Application for John Trent: In the Mouth of Madness

[crossed_my_mind]

A minute ago, he'd been watching a movie. John Trent still had the popcorn bucket in his hand -it was one of the super-sized ones, so it was still half-full- and had a handful of greasy kernels halfway to his mouth. Without a word, he dropped the popcorn back into the bucket and wiped his hands on his pants leg. He smelled like fake butter and

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[medievalhippie]

Merlin had met several people here who bore an uncanny resemblance to him. One, he was certain, was an incredibly powerful embodiment of evil; the other seemed stable and possessed of an innate sadness. This one, however... For once, he had no words.

"I wouldn't talk of eating popcorn here," he said at last, leaning on his staff. "Periodically people here turn into popcorn. They might consider it some form of cannibalism."

[crossed_my_mind]

"Some form? You mean there's more than one kind?" Inquiring minds wanted to know. He shrugged. "I suppose I'd rather be popcorn than a monster. So, are you here to kill me now?"

[medievalhippie]

Merlin cocked an eyebrow. "No, I don't suppose there is," he said. "And why would I want to kill you? I've only just met you."

[crossed_my_mind]

"Evil twin, and all that." Really, some things shouldn't need explaining. "It's kind of cliche, don't you think?"

[medievalhippie]

"Evil septuplet, I think you'll find," he said. He had no idea why so many people who should look so similar should wind up here, but it was a little unnerving even for him. At least this one didn't look like another Damien Thorn.

[crossed_my_mind]

Trent was not above counting on his fingers to figure out how many people that was. "That's a new one," he said when he finished counting. "What do you think, different fragments of the same person? Duplicates would be too science fiction."

[medievalhippie]

"Trust me," he said, dry, "I can't possibly believe any of us would be parts of the same person." Unless that person was more insane than this poor man seemed to be. "Where have you come from?"

[crossed_my_mind]

"I don't know," he said. "I guess it depends on where I am now." He looked around at the stone walls. "I don't think I've been here before."

[medievalhippie]

"You're at Hogwarts," Merlin explained patiently. "School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I take it you didn't intend to come here? Many people don't, it seems--the school seems to call them at its own whim."

[crossed_my_mind]

"Maybe he wanted me to be here." He cast another look at the ceiling. "Maybe this is the sequel."