Split Decision

The following takes place following: Mayor Malfunction

Travers seems to have gone into a fugue state. The EMH continues scanning him with a concerned look.

EMH: It appears there are two competing consciousnesses—and one is slowly taking over, eating away at the other. Mayor Travers' consciousness is deteriorating.

Master Devlin: Waldo...

EMH: Waldo? What is that? Some kind of vegetable?

Master Devlin: The other consciousness. Also known as Widdle Frunkut.

EMH: Oh... so you were aware of this problem?

Master Devlin: Sort of. Waldo is my goblin pupil. He suffers from extreme schizophrenia and split personality disorder. In recent years, one of the more dominant alternate personalities—Harris Travers—has become prominent and has been competing for control of Widdle Frunkut's body. They’re aware of each other, but don’t seem to accept that they’re one and the same...

EMH: I see. Well, it appears that has all become too much for this primitive positronic brain. If this Travers personality has grown more powerful, as you suggest, the brain simply can't handle the load of two fully formed consciousnesses...

Master Devlin: I see... What can you do?

EMH: I'm not sure. Frankly, I’m surprised it still works at all. When was this thing built? It looks centuries old.

Master Devlin: I'm not sure either. At least 1700 years, we believe... I assumed it was mostly liquid.

EMH: Well, it's clearly synthetic. I suspect you’ll have to seek help elsewhere. This is beyond my capabilities. Perhaps an expert in the field of... whatever he is.

Master Devlin: Fine. I’ll take him home then.

Guard: Not so fast, Master Devlin. He’s in here until the judge says otherwise.

Master Devlin: Fine. I’ll call someone who might be able to help...

EMH: Very well. In that case, please deactivate my program.

The guard presses a button and the hologram vanishes.

Master Devlin: I’ll need to make a phone call. Keep an eye on him, please...

A few minutes later, Doctor Larry Frasier teleports into the cell. The Master explains the EMH's diagnosis. Larry listens, then offers a second opinion.

Master Devlin: So what do you think, Doctor?

Larry: Well, if I had hands, I’d be scratching my mask right about now... The problem with Waldo is that he's not a typical goblin. His brain isn't organic. It was built—by someone or something.

Master Devlin: Yes, the EMH said that. I've always thought there was something unusual about Waldo’s brain. It crashes a lot, like a broken old computer.

Larry: Exactly. And unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the components can be easily replaced or upgraded.

Master Devlin: Hrmm.

Larry: As I see it, we have a few hypothetical options. One: we try to boost the memory banks and processing power of the brain—accommodating both personalities. Either by technical means... or perhaps magic.

The second option is to try and transfer the Travers consciousness into a new unit—creating two distinct characters.

Master Devlin: I see. Was there a third option?

Larry: The third option is that we simply let things take their course and help ease Travers in his passing. Given that Waldo is the original personality, it seems to me he has the rightful claim to that body. But you're his guardian, Master Devlin—the decision falls to you.

Master Devlin: Hmm... Separating the personalities and putting Travers in another body would probably be best. Might mean his moustaches finally become real. Also, Samuel Waldo did the same thing, but I don’t exactly know how his personality trait branched off into its own body.

Larry: I see. Well, do you have any ideas about acquiring an alternative body?

Master Devlin: We could try to split off a bit of Travers/Waldo, form it into a humanoid shape, and reanimate it. Kind of like Clayface. Waldo, as you know, can regenerate body parts.

Larry: Worth a shot, I suppose. Very well, why don’t you start constructing the ‘Clayvers’ body, and I’ll see if I can dig up some incantations for consciousness transferral.

Master Devlin: No time to waste. I’ll go speak to the judge right away to get Travers released, then meet you back at your surgery.

At Larry Frasier’s Witch Doctor Practice, the Master places Walvers on the worktop. He extends sharp claws and begins slicing a piece off. The Walvers body flops to the ground, but immediately regenerates.

Master Devlin: Right, what next?

The piece of Walvers begins to melt.

Master Devlin: Oh dear. I think we need to put it in the freezer.

Larry: There’s one over there in the next room. I’ve been looking through these old tomes during our workshop montage. I think I may have found an appropriate spell. It’s for summoning souls, but I think we can make it work... It’s a gypsy spell though—they’re not the most stable. Still, with some slight modifications to the incantation, it should suffice. Of course, I can’t give you any guarantees. We’re in uncharted territory here—with our patient, Mr. Walvers, and his unique hardware.

Master Devlin: I see. So what do we need?

Larry: I need you to acquire an Orb of Thesulah. They’re pretty rare. I used to have one, but a robot that looked a lot like you ransacked my surgery and stole some of my more unique items. Speaking of which, if you happen to see any Ghora demon eggs... Anyway, this was some time ago—it may be tricky to track down. Suppose you could try Chinatown.

We’re also going to need the liver of a Bokoblin warrior. Which is convenient, because I’ve been hearing they’ve recently migrated back into these parts.

Master Devlin: Right... Well, the robot is currently in the possession of Reg Van Der Beak, who is in prison. It’s most likely in his hatch, so I’ll need to go get the robot. I’m pretty sure you had a contact in Chinatown who carried many weird items?

Larry: You mean Jim? I’m afraid he disappeared. Just vanished a couple of years ago. Someone smashed up his shop and dumped a pile of ashes on the floor...

Master Devlin: Ohh... Well, at least with the Bokoblin liver, I might kill two birds with one stone. I’ve been meaning to look into that problem anyway. Right—I'll get to work and go visit Van Der Beak first.

Larry: Good luck.

Season 7 continues in Right To A Family Life