Video -- Grab Bag Weekend

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[After some unseen fumbling with the communicator, it finally clicks on, and the face of a small boy fills the screen. He has a serious countenance, despite only being about six or so, and when he speaks, it's not with distress, but with slight confusion and a definite tone of politeness. At the moment, however, he's not speaking English -- he's speaking Yiddish.]

Can someone tell me where I am, please?

[After a few moments of no response, he decides to switch to a different language. Perhaps that will garner some kind of response. He chooses Russian.]

Is there anyone there?

[A long sigh, a far too world-weary one for someone so young, and then he shuts off the communicator. Maybe he'll have better luck tracking someone down to speak to them in person.]

[[Yes, Meyer has been de-aged, and thus, comments will come from recognize_a_curse . Oh, and he doesn't speak English. Good luck with that!

Comments

[theroyalshvibzik]

Some place with a lot of people...hm. Maybe the fountain?

[recognize_a_curse]

Okay. That's not far away from here. I think a lot of people will come and see us, even if they don't speak Russian.

[theroyalshvibzik]

I think so! Music and fun are universal, right?

[recognize_a_curse]

I think so. Let's try.

[With this plan in mind, he's much more eager to move towards the fountain at a quicker pace. Of course he has a deck of cards in his pocket -- one of his precious few possessions -- and he begins shuffling them as they walk.]

[theroyalshvibzik]

[She lets him lead, grabbing onto her dress so she can keep up without tripping. She's going over all the songs she knows in her head, her special lullaby not included. They can make this work!]

[recognize_a_curse]

[He always thinks those dresses look impossible to get around in. He's glad not to be wearing one. As soon as they get near the fountain, he stakes out a spot, and looks at her.]

Is this okay?

[theroyalshvibzik]

[Fancy costume dresses aren't fun. They make it hard to climb trees and run around. She looks around, sticking her tongue out in concentration, before nodding.]

I think this will work!

[recognize_a_curse]

Okay. Let's get started.

[He can turn on the charm when he wants to, and as soon as he sees an adult passing by, he tries to entice them over to the two of them. It doesn't hurt that they're both pretty adorable, as far as kids go, and as soon as he's lured the adult over, he starts doing card tricks, gesturing for Anastasia to start singing. The better she sings, the better a distraction it'll be, and then he can get more money out of the whole thing.]

[theroyalshvibzik]

[Upon being gestured to, Anastasia nods and starts singing. She's got a pretty decent voice, and manages to stay on pitch and draw in the adult's attention.]

[recognize_a_curse]

[He's impressed -- she's a good singer, and that makes it easy enough for him to use some simple sleight of hand to run his card tricks. They're simple things, not fancy by any means, but with the adult distracted as she is, it's not hard to get a little bit of money out of her. He never wants to push his luck, though, so although he's a pretty charming kid who's willing to play up the fact that he's hungry, he doesn't keep the adult for long. Just long enough get a couple bucks out of her.

As the adult leaves, she tosses Anastasia some money, as well. Apparently, her singing is impressive enough to garner that. Meyer gives Anastasia an almost imperceptible smile.]

Not so bad. Adults fall for anything.

[theroyalshvibzik]

[Anastasia beams and catches the money, giving the woman a small nod of thanks before turning to Meyer.]

This is going well so far!

[recognize_a_curse]

I'm already thinking about everything we're going to eat.

[He relishes having money -- that's something he's not used to -- but the fact that the money can be used for food is even more important. She's probably not as hungry as he is, but she'll get there. He isn't aware of the fact that this place has a Welcome Center that'd probably feed them for free; that just doesn't occur to him.]

[theroyalshvibzik]

Everything is going taste so good...!

[She grins, sighing and closing her eyes and smiling happily.]

[recognize_a_curse]

What're you going to eat first?

[theroyalshvibzik]

I don't know...maybe something sweet, though. What about you?

[recognize_a_curse]

[His face absolutely lights up at that.]

Me, too! I haven't had candy in a long time.

[theroyalshvibzik]

Oh, let's get chocolate, then!!

[recognize_a_curse]

Okay! We have enough money for it, too. We just need to find some place that sells it.

[It shouldn't be difficult. He may not be able to read the English on the storefronts, but he's pretty sure he can track down chocolate just about anywhere.]

[theroyalshvibzik]

Well, that shouldn't be too hard...we just need to find a store, and we can ask somebody there! I can speak English, I can ask if you want.

[recognize_a_curse]

Okay. And then you can teach me how to ask it in English, so that I can ask people, too.

[Chocolate is worth learning English for.]

[theroyalshvibzik]

Okay! English is hard to learn, though...I had trouble with it. But you're smart, I bet you'll get it really fast!

[recognize_a_curse]

It does sound hard, but it's easier when you're young, isn't it? When I go to New York, I'll learn it fast, I bet.

[theroyalshvibzik]

You're going to go to New York? That's so cool! I've never been to America...

[recognize_a_curse]

Yeah, we are. My Mama and my little brother and me. My Papa's already there.

[theroyalshvibzik]

Wow...I hope you like it in America! I've heard that New York has buildings that touch the sky, bigger than anything in Saint Petersburg...