A hawk faced man sat in darkness. His leather chair like a throne faced the rain streaked window of his office. The project had come to a stand still and that just could not be. Failure was unacceptable in Thanatos Industries. He had his best team on the job and they had come up with nothing. His black hair flowed like silk over his shoulders as he looked down frustrated at his desk. He sent out a message to his underlings. "Find me a man who can think and construct at the subatomic level. Find out all you can and bring the information to me."

Caroline walked down the stairs of the basement. She carried a letter in her hand and felt along the wall with her other trying to find the light switch.
"John? Are you down here?" She called.
"ZOI!!" He yelled out and she heard the sound of a thick cloth being thrown over a large area. At last she found the light and that indeed there was a white cloth that Frink had just thrown over something large. He rushed up the stairs, met her half way, grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her gently back up the stairs.
"What was that? What are you doing in the dark?"
"Uh ah, it's a surprise you can't look just yet. That was too close." He said waving his finger before her as though she had been a naughty child.
"A surprise? What kind of surprised?" She asked curiously.
"A surprise for you, but it's not finished and you can't look until it is. Wah hey."
"So I can't use the lab down there?"
"Well at least not until I finish. What's this?" He said as he saw that she had something in her hand.
"I don't know; it's for you." She said handing it over to him. Frink opened it, read it quickly and gasped holding his head with his hand. "What? What is it, John?" Insisted Caroline.
"Why this is a job offer from a major corporation. I'm sure you've heard of Thanatos Industries. This letter is from Mr. Thanatos himself. I can't believe this."
"Are you actually thinking about taking that job, especially now that you own your own lab? Would that be wise?"
"I think so, Caroline. I would hand over Frink Labs to you, and it's not like I would totally disappear. Frink Labs is a dream come true for me and I won't just drop it like that, but this, go hay din hey would pay so much more. Can you imagine the upgrades we could do with this? Take a look at what they are offering me Caroline!" He said as he handed her the letter. Here eyes darted back and forth like a typewriter then went wide.
"Find out more baby. I think you are right and this would really help us out."

Thanatos pushed the button on his intercom in his office. "Send in my best scientist. I need to have a word with him." He sat back and waited. It wasn't long until he heard a knock at his door and in stepped Owen Marsh. He had grown into a tall handsome young man with prominent cheekbones and corn silk blonde hair.
"You wished to see me, Sir?" He said not sure why the big boss had called him in. He noticed that Thanatos had a thick file on his desk that he had obviously been studying.
"Yes Owen. What can you tell me about Jonathan Frink?"
"Frink?!?" Said Owen surprised, the fire returning to his eyes. He hadn't heard that name in years.
"It is still there." Thanatos said calmly flipping a pen through his fingers.
"What is?"
"Your hatred, your rivalry with this man. Oh yes Owen I know all about it. You see I have been studying Professor Frink's works and life. Naturally when I saw that my most trusted scientist and advisor played such a roll in his life I became concerned. I value you as an employee and know you are loyal to this company and that is why I have called you in so this does not come as a shock to you. I plan to higher the professor to work on the Thanos Project."
"What?" Said Owen completely shocked.
"That's right. He'll be working with you. You'll be on two different teams of course but still working toward the same goal. Now Owen, what I need to know is can you stay focused, and is there anything I need to know about Professor Frink that might hinder the project. Be honest with me, I will know if you are not."
Owen fidgeted a little. It had been over a decade since he had thought about Frink and he did not want to dig up the bad memories, but for fear or respect or perhaps both he would remember for Mr. Thanatos. Owen knew that pleasing him meant great rewards in the end. "Frink is a very hard worker, Sir. Though he is clumsy at times. If you add him to your team; expect the rate of accidents to go up."
"But he is brilliant despite that."
"Yes." Said Owen hating to admit it. "Unfortunately his mind works much faster than his hands and well I'm sure you have read for yourself."
"Indeed. Go on."
"I do not know what else to say."
"But you do. You are holding back. Tell me would he be averse to working on a 'questionable' project?"
Owen thought for a moment then responded, "I believe so, Sir. All his life he's been a goodie goodie, But I do believe you could exploit him." He said with a Smile. Thanatos mirrored his expression.
"How so?"
"Frink is a trusting and forgiving individual." Owen remembered Caroline's words from their encounter in the hallway. This he had never forgotten. "We could take advantage of that. His trust is easy to gain, once you have that you will have his loyalty. He just loves to please his higher ups. He is very determined and once he puts his mind to something he will think of nothing else. We can use that as well…I certainly have. Besides he does not have to know what the Thanos Project is really about."
"Good. Now answer my other question. Can you stay focused with him around?"
"I…will try. I give you my word though, I will always do my best for the company."
"Good. I need more men like you, Owen. Frink is dispensable, do not forget that but we absolutely need him at this moment. Once the Thanos Project is complete I shall give you the power to do with him as you wish, fire him anything. But until then you are on the same level. Remember that. Oh, and one more thing. I want you here when I interview him."
Owen frowned but nodded and left the room in silence.

