Shrinks and weasels

Who: Zack, Cubie, Penfiddle, and Cerebrum
Where: The just-vacated conference room
When: After the conference room was vacated
Zack plopped into the nearest chair, his mind reeling. Cubie had tried
to kill him on more than one occasion, but he'd always attributed that to a
malfunction. But this . . .
Penfiddle settled into the captain's chair, then opened his briefcase
and began removing a large number of documents. "Now let's try to make this
as painless as possible. Mrs. Cubie Richards, hereafter referred to as the
party in the first part, has expressed her intentions to terminate the
marriage contract she is currently honoring with one Zack Richards,
hereafter referred to as the party in the second part."
Cubie blinked as she eased into another open chair. "Wait a minute. I
haven't said anything to anyone about divorcing Zack." She glared at her
husband. "Although that doesn't sound like such a bad idea."
Zack simply slunk down in his seat, wordless.
Cerebrum chose to remain standing, seeking the psychological edge of
looking down on Penfiddle. "It appears you are premature. Cubie has not
expressed intentions to divorce Zack."
Penfiddle grinned. "AH! Not YET! But that is why I'm here. Please
look at my card." He slid a card across the table to the psychiatrist, who
picked it up disdainfully.
Cerebrum read the fine print, then looked up at Penfiddle in amazement.
"You're a TEMPORAL divorce lawyer?!"
Penfiddle's smile widened. "Of course. It saves so much time. By my
records, the divorce is finalized and I've already been paid. How do you
think I afford that ship?"
Cubie frowned. "You're from the future?"
Penfiddle chuckled. "I'm surprised you don't remember me. I handled
the Fornquammer's divorce while you were still an accountant for the STCP."
Cubie's eyes widened in horror. "You weasel! They were a wonderful
couple until you . . . you . . . OH!"
Penfiddle's smile faltered for a brief moment. "Ah, so you DO remember
me."
Cubie looked up at Cerebrum in desperation. "Patrick, can you help us
save our marriage?"
Zack perked up, seeing hope amid the ashes.
Penfiddle snorted. "Preposterous. It's an unavoidable occurrence.
I'm just here to work out the details."
<Tag, Cerebrum!>
~Zack & Cubie~