Voice Game II -- Son Of Voice Game

[Haphazard]

The original voice game seems to be a bit congested. Because of this, it seems like a good idea to make a second one.

Same rules as the first voice game.

Here’s the rules: In your MC's voice, answer the question asked by the previous poster and then ask a new question.

BOTH ANSWER AND QUESTION MUST BE IN YOUR MAIN CHARACTER’S VOICE – NOT YOURS!

I'll start.

"Nice day out, isn't it?"

[Nakhlasmoke]

Depends on ya definition of the word "nice". Personal-like, I hate days like this.

So whatcha in here for, chum?

[Haphazard]

Depends on ya definition of the word "nice". Personal-like, I hate days like this.

(you need to ask a question.)

Eh. I though I was supposed to say something like that. It doesn't really work when there's a thunderstorm out there. You don't like the storms, then?

[karo.ambrose]

Hey, I'm sorry, I really don't do this often. My name's Karo.

If you guys don't want me here, I can leave.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Storms mean no flying. Can't do shit when it's all windy and raining out.

Still, at least the rain explains that daft thing on your head. Your mam knit that for you or summat?

[Sage]

Hey, I'm sorry, I really don't do this often. My name's Karo.

If you guys don't want me here, I can leave.
(helps out)

Dean: Hey, Karo. What a great name. Like the syrup <grins>

Why would we want someone with as interesting a name as yours to leave?

[Haphazard]

Hey, I'm sorry, I really don't do this often. My name's Karo.

If you guys don't want me here, I can leave.

Why'd we want you to leave?

Storms mean no flying. Can't do shit when it's all windy and raining out.

Still, at least the rain explains that daft thing on your head. Your mam knit that for you or summat?

...

That's a new haircut.

I suppose you think yours looks any better?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Chum, ya shuffle in like a little lost lambkin, an yer asking to be spitted. What's the deal with the low self image?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Why'd we want you to leave?



...

That's a new haircut.

I suppose you think yours looks any better?

This? *smooths shaved head, plays with dreaded topknot* This is frikken class, chum. Mind I don't take you out back an stomp yer head in fer ya.

Aw, go on, I'm just messing with ya. Here, ya want a drink?

[Haphazard]

Chum, ya shuffle in like a little lost lambkin, an yer asking to be spitted. What's the deal with the low self image?

Look. It's hair. It doesn't come off. *tugs*. You never seen a stupid haircut before?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Look. It's hair. It doesn't come off. *tugs*. You never seen a stupid haircut before?

Well, I has seen worse....once.


Like that karo bloke's. Now, where's he gone an hidden himself?

[karo.ambrose]

(helps out)

Dean: Hey, Karo. What a great name. Like the syrup <grins>

Why would we want someone with as interesting a name as yours to leave?


Why'd we want you to leave?

I shouldn't have said anything in the first place. Just forget about it, okay?

I'm sorry, it's really nice to meet all of you. **forces a grin**

Chum, ya shuffle in like a little lost lambkin, an yer asking to be spitted. What's the deal with the low self image?

You talk funny. Where the heck are you from?

[Nakhlasmoke]

I shouldn't have said anything in the first place. Just forget about it, okay?

I'm sorry, it's really nice to meet all of you. **forces a grin**



You talk funny. Where the heck are you from?


From MallenIve as was. An you?

[Haphazard]

Well, I has seen worse....once.


Like that karo bloke's. Now, where's he gone an hidden himself?

Eh. I'll probably shave it off later. The barber went a little crazy this time. I don't think he liked that he lost a hundred to me.

That drink warm?

I shouldn't have said anything in the first place. Just forget about it, okay?

I'm sorry, it's really nice to meet all of you. **forces a grin**

Umm, sure. Hi.

You talk funny. Where the heck are you from?

You sure you want to say that? Cause that's a first class way to get your lights knocked out.

[karo.ambrose]

West Lake Hills. My dad just bought this new house there, cost him like 3 mil. But I really miss my friends. They all live like a hundred miles away.

MallenIve? Is that by Golden Oaks?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Eh. I'll probably shave it off later. The barber went a little crazy this time. I don't think he liked that he lost a hundred to me.

That drink warm?

Ah, so ya like to make sticky deals? Good, I'll bet ya a drink ya can't guess what I'm holding in my left hand.



MallenIve? Is that by Golden Oaks?

Never heard of no Golden Oaks. That near the sea?

[karo.ambrose]

You sure you want to say that? Cause that's a first class way to get your lights knocked out.

Whoa, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it, I was just curious is all. Please don't hit me. **pulls out a twenty dollar bill** Just take it. I'm sorry.

[Haphazard]

Ah, so ya like to make sticky deals? Good, I'll bet ya a drink ya can't guess what I'm holding in my left hand.

The real question is, do I really want to know?

Whoa, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it, I was just curious is all. Please don't hit me. **pulls out a twenty dollar bill** Just take it. I'm sorry.

What? Oh, cool.

Some friendly advice. When somebody waves money in your face, take it. No matter how small.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Whoa, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it, I was just curious is all. Please don't hit me. **pulls out a twenty dollar bill** Just take it. I'm sorry.

Oh a money boy. *grins* Come on an sit next to Inka. I like my drinks strong an cold.

The real question is, do I really want to know?

May be not. So whatcha doing here, haircut-boy? Ya hiding from someone?

[karo.ambrose]

Some friendly advice. When somebody waves money in your face, take it. No matter how small.

**takes a breath, calms down**

Well, twenty bucks isn't that big of a deal. I mean my allowance is three thousand a week. How much is your allowance?

Never heard of no Golden Oaks. That near the sea?

No, Golden Oaks is like inland. They have the Timber Lodge Country Club and they also have the DefenceCon Arsenal factory there I think. It's been a few years since I was there.

MallenIve. MallenIve. Is that like, in the ghetto?

[Haphazard]

May be not. So whatcha doing here, haircut-boy? Ya hiding from someone?

I may be. Though, I may not be.

And haircut-boy? Haircut-boy? Couldn't you have at least thought of a better nickname?

**takes a breath, calms down**

Well, twenty bucks isn't that big of a deal. I mean my allowance is three thousand a week. How much is your allowance?

Uhh. $100.

Damn, I hate these rich snobs...

[Nakhlasmoke]

.

MallenIve. MallenIve. Is that like, in the ghetto?

Allowance? I ain't never heard of an allowance. Probably not in ya best interest to be flashing all that brass about, chum. There's people out there wouldn't think nothing of slicing you open just for half of what yer waving about.

Anyway, MallenIve's no ghetto, it's a ghost town. Truth told, I don't actually live in MallenIve. No-one does except the dead.

You scared of ghosts, rich-boy?

[Nakhlasmoke]

I may be. Though, I may not be.