Frink drove out to the site of Thanatos Industries. The first thing he noticed when he got out of his car was the sheer scope of the place. The facility was huge. The building was very modern in architecture with white concrete walls, and lots of glass on the upper stories that made the place look like a mirror building. Not only was it tall but it stretched out far and wide almost like a miniature city. The jagged red Thanatos logo covered the front of the main building. It was a design Frink would be seeing quite a bit of. He entered through the front doors and went straight to the receptionist's desk. He was given a small map and sent to the top floor immediately. He followed the directions he was given and found himself standing at the doors to Thanato's office. He couldn't believe that this corporate giant wanted to meet and interview him himself. Frink took a breath swallowed and knocked on the door. It opened slightly and he stepped inside rather timidly. The room was dark but he could make out a desk and the out line of a man.
"Welcome Professor Frink, please come on in." Said the voice in an accent that Frink couldn't quite place. He saw the man was leafing through a file with several of his papers he had published and there were several pictures of him in there as well. "This is quite the impressive history you have here Professor. You have built several robots, home security systems, you have performed tissue analysis, cell rearrangement, microscopy, you're a member of Mensa and you have discovered a previously unknown species in Scotland."
"Oh it's nothing really I just…good glayvin that's a big file on me." He looked at the paper he was holding in his hand. "I suppose you don't need my resume then, muh hey?"
"No. We have everything we need on you right here." He said pointing down at the file. "Oh forgive me for being so rude. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Thanatos, President and CEO of Thanatos Industries. It's a pleasure to meet you at last Professor Frink." The two shook hands. "What I am most interested in is your skill to manipulate cells under the microscope and your ability to construct machinery. Basically your over all knowledge of computer systems."
"Uh, Sir if I may. Would this be where I would work? This is really far away from Springfield and I do not wish to move. My family and I have lived in Springfield for years, besides um hey, I have my observatory there."
"Not a problem. We just finished construction of our new facility on the out skirts of Springfield. We will be relocating the majority of our staff to it. You will work there. Tell me Professor, have you heard of the Thanos Project?"
Frink thought for a moment. Thanos? It sounded so morbid that surely it must be some wonderful creation.
"No, Sir I have not."
"Well then imagine if you will a cell. An artificial cell that thinks and adapts to situations. Its purpose would be to interface with computers and fix problems inside, kill viruses anything. It could fix any problem it encountered. Computers would no longer have to be opened to be fixed, one would simply tell these cells what to do and they would do it. They would be airborne and easily placed inside."
"Zoi! What a remarkable idea!" Said Frink.
"Yes unfortunately it is still only an idea. My staff has been unsuccessful in making any headway with the project. This is why I have hired you on. If anyone can help us achieve out goal it is you Professor. The Thanos Project is crucial to the future of the industries."
"I'd be delighted and honored to work for you, Sir."
"Good. The Springfield location is laid out exactly like this one, so as to not waste any time my head scientist will give you a tour of the place."
Owen stepped out from the shadows beside Thanatos' desk. He had been watching from there the whole time.
"Ahh!! Owen!" blurted out Frink as he jumped back at the sight of his old rival.
"Hello…Frink!" He said in a harsh tone.
"I take it you two have met." Said Thanatos with a slight laugh. Owen shot him an annoyed glance then looked back at the cowering Frink. "You two will be working together in a manner of speaking. You both play extremely important parts on the Thanos Project. I will assign teams for you that each of you will be in charge of. Frink, you will have your very own lab to design and construct your prototypes. Good luck and make me proud."
Owen turned toward Frink again. "Well come on, let's get this over with." He said as he walked out the door. Frink followed a few steps behind him.

The two walked down corridor after corridor mostly in silence. The more rooms and equipment that Frink saw though the more excited and lively he would become.

