Tʜᴇ Aᴄᴄɪᴅᴇɴᴛ (SᴘᴏɴɢᴇBᴏʙ ғᴀɴғɪᴄ) Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs ᴍᴏʟᴅᴇᴅ ʜɪs sʜᴇʟʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ɢʀᴇᴡ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ. Hᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏʟᴅᴇᴅ sʜᴇʟʟ ʀᴇᴍᴀɪɴs ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ғᴀᴄᴇ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʙʏ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏᴏ ʟᴀɢᴏᴏɴ ʙᴇᴀᴄʜ. "Kʀᴀʙs?" Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ sᴀᴡ ʜɪs ʟɪғᴇʟᴇss sʜᴇʟʟ ᴏᴜᴛʟɪɴᴇ ʙᴇ sᴡᴇᴘᴛ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴄᴇᴀɴ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛ, sʟᴀᴍᴍɪɴɢ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴀ ʀᴏᴄᴋ ɪɴ ᴛᴏ ᴘɪᴇᴄᴇs. Oғ ᴄᴏᴜʀsᴇ, Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ's ɴᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴏғ ᴍᴏʟᴅɪɴɢ. "Eᴜɢᴇɴᴇ! Iғ I'ᴅ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ sᴏᴏɴᴇʀ, ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ..." ʏᴏᴜ sᴇᴇ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴜsᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ ᴀs ᴀ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟʙᴏʏ ʙᴜᴛ ᴊᴇᴀʟᴏᴜs ᴇɴᴠʏ ʀᴜɪɴᴇᴅ ɪᴛ. Nᴏʀᴍᴀʟʟʏ, ᴀ sᴇᴛʙᴀᴄᴋ ғᴏʀ Kʀᴀʙs ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ, ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ᴜsɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜɪs ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴛᴀɢᴇ. "I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴀs ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɢᴏɴᴇ?" Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴋɴᴇʟᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ɪɴ ᴛᴇᴀʀs. "I ᴄᴀᴍᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴏᴍᴇ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴜᴘ ᴀ sᴄʜᴇᴍᴇ..." Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs, ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ sɪɢʜᴛ, sᴀᴡ ʙɪᴛs ᴏғ ʜɪs sʜᴇʟʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴇᴀʀsʜᴏᴛ. "I ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡᴇ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀᴛ ɪᴛ... I ᴊᴜsᴛ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡɪsʜᴇᴅ sᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴ!" Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs ʟᴇғᴛ ᴄᴏɴғʟɪᴄᴛᴇᴅ. Rᴇᴛᴜʀɴɪɴɢ, Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢʟᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇsᴛᴀᴜʀᴀɴᴛ ᴀᴄʀᴏss ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ. "Sʜᴇʟᴅᴏɴ, ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ɢᴏɴᴇ ғᴏʀ sᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ..." Kᴀʀᴇɴ ɴᴏᴛɪᴄᴇᴅ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ʟᴏᴏᴋɪɴɢ sᴀᴅ. "ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ..." "I ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇss sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ." Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴡᴀs ᴜᴘ ᴀʟʟ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴏғ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sʜᴇʟʟ ᴄʀᴀsʜ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴜʟᴅᴇʀ. "I'ᴍ ɢᴏɴɴᴀ ɢᴏ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴀᴄʜ..." Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴛᴏʟᴅ Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ. "Pᴇʀʜᴀᴘs sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴏᴄᴄᴜʀʀᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ Kʀᴀʙs..." Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴡᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴏ Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ɪғ ʜᴇ'ᴅ ᴋɴᴏᴡ... "I ᴍᴏʟᴅ ᴍᴇ sʜᴇʟʟ..." Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs ᴇxᴘʟᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴀs ʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʜᴇʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ ᴡɪᴛɴᴇssᴇᴅ. "Hᴇ ᴡᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴀᴄʜ..." "I'ʟʟ ɢᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴛᴏ ʜɪᴍ." Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs sᴀɪᴅ. Kʀᴀʙs ᴀʀʀɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ғɪɴᴅ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴘᴜᴛᴛɪɴɢ ғʟᴏᴡᴇʀs ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴄᴇᴀɴ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴀsʜ ᴡᴇɴᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ. Lᴀʀʀʏ ᴛʜᴇ Lᴏʙsᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴀʀʀɪᴠᴇᴅ ʜɪs sʜɪғᴛ ᴀs ᴀ ʟɪғᴇɢᴜᴀʀᴅ. Wʜɪʟsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴡᴏ ɢʀᴇᴇᴛᴇᴅ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴡᴀs ʜɪᴛ ʙʏ ᴀ ᴡᴀᴠᴇ, ʀᴇɴᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ ʜᴇʟᴘʟᴇss. Kʀᴀʙs sᴀᴡ ʜɪᴍ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʀᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛ. "Sʜᴇʟᴅᴏɴ..." Aғᴛᴇʀ sᴇᴇɪɴɢ Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ Lᴀʀʀʏ ᴅɪᴠᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ sᴀᴠɪɴɢ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ғʀᴏᴍ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʟᴏsᴛ ᴀᴛ sᴇᴀ. Hᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴜᴘ ғᴏʀ Lᴀʀʀʏ. "I'ᴠᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴇ ᴀʟʟ I ᴄᴀɴ..." Lᴀʀʀʏ sᴀɪᴅ. "I'ʟʟ ᴄᴀʟʟ Sᴀɴᴅʏ!" Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs sᴀɪᴅ ᴋɴᴏᴡɪɴɢ sʜᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴏssɪʙʟʏ ʜᴇʟᴘ. Sᴀɴᴅʏ ᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ. Kᴀʀᴇɴ sᴄᴀɴɴᴇᴅ ʜɪᴍ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴʏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇ ᴀs sᴀɴᴅʏ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴠᴇ ʜɪᴍ. "I ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ʜɪs ʟᴇɢ ʜɪᴛ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴄᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ғᴏʀᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ғʀᴀᴄᴛᴜʀᴇ... Gᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴀɴᴅᴀɢᴇs, ᴛʜᴇʏ ʟᴇᴛ Kʀᴀʙs ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ ᴊᴜsᴛ ɪɴ ᴄᴀsᴇ... Aғᴛᴇʀ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴄᴏʟᴅ, Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴡᴀs sʜᴏᴡɪɴɢ sɪɢɴs ᴏғ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴠᴇʀʏ. ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ʙᴏᴍʙᴀʀᴅᴇᴅ, ʜᴇ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴘᴀɪɴ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴡʜᴇʟᴍᴇᴅ ʜɪᴍ. "Eʜ... " "Rᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ ʜᴏᴍᴇ?" Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ʜɪᴍ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴜᴍ ʙᴜᴄᴋᴇᴛ. Kᴀʀᴇɴ ʜᴇʟᴘᴇᴅ sᴛɪʟʟ ᴅɪsᴄᴏɴᴄᴇʀᴛᴇᴅ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴀᴛ. "Kʀᴀʙs ᴍᴏʟᴅᴇᴅ ʜɪs sʜᴇʟʟ; ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴜsᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴇᴇɴ ᴡᴀs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ sʜᴇᴅ..." Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴇxᴘʟᴀɪɴᴇᴅ, ʟᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ Sᴘᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇᴛ ᴀᴍᴏᴇʙᴀ ᴘᴜᴘᴘʏ sᴛᴀʏ ʙʏ ʜɪᴍ. "Is ʜᴇ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴀɴʏ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ?" Asᴋᴇᴅ Kʀᴀʙs ᴠɪsɪᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴀғᴛᴇʀɴᴏᴏɴ. Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ Sᴘᴏᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ sᴛɪʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ, ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʀᴇsᴛ. "Sᴏᴜɴᴅs ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴍᴜsᴛ'ᴠᴇ ᴅᴏᴢᴇᴅ..." Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴏʙsᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ ʜᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏ̨ᴜɪᴇᴛ sᴛᴇʀᴛᴏʀs ᴏғ ʜᴇʀ ʜᴜsʙᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴍᴏᴇʙᴀ ᴘᴜᴘᴘʏ. Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs sᴀᴡ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ's ᴀʀᴍ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ Sᴘᴏᴛ, ʟᴇɢ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ. "I'ᴠᴇ ʙʀᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴀ ɢɪғᴛ ғᴏʀ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ..." Kᴀʀᴇɴ ᴡᴀs ʜᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴀ Kʀᴀʙʙʏ Pᴀᴛᴛʏ. "Iᴛ's ғᴏʀ Pʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ, sᴀᴠᴇ ɪᴛ ғᴏʀ ʜɪᴍ..." Mʀ. Kʀᴀʙs ᴡᴀs ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ʜɪᴍ ᴡɪᴛʜ ɪᴛ.

