Video

[trenchknives]

So it comes down to this, huh? A bunch of people wantin' to go home, but not wantin' to leave each other behind?

[He shakes his head, sighs, refuses to make eye contact with the camera. It's obvious that he's blinking back tears.]

I'm gonna miss every single one of you. Even the ones of you that I got into fights with, 'n believe me, I know that was more of you than it should've been. Thing is, I've been here for eighteen months now. I got a lot of memories. I don't wanna...

[This is ridiculous. He's not good at farewell speeches. He waves a hand.]

Anyway, forget about it. You wanna come say goodbye to me, or you wanna do it here, do it. This is fuckin' agonizin'.

Comments

[water_wine_wizard]

Can I stay the night?

[trenchknives]

No way in hell I'd say no to that. You can come on over right now, if you want.

[water_wine_wizard]

I will!

[And twenty minutes later she's there. With a box and beer.]

It's my birthday tomorrow. I brought cake.

[trenchknives]

Shit, your birthday 'n I've been worryin' about all this sad stuff? We gotta celebrate!

[water_wine_wizard]

I know! All this sad stuff has lousy timing! It couldn't have waited a month, couldn't it have? And it's a big birthday too!

[trenchknives]

Yeah? How old're you?

[water_wine_wizard]

Twenty five. A legal adult!

video;

[othersdie]

It was strange meeting you.

[...]

Thank you for not killing me that one time.

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

[Okay, now he's laughing, because honestly...]

I think that's the best goddamn goodbye I've ever heard. 'Weird to meet you, 'n thanks for not murderin' me'? You got a real way with words.

Anyway, for what it's worth, I feel the same.

video;

[othersdie]

[Justin smiles, but only because he was taken off guard. He hadn't intended to be funny.]

I usually avoid goodbyes.

You have a plan?

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

Yeah, I do. Go home 'n not die. You got a plan?

video;

[othersdie]

Good plan.

[He shrugs.]

Stay dead. Take my cat and my books and see where I end up.

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

That sounds like a pretty good plan to me. Well, except the bein' dead part, but I guess you're kinda used to that.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Could I get a hug before you go?

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

What, you think I'd let you leave without a hug? Of course.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Thanks, Jimmy. For a lot of things. [Things that she will not elaborate on because that could lead to crying.]

So... where're you planning on going?

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

You too, kid.

I'm goin' back home. Kinda. Al 'n I came up with this scheme where I'd go home with him instead, since he's from a year ahead of me. Figure we can bypass me dyin' entirely. What about you?

video;

[anunluckypenny]

So you're gonna show up after you were supposed to die--or after you're dead, since I guess you would've died in that world anyway--and start a new life somewhere? That's kind of awesome. Do you think you'll get to see your son?

I think I'm going to New Jersey.

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

Damn right I'm gonna see him. Al 'n I are gonna go get him, 'n then I'm gonna move to Chicago 'n stay with Al for awhile till I get on my feet. He's got a boy about Tommy's age.

[He can't help but laugh, though, because...]

Jersey? Shit, you're goin' the one place I'm tryin' to avoid. What's there?

[vicodincrutch]

You're a dirty liar. You won't miss me. I don't expect it. You don't listen anyway.

[trenchknives]

Actually, I kinda will miss you. Who else could call me a dirty liar quite so effectively?

[vicodincrutch]

Kinda isn't missing 100%. I'll take it. At least it sounds close to sincere.

You should try and be more honest with yourself.

[trenchknives]

That your professional advice, or your legitimate concern for me?

[vicodincrutch]

You're not paying me.

Does that answer your question?

[trenchknives]

It does.

'n on top of answerin' my question, it puts a smile on my face. Nice to know you care, doc.