01 | video

[freedrinkplease]

[ It's evident on Pig's face--rather how he doesn't look up--that he's in his own world. Distant. A tongue darts out to lick dried lips and blue eyes focus on the screen--he's got a definite Irish accent, certainly from Cork, but the way he's dropping words and rearranging sentences is still a little jarring. ]

There we be. Pig and Runt. Warm like. Drinky drinky and I says "Happy Birthday, Runt!" And she? She smiles. [ There's a bit of a laugh but there's absolutely no humour in it. ]

But now where Pig, eh? Where Pig? No club, no fucking Runt. No Runt--No Runt.

Just.... Pig.

Where he be, yeah?

Comments

[eiremagic]

Sorry, boyo.

[She actually does sound sorry.]

[freedrinkplease]

[ It kicks in all at once and Pig, hands in his face, is looking far worse for wear than he was five seconds ago. ]

There we be. Pig and Runt. Warm like. Drinky drinky and I says "Happy Birthday, Runt!" And she? She smiles.

She smile and it's the most beautiful thing the world has ever seen. The whole room lights up with that smile. And Pig, he a good boy. He know. He always know. Runt be smiling wrong. Runt not telling Pig something, but he such a good boy he smile back and take a drink.

So I have to go back. Gotta fix Runt... Not be here.

[eiremagic]

Oy.

Oy.

You're not in love with her, are you?

[freedrinkplease]

[ He snaps out of it, giving an unconvincing scoff. ]

Pig and Runt, we be pals. King and Queen of Pork City. Born at the same time in the same place and livin' next door. She my mate.

[eiremagic]

I've mates too, but I never talk about how their smiles light up a whole bloody room.

[freedrinkplease]

We be different. We know things.

[ A pause, and then: ]

An' even if it was Pig liking Runt, who be carin'? Always just us two. Not..here, though. In the tick-tock city. Pig's alone, yeah?

[eiremagic]

[She's considering this]

Don't worry. Time'll stop for her. When you get back, it'll be like nothing happened at all.

[freedrinkplease]

[ And, after squinting for a while at Eden: ]

Why you be helpin', Eden?

[eiremagic]

I've a soft spot for me countrymen.

[A stupid spot, too, considering she's housing Nathan Young]

[freedrinkplease]

You not be wantin' no-how? I can't offer you shite, foxy.

[eiremagic]

I'm not expecting shite, so we're even.

[freedrinkplease]

You not be expectin' nothing?

[ WHAT. This is the weirdest concept ever. ]

[eiremagic]

I remember what getting here was like.

[freedrinkplease]

[ Pig's eyebrow raises, and he actually takes a long, hard look at her. ]

When you got here? [ How long ago? ]

[eiremagic]

Four years ago.

[It's been a long, long time.]

[freedrinkplease]

Jesus.

That be a long, long time, foxy.

[eiremagic]

Yeah, that's for fucking sure.

[freedrinkplease]

That fucking sucks, with your four.

[eiremagic]

Yeah, well. That's life, boyo.

[freedrinkplease]

You be livin' all alone, then? With your four years in this place.

[eiremagic]

[She shakes her head]

No, I live with me boyfriend and a flatmate.

You going to need a place to stay? We've a couch.

[freedrinkplease]

Yeah. You don't want nothin'?

[eiremagic]

Nah.

[freedrinkplease]

[ There's a large bit of silence as Pig considers this--weighs the options over carefully. It's a decision he's certainly not taking lightly. ]

Yeah. I go with you, yeah?

[eiremagic]

Yeah, come on, then.