Soup

KERRY  LOUDERMILK : 

You look ridiculous.

CARY LOUDERMILK :

I'm reconstructing what happened on the hill from available sensor data.

KERRY  LOUDERMILK :

Did I tell you I cut off the head of a Minotaur? 

CARY LOUDERMILK :

Yes, you did.

In graphic detail.

KERRY  LOUDERMILK :

Do you know what its blood smelled like? 

CARY LOUDERMILK :

Oh, please, Kerry — Okay, this is weird.

KERRY  LOUDERMILK :

You remember those, like, beef bouillon cubes - from when we were kids? 

CARY LOUDERMILK :

Stop.

KERRY  LOUDERMILK :

The kind that you would pour boiling water onto? 

CARY LOUDERMILK :

Stop.

KERRY  LOUDERMILK :

It didn't taste like that, though.

[BEEPING, STATIC.]

CARY LOUDERMILK :

Oh, no.

KERRY  LOUDERMILK :

What? 

CARY LOUDERMILK :

It's Treachery.

The Shadow King :

You ever make soup? 

Cut up the meat, vegetables, add broth, cook it for a couple hours.

You ever try to unmake soup? 

I'm part of him.

And the only way you're gonna get me out without killing him 

is if I decide to leave on my own.

There it is.

Now you see.

LEGION :

Okay.

I think I understand.

It's not about being alone, or about being in love.

It's about the things you survived.

And as it's written, 

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, 

some are strong at the broken places." 

Syd Barrett :

Go on.

[SIGHS.]

LEGION :

It's not the story of a little girl whose mommy couldn't hug her 

who grew up wishing a prince's kiss could erase all her damage.

It's about the damage itself, and how it makes us strong, not weak.

You survived the bullies and the way they made you feel.

You cut yourself with the dullest blade 'cause it felt the worst.

I know that life, 'cause I lived it, too.

I know.

And then I met you, and it was true love.

Like in a fairy tale.

Syd Barrett :

This isn't a fairy tale.

LEGION :

[DAVID CHUCKLES.]

It is for me.

Syd Barrett :

Do you know what love is? It's a hot bath.

What happens to things when you leave them in a bath for too long? 

Huh? They get soft.

Fall apart.

LEGION :

[EXHALES SHARPLY.]

I read that story collection.

The one in your book.

At first, I was confused, you know —

Why is she carrying around this sordid tale of sex clubs and drug addicts and —

And then I read this :

"Junkies and masochists and hookers, 

and those who have squandered everything 

are the ring of brightest angels around heaven." 

Syd Barrett :

It's a War, baby, This Life.

The things we endure.

You said you saw The Future, and it's an Apocalypse.

Who survives that? 

The Lovers or The Fighters? 

They sell us this lie that Love's gonna save us.

All it does is make us stupid and weak.

LEGION :

[SCOFFS.]

Thanks.

Syd Barrett :

Look at me.

Love isn't gonna save us.

It's what we have to save.

Pain makes us strong enough to do it.

All our scars, our anger, our despair It's armor.

Baby, God loves The Sinners best 'cause our fire burns bright, bright, bright.

Burn with me.

[EXHALES.]