EACH WISDOM ⅔ The cool evening air hits Plankton, and his eye widens with delight. "Look, Karen!" He points to a tree. "Itsh got weaves!" The leaves rustle gently in the breeze, and Plankton watches with the fascination of a child. Karen laughs, the tension of the day melting away as she helps him into the passenger seat. "Ish a... a... a bwue caw!" He giggles. Starting the engine, Karen glances at her still-woozy husband, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk with gauze. "Ready to go?" She asks. Plankton nods, his eye still on the tree. "Weee!" He says as they pull out of the parking lot. "Mooo!" He exclaims. "What?" Karen asks, smiling. Plankton points out the window. "Itsh a caw," he insists, his voice slurred. "Are you buckled in Plankton?" She says. He nods. The car rolls on, Plankton's head lolling as he tries to take in the world around him. "Wook, Karen! Itsh a... a... a... b...b...big...bwue...b...b...ball!" He squeals, pointing at the sky. Karen laughs. His hand reaches out to touch it, smacking against the car window. "It's okay, it won't come in the car." He giggles, satisfied with her explanation. "The wightsh awe twinkling!" He says, his voice filled with amazement. They drive past a playground, and his gaze lingers on the swings. "Can we stob?" he asks, his words still thick. Karen laughs. "Not now, honey." "But I wanna go widing on the sheeping sheep!" His voice is plaintive, like a child denied a favorite toy. She shakes her head. "Your mouth needs to rest," she says. He pouts, his bottom lip sticking out. "But I can't feel it," he whines, his speech still slurred. "It's okay," she soothes, her voice calm and loving. "We'll go to the park another day." As they pull into their driveway, Plankton's eye light up again. "Home!" he exclaims. Karen helps him out of the car, his legs still unsteady, when they see Mr. Krabs, Plankton's rival. But he waves. "Hi, Mr. Kwabby!" Karen stifles a laugh. "Hi, Mr. Krabs," she says politely. "Plankton's had his wisdom teeth out." Mr. Krabs looks surprised, then chuckles. "Looks like he's lost his marbles too," he jokes. Plankton frowns, then smiles. "Marbulls?" He tries to laugh. "I wike marbulls! Can Krabs play wif me?" He giggles. So Mr. Krabs follows them inside. Karen helps Plankton into the house, his arms wrapped around her like a child seeking comfort. "Wook, Karen!" He says, pointing at their couch. "It'sh our shofa! So shofy!" Krabs sits beside him while Karen gets Plankton comfortable. "Now, just rest," she says, placing a pillow under his head. "You need to take it easy." Plankton nods, his eye already half-closed. "But I'm not tidewed, I'm all woke up!" He protests, his voice still high and slurred. Mr. Krabs chuckles. "It's the drugs, Plankton. They make you feel weird." "Weirdish?" Plankton repeats, his eye opening wider. "Yeah, weirdish," Krabs confirms. "Karen, ish thish wove?" He asks. Karen chuckles to herself, shaking her head. "It's a pillow, honey," she calls out. "Ish a wove!" Plankton declares, his voice filled with excitement. "It's so...so...so flaffy!" His hand waves in the air, trying to grasp the concept. Mr. Krabs laughs, snapping a selfie of them. "Look, I got you a surprise," Karen says, bringing in a bowl of ice cream. Plankton's eye lights up. "But remember, no straws," she warns, handing him a spoon. He takes it eagerly, his eyes never leaving the frozen treat as she removes his gauze. Mr. Krabs watches with amusement as Plankton's face contorts in an attempt to scoop out a bite. The first taste hits his numb tongue, and he makes a sound between a moan and a squeal. "It'sh sho cold!" He laughs, the sound high and unexpected from his throat. Karen and Krabs exchange a knowing glance. "Careful, Plankton," she says, a mix of laughter and concern in her voice. Plankton takes another bite, his face a mask of pure bliss. He turns to Mr. Krabs, his speech still slurred. "Tank youw for wooking after me, Mr. Kwabby," he says, his voice thick with affection. Mr. Krabs is taken aback by the sudden warmth, not used to such kindness from his rival. He clears his throat, unsure of how to respond. "You're welcome, Plankton," Krabs says awkwardly. Plankton reaches over and pats Krabs on the arm. "Ish... ish... ish wike youw my... my... my besht fwiend!" He giggles, his speech barely coherent. Karen watches the exchange with wonder. "You guys okay over there?" she asks, smiling. Plankton nods vigorously, his spoonful of ice cream threatening to topple. "Wesh fine! Besht fwends!" Mr. Krabs coughs, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Well, I should...uh... get go..." But Plankton, in his loopy state, isn't ready to let go. "No, no, Mr. Kwabby!" He grabs Krabs' arm. "Youw gotta shay! We're besht fwiends!" Mr. Krabs is torn between laughing and being touched by Plankton's sudden affection. He's never seen the tiny creature like this before, and it's a side of him he never knew existed. "Okay, okay," he says, patting Plankton on the shoulder. "I'll stay for a little bit." "Tank you, Mr. Kwabby," he slurs, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "You're a gwed one." Karen