And haircut-boy? Haircut-boy? Couldn't you have at least thought of a better nickname?



Hey. it don't have to be good as long as it's *right*.

What would ya rather be called?

[Haphazard]

Hey. it don't have to be good as long as it's *right*.

What would ya rather be called?

Ah screw it.

Just call me Hirsch. That's what everyone else calls me.

What about you?

[karo.ambrose]

Uhh. $100.

Damn, I hate these rich snobs...

I am NOT a snob. I hate it when people say that. It's so... judgemental. You don't even know anything about me. Everyone's always like "oh, your dad bought you a new car" or "nice car, car boy" all jealous like. Look I didn't know you all were poor. And I'm sorry.

What is that like anyways? Being poor?


I'm bad at this.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Ah screw it.

Just call me Hirsch. That's what everyone else calls me.

What about you?

Righto, Hirsch. I'm Inka. *raises glass, downs beer*

I been watching you rolling that coin on yer knuckles. That's quite a skill. I'm betting you got pretty light fingers, know what i mean?

Now, where's that rich boy? I got a powerful thirst over here an not quite enough coin to quench it.

[Haphazard]

I am NOT a snob. I hate it when people say that. It's so... judgemental. You don't even know anything about me. Everyone's always like "oh, your dad bought you a new car" or "nice car, car boy" all jealous like. Look I didn't know you all were poor. And I'm sorry.

What is that like anyways? Being poor?


I'm bad at this.

If you're NOT a snob, than I'm NOT poor.

You're lyin', kid. I can tell. I'm not stupid.

How old are you, anyway?

[Nakhlasmoke]

I am NOT a snob. I hate it when people say that. It's so... judgemental. You don't even know anything about me. Everyone's always like "oh, your dad bought you a new car" or "nice car, car boy" all jealous like. Look I didn't know you all were poor. And I'm sorry.

What is that like anyways? Being poor?


I'm bad at this.

It's being cold when it's cold, an hot when it's hot, an hungry when the crops fail.

On t'other hand, i don't answer to no-one.

Your brass is just another leash you're on. Ain't that right?

[Haphazard]

Righto, Hirsch. I'm Inka. *raises glass, downs beer*

I been watching you rolling that coin on yer knuckles. That's quite a skill. I'm betting you got pretty light fingers, know what i mean?

Now, where's that rich boy? I got a powerful thirst over here an not quite enough coin to quench it.

Light fingers? I guess you could say that.

If you need cash, I can help you out today. I got a lot at the moment. And all money's fleeting, you know?

[karo.ambrose]

You scared of ghosts, rich-boy?


Ghosts? Whatever. Ghosts don't exist... do they?

No of course not. You're just trying to scare me.


If you're NOT a snob, than I'm NOT poor.

You're lyin', kid. I can tell. I'm not stupid.

How old are you, anyway?

I wasn't lying!!! Honest!

I'm sixteen.


Righto, Hirsch. I'm Inka. *raises glass, downs beer*

I been watching you rolling that coin on yer knuckles. That's quite a skill. I'm betting you got pretty light fingers, know what i mean?

Now, where's that rich boy? I got a powerful thirst over here an not quite enough coin to quench it.

We're at a bar?!?! Dude, you BETTER not drive home drunk. Seriously. Not cool.

[Haphazard]

I wasn't lying!!! Honest!

I'm sixteen.

Sixteen? You sure don't look it.




We're at a bar?!?! Dude, you BETTER not drive home drunk. Seriously. Not cool.

I'll take her home. *sips Irish coffee*

[karo.ambrose]

It's being cold when it's cold, an hot when it's hot, an hungry when the crops fail.

On t'other hand, i don't answer to no-one.

Your brass is just another leash you're on. Ain't that right?

Look, I don't know what you're talking about. We have savings in gold and silver, and a bunch of stock in Reily Artillery Corporation. We don't use brass. You're drunk and I'm gonna call a taxi.

Seriously, why do you have to drink so much?

[karo.ambrose]

Sixteen? You sure don't look it.



Really? **smirks** How old do I look? People say I look thirteen. No one ever believes I'm old enough to drive.

Have you ever seen like, old people? I really think they're a different race. There's no way I'm gonna end up looking like that, all wrinkly and tired.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Sixteen? You sure don't look it.






I'll take her home. *sips Irish coffee*

Ya a mite presumptious there...besides, where you gonna stick my glider?

Ghosts? Whatever. Ghosts don't exist... do they?

No of course not. You're just trying to scare me.




I wasn't lying!!! Honest!

I'm sixteen.




We're at a bar?!?! Dude, you BETTER not drive home drunk. Seriously. Not cool.

I ain't driving, I'm on shank's pony. Sixteen. *laughs* Yer older than me, never woulda guessed it. You get beaten up a lot,, don't ya?

Light fingers? I guess you could say that.

If you need cash, I can help you out today. I got a lot at the moment. And all money's fleeting, you know?

Looks like we speak the same patter, chum. *winks* What's that drink then? An Irish coffee - never heard of it.

[karo.ambrose]

I ain't driving, I'm on shank's pony. Sixteen. *laughs* Yer older than me, never woulda guessed it. You get beaten up a lot,, don't ya?


Look, I don't want to talk about that. I NEVER get beaten up. Seriously, everyone thinks I'm really cool. I have tons of friends. Everyone swims at MY pool, we all watch movies in MY home theatre, and we always go cruising around in MY new hardtop convertible.

People like me. I can't understand why you don't like me either.

[Haphazard]

Really? **smirks** How old do I look? People say I look thirteen. No one ever believes I'm old enough to drive.

You look about eight.

Have you ever seen like, old people? I really think they're a different race. There's no way I'm gonna end up looking like that, all wrinkly and tired.

What have I said about saying things that will get your lights knocked out?

Ya a mite presumptious there...besides, where you gonna stick my glider?

There's a spot where you can put it on the front of the bus.

I never said 'drive,' did I?



Looks like we speak the same patter, chum. *winks* What's that drink then? An Irish coffee - never heard of it.

Irish coffee -- coffee and whisky. If I drink more than one, I'll be puking. Remind me not to drink more than one.

[Nakhlasmoke]

You look about eight.



What have I said about saying things that will get your lights knocked out?



There's a spot where you can put it on the front of the bus.

I never said 'drive,' did I?




Irish coffee -- coffee and whisky. If I drink more than one, I'll be puking. Remind me not to drink more than one.

Alrighty then. Don;t have more than one. *raises eyebrow*

Bus? Shite. You ever gone on a glider? It's freedom, chum.

Look, I don't want to talk about that. I NEVER get beaten up. Seriously, everyone thinks I'm really cool. I have tons of friends. Everyone swims at MY pool, we all watch movies in MY home theatre, and we always go cruising around in MY new hardtop convertible.

People like me. I can't understand why you don't like me either.

