"A Line in the Sand"

As Rhett continued to try to comfort Link, his phone buzzed again with a new notification. He hesitated for a moment before picking it up, hoping that the next comment would be more like the kind one from EternalOptimist. But as he read the latest message, his face fell. The comment from user "CynicalSally" was a long, rambling rant that made Rhett's blood boil. "Link is a vegetable," CynicalSally wrote. "He's clearly brain dead and should have been taken off life support or sent to hospice months ago. It's disgusting that you're still dragging him on your show, milking his condition for sympathy and ratings. You're using him as a prop, Rhett, and it's sick. If you're really his friend, you'll do him the dignity of letting him go." Rhett felt a surge of anger and protectiveness towards Link. He couldn't believe the cruelty and ignorance of this comment. He looked over at Link, who was still struggling to compose himself, and realized that comments like this were taking a toll on his friend's fragile emotions. That's when Rhett decided he'd had enough. He couldn't just sit back and let people like CynicalSally spew their venom and hurt Link's feelings. He turned to his producer, who was watching the exchange with concern, and said, "You know what? I think it's time we address this stuff head-on." The producer nodded, and Rhett continued, "I want to do a whole episode of Good Mythical Morning dedicated to explaining what's going on with Link. I want to set the record straight about his condition, and show people that he's not just a vegetable, he's a person with thoughts and feelings." The producer nodded enthusiastically, and Rhett could see the wheels turning in his head. "Let's do it," he said. "Let's make an episode that educates people and puts all these conspiracy theorists in their place." Rhett nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. He was going to use his platform to stand up for his friend, and to show the world that Link was more than just a condition. He was a person, deserving of respect and kindness. As he turned back to Link, he saw that his friend was looking at him with a mixture of sadness and hope in his eyes. Rhett smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, buddy, I've got an idea. I think it's time we set the record straight about what's going on with you." Link looked at him curiously, and Rhett could see the question in his eyes. What was he going to do? Rhett just smiled and said, "Trust me, okay? We're going to make this right." Link nodded, and Rhett could see the trust in his eyes. He was going to do everything in his power to protect Link, and to show the world that he was more than just a condition. He was a person, and he deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.