av\" style=\"border-color:#2100ec\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/avatar-al.png\" alt=\"Al\"><\/div><div style=\"flex:1\"><div class=\"mjl-nm\" style=\"color:#2100ec\">AL<\/div><div class=\"mjl-msg\" style=\"border-left-color:#2100ec\"><em>(sighs)<\/em> &#8230;.Those are the breaks sometimes, kid&#8230;<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-back\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/?page_id=496\">\u2190 BACK TO METACHRON<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"mjl-next\"><a href=\"#\">NEXT \u2014 BIRTH OF A GIANT #1: HAROLD&#8217;S GIFT \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"mjl-ftr\">\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"cp\">\u00a9 MJL UNIVERSE \u2014 METACHRON 01 OF 09<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>M\u2605J\u2605L UNIVERSE \u2014 METACHRON \u2014 THE BRAIN \u2014 END OF AL&#8217;S CAREER PIECE 01 OF 09 CLAYBOY Al? You sure about this one going first? AL Just press play, son. BUBBY Sh-shiyet&#8230;.General? You don&#8217;t gotta- AL Anyone that&#8217;s ever mattered has already seen up the skirt, Bub &#8211; the allure is gone&#8230;Hit play &#8211; that&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","iawp_total_views":4,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-645","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/645\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mjluniverse.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}