Cause you're an obnoxious little shite. Never mind that - there's always yer whole life to grow out of it. Here. Drink ya cooldrink. *hands karo something sweet and heavily spiked*

Now, what was ya saying about all ya friends? *looks around* Don't seem to be none of them here. Did ya lose them in ya pocket?

[karo.ambrose]

You look about eight.

REALLY???? **forces down a bigger smirk** No I don't. Look, I can grow facial hair, I just don't want to.

How old are you two?

What have I said about saying things that will get your lights knocked out?


To not do it.

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I was only kidding. Don't hit me. Okay, I'll be normal now.

[Inkspill]

Now, what was ya saying about all ya friends? *looks around* Don't seem to be none of them here. Did ya lose them in ya pocket?
Kevin: I have a lot of pockets--two in my sweatshirt and two in my jeans. I have enough to lose friends in, but I don't have any friends. I keep tools in them, instead. Do you like tools?
Oh, and I'm fourteen, even though people say I act dumber than that.

[Haphazard]

Alrighty then. Don;t have more than one. *raises eyebrow*

Bus? Shite. You ever gone on a glider? It's freedom, chum.

For some reason people think I can hold my liquor. No idea why.

Glider? Maybe later. Sounds like a bad idea when it's storming.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Kevin: I have a lot of pockets--two in my sweatshirt and two in my jeans. I have enough to lose friends in, but I don't have any friends. I keep tools in them, instead. Do you like tools?
Oh, and I'm fourteen, even though people say I act dumber than that.

Tools. Iron tools? Ya keep that shite away from me, ya hear?

Whatcha carrying tools around for?


How old are you two?

Fifteen, least that's what me mam thinks.

[Haphazard]

REALLY???? **forces down a bigger smirk** No I don't. Look, I can grow facial hair, I just don't want to.

How old are you two?

Facial hair wouldn't be very becoming on an eight-year-old.

I'm seventeen. Dunno about Inka here.

To not do it.

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I was only kidding. Don't hit me. Okay, I'll be normal now.

Normal for you, or normal-normal?

[Inkspill]

Tools. Iron tools? Ya keep that shite away from me, ya hear?

Whatcha carrying tools around for?




Fifteen, least that's what me mam thinks.
Kevin: No, no, not iron. They're steel. I'm sorry--won't use 'em on you, I promise. I use them to hack into alarm systems and fix broken machines. I love machines. But I really hate the music they make. Do you guys like music?

[karo.ambrose]

Cause you're an obnoxious little shite. Never mind that - there's always yer whole life to grow out of it. Here. Drink ya cooldrink. *hands karo something sweet and heavily spiked*

Now, what was ya saying about all ya friends? *looks around* Don't seem to be none of them here. Did ya lose them in ya pocket?

**looks at drink suspciously**

Thanks, but my stomach kinda hurts actually. It's not that I'm a wuss, it's just the doctor told me alcohol might aggravate my--oh, what's it called--hole in my stomach. Well, it's not really a hole, just the acid's been eating away at it. What's that called?

And I'd really appreciate it if you stopped making fun of me. I'm not making fun of you.

[Haphazard]

**looks at drink suspciously**

Thanks, but my stomach kinda hurts actually. It's not that I'm a wuss, it's just the doctor told me alcohol might aggravate my--oh, what's it called--hole in my stomach. Well, it's not really a hole, just the acid's been eating away at it. What's that called?

And I'd really appreciate it if you stopped making fun of me. I'm not making fun of you.

Hole in your stomach? That sounds pretty serious, man. All the acid might leak out and burn through all your organs. You sure you should be up and around?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Facial hair wouldn't be very becoming on an eight-year-old.

I'm seventeen. Dunno about Inka here.



Normal for you, or normal-normal?

"Facial hair on an eight year old..." *laughs*

Older'n some, youger'n others.

*to Karo* Ah come on, chin up, stop that lip quivering an sit down. The way ya dancing about, anyone would think ya about to piss ya pants. I don't bite.

*points to Hirsch* He might, so I ain't vouching for him.

Other one looks like it's let the pigs out the pen *taps head* If ya know what I mean.

Whatcha got to be scared of?

[Inkspill]

**looks at drink suspciously**

Thanks, but my stomach kinda hurts actually. It's not that I'm a wuss, it's just the doctor told me alcohol might aggravate my--oh, what's it called--hole in my stomach. Well, it's not really a hole, just the acid's been eating away at it. What's that called?

And I'd really appreciate it if you stopped making fun of me. I'm not making fun of you.
Kevin: That acid thing? I think that's chyme. Or maybe chime. I forget--one of them is that cool beeping noise machines make.
I don't make fun of anyone. They used to make fun of me in the SPE dorms, and I don't think anyone deserves that.
ETA: Were you guys made fun of?

[karo.ambrose]

An ulcer! Now I remember. Yeah, the doctor says I have an ulcer.

My friends call me KJ. You guys can call me Karo.

And I'm NOT going to drink this, okay? You can't make me.

Dude, I don't dance. I hate dancing. Dancing is for faggots.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Kevin: That acid thing? I think that's chyme. Or maybe chime. I forget--one of them is that cool beeping noise machines make.
I don't make fun of anyone. They used to make fun of me in the SPE dorms, and I don't think anyone deserves that.
ETA: Were you guys made fun of?

So ya like to tinker with machinery? There's plenty old spinners in the factories in the city that need fixin. Might be that ever ya need some work, ya can head down t' the Old Man. Ya do, just tell him Ink sent ya.

No-one never made fun of me. Well, not for long, leastwise. I'm the the sharpest reed-whip in the city. Sharp-eyed.

What's the SPE?

[Haphazard]

Kevin: That acid thing? I think that's chyme. Or maybe chime. I forget--one of them is that cool beeping noise machines make.
I don't make fun of anyone. They used to make fun of me in the SPE dorms, and I don't think anyone deserves that.
ETA: Were you guys made fun of?

Chime is the beepy noise. Chyme is stomach stuff.

People are too afraid to make fun of me, I think. At least, that's what I see here.

You like machines? That's cool. My sister likes 'em, too.

[Nakhlasmoke]

An ulcer! Now I remember. Yeah, the doctor says I have an ulcer.

My friends call me KJ. You guys can call me Karo.

And I'm NOT going to drink this, okay? You can't make me.

Dude, I don't dance. I hate dancing. Dancing is for faggots.

I ain't never seen a bundle of sticks dance. Ya sure that's just cooldrink ya drinking?

Why ya got an ulcer, chum? That's an old man's disease.

[Inkspill]

Karo, so you mean we're not friends, because we can't call you KJ? I really wanted more friends than zero. Zero's a great number, but it follows me around too much. Zero friends, zero happiness.

