poly_chromatic | ❖ 001

[The lady looking curiously into the camera could have just stepped out of a time machine, or a nuclear bunker that's been sealed up for the last sixty years. She's dressed in a luxurious velvet evening dress and her pin curls are draped elegantly round her face, which is full of nervous excitement as she glances round her. She's still a little bewildered by her surroundings, but she's clearly trying to make the best of them.]

Is this on? [A small, delighted laugh.] I never thought I'd be able to film anything like this - that's just for big time Hollywood people. This place sure is great, having this sort of technology readily available. It's so futuristic.

[She pans the camera round the Square briefly, before the shot returns to her face, looking a little more confused now.] Is there one of these buildings that's better than the others? To live in, I mean. I can't tell just by looking - is there one that the right sort of people tend to go for, or do I just plump for one and make the best of it? ...If there's one that's known for housing troublemakers, I'd rather avoid it.

[Now she adopts her most charming smile.]And if this really has worked and people can actually see me on this, then I've been awfully rude in not telling you my name. It's Ruby. I've figured by now that I'm probably stuck here, but if there actually is a bus back to New York that I could catch, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So you, what? Just moved in and got a job and carried on here? [She honestly doesn't see any other option, but that doesn't mean she's happy about it.]

Eventually, yes. A friend of mine from home was here and offered me a place to stay and I worked a couple of different jobs before I ended up where I am, and...

Well, here I still am.

Oh, so people show up who already know each other?

Well, it does you credit that you've managed this long. After three years here I'd probably feel like giving up.

Sometimes, yes. You'll find lots of people here with friends, family, or even enemies from home here. And others with no one from home.

Kyle was here for a while after I got here, but when he went home... well, there hasn't been anyone else.

Thanks. There are days, though... It can be really hard. I miss home so much.

Well, I certainly hope that no one I know shows up. That could end up being rather awkward.

Oh? Boyfriend?

Where is home, anyway? Sometimes talking can make it easier. This was all part my job during the war, you know - talking to the boys just behind the front lines, about their hometowns and their girls, making it a little easier being all that way away.

Awkward? Why?

And, not exactly. Kyle is my best friend's boyfriend. My best friend, Warren.

I'm from the tri-cities area of Washington state, probably... around 50 + years in the future from when you're from if I'm reading things right.

Well, let's just say my family and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things. And besides, a lot of the recognition I was getting back home was for all the wrong reasons. If I am to be stuck here, I'd like a clean slate to work with. [Even if she'd actually done nothing wrong.]

Oh! Well. All right, then. Not that I've got anything against it personally, you understand, I'm just not used to hearing it talked about so openly. I suppose in the future people would become more liberal towards that sort of thing.

I've never been that far west, although I always wanted to. [She's even more fascinated by the time than the location, though.] Do they have flying cars?

I can understand that. It's one of the reasons I chose to strike out on my own once I was done with college.

People are more liberal, but not everywhere unfortunately.

[That got a chuckle.] I wish! Though as a car mechanic, I'm not sure if that would make things harder or just more interesting.

Well, if we've advanced to the point where women can become car mechanics of all things, I think I'm very much looking forward to the future. Oh, I'm sure it wouldn't make it that much harder. They could cut off some of the extra parts they don't need any more - wheels and things - which should balance it out. [It should be pretty obvious she doesn't know what the heck she's talking about.]

I can't say female car mechanics are a very common thing, but yes, women can become whatever they want. It's still tough at times, of course, but we've come a long way.

[Some light laughter.]

Well, we haven't managed to figure it out yet. Maybe someday!

That's good to hear, at least. My not getting married and going off to become a singer instead was seen as a big enough shock, I'm not sure my grandfather would have been able to take it if I said I was going to fix cars for a living.

Someday, but certainly not in my lifetime.

I can only imagine how hard that must have been for your family to understand. Luckily things are a bit easier now, though my mother is still pretty unhappy that I'm a mechanic.

Well, it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks so long as you're doing what's making you happy.

Very true. And I do love my garage. I really miss it here.

But there aren't a whole lot of cars, so there's not much use for a lot of mechanics.

I suppose there isn't. Even if it's not cars, though, surely people still need mechanical things fixing? It would be a shame not to be able to use your skills.

I'm building a car in the garage attached to my house here, but it's not quite the same. And for my 'real' job I run a magic store. It keeps me in food and hot chocolate and parts for my project car.

Well, that's something! Once it's finished and you show it off, I'm sure everyone will want one, you'll start a revolution in transport before you know it. [She pauses, looking a little incredulous.] ...Did you just say magic?

There's not a whole lot of places to drive here, so I'm not expecting much.

But it let's me keep my hand in and I enjoy it, so that's enough for me.

And so it should be. Keep doing what you love.

That's what I think.

And yes, magic. There are lots of people here who can do magic. Or who are magic in some way.

The more I hear about this place, the more bizarre it seems.

You have no idea.

Has anyone told you about the curses yet?

Yeah, I heard a bit about that. I have to say, I'm not sure I like the idea one bit. I suppose nobody does really. I've always been one for stability, not anything so unpredictable as these curses sound.

They're not always very fun. They're usually not any fun.

But they are a big part of life here in the City.

I suppose I'll just have to get used to them, then.

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