watches, her heart swelling with love. And Mr. Krabs, despite his usual gruff demeanor, can't help but feel a warmth spread through him as Plankton snuggles closer, his head lolling onto him. "You know," Plankton says, his voice drowsy and slurred, "Ish always wanted to be wike you, Mr. Kwabby. Big and stwong." Mr. Krabs looks surprised, then his expression softens. "Is that right?" He snaps another selfie. Plankton's eye droops heavily. "Ish...so...tiwed..." he mumbles. Karen chuckles, watching her husband's antics, his head falling onto Mr. Krabs' shoulder. Krabs, not expecting the sudden weight, jolts a bit. "Plankton?" But Plankton's snores are the only response. His mouth is still open, a small trickle of drool escaping onto Mr. Krabs' shirt. Karen laughs, shaking her head. "Looks like he's out," she says. Mr. Krabs looks at her, a hint of surprise in his eye. "Well, I guess I should...uh...go?" But Karen just smiles, taking the bowl of ice cream from Plankton's limp hand. "You can stay if you want. He'll be out for a bit." The room is quiet except for the occasional snore. Plankton's body relaxes into Krabs' side, his breathing deep and even. Karen watches them, her mind racing with thoughts. The sight of her usually scheming husband, now a babbling, sleeping mess, is both comforting and bizarre. Mr. Krabs snaps the third selfie. "I guess I should go," Mr. Krabs says, his voice slightly awkward. "But it's good to see him like this." Karen nods, her smile tender. "He's always so... so... Plankton," she says, searching for the right words. "But this is... refreshing." Mr. Krabs looks at her, his own smile growing. "I know what you mean," he says. "He's usually got his head in his schemes." Karen nods again. "But now he's just... loopy." She giggles. Plankton's snores grow louder, his body going slack against Krabs. "Looks like he's really out for the count," Krabs says, his voice a mix of amusement and concern. "Do you need any help getting him to bed?" Karen smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling with affection. "No, I got it. But thank you for offering." She gently lifts Plankton's head, moving it to a more comfortable angle on the pillow. His snores don't even falter. Mr. Krabs nods, standing up. "Okay, well, if you need anything, just call." He starts to leave, his eyes lingering on the unusual sight of Plankton, his usual adversary, so vulnerable. "Thanks, Mr. Krabs," Karen says sincerely. "It really means a lot." He pauses at the door, turning back. "Karen... about what he said... about wanting to be big and strong like me. I know we've had our...differences, but Plankton's got his own strengths. He's... he's pretty clever, you know?" Karen nods. "I know, Mr. Krabs. He's got a heart of gold, even if it's wrapped in a bit of... mischief." Mr. Krabs chuckles. "That he does." They stand in companionable silence for a moment before Mr. Krabs clears his throat. "Well, I'd better get going." Karen nods, her eyes never leaving Plankton's peaceful face. "Thank you again for everything." Mr. Krabs nods, a hint of a smile on his own face. "No problem, Karen. Take care of him." With that, he leaves, closing the door gently behind him. Karen looks down at Plankton, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. The sight of him, so defenseless, makes her feel a mix of concern and warmth. As Krabs goes to his own house, he can't shake the image of Plankton, so trusting, so innocent in his anesthesia-induced stupor. It's not often he sees this side of him, and it's strange to realize that even his worst enemy can be... cute. Krabs shakes his head, trying to push the thought away. He's got a Krabby Patty empire to run, after all, no time for sentimentality, right? Krabs can't help but feel a twinge of something...soft. He sighs, his claws tapping on the countertop. The sight of the empty cash register brings him back to reality. Plankton might be vulnerable now, but come morning, he'll be as usual. But will Plankton even recall the day's events? He absentmindedly charges his phone before going into his own bedroom. He doesn't know his teenage daughter, Pearl, finds the three selfies on his phone..