So ya like to tinker with machinery? There's plenty old spinners in the factories in the city that need fixin. Might be that ever ya need some work, ya can head down t' the Old Man. Ya do, just tell him Ink sent ya.

No-one never made fun of me. Well, not for long, leastwise. I'm the the sharpest reed-whip in the city. Sharp-eyed.

What's the SPE?
Oh, I love machinery. Sorry, what's a spinner? I only work with computers, headsets, and alarm systems. And the occasional motorbike.
The SPE is the School for People's Education. The founders weren't very original. It's not for people, it's for People with Problems.
So, me and a bunch of other freaks.

What, you've never heard of it? Where are you from, that you haven't heard of the SPE?

ETA: Nobody's afraid of me. Sometimes I wish they were. It would make things easier. I don't have a sister, either, who they could be afraid of.

[karo.ambrose]

I ain't never seen a bundle of sticks dance. Ya sure that's just cooldrink ya drinking?

Why ya got an ulcer, chum? That's an old man's disease.

Beats me, but yeah, I know, it freaks me out. And Dad's making me go to the dentist next week because I've been grinding my teeth. He says in thirty years when I'm a senator I'm not going to have any teeth left. And dentures aren't going to look good for a campaign.

I really don't want to get into politics though. I hate that stuff. But Dad would never speak to me again if I didn't. Sometimes I hate my dad. Do you guys hate your parents too?

**cell phone rings**

Shit, it's him. Hold on a sec. I'll be right back.

[Haphazard]

Karo, so you mean we're not friends, because we can't call you KJ? I really wanted more friends than zero. Zero's a great number, but it follows me around too much. Zero friends, zero happiness.

Aww, come on, don't talk like that! It makes me all depressed. What's one good thing you have? You gotta have some!


Oh, I love machinery. Sorry, what's a spinner? I only work with computers, headsets, and alarm systems. And the occasional motorbike.
The SPE is the School for People's Education. The founders weren't very original. It's not for people, it's for People with Problems.
So, me and a bunch of other freaks.

What, you've never heard of it? Where are you from, that you haven't heard of the SPE?

ETA: Nobody's afraid of me. Sometimes I wish they were. It would make things easier. I don't have a sister, either, who they could be afraid of.

Freaks? what would make you a freak? If anything it's that Karo guy who's a freak.

And nobody's afraid of Katie. She's probably the least scary little waif I've ever seen. But... people are afraid of what she makes.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Karo, so you mean we're not friends, because we can't call you KJ? I really wanted more friends than zero. Zero's a great number, but it follows me around too much. Zero friends, zero happiness.


Oh, I love machinery. Sorry, what's a spinner? I only work with computers, headsets, and alarm systems. And the occasional motorbike.
The SPE is the School for People's Education. The founders weren't very original. It's not for people, it's for People with Problems.
So, me and a bunch of other freaks.

What, you've never heard of it? Where are you from, that you haven't heard of the SPE?

ETA: Nobody's afraid of me. Sometimes I wish they were. It would make things easier. I don't have a sister, either, who they could be afraid of.

Spinners are the machines for the silk. Never mind. *waves hands* There's no fucking silk left now anyway, whole place is just a deadland.

I'm from MallenIve. Was on the glider, keeping an eye open for unis, an this storm comes out of nowhere an blows me clear off course. Landed here, an figured I'd kill a few pints before I had to start walking back home, wherever that is now.

A freak? Problems. Yer a strange one. Why ya want people to be afraid of ya?

[Inkspill]

Karo, I never met my parents--they put me up for adoption. Maybe they hated me. Maybe they just couldn't care for me. I don't know.
If anything, the Director is most like my dad, but he already has a child. I love him anyway.
Aww, come on, don't talk like that! It makes me all depressed. What's one good thing you have? You gotta have some!

Freaks? what would make you a freak? If anything it's that Karo guy who's a freak.

And nobody's afraid of Katie. She's probably the least scary little waif I've ever seen. But... people are afraid of what she makes.

One good thing is machines love me.
I'm autistic, and everyone here is crazy smart. I mean, I only missed the cutoff to get into the LOT school by thirty points (not bad, I say, not bad). The Director thinks I can do better, get into the LOT school and get the proper training to become a mechanic. I say you don't need training--you need experience. You've got plenty of experience.

Is anyone here experienced in their field of expertise?

[Haphazard]

One good thing is machines love me.
I'm autistic, and everyone here is crazy smart. I mean, I only missed the cutoff to get into the LOT school by thirty points (not bad, I say, not bad). The Director thinks I can do better, get into the LOT school and get the proper training to become a mechanic. I say you don't need training--you need experience. You've got plenty of experience.

Is anyone here experienced in their field of expertise?

LOT school? what's this?

I don't have a field of expertise. I've got a lot of experience, though.

There's this one machine that likes me. This one my sister built. It's from the cleaning unit at our house -- she turned it into a pet. It uses a suction hose to show affection, apparently -- at least, that's what she said. A couple days ago it got caught on my hair and she had to deactivate it to get it off. She said she'd reprogram it, but I ended up getting my hair cut off anyway.

[Inkspill]

LOT school? what's this?

I don't have a field of expertise. I've got a lot of experience, though.

There's this one machine that likes me. This one my sister built. It's from the cleaning unit at our house -- she turned it into a pet. It uses a suction hose to show affection, apparently -- at least, that's what she said. A couple days ago it got caught on my hair and she had to deactivate it to get it off. She said she'd reprogram it, but I ended up getting my hair cut off anyway.
LOT school is the Leaders Of Tomorrow school. All the rich and/or smart kids go there.
That's a cute machine. My hair's short, so I wouldn't have that problem. I cut it after some of my dormmates stuck gum on my pillow and I had to chop it all off. It's easier keeping it short. My friend Tacey's hair is crazy long. Was your hair really long before you cut it?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Here Karo, me da's also grooming me to take over. Leastwise, I run the packs already.

Fact is though, I *want* to be doing that. People listen to me, an we're a good team. Now ya sound like it's the last thing in the world ya wanna be doing. So why do it?

Ah Hirsche, so that explains that bugger of a haircut ya got.

An Kevin, ya got some serious imprinting there - what makes ya think the Director is ya da?

[Haphazard]

LOT school is the Leaders Of Tomorrow school. All the rich and/or smart kids go there.
That's a cute machine. My hair's short, so I wouldn't have that problem. I cut it after some of my dormmates stuck gum on my pillow and I had to chop it all off. It's easier keeping it short. My friend Tacey's hair is crazy long. Was your hair really long before you cut it?

Leader's of Tomorrow? That sure is a fancy name, there.

Oh, sure, it's cute until it tries to tear off your clothes with that damn tube with herculeanean force.

Well, my hair was long enough to go over my eyes. It wasn't too long, just long enough for that suction thing to hurt.