"These are research labs. Computer labs. Break room. Chemical storage. Got that? I'm only doing this once."
"I got it. Wow Owen, isn't it great how far we've come since the old days of high school and college?"
Owen thought for a moment. It had been so long since he had given a thought to Frink. He had almost forgotten what it was like, but Thanatos was right. It was still there in him. He could feel it starting to grow. He did not know how long he'd be able to contain it. Owen stopped in his tracks, whirled around and stared at Frink.
"Nothing's changed for us, Frink."
"Oh, but I thought that after so long with the time passing and the working and the growing up goh hay that we…"
"No! Don't EVEN dream that. Nothing has changed. Nothing." The last word he said in an unsure tone. "Frink…how is Caroline?"
"Oh, Caroline? She's never been better. Just the other day we were…"
"Ok that's all I wanted to know. This room will be your lab in the new location. That's it tour's over. Any questions?" said Owen frustrated.
"Just one. Will you be moving back to Springfield because of this relocation?"
"Unfortunately yes. Alright, I'm finished. Good bye!" He said and just left Frink standing in the hall.
"Ok. Bye bye…I guess." Said Frink confused as waved at him weakly.

The move hadn't been easy on Owen and working with Frink certainly wasn't no joy ride. He drove down the streets of Springfield trying to remember where everything was. He drove past the Kwik-E-Mart and hit his break. He backed up and from the street looked into the parking lot.
"Hello Mrs. Frink. How are you this evening?" Asked Apu glad to see Caroline in his store again.
"Evening Apu. I'm fine thanks. Here to get some more cereal for Max. I remembered we were running out and he tends to get cranky in the morning if he has to eat regular breakfast."
"Ah yes, children can be so strange at times. I got some new items in the back if you care to look around."
"Thanks Apu." She said and she went to search for the cereal and a few other things.
Owen pulled into the parking lot and stepped out of his car. Had he seen whom he thought? He stepped inside.
"Hello there Sir." Said Apu. Owen glanced at him quickly and went down an aisle without acknowledging Apu. Caroline was thumbing through the magazines looking for the latest science issue. "Hello Caroline." Said a familiar voice from behind her. It startled her and she dropped her magazine and she looked up at him.
"Owen? What are you doing here?"
"Because of my job I have moved back."
"And what job would that be?"
"The new Thanatos Industries."
"Oh dear. Does that mean you work with…"
"Yes I am forced to work with Frink."
"Funny he didn't mention you to me."
"No, he wouldn't now would he?"
"I feel sorry for him."
"Caroline. I have missed you so much. I have never forgotten you nor have you left my thoughts."
"Hum, I'll bet." She said trying to walk away from him.
"No it's true. I've never wanted another after having me you. I'm still single."
"And now I feel sorry for you. Excuse me."
"I can not believe you are actually happy with that creep!" He said once again blocking her path.
"You haven't changed have you? You never forgot me all this time but you forgot that I can do this!" She yelled as she planted a hard palm on his left cheek again. "That 'creep' is my husband and I love him!" It hurt as bad as the first time, but it hurt his pride more than anything. He was acting completely off of his emotions and rage was what filled him now. He grabbed her by the arms and pinned her against the freezer doors.
"You are right. I have not changed. I still do not understand, nor will I ever! I just want you for myself."
"EEEEEEE!!!" She screamed out and squirmed in his arms but he would not let go. He looked at her face as she struggled. She was so beautiful. She deserved better. Owen suddenly heard a loud CLICK CLICK go off in his right ear. He turned and found himself looking down the center of a double barrel shot gun.

"Hey you Mr. Ruffian. Scaring my customers is not allowed. Vishnu frowns upon it!" Owen jumped back at the sight of Apu with the gun.
"GOSH!! What is this?!?!" He yelled. "Do you have knights in shinning armor everywhere you go, Caroline?" By now she had gotten behind Apu.
"They are called Friends. Perhaps if you were nice to people you would know what friends are."
Apu poked Owen in the arm with the gun gesturing to him to get out.
"Ok, ok I get the message I'm leaving." Said Owen as he rushed out the door.
"Thank you but do not ever come again." Apu said in a mocking tone. Owen got in his car, slammed the door hard and sped off wheels squealing. What had he done? He couldn't believe how easily his anger had over taken him. It was all Frink's fault. He only became this way when that fool was around.
"Are you alright, Mrs. Frink?" Asked Apu concerned.
"Yes. Thank you Apu. When did you get a gun?" She asked.
"After having been held up so many times I decided to protect myself."
"Thanks again. I think I'll just go home now." Apu waved good-bye to her and she drove home.

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