❖ 001 - Video

[spotlighted]

[The lady looking curiously into the camera could have just stepped out of a time machine, or a nuclear bunker that's been sealed up for the last sixty years. She's dressed in a luxurious velvet evening dress and her pin curls are draped elegantly round her face, which is full of nervous excitement as she glances round her. She's still a little bewildered by her surroundings, but she's clearly trying to make the best of them.]

Is this on? [A small, delighted laugh.] I never thought I'd be able to film anything like this - that's just for big time Hollywood people. This place sure is great, having this sort of technology readily available. It's so futuristic.

[She pans the camera round the Square briefly, before the shot returns to her face, looking a little more confused now.] Is there one of these buildings that's better than the others? To live in, I mean. I can't tell just by looking - is there one that the right sort of people tend to go for, or do I just plump for one and make the best of it? ...If there's one that's known for housing troublemakers, I'd rather avoid it.

[Now she adopts her most charming smile.]And if this really has worked and people can actually see me on this, then I've been awfully rude in not telling you my name. It's Ruby. I've figured by now that I'm probably stuck here, but if there actually is a bus back to New York that I could catch, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Comments

voice;

[had_not_lived]

Almost no one calls it futuristic. [He sounds kind of pleased that she did. Yes, welcome to the future. It's weird!]

Ah, as far as I know none of the big buildings-- the numbered ones, I mean-- have a bad reputation. So I guess, you can just pick one you like?

voice;

[spotlighted]

Really? Well, I've certainly never seen anything like it before. I suppose that makes me the odd one out, in that case.

Oh! Well, in that case it just makes choosing one more difficult. It doesn't look like there's really much to choose between with them. Maybe I should just close my eyes and pick one at random.

voice;

[had_not_lived]

Well, I promise, you'll get used to it. What year is it where you're from? If you don't mind my asking. I know it's a strange question.

video;

[moonlitrequiem]

[She just stares for a moment, expression never changing. Her voice stays pretty level when she speaks, as well.]

Welcome to the City.

If you arrived near the fountain, there is a Welcome Center nearby that can give information on housing. [She cares not for the desire to live in a specific place. Lack of understanding why that matters.]

There is no bus leaving.

video;

[spotlighted]

You sound pretty blasé about all this - I suppose people dropping in out of nowhere is pretty normal around here?

Thanks, I'll try there. It does feel awfully strange to be house hunting, I sort of liked the place I was in. But it wouldn't do to have nowhere, would it?

I thought it might be too much to hope it would be that easy to leave.

video;

[moonlitrequiem]

[A nod.] You are one of many I've welcomed. [And she's only been working at the Welcome Center a couple of weeks.]

People leave randomly.

video;

[saidrepent]

[You'll have to forgive the quirked eyebrow, Ruby.]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone show up so overdressed for the occasion.

video;

[spotlighted]

Oh, do you like it? [A bright smile.] It's brand new, I had it imported from Paris a week ago. But I suppose it isn't the most practical thing to show up in, now is it?

video;

[saidrepent]

[Raymond isn't quite so sure how to take that. Except with more dryness, as is his usual reaction to things.]

Just be glad you didn't land in the fountain.

[coyote_walking]

Hi Ruby. Welcome to the City. Sorry, there's no bus back to New York any time soon.

[spotlighted]

How about an airplane? This place can't be completely cut off, can it?

Thanks for the welcome, though. Is this place really just called The City? That doesn't sound very, well, creative.

[coyote_walking]

Completely cut off, completely uncreative name, and most likely completely different from anything you've ever seen before.

There are people here from all sorts of times and worlds... it's a pretty crazy place.

[orangetoughguy]

You don't wanna ride the bus looking like that.

[spotlighted]

Oh, I don't? Is there something wrong with the way I look?

[orangetoughguy]

No way, nothing's wrong. But your dress is gonna get caught in the wheels.

Voice

[rianofski]

No bus, I'm afraid. Nor airplane, nor ship. I should say "welcome," but most people don't find it a very welcoming place, at first.

Voice

[spotlighted]

So I've heard. I'm not sure I like the idea of being brought here one bit, but I suppose if there really isn't any way out then I'll just have to make the best of it.

Re: Voice

[rianofski]

What a refreshing sense of optimism.

[A pause.]

You may find that optimism a bit damped when you realize the extent of the City's manipulations.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[The only reason the post catches his eye is due to her comment about the technology... so he decides to cut to the chase, ignoring the rest of what Ruby had to say]

Futuristic, huh?

video;

[spotlighted]

Yeah, I thought they wouldn't have anything like this until at least the '70s. Isn't it wonderful? [She gives the camera a little shake, thoroughly enjoying experimenting with it.]

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Just as he suspected. This raises his hope a bit, even if she is a woman. He'd be a bit more polite if it wasn't for that odd tea he drank the other day...]

I suppose. What year are you from?

video;

[whitetwoguns]

[Man oh man if she doesn't have a face for the pictures.]

I hate to break it to you, but there's no buses back to anywhere.

video;

[spotlighted]

So I've been told. I'm beginning to face up to being stuck here, although I'm not sure I like that one bit.

[Video]

[brothertragedy]

Welcome to the City, Madame Ruby. This place is located in an entirely different world from the Earth you know.

New York, New York... so close, yet so far. [He smiles wryly for a moment.] I am Nobori and it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, even under these most regrettable circumstances. [Can't you try to be positive, Nobori?] I have not been here long myself.

As far as I can tell, the twelve apartment buildings surrounding the clock tower are all the same. Take care no to wander into the Underground, however; it is a place teeming with decadent activities and people of ill-repute.

[Video]

[spotlighted]

Thanks for the welcome, although I'm not sure I've really got my head around this different worlds business yet.

Nobori, okay. What is that, Japanese?

They're really all the same? I suppose that makes choosing between them even more difficult. Do you have a lucky number or anything? Maybe I'll just go for whichever building that is. And thanks for the warning, I'll make sure to avoid the Underground if I can.