[Inkspill]

Here Karo, me da's also grooming me to take over. Leastwise, I run the packs already.

Fact is though, I *want* to be doing that. People listen to me, an we're a good team. Now ya sound like it's the last thing in the world ya wanna be doing. So why do it?

Ah Hirsche, so that explains that bugger of a haircut ya got.

An Kevin, ya got some serious imprinting there - what makes ya think the Director is ya da?
You speak kinda funny. You're not from Zion, are you? You're over the Edge? Is it scary there?

Imprinting? Nope. The Director is just a super nice guy in charge of the SPE dorms. He renovated the place to make it safer using his own money. The government funding wouldn't provide it. He bought my my sweatshirt and saved me from the dealers on Puck Street.
Since you're not from around here, I guess you should know about them. You only need to know one thing: STAY AWAY.

ETA: Fancy name, yeah. Zion's all about putting on airs.
I still think the machine is cute. In a ruthless sort of way. I don't know--I told you I was a freak, didn't I?

[Nakhlasmoke]

You speak kinda funny. You're not from Zion, are you? You're over the Edge? Is it scary there?

...

Speak funny? i speak like all hobs.

T'ain't nothing scary about where I live. We keep a sharp eye for the things the magic changed, an don;t get too close to nothing dangerous. Even the ghosts ain't really scary. They just make me nervous the way they stare. Stupid dead lammers - they got as they deserved, my da says.

Thanks for the warning, but I see the storm has cleared. I'm off, gonna go see if I can find my bearings.

[karo.ambrose]

LOT school is the Leaders Of Tomorrow school. All the rich and/or smart kids go there.


You go to the LOT school? Awesome. Some of my old friends went there. But I don't talk to them anymore ever since we moved. Do you know Darin? He was my best friend there.

I would call him after I moved, but he'd never call me. As soon as I stopped making the calls, that was the end of it.

So that was my dad on the phone. Looks like I'm grounded for three weeks.

[Inkspill]

Speak funny? i speak like all hobs.

T'ain't nothing scary about where I live. We keep a sharp eye for the things the magic changed, an don;t get too close to nothing dangerous. Even the ghosts ain't really scary. They just make me nervous the way they stare. Stupid dead lammers - they got as they deserved, my da says.

Thanks for the warning, but I see the storm has cleared. I'm off, gonna go see if I can find my bearings.
Magic? Really? I thought that was only in fairy tales. Good luck.

Sorry, I don't know a Darin. Does he study a lot? Because I only know the kids who study till the late hours of the morning. Sometimes I watch them from the common room, their bright lights flickering in the darkness. They're miserable, but sometimes I want to be just like them. Destined to do something great, to make Zion better.

ETA: Have you ever felt you were meant to do something important, but it's like you forgot what you were supposed to do, and when you ask the universe, it shouts back, "YOU'RE DOOMED!"?
No, probably not, right?

[Haphazard]

ETA: Fancy name, yeah. Zion's all about putting on airs.
I still think the machine is cute. In a ruthless sort of way. I don't know--I told you I was a freak, didn't I?

Ah! Airs. I don't like those, too much effort.

You wouldn't think the machine is cute if you met it. Trust me.

How else are you freaky, then, if you insist on being a freak?

[Inkspill]

Ah! Airs. I don't like those, too much effort.

You wouldn't think the machine is cute if you met it. Trust me.

How else are you freaky, then, if you insist on being a freak?

I love machines, and I swear numbers swirl under my fingertips. They follow my instincts, or something. I can't really explain it. They just seem to do what I want them to do--rearrange themselves, whatever.
Labels are common in Zion. Mandatory. Society insists I'm a freak.
I'm hoping that'll change, now that the headsets are offline and the music's stopped.

I love putting effort into machinery. I could spend hours every day with programming and machinery. It's not just a hobby; it's a lifestyle. Do you have something like that?

[Haphazard]

I love machines, and I swear numbers swirl under my fingertips. They follow my instincts, or something. I can't really explain it. They just seem to do what I want them to do--rearrange themselves, whatever.
Labels are common in Zion. Mandatory. Society insists I'm a freak.

That hardly seems fair. If you're a freak, than what am I?

I'm hoping that'll change, now that the headsets are offline and the music's stopped.

Err... what?

I love putting effort into machinery. I could spend hours every day with programming and machinery. It's not just a hobby; it's a lifestyle. Do you have something like that?

I don't really. Too easily distracted. I think you'd like my sister, though.

[Inkspill]

That hardly seems fair. If you're a freak, than what am I?
Normal?


Err... what?
Society revolves around music in Zion. The government broadcasts music through people's headsets, dictating mood and proper behavior depending on the situation. Forces you how to act. I hated it.
But now the server's down, and people have free reign over their emotions. Crime has spiked, and although I hate the server, I have to go fix it. Just to prove I can, to prove I'm not dumb. I think it'll get me into the LOT school. I think a lot of people will be happy if I fix it. And when I do, I'm going to do it so we can control the music ourselves.


I don't really. Too easily distracted. I think you'd like my sister, though.
Really? How old is your sister?

Actually, I have to go. A suspicious guy is following me. I think I'll duck into a toy shop for now and come back later.

[Inkspill]

Karo, you around here? It's raining and I need an umbrella. Do you have one?

[karo.ambrose]

Sorry, I don't know a Darin. Does he study a lot? Because I only know the kids who study till the late hours of the morning. Sometimes I watch them from the common room, their bright lights flickering in the darkness. They're miserable, but sometimes I want to be just like them. Destined to do something great, to make Zion better.

ETA: Have you ever felt you were meant to do something important, but it's like you forgot what you were supposed to do, and when you ask the universe, it shouts back, "YOU'RE DOOMED!"?
No, probably not, right?

Darin's a butt. He used to not be that way. When we were kids, we spent all our time with each other. But then he started seeing this chick named Lani and it was like I ceased to exist.

Whatever. I don't care about him anyway. Because he never really cared about me.

Anyway... so I'm at this private school in West Lake taking all these government and law classes. I met this girl named Surrana. She's like super hot. I'm all over her.

But yeah Kevin, tell me more about yourself. Like, what kind of music would you play in Zion?

[karo.ambrose]

Karo, you around here? It's raining and I need an umbrella. Do you have one?

Yeah. Well I only have this one here. But you can take it. I don't mind the rain.

[Inkspill]

Darin's a butt. He used to not be that way. When we were kids, we spent all our time with each other. But then he started seeing this chick named Lani and it was like I ceased to exist.

Whatever. I don't care about him anyway. Because he never really cared about me.

Anyway... so I'm at this private school in West Lake taking all these government and law classes. I met this girl named Surrana. She's like super hot. I'm all over her.

But yeah Kevin, tell me more about yourself. Like, what kind of music would you play in Zion?

