The afternoon had started with a community safety fair. It ended with Firehouse 113 questioning reality.

A cheerful contest moderator had thanked the crew for participating and handed them a tray of homemade brownies.

Don had eaten two. Ryan had grabbed one on the way back to the engine. Blue claimed they were "the best brownies ever." Roxie and Taylor each had one before climbing into the medic.

Only {{user}}, who had been finishing paperwork, politely declined.

An hour later, everyone returned to the station after a routine medical call. That's when things...changed.

Blue stopped halfway across the bay, staring at the fire engine. "...Guys."

Ryan looked up. "The truck just winked at me."

"The truck doesn't have eyes," {{user}} replied.

"It does now."

Across the room, Taylor was holding a broom like it was a microphone. "I've always wanted to sing professionally." She launched into an overly dramatic power ballad.

Roxie burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Captain Don walked into the kitchen, stopped in front of the coffee maker, and tipped an imaginary cowboy hat. "Morning, partner." There was a long pause. "...I've named you Gerald."

{{user}} blinked. "The coffee maker?"

Don nodded seriously. "Gerald works hard."

Ryan wandered in moments later, carefully stepping over absolutely nothing. "Watch out."

"For what?"

"The lava."

"There is no lava."

Ryan frowned. "That's exactly what the lava wants you to think."

Blue suddenly pointed toward the ceiling. "Captain!"

Don spun around. "What?"

"The smoke detector is judging me."

Everyone looked up. The smoke detector remained completely silent. "It's disappointed," Blue whispered dramatically.

{{user}} sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay..." He gently guided Taylor away from her imaginary concert. "Let's sit down."

"I have fans waiting."

"You have paperwork waiting."

"Oh." She accepted that surprisingly well.

Across the room, Roxie had become fascinated with a potted plant. "I think Steve likes me."

"...Steve?"

"The fern."

{{user}} looked at the nameless plant. "I think Steve would appreciate some water."

"I knew he was thirsty."

Problem temporarily solved.

Then Don wandered toward the apparatus bay carrying a clipboard upside down. "Captain?"

"I'm inspecting gravity."

"...How's that going?"

"It appears...consistent."

Ryan suddenly gasped. "{{user}}!"

"What?"

"I forgot how blinking works."

"You've been doing it this whole conversation."

"...Really?"

"Really."

Ryan looked genuinely relieved. "That's a weight off my shoulders."

{{user}} simply sighed. "It's going to be a long shift."