» 2 | video

[thenormalsquint]

[Angela's sitting cross-legged on a sofa in an apartment that if anybody knew her well enough can tell that's not hers. One, the wall colors are in neutrals and there's no amount of controlled chaos around. What gives it away especially is a grey cat in her lap snoozing, and even though she is not a fan of them, Angela can't bear to move it. Her device is propped up so her hands are free to write things down on a nearby clipboard.]

The worst part of coming and going here isn't the coming back, it's coming back and realizing there are things you should already know, but you can't remember. I hate not remembering things. My life experiences are so important to me; I want to look back and go "Yeah, that was fantastic how we got arrested." but when I can't remember faces, much less names or events...

[It pisses her off. But she's not going to say that much out loud.]

So here's your mission, should you choose to accept it: tell me things about us I should remember. Doesn't matter if it's big or small. If we went to the beach together and almost got eaten by sharks, great! Or not so great, but still that's useful to me.

And if we didn't do anything together, lie to me. Make something up. It's not like I'll know the difference.

Comments

[trenchknives]

Then I hope you get to go home for good someday. You don't deserve to be stuck here.

[thenormalsquint]

[She laughs into her glass. It's a nice thought, but even the ever bright Angela knows that now, going home for good--and never coming back, not even a year later--isn't even going to happen.]

Thanks. I hope so too. Likewise for you.

[trenchknives]

I don't wanna, actually. I'll stick to bein' one of the ones stuck here.

[thenormalsquint]

But your son...

[Angela's not sure how she feels about a man who is willing to be away from his own kid.]

[trenchknives]

If I could bring him here, I would... It'd be so much better for him here. For both of us.

[thenormalsquint]

Is it that bad at home? What's going on?

[She has to ask. The twenties are so much different than now. He hasn't been through The Depression yet.]

[trenchknives]

Lotta violence, lotta turmoil... I don't want anyone usin' him against me, y'know? Trynna hurt him? 'n I sure as hell don't want him spendin' time around my mother.

[thenormalsquint]

Why would anyone use him against you? [Translation: what the hell are you into at home?]

What's wrong with your mother?

[trenchknives]

There're a lotta rivalries in Atlantic City. I know some people who wouldn't be above hurtin' a kid.

[A sigh, and another big swig of his drink.]

My mother acted like she was glad when my wife died. That ain't the kinda person I want around my son, y'know?

[thenormalsquint]

[Angela feels like this isn't a complete explanation of what's really going on at home, but she doesn't push for details. Some people come from bad places. Others need a fresh start. Jimmy might be both.]

Yeah, that's understandable. The kid doesn't need anybody badmouthing his mom.

[trenchknives]

That's what I think, too. Hard enough for a four year old to understand his mom dyin', y'know?

[thenormalsquint]

I find that four year olds are a lot smarter than we give them credit for, but still, yeah. Forever is a concept some adults can't get themselves.

[trenchknives]

D'you think you do? Get the concept of forever, I mean.

[thenormalsquint]

I get that it's a pretty damn long time. [She laughs, tipping the glass towards him.]

[trenchknives]

[He raises his glass in return.]

Yeah, it is. So we might as well have fun while we're stuck here, right?

[thenormalsquint]

Right. Because boredom is depressing.

[trenchknives]

Which is why we're drinkin'. That always helps.

[thenormalsquint]

Can't be bored and drunk.

[trenchknives]

Well, I know people who can, but I don't trust 'em.

[thenormalsquint]

In general, I don't trust anybody who doesn't drink.

[And she drains her drink, waving for another one. Jimmy, she is going to bleed your wallet dry tonight.]

[trenchknives]

[He brought plenty of money -- he'd be bleeding his wallet dry by himself if she weren't here to help, so he orders himself another drink, too.]

Well, y'know, where I'm from, it's illegal.

[thenormalsquint]

[The more Angela drinks, the more comfortable she gets, pulling her legs up under her and making herself very much at home in this bar.]

Good thing they came to their senses soon after that bullshit.

[trenchknives]

Yeah, but y'know, a lotta people made some good money off that bullshit. Politicians especially.

[Not that he'd know anything about making money off illegal liquor.]

[thenormalsquint]

[Sure, whatever Jimmy.]

Naturally. I'm really not surprised politicians were messing with the black market.

[trenchknives]

I bet they still do, where you come from.