Sorry, Karo. I've heard girls are complicated, but I only know one--Tacey. She's the Director's daughter and super overprotective of her brother. I don't know what to think of her. But I've never been good with people.

Government classes? I don't like those.

The headsets play music according to your mood. Like heavy metal when I'm angry and classical symphonies when I'm tired. There are only two headsets working now that I know of--Tacey's and the Mayor's. The Mayor's recently played Wagner.
The last song I heard was Stay With Me by Danity Kane. Before the server crashed.

I'm a pretty simple guy. I like jeans and I wear my SPE sweatshirt (puke orange colored, but it's warm) all the time. I have black high-top sneakers, and my hair used to be long (shoulder length) but I chopped it short after the boys at school stuck gum in my bed.

I love numbers. I used to be a street dealer for drugs, but the Director saved me from that life.
I hate music.
That pretty much sums up my life.

My life in six words:
Boy who loves numbers not music.
Can you sum up your life in six words?

ETA: Thanks for the umbrella. I'm drenched.

[karo.ambrose]

Sorry, Karo. I've heard girls are complicated, but I only know one--Tacey. She's the Director's daughter and super overprotective of her brother. I don't know what to think of her. But I've never been good with people.

Government classes? I don't like those.

The headsets play music according to your mood. Like heavy metal when I'm angry and classical symphonies when I'm tired. There are only two headsets working now that I know of--Tacey's and the Mayor's. The Mayor's recently played Wagner.
The last song I heard was Stay With Me by Danity Kane. Before the server crashed.

I'm a pretty simple guy. I like jeans and I wear my SPE sweatshirt (puke orange colored, but it's warm) all the time. I have black high-top sneakers, and my hair used to be long (shoulder length) but I chopped it short after the boys at school stuck gum in my bed.

I love numbers. I used to be a street dealer for drugs, but the Director saved me from that life.
I hate music.
That pretty much sums up my life.

My life in six words:
Boy who loves numbers not music.
Can you sum up your life in six words?

ETA: Thanks for the umbrella. I'm drenched.

Dude, I'm so bad with people. Like all these classes I'm taking on how to give debates and how to look all presentable and formal, I really think it's affecting my brain. But I need it.

Sometimes I'm just so sick of all this crap. You know, just cuz I have all this money, everyone thinks I'm happy. But all I want is just for people to leave me alone.

I don't even know why I bother to talk to people. Frankly, I'm surprised you're still talking to me. Usually it ends up one big failure.

Six words? Curled up in a ball, alone.

But don't tell anyone.

You can keep the umbrella. Are you cold?

[Inkspill]

Dude, I'm so bad with people. Like all these classes I'm taking on how to give debates and how to look all presentable and formal, I really think it's affecting my brain. But I need it.

Sometimes I'm just so sick of all this crap. You know, just cuz I have all this money, everyone thinks I'm happy. But all I want is just for people to leave me alone.

I don't even know why I bother to talk to people. Frankly, I'm surprised you're still talking to me. Usually it ends up one big failure.

Six words? Curled up in a ball, alone.

But don't tell anyone.

You can keep the umbrella. Are you cold?
Most of the LOT school kids have money, and they're not happy. So I believe you.
I like talking to you. I won't tell anyone about your six words--I wouldn't have anyone else to tell. Makes me feel less lonely. Right now I'm curled up in front of a florist's shop and I just killed the person following me. I'm cold and I thought killing someone would affect my heart, but it hasn't.
It's raining harder now. I need to find my friends. I'm colder than before.

Why does it all usually end up one big failure for you? You seem nice enough.

[karo.ambrose]

Most of the LOT school kids have money, and they're not happy. So I believe you.
I like talking to you. I won't tell anyone about your six words--I wouldn't have anyone else to tell. Makes me feel less lonely. Right now I'm curled up in front of a florist's shop and I just killed the person following me. I'm cold and I thought killing someone would affect my heart, but it hasn't.
It's raining harder now. I need to find my friends. I'm colder than before.

Why does it all usually end up one big failure for you? You seem nice enough.

You did what? You did WHAT??? Like, did you know the person? **starts to hyperventilate**. Listen, I didn't see anything, just please leave me out of this. Oh my god, I'm so in trouble.

Why'd you do it? Holy shit. **gets dizzy**

Dude, not cool. I mean, shit.

[Inkspill]

You did what? You did WHAT??? Like, did you know the person? **starts to hyperventilate**. Listen, I didn't see anything, just please leave me out of this. Oh my god, I'm so in trouble.

Why'd you do it? Holy shit. **gets dizzy**

Dude, not cool. I mean, shit.

He was chasing me. He shot at me, I took away his gun, he had another one, he fired again, and I defended myself.
Sorry, Karo. I shouldn't have mentioned it this early. It's just...I'm freaking out now because he had a wife and kids and I ruined it all.
I probably should have just died.

[karo.ambrose]

He was chasing me. He shot at me, I took away his gun, he had another one, he fired again, and I defended myself.
Sorry, Karo. I shouldn't have mentioned it this early. It's just...I'm freaking out now because he had a wife and kids and I ruined it all.
I probably should have just died.

Listen, I really don't want to get involved in any of this. Leave me out.

This happens every time. As soon as I think I can have a friend, just a friend, I find out they're really just some animal trying to survive.

I thought I could trust you, but how do I know you're not going to kill me?

I can't trust anyone but myself.

[Inkspill]

Listen, I really don't want to get involved in any of this. Leave me out.

This happens every time. As soon as I think I can have a friend, just a friend, I find out they're really just some animal trying to survive.

I thought I could trust you, but how do I know you're not going to kill me?

I can't trust anyone but myself.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I really am.
You know I'm not going to kill you because I got rid of the gun. Threw it in the trash.
Besides, I'm lonely. I want friends. I would never kill if I didn't have to.
Won't you trust me? Please?

[karo.ambrose]

I don't give people second chances. I can't. Because people are deceitful and mean and they only care about themselves and they're only going to break my heart even more.

I've never found a good person. Well, I thought I did, once, but they were just having fun with me. Like my life is just some big game.

And that's the way you see it, right? You probably think people are just pawns. My dad just passed legislation to go to war with East Esaith. And I know all his tricks, all the propaganda he lays out when the only reason we're going over there is for money. But he goes on TV with his fancy suit and whitened teeth and says it's for their liberty.

So people die. And they show some ten-second clip on the news. Then they talk about the latest in fashion accessories for kitties.

But there's still blood everywhere.

[Inkspill]

I don't give people second chances. I can't. Because people are deceitful and mean and they only care about themselves and they're only going to break my heart even more.

I've never found a good person. Well, I thought I did, once, but they were just having fun with me. Like my life is just some big game.

