01 ❖ video

[shenandoah]

[When the video feed turns on, there are no confused looks, questioning pleas, or obvious signs of the device being jostled about. The man only eyes the camera with a dissatisfied look, his mouth pressed into a tight, grimacing line before he speaks.]

If I've got this thing workin' right, I'd like to know one thing: how the hell I ended up here without my knowledge or consent.

[It comes out mostly as a grumble; his voice is, to those from or possessing a familiarity with the United States, noticeably Southern. He sighs and glances from side to side.]

And, assuming I do have this thing workin' right... If anyone would be so kind as to point me in their direction, I'm in need of three other things: somewhere I can eat, somewhere I can find a good smoke, and wherever I have to go to get a ride out of this place. The latter-most being a priority, of course. I'm sure you've got a lovely city here, but I've got some important business to attend to back home. [His expression twitches into a halfhearted smile.] Thank you for your time.

Comments

Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'm sure that you, like most of us, have important business to get back to at home, but I'm also afraid it's going to have to wait.

[A slightly apologetic smile, but only slightly.]

I can provide information and cigarettes, but I can't provide you a way out of here, sadly for everyone involved.

Video

[shenandoah]

That's a damn shame.

[But his mood is such that he'll take what apology he can get. He sighs.]

If that's an offer, I'll gladly take you up on either one.

Re: Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

It's an offer. I'm at my casino -- a place called Lucky's.

[And look, he's even sending a helpful little City map.]

It's not far from the fountain, you can't miss it.

video -> action!

[shenandoah]

Thank you kindly.

[He's never been to a casino before; he's never even seen one outside of television. Unfortunately, the novelty of the experience does little to improve his outlook on the situation as a whole.

It takes him a bit to figure out the map, but eventually, Cyrus makes his way there with little incident. The thought of the man's offer manages to keep his mood from growing much fouler.]

Re: video -> action!

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[The casino he'll find himself at isn't bright or flashy. It's relatively small, with card tables, a bar, and a piano. And, of course, a smiling owner, ready to greet confused newcomers as soon as they walk in the door.]

Welcome. Have a seat. I'm sure you have plenty of questions.

[shenandoah]

[That surprises him, but only a little. In truth he's somewhat relieved for the quieter atmosphere.]

Thank you. [He takes a seat as directed, but not without casting some glances over the rest of the place.] I do, and my first one would be to ask you about that cigarette.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Meyer's already got a cigarette dangling from his lips as usual, so he just pulls out his cigarette case and lights another one off of the tip of his and passes it over.]

If only all our problems here were as easily solved by providing cigarettes.

[shenandoah]

[Thank god. He takes a deep drag off the cigarette, and the relief is immediate; with that relief, however, comes the space for thought.]

The same could be said for much of the world, I'm certain.

But it sounds to me as though this place is given to more problems than most.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

It is.

[He pauses to blow a smoke ring, and then elaborates.]

As far as we know, there's no way of escape. We're essentially in a very large, occasionally entertaining prison.

[shenandoah]

[He quirks an eyebrow at the smoke ring, though he's hardly impressed. The answer he's been given is too concerning for that.]

Escape... So being here against my will is a matter of custom, not chance.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

There're no easy answers. There's a chance, of course, that our showing up here is entirely arbitrary. Either way, we're trapped. And while the individuals who run this place are better than their predecessors, I'm not confident about the possibility of escape in the near future.

[valentineluke]

[Quick, get in the car. It's a damn Yank.] Welcome to the City.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Li flashes an awkward smile that looks like it's offered in anticipation of a blow. ]

I'm afraid there's no way out of the City, sir. [ A beat. ] I'd be glad to point out where you can find food and a smoking place, though.

[shenandoah]

Mm.

[The sound is all-around noncommittal; this information is too new for him to have any opinion on it that isn't uncouth. So he focuses on the cigarette instead.]

I should hope there's a good reason behind us bein' here.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

There are... various beliefs on that matter. What we do know is that there are something we call "curses" that occur on a regular basis. They're random events; sometimes they're dangerous, sometimes they're humiliating, sometimes they're simply ridiculous, but we haven't found any way to stop them so far.

[Another long drag on his cigarette.]

We've had the experience, for example, of having our memories broadcast publicly. There was a somewhat memorable "curse" during the winter involving mistletoe -- I suppose you can imagine how that transpired.

[shenandoah]

Thank you kindly. [The greeting does little to clear his mood, if anything at all, but there's no reason not to be polite.]

video;

[shenandoah]

[Well, now things are looking up.]

That would be sincerely appreciated.

[valentineluke]

In answer to Question One; City collected you.

[shenandoah]

[He can't, actually, having only a passing familiarity with the human custom. But that doesn't matter quite as much as the rest of it.]

And there's no way to avoid any of this?

[shenandoah]

"City."

[Well, then.]

And that's all there is to it?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Not every curse affects every individual. Some people are skipped entirely, while some people seem to have bad enough luck to get all of the bad curses. It's...

[He cuts himself off mid-sentence to stand up and gesture towards the bar.]

Would you like something to drink? Alcoholic or not, your choice. I'm going to make myself a cup of tea.

[Because explaining all of this really is very disheartening, although at least this guy seems to be taking it well.]

Anyway, it seems almost random, who gets affected by which curse, and when.

[valentineluke]

Yes. As to the 'why', sometimes there isn't a real answer to that.

[shenandoah]

[He seems to be taking it well, sure. But only because he hasn't yet had the time to fully digest it all.]

Ah... I'll take some tea as well, thank you.

[No need to dull his wits at a time like this. Perhaps the tea will be calming.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He goes behind the bar to make them both a cup of tea, and is silent for awhile, letting the other man think about everything that's just been said to him. It's a lot to take in all at once -- there's no need to purposefully overwhelm him. After a few minutes, he returns, two teacups in hand.]

For all the unfortunate things I've detailed about the City, it's not all bad.

[shenandoah]

If that's the case, then I'd be more interested in hearing about the other times.