New Jersey.
Adam had invited Peggy to peek into the wild theater playing out in his brilliant mind.
Meanwhile, over in Pasadena, California, it was late at night.
Sheldon tossed and turned in bed. After what felt like forever, he finally drifted off.
In his dream…
Sheldon sat on a sci-fi throne, rocking a T-shirt with the nine planets plastered across the chest. He clutched a roll-call ledger and scanned the room. "I hereby call the Sheldon Council Standing Committee to order. Roll call begins now!"
"Scientist Sheldon!"
"Here!"
A Sheldon in a crisp white lab coat sat primly in a smaller seat to the left, giving a polite nod.
"Texas Sheldon!"
"Right here, y'all!"
A cowboy-hatted Sheldon in full denim swaggered in a matching seat to the right, tipping his hat and sprawling out with a cocky grin.
"Trekkie Sheldon!"
"Greetings to you."
Second seat on the left—a Sheldon in a Spock uniform from Star Trek raised his hand, flashing the classic Vulcan salute: index and middle fingers split, ring and pinky together. "Live long and prosper," he intoned.
"Germaphobe Sheldon!"
"Talk all you want, just don't spit!"
Second seat on the right—a Sheldon encased in a full hazmat suit waved off the main Sheldon on the throne. "Keep your distance—don't oversell it and spray germs everywhere!"
What's worse than something even he couldn't stand? This was it!
"Where's Jock Sheldon? Ha! Hahaha!"
Third seat on the left—a Sheldon with a clown's red nose honked out a laugh.
"Cut it out, Clown Sheldon," Throne Sheldon said sternly, shaking his head.
"Come onnn!" Clown Sheldon, thinking himself a riot, explained to his fellow Sheldons, "It's hilarious 'cause Sheldon hates sports—let alone being a jock! Get it? Get it? Hahaha!"
"Then who am I?"
A crackle of lightning later, a Flash Sheldon zipped into the third seat on the right, smirking at Clown Sheldon.
"Incredible!" Scientist Sheldon leapt up, gawking at Throne Sheldon. "You've finally split off a Flash Sheldon? Is that why you called this meeting? Brilliant!" He circled Flash Sheldon, inspecting him like a lab specimen.
"Bro, that's dope," Texas Sheldon drawled, standing up and nodding at Flash Sheldon. "If I shot at you right now, could you catch the bullet?"
"Give it a whirl," Flash Sheldon quipped. With a flicker of sparks, he held up Texas Sheldon's revolver. "If you've still got a gun, that is."
"Too cool!" Texas Sheldon pointed at him. "I like you. You're in. Honestly, only top-tier Sheldons like us deserve these seats. Germaphobe over there? He should've been booted ages ago—same as that wimpy Scaredy Sheldon!"
"Agreed," Trekkie Sheldon piped up, glaring at Clown Sheldon. "But can we ditch this guy too?"
"Seconded! We team up, we might pull off a twofer," Texas Sheldon said, rallying the group. "Folks, think about it—clear some space for more epic Sheldons like Flash here. How's that sound?"
"Hey, hey, HEY!" Throne Sheldon slapped the armrest, unimpressed. "I'm the chair! I set the agenda! Today's topic: do we grant Flash Sheldon a council seat or not?"
"Duh, yes!" Texas Sheldon shot his hand up first.
"If he lets me study him, I'm in," Scientist Sheldon grinned.
"He likes laughs—I like him," Clown Sheldon honked his horn, pointing from his red nose to Flash Sheldon.
"I'm… not sure," Trekkie Sheldon hesitated, looking to Throne Sheldon. "Who's your favorite? If he joins, do I still get to exist?"
"Is he clean?" Germaphobe Sheldon squinted at Flash Sheldon, shaking his head. "I've got a bad vibe."
"That's my hang-up too," Throne Sheldon frowned. "He's not just the Flash—he's a bird guy!"
"W-what?!" The room erupted in unison. Germaphobe Sheldon's voice cracked into a shriek as he bolted up, scrambling away from Flash Sheldon.
"You mean a legit bird guy?" Clown Sheldon cackled. " 'Cause with my shaky Dongguoese, there's a not-so-legit kind too!"
"Exactly what I'm wondering," Texas Sheldon snickered.
"NO!!!" Germaphobe Sheldon screeched. "I'm against it! If you approve him, Chair, I'll rally every Sheldon—including Scaredy Sheldon—for a full assembly to overthrow you! You know how many backers I've got?!"
"…"
Throne Sheldon's face darkened.
That was the snag. Sure, the Scaredy Sheldons only had one seat—Germaphobe—in the standing committee. But in a full assembly? Bird-Fearing Sheldon, Water-Fearing Sheldon, Sheep-Fearing Sheldon, Dark-Fearing Sheldon, Cockroach-Fearing Sheldon… the list went on. They made up 99% of all Sheldons. If they weren't such cowards—too timid to rebel—he'd have been dethroned ages ago.
"Hey, guys, chill!" Flash-Bird Sheldon held up an ivory-billed woodpecker, showing it off. "Birds are adorable! Get to know 'em, and you'll love her like I do."
"Over my dead body!" Germaphobe Sheldon wailed.
"Calm down!" Throne Sheldon tried to soothe him.
"NEVER!!!!" Germaphobe Sheldon howled. "Get him out, or I'm calling reinforcements!!!"
His shrieks hit a new pitch, and suddenly, a swarm of timid Sheldons materialized, encircling the room. Shy and shaky, they inched closer under Germaphobe's command.
"This is all Adam's fault!" Throne Sheldon growled, watching his council descend into chaos. His supreme throne was at risk. "I won't let this happen! NO WAY!!!"
With his roar, the Sheldons scattered. A flash of white light later, Sheldon jolted awake from the dream.
(End of Chapter) 😅💥