And that's the way you see it, right? Never. I do what I have to to survive. People aren't pawns, they're people, and there are consequences, even when I don't want to involve myself with them.You probably think people are just pawns. My dad just passed legislation to go to war with East Esaith. And I know all his tricks, all the propaganda he lays out when the only reason we're going over there is for money. But he goes on TV with his fancy suit and whitened teeth and says it's for their liberty.

So people die. And they show some ten-second clip on the news. Then they talk about the latest in fashion accessories for kitties.

But there's still blood everywhere.

We've never been at war with any place else. But a civil war is starting up here, to make the government realize we're more than just civilians to be toyed with. I'm fighting so we won't be pawns. Against our government. I believe in what you believe in, just in different terms.

There are murders in the sewers of mechanics--people like me--the government wants to stop from reprogramming the server so we can control the music on our own. I believe we can, and I don't see doing this as throwing my life away or playing into the hands of the government. I'm making my own choices, hopefully to make the world better.

Don't you want to make the world better? To lessen the blood, even if just a little?
To do that, I have to survive. If I could have survived without killing, I would have.
I give you my word. I don't lie.
That's why I told you about me in the first place.

[karo.ambrose]

We've never been at war with any place else. But a civil war is starting up here, to make the government realize we're more than just civilians to be toyed with. I'm fighting so we won't be pawns. Against our government. I believe in what you believe in, just in different terms.

There are murders in the sewers of mechanics--people like me--the government wants to stop from reprogramming the server so we can control the music on our own. I believe we can, and I don't see doing this as throwing my life away or playing into the hands of the government. I'm making my own choices, hopefully to make the world better.

Don't you want to make the world better? To lessen the blood, even if just a little?
To do that, I have to survive. If I could have survived without killing, I would have.
I give you my word. I don't lie.
That's why I told you about me in the first place.

Sometimes I just want to get away from it all. Because I can't solve everything--I can't solve ANYTHING. I don't know, I think for me to make even the slightest difference I'd have to be President.

My dad's running for President next year and the more fake he becomes, the more his poll numbers rise. So his tan gets darker, his teeth whiter, and that cheesy, politician's grin grows wider.

I think the only way I can survive this world is to be fake too. I can't last a second in without getting made fun of or beaten up. I wasn't made for this world. I should try to be somebody else... or just leave.

Yeah, where would I go?

My ulcer's acting up again. It really hurts.

I can't go on like this. I don't want to live, but I don't want to die. At least not without... nevermind.

God, for me to become a politician, I'd have to become normal. But I mean does anyone know what normal is?

[Haphazard]

Woah, this is some pretty heavy stuff, man.

Wh-why the long faces?

[karo.ambrose]

Woah, this is some pretty heavy stuff, man.

Wh-why the long faces?

What do you care? You just think I'm some rich snob.

[Haphazard]

What do you care? You just think I'm some rich snob.

Ah, true. You look the part, too.

I don't get why we have to muck up the whole bar with heavy talk, though. People come here to drink themselves up, you know?

[karo.ambrose]

Ah, true. You look the part, too.

I don't get why we have to muck up the whole bar with heavy talk, though. People come here to drink themselves up, you know?

Yeah and then drive home drunk and get into car crashes. Or have sex with someone they barely know and get STDs or pregnant. People always regret what they do when they're drunk.

They should just make alcohol illegal if you ask me. It's for your own good. I mean look at you. Your eyes are all glazed over. How many have you had so far?

[Haphazard]

Yeah and then drive home drunk and get into car crashes. Or have sex with someone they barely know and get STDs or pregnant. People always regret what they do when they're drunk.

They should just make alcohol illegal if you ask me. It's for your own good. I mean look at you. Your eyes are all glazed over. How many have you had so far?

Err. One. And it's not even done yet. I always look like this. I never get too drunk -- I always throw up before I can.

Well, you're just a big ball of sunshine, aren't you?

[karo.ambrose]

Err. One. And it's not even done yet. I always look like this. I never get too drunk -- I always throw up before I can.

Well, you're just a big ball of sunshine, aren't you?

I'm just a realist. This is the way the world works, okay? I've seen it happen. One of my best friends--a guy I knew--he died when a drunk driver going like eighty down the wrong way on the highway collided into him head on.

And yeah, another friend of mine he was all drunk and got this chick all knocked up with a baby and herpes.

Seriously, we got to stop this kind of stuff. We can't be having a bunch of dead bodies on the side of the road and an orphanage full of unwanted one-night-stand kids. We need rules.

What else are we going to do? I mean, if you have any other idea on how to stop this kind of stuff I'd like to hear it.

[Nakhlasmoke]

I'm just a realist. This is the way the world works, okay? I've seen it happen. One of my best friends--a guy I knew--he died when a drunk driver going like eighty down the wrong way on the highway collided into him head on.

And yeah, another friend of mine he was all drunk and got this chick all knocked up with a baby and herpes.

Seriously, we got to stop this kind of stuff. We can't be having a bunch of dead bodies on the side of the road and an orphanage full of unwanted one-night-stand kids. We need rules.

What else are we going to do? I mean, if you have any other idea on how to stop this kind of stuff I'd like to hear it.

The more rules ya make, the more time ya spend running round like a fool trying to make people flollow 'em. Waste of time, chum.

Ya want rules so bad - you make a few - ten maybe, an you stick to those.

'less ya think ya know a way to make people behave sweet as sheep, 'cause I sure don't.

[karo.ambrose]

The more rules ya make, the more time ya spend running round like a fool trying to make people flollow 'em. Waste of time, chum.

I don't see why making sure people live is such a waste of time. I guess that's just me though.

Ya want rules so bad - you make a few - ten maybe, an you stick to those.

'less ya think ya know a way to make people behave sweet as sheep, 'cause I sure don't.

Well, I do know a way. As long as they listen to me: don't drink, don't do drugs, don't have sex before marriage. These things hurt people. So there should be laws and if people don't obey, they deserve to go to prison.

At least there, they'll be safe from themselves.

[Nakhlasmoke]

As long as they listen to me: don't drink, don't do drugs, don't have sex before marriage. These things hurt people. So there should be laws and if people don't obey, they deserve to go to prison.

At least there, they'll be safe from themselves.

Ha. I thinks ya should spend more time worrying bout yerself, rather'n trying to force shite like that down people's throats. So people drink an fuck an hit the scriv - so what?

People gotta learn to sort out their own needs, an not have some big man in a palace telling em what's right an what ain't.

Ya think folks are all dumber than ya, that ya gotta somehow save 'em from 'emselves?

[eyeblink]

Boys, boys, keep it down, can't you? What with you and the loud music I'm getting a splitting headache! Can't a girl drown her sorrows in peace round here?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Who ya calling a boy, chum?

This one here *point to Karo* bare merits the title, seeing as how he's still hiding behind his da's words an wants. An if ya think I'm a boy then ya must be as blind as a bat.

