"You-" Alby started, then suddenly grabbed his own throat, making gurgly choking sounds. His legs kicked out and he rolled onto his side, thrashing back and forth as if someone else were trying to strangle him […] Alby looked up, eyes droopy, as if he was on the edge of slipping into a deep sleep. "I'm sorry, Newt," he whispered. "Don't know what happened. It was like… something was controlling my body. (27.36, 47)
The Creators just did their best impersonation of an obnoxious older sibling: "Quit hittin' yourself! Quit hittin' yourself! Hahaha!"
"He's not one of us!" Ben shouted. "I saw him—he's… he's bad. We have to kill him! Let me gut him!" […] Alby hadn't moved his weapon an inch, still aiming for Ben. "You leave that to me and the Keepers to figure out, shuck-face." (11.9, 11)
As the great Tommy Lee Jones says in Men in Black: "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals…" The thought behind having a panel of kids to make decisions is in direct contradiction to that theory. Who is right??
"If you ain't scared," Alby said, "you ain't human. Act any different and I'd throw you off the Cliff because it'd mean you're a psycho." (2.26)
It's a pretty good point, Alby. If Thomas had shown up and been all gung-ho about the Maze, it might have indicated something seriously off with the guy. But come on, Alby—would it really be worth throwing him off the cliff? We vote that Alby might be laying it on a bit too thick.
"I know who you are," Alby repeated slowly. "Seen it. Seen everything. Where we came from, who you are. Who the girl is. I remember the Flare."
The Flare? Thomas forced himself to talk. "I don't know what you're talking about. What did you see? I'd love to know who I am." (27.32)
"Because then I could tell you all to lay off me, already. Geez."
Alby stepped up. "I'm sick of this." He pointed at Thomas's chest, almost tapping it. "I wanna know who you are, who this shank girl is, and how you guys know each other." (36.61)
Alby, we are with you, man.
Quote 6
Alby finally took a deep breath, then looked at each of them in turn. "You guys know I'm all screwed up. Seriously, I'm… sorry. I shouldn't be the stupid leader anymore." […] "Listen to me. I ain't saying we should switch or any of that klunk. I'm just saying… I think I need to let you guys make the decisions. I don't trust myself." (38.24)
When suffering from an identity crisis, it is beneficent to relinquish any leadership roles on the off chance that you might inadvertently cause someone else's death. (Rule #46 from the Dystopian Fantasy Leader rulebook)
Quote 7
Thomas was in no mood for whining—they had to do something. "Well, we'd be no better off in the Homestead. Hate to say it, but if one of us dies, that's better than all of us." […] "Maybe I should…" […] Alby took off running—he headed straight for the pack of Grievers between him and the Cliff. […] Alby had already made it to the monsters and jumped on top of one. Newt moved away from Thomas's side and toward Alby—but five or six Grievers had already burst to life and attacked the boy in a blur of metal and skin. (55.33-6)
Poor, cranky Alby. At least his sacrifice was worth it, though—by distracting the Grievers the kids were able to escape the Glade. However, the question that keeps coming up with these sacrifices is: was there another way this could have been accomplished?
"Two years we've tried to solve this thing, no luck. Shuckin' walls move out there at night just as much as these here doors. Mappin' it out ain't easy, ain't easy nohow." (7.20)
Ever realize Alby talks like the gatekeeper from the Wizard of Oz?
"You think I sent Newt to ya before the wake-up just for kicks? Freak, that's the Number One Rule, the only one you'll never be forgiven for breaking. Ain't nobody—nobody—allowed in the Maze except the Runners. Break that rule, and if you ain't killed by the Grievers, we'll kill you ourselves, you get me?" (7.24)
This line has huge importance later on, because Thomas does break that rule, to save Alby. And yet, no one kills him for it…
Quote 10
Alby's eyes narrowed; his mouth pulled into a tight grin that didn't look like it had anything to do with humor. "If anybody touches this girl," Alby said, "you're gonna spend the night sleepin' with the Grievers in the Maze. Banished, no questions." (9.11)
Alby seems to be pretty fond of banishment as a deterrent. He's equally fond of seeing things as right vs. wrong, black vs. white.
Alby spoke in a loud, almost ceremonious voice, looking at no one and everyone at the same time. "Ben of the Builders, you've been sentenced to Banishment for the attempted murder of Thomas the Newbie. The Keepers have spoken, and their word ain't changing. And you ain't coming back. Ever." (14.6)
What if he found a way to survive like Thomas does? Would they let him back in? Also, some consideration should have been given to the fact that he was still pretty loopy from going through the Changing.
"Someone stop them! Help me! Please!" He glanced from boy to boy, begging with his eyes. […] "If we let shanks like you get away with that stuff," Alby said, "we never would've survived this long. Keepers, get ready." (14.13)
Sure, being consistent with your rules is really important when MacGuyvering a government together using a shoestring, some scotch tape, and a slide whistle, but couldn't exceptions ever be made?
Quote 13
"I want her locked up. Now. Billy! Jackson! Put her in the Slammer, and ignore every word that comes out of her shuck mouth." (37.2)
So Thomas gets a Gathering to discuss his punishment, Ben gets a Gathering to determine his banishment, but Teresa gets locked up immediately for confessing to inadvertently triggering the ending… How is that fair?