( o1 - AUDIO )

[halves]

[Deep breaths, Lou, deep breaths.

He's still practicing this exercise about a split second before the recording begins, shifting his focus to it immediately, superficially ready to laugh and quip at this silly challenge someone has proposed (forced) him to take part in.

It's nothing but pure nerves, he assures you.]

This is really fucked up. Just thought I should let you know.

[There's an exhale, not quite a laugh. See? Nothing but nerves.]

I guess I'm supposed to say hi now.

Hi. I'm the new guy.

I'd like to know what the fuck you've done to my cat.

Comments

[halves]

[There's a pause; he sighs lightly and pinches the bridge of his nose.]

A girl told me something about lemons and snow in the summer?

[waitedforyears]

Yeah, that'd be the ones. Though I missed the snow, myself.

[ A shrug. ] Basically every couple days something weird happens. Can be anything from weather changes to your memories being all over the network to people tasting like ice cream. Some are more dangerous than others.

[halves]

[Lou doesn't say anything, but. It should be easy to assume what he's thinking.]

[waitedforyears]

Yeah, it sucks.

[halves]

It's insane, that's what it is.

[waitedforyears]

Bit, yeah. But not that insane, really, once you get over the whole different dimensions stuff.

[halves]

[fbhasdgad. His head.]

How long will that take?

[waitedforyears]

Didn't really take me long at all, but then I already knew aliens are real. And time-travel. So. You'd have to ask someone else.

[halves]

There wouldn't happen to be any guidance counselors offering free sessions, would there.

[Sarcasm. Really.]

[waitedforyears]

There's a welcome center.

[halves]

Couldn't someone have just taken me there?

[waitedforyears]

Well, tell me where you are and I will.

[halves]

[Silence. He's in Carla's house, has been after she rescued him from wandering around and took him someplace where he could have something to drink.]

Maybe some other time.

I didn't catch your name.

[waitedforyears]

[ Well. Okay. ]

I'm Amy. Amy Pond. Who're you?

[halves]

Lewis Puckett.

[waitedforyears]

Nice to meet you. Sort of.