EACH WISDOM 3/3 The next morning, Plankton woke up on the couch. He looked around the room, blinking rapidly, trying to remember what had happened. "Karen?" He called out, his voice hoarse. She appeared from the kitchen, a knowing smile playing. "Good morning, sunshine," Karen says. "How's the mouth?" Plankton's hand shoots up to his jaw, his eye widening with remembrance. "Wisdom teeth," he mumbles, his speech still a bit slurred. He looks around the room, his gaze finally landing on the bowl of melted ice cream and the discarded gauze. "Whath's... whath happen'd?" Karen laughs lightly, handing him a glass of water. "You had your wisdom tee..." "Wisdom teeth," he finishes, his voice groggy. "I know." He sits up, wincing at the pain. "Buh I don't remember... goin’ home." His hand goes to his cheeks, feeling the swollen jaw. "Nor anything thereafter." Karen sets the glass on the coffee table, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "You had quite the adventure," she says. Plankton falters, his cheeks turning a shade of pink. "I... I did?" "Remember the wightsh?" Karen asks, her smile uncontainable. Plankton looks at her, confusion clouding his features. "Wightsh?" "The lights," she prompts, trying not to laugh. "When you thought they were coming for you?" Plankton's eye narrows as he tries to recall. "I... I don't remember any lights," he says slowly. "But I do remember something...about ice cream?" Karen laughs, a warm sound that fills the room. "Oh yes, you had quite the time with the ice cream," she says, shaking her head. "You were so excited." Plankton's cheeks flush a deeper shade of pink. "What...what do you mean?" He asks, his voice a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. Karen sits down next to him, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Let's just say you were feeling the love," she says, her smile wide. "I was?" Plankton's voice is filled with doubt. "For...for ice cream?" Karen nods. "Oh boy," he mumbles, burying his face in his hands. Karen knew better than to mention Mr. Krabs, especially if he's got no recollection. "How do you feel?" She asks instead, her voice filled with concern. Plankton's hand moves to his jaw, gently probing the swollen flesh. "It hurts," he says, his voice a whisper. "But I'm alive." He tries to stand, his legs wobbly, but Karen's hand is there to steady him. "You need to rest," she insists, helping him back onto the couch. "You had quite the surgery." Plankton nods, his eye glazed with pain. "But I don't remember anything after...after the chair." He looks around the room, noticing the pillow and the bowl of melted ice cream. "Did I do...that?" he asks, pointing to the mess. Karen laughs, her eyes shining with humor. "You certainly did," she says, her voice teasing. Plankton's cheeks flush, and he sinks back into the couch, his hand covering his mouth. "What did I do?" He whispers to himself, his voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and dread. Karen just shakes her head. "You don't remember anything?" She asks, her voice light. Plankton shakes his head, his expression sheepish. "I just remember... being in the chair, and then... everything's fuzzy." Karen nods, her smile fading to a more serious expression. "You were pretty out of it, Plankton." Her hand reaches over to his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But you're okay now." Plankton looks at her, his gaze intense. "But what did I say?" He asks, his voice filled with dread. "What did I do?" Karen's laugh fades, and she looks at him, her expression sympathetic. "You were just a little...loopy," she says, choosing her words carefully. "You talked about lights and riding sheep, and... well, you had a good time with the ice cream." He nods slowly, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. "But no...no important secrets?" His voice is hopeful, his eye searching hers for reassurance. Karen shakes her head. "No, Plankton. Nothing important." Then a card slides under the front door. Karen picks it up, her eyes widening. It's from Mr. Krabs and his employees. It's a get well card signed by Mr. Krabs, who also had Squidward and SpongeBob sign it. Plankton stares at it, his mind racing. "How'd they know about..." "Mr. Krabs must've told," Karen says. "It's okay, Plankton. Sometimes it's better not to remember every...." "WHAT?" Plankton's mind is racing. How could he have forgotten so much? He's always so sharp, so calculating. This was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. How's Mr. Krabs know? He takes the card from Karen's hand, his heart racing. He tries to read the words, but his mind's a blur. "What's it say?" He asks, his voice a mix of fear and hope. Karen's smile softens. "It's a get-well card," she says gently. "From Mr. Krabs and the crew at the Krusty Krab." Plankton's eye widens in shock. "They know?" He whispers. Karen nods. "It seems so." Plankton sinks back into the sofa, his mind racing. How could he have been