[ AUDIO ]

[signatures]

[ There is a photo attached of a smiley face on a section of brick. ]

I wasn't aware we had such wonderful artists in the City - or gangsters insistent on spreading joy all across the Underground. Then again, considering just the other day we had robots made out of trash cans roaming about, the prospect of happy thugs just doesn't seem so far off.

Pieces of scrap metal, however, make much better windchimes than I imagine pieces of thug would - just a hazard of a guess.

Don't correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, I know we have Cinna as our wonderful tailor in the Overground, but might anyone here repair watches?

Comments

[synanthrope]

What kind of watch, Mr. Eames?

[signatures]

Finally, someone helpful. It's an old Rolex replica, hardly anything to make a fuss about - but I do like it enough to want it repaired. One of the best fakes I've ever picked up from a vendor, really.

[synanthrope]

I could look at it, but I'm not an expert. The watchmaker I knew left the City.

[signatures]

I'd certainly appreciate what help you might be able to offer, in any case. How much would you like for the service?

[synanthrope]

You're my employee. I won't charge you for tinkering with a watch, Mr. Eames.

[signatures]

How generous of you. I'll bring it with me my next shift, then, yeah?

[synanthrope]

Yes, that's fine.

I don't care very much for noise, but the scrap metal would have been nice for things other than windchimes.

[signatures]

I still have an entire box of the stuff if you'd like me to bring it in and see what you can use.

[synanthrope]

Yes, please.

Have I ever offered you access to my cars?

[signatures]

Well, the jeep that one time - unless you mean to fuddle with, which I assure you that you don't want me doing in the first place. It will just lead to more windchimes and garden decoration.

[ Or bombs. ]

[synanthrope]

If you need to go out in one of them, just tell me - a text will do. You know where the keys are.

[That's to the Jag and the Porsche.]

[signatures]

[ oh my lawd. ]

You're serious.

[synanthrope]

I'm terrible at jokes.

[signatures]

How long can I lend them out for?

A day at a time?

[synanthrope]

If you need one for a day, or two. I'd prefer that in a non-emergency scenario, you not keep them out overnight for more than a night.

[signatures]

That's rather agreeably reasonable. Thank you very much.

Private; unhackable

[synanthrope]

You're very welcome.

I have a question for you.

Private; unhackable

[signatures]

I might have an answer.

Private; unhackable

[synanthrope]

You met Neil, didn't you?

Your friend Arthur's doppleganger.

Private; unhackable

[signatures]

Not in person, no, but we've spoken a few times over the network.

Private; unhackable

[synanthrope]

He's very skinny. Young.

What do you know about him?

Private; unhackable

[signatures]

About him? Next to nothing.

Of him? He has the capacity to read people beyond superficiality - he puts emphasis on studying, or at least noticing, various select things about anyone person. How they hold themselves, how they interact with him, he may even be able to consider wealth as a factor. He speaks as though uneducated but has more than the idle-most capacity of putting two and two together.

He may have possible trauma in his life previous, though what I'm not sure of - enough to give him baggage of what he claims to be "stuff" or other things that the potentially naive or astute might consider him in need of therapy for. I suspect it could have to do with the fact he's a gigolo, but it would depend on whether or not he views turning tricks as an inherently bad thing, which I don't think he does. It could be something else entirely. He's homosexual - depending on where and when he's from, that's reason enough for others to accuse him of needing therapy.

He doesn't consider himself harmless.

He worked in a sub shop once but it seems as though it might have been a short-term affair. He describes himself as a "fast learner" but I suspect it may only be in terms of what he chooses to do.

He enjoys soda.

I think he may be lonely, too, but that's more conjecture than I'd like.

Private; unhackable

[synanthrope]

I think I would agree with most of these things, except that I feel that is is harmless, because no teenage boy wants to consider themselves such. He doesn't like emotional messes. His best friend is in love with him, but he doesn't reciprocate.

Do you think he sells his body because he's lonely?

Private; unhackable

[signatures]

I'm not sure. I made good friends with a prostitute in Cape Town, you know, but not everyone's story is the same when it comes to the lifestyle there. Broken home or simply a life gone wrong, acceptance versus self-disgust, loneliness versus a need for money or a safehouse from violence by keeping their pimp happy.

It's too early for me to say.

Private; unhackable

[synanthrope]

He seemed surprised that I didn't care. He said he would be interested in sex with me, if only he weren't queer.

[There's a pause. Saya's figured something about Eames out - and that's he can suss out people. It's a bad place to be, because Saya can't but she likes to know these things]

I don't know any prostitutes back home. My social circle is simply not that wide.