so...so...out of it? He's the one with the plans, the schemes, the...what was that word he was thinking of? "Loopy," he murmurs to himself. That's it. He was loopy, he must've been. He needs to confront Mr. Krabs! He starts to get up, but Karen intercepts. "Plankton, you're still recovering," she says firmly. "Let's just rest today, okay?" But Plankton's mind is made up. "I need to know," he says. "I can't just...just rest without knowing!" With a sigh, Karen helps him to his feet. His legs wobble again, but he's determined. He has to find out what happened. Karen watches him shuffle to the door, her heart torn between laughing and worrying. "Take it easy," she calls after him. Plankton steps out into the bright daylight, squinting. Everything seems so much more... vivid than he remembers. He walks slowly down the street, his mind racing with questions. What did he say to Mr. Krabs? What did he do? The thought of his usual enemy seeing him in such a weakened state is...disturbing. As he nears the Krabby Patty restaurant, he sees Mr. Krabs through the window, his claws moving swiftly as he prepares lunch orders. Plankton's heart thuds in his chest. What if Krabs knows something, something he said? He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever may come. He pushes open the door, the bell jingling. Mr. Krabs looks up, his expression unreadable. Plankton's eye darts around, searching for any sign of his earlier antics. "Krabs," he says, trying to keep his voice steady. Mr. Krabs looks over, his eye twitching. "Plankton!" He calls out, his voice a mix of surprise and something else. Plankton can't quite place it. "How's the mouth?" Mr. Krabs asks, his voice a tad too cheerful. Plankton's grip on his crutch tightens. "It'sh...it's fine," he says, his speech still slurred. "But...what happened yesterday?" "Oh, you don't remember?" Plankton's cheeks burn. "What do you mean?" He asks, his voice smaller than he'd like. Just then, Pearl comes in with the three selfies. "Look what Daddy found on his phone," she says, her voice filled with laughter. Plankton's heart drops as he sees himself in a variety of silly poses, his mouth full of gauze and his eye wide with wonder in the first photo. He takes the phone, his hand shaking slightly. The second picture shows him with the bowl of ice cream, his mouth open in what must be a squeal of joy. The third one...he's snuggled against Mr. Krabs, his head on his shoulder, drooling. "What...what's going on here?" He stammers, his mind racing. Mr. Krabs clears his throat, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Well, Plankton, it seems you had quite the experience after the surgery," he says, his voice filled with mirth. "You were pretty loopy." Plankton's hand shoots up to his mouth, his heart racing. "But...but I don't remember anything," he stammers, his eye wide. "It's all...all fuzzy." Mr. Krabs nods. "That's what the anesthesia does to ya." Pearl laughs, showing the photos around to the other employees. "Look at Plankton!" She says, her voice filled with mirth. "He's so...so... cute!" Plankton's cheeks burn with embarrassment as the room fills with chuckles. Squidward smirks from behind the cash register. "Looks like someone had a wild time," he says, his tone sarcastic. Plankton's mind is racing. He can't believe he's become the butt of the joke, even in his own state of vulnerability. But Mr. Krabs' expression softens, and he claps a claw on Plankton's shoulder. "Don't worry, buddy," he says, his voice surprisingly gentle. "It happens to the best of us." Plankton can't help but feel a flicker of...gratitude? Towards Mr. Krabs? It's a sensation so foreign, he almost dismisses it. "Let me tell you, you had us all in stitches," Krabs says, his laugh genuine. "You talked about being friends and wanting to play with marbles. And that ice cream...oh, how you loved that ice cream." Plankton's cheeks burn even more as the room continues to laugh. He tries to recall anything about the day before, but his mind is a complete blank. It's as if the anesthesia had erased all memory of his post-surgery adventure. "I...I don't remember any of that," he says, his voice small. Mr. Krabs' grin fades, and he looks at Plankton with a hint of...was it pity? "It's okay," he says, his voice softer. "You were pretty out of it." Plankton nods, trying to understand. "But we're not...not really friends, are we?" He asks, his voice hopeful. Mr. Krabs' smile turns genuine. "No, we're not, Plankton," he says, his claws tightening slightly on Plankton's shoulder. "But for one day, we were."