'Sides, what's ya sorrow?

[eyeblink]

Yeah, well I haven't got my glasses on, have I? I am blind as a bat without them. I'm too vain by half, and I hate wearing contacts. Sorry, didn't mean to cause offence.

I'm Agnieszka, by the way. I'm over from England. <offers hand> Polish name, but I came to England when I was three. Call me Aggie if that's too much of a mouthful.

What's my sorrow? Oh, the usual crap. Thought I'd met the love of my life and I was spending the summer in the States with her, but it's all gone wrong. Always happens. Boring boring boring. <blows nose in handkerchief> So I'm sitting here having a drink and wondering what to do next.

How about you? What brings you here?

[Nakhlasmoke]

England? Never heard of it. Still an all, love's love where ever ya are.

I got stuck here when a storm came up. *eyes the weather* Now i've no idea how t'get back.

So tell us about what went wrong. I got time, stuck in this shite-hole.

[eyeblink]

Let me get you a drink. You other folks want one while I'm buying? I can call a taxi from here later, can I? Pity I can't smoke. They banned it in public places a year or so ago where I come from. Bastards.

Pull up a stool and I'll tell you all about it. Let me know if I get boring. It could be a long night looking at that rain.

Before I start, and just so we don't misunderstand each other, are you into boys or girls? Whatever it is, you know what it's like to fall head over heels for someone who doesn't love you back?

I don't even know your name...

[Nakhlasmoke]

Ta for the drink, make mine a pint.

Cheers.

It's Inka, or Ink.

Boys, girls, it don't matter none. As long as they got what I want, it's all good.

Well t'aint never happened to me, but I know someone in the same mess. Making hisself sick over a girl. A right bitch of girl, too.

So tell us what happened then.

[eyeblink]

Good girl! I drink pints too.

Well, I always knew I was a dyke before I even knew what the word lesbian meant. And I thought, so that's what I am. Fine. Doesn't bother me. I came out to my parents when I was fifteen. Turns out they'd already guessed. I've got an older brother and a younger sister who are both straight, as it happens.

Anyway, her name's Natalie. She's quite tall, five feet ten or so, red hair and freckles. Like a younger Julianne Moore - you know, the film actress? We're both in the first year at Uni and we've been an item for oh, seven months now. We're on holiday - vacation, sorry - this summer, we both did temp jobs and saved up for the trip. I've always wanted to go to the States. Our hotel room's about a couple of miles from here.

So it's the evening, we're two weeks in, we've seen a lot and we're tired. Why don't we go and see a movie? I say. The X Files film has just come out - why don't we see that? I'm too young to have seen the series when it was first shown - I used to watch my Dad's DVDs. And I've always had a thing for Scully. It must be the red hair, and that she's not girlie.

So we're getting ready to go out, and then she drops the bombshell. Aggie? she says. When we get back home if you want to be with someone else, I'll understand.

It was like she slapped me. What are you saying? I says.

Please don't be hurt, she says. You're a very good friend.

Look, don't say "Please don't be hurt", I says. You know very well how much that hurts. What are you saying? You don't want us to be together any more? Is that it? Why? What have I done?

It's not you, it's me, she says. It's too much too fast and I'm not ready for it. The last thing I expected was to come to Uni and end up with a woman. It's never happened to me before. I just had boyfriends at school, then...you.

So you're straight then, Nat? I says. Or are you saying you were just bi-curious? I've heard some excuses in my time but that's really fucking pathetic.

And then she bursts into tears. And of course that makes me feel really shitty. <takes a long drink from her pint> So I cried, and we shouted and we said things we didn't mean. So I just walked out to clear my head. My mobile's switched off so she can't call me. <chuckles>

And that's it. Same old boring story, really.

<to Karo> Are you getting off on this or something?

[Nakhlasmoke]

Ah. One of them as don't right know what they want.

Funny how it's always t'other person what gets bruised. Never them. They just float through life, like they live in a glass bubble.

So whatcha gonna do now?

[eyeblink]

Part of me wants to just say fuck it and go home right now. But I can't face the idea of telling all my friends why it all went wrong. Somehow it's easier to talk to a stranger in a bar, you know? You seem like a good listener to me.

I could go back to England right now. I've got my passport and shit. All my stuff's in the hotel room though. I guess I'll have to go back there eventually. Finish the holiday - vacation - as best we can then fly back and go our separate ways. That would be the sensible thing to do.

She's probably wondering where I am. She can stew for a while. I like the company here better, right now. Is this bar open all night?

Besides, it's really pissing down with rain outside.

So, Inka. Ink. That's a nice name. Why don't you tell me about yourself? Another drink? Your round!

[Haphazard]

I'm just a realist. This is the way the world works, okay? I've seen it happen. One of my best friends--a guy I knew--he died when a drunk driver going like eighty down the wrong way on the highway collided into him head on.

And yeah, another friend of mine he was all drunk and got this chick all knocked up with a baby and herpes.

Seriously, we got to stop this kind of stuff. We can't be having a bunch of dead bodies on the side of the road and an orphanage full of unwanted one-night-stand kids. We need rules.

What else are we going to do? I mean, if you have any other idea on how to stop this kind of stuff I'd like to hear it.

Hey, I take the bus. Ain't my fault if the driver's drunk. That's the city's problem... These guys must've been really, really bad off to have to drive themselves home. No buddies. Kinda sucks.

*grins* It sucks to have no one looking out for you, eh? The law can only do so much. You look like you need a friend... and a hug...

Remember... remember Prohibition? Horrible time. On top of the drunks we had crime lords supplyin'. The reason we still have liquor is because they discovered takin' it away is much worse than keepin' it.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Not much t'say. I run the Low Walk, was actually out looking for a friend. Well, he ain't really a friend. Just an idiot bat that makes stupid choices - he needs someone watching his back every minute, know what I mean?

Anyway, him an that stuck up-bitch he's following about, they gone missing in t'desert. Fucking bats. They're probably both dead by now, but I owe the little bugger at least one decent search 'fore I call it.

*downs the last of the pint*

Shit. He weren't that bad for a blood-sucker. I might even miss him one day.

So, whatcha drinking, Aggie?

[karo.ambrose]

<to aggie> You're a lesbian? What did your parents think? How do you deal with that?

<to ink> Ha. I thinks ya should spend more time worrying bout yerself, rather'n trying to force shite like that down people's throats. So people drink an fuck an hit the scriv - so what?

So what if I care about these people? What if I'm watching my entire world die before my helpless hands?

<to hap>
*grins* It sucks to have no one looking out for you, eh? The law can only do so much. You look like you need a friend... and a hug...

My dad looks out for me. He makes sure I have everything I need. When I turned sixteen, we went down to Palm Coast, rented a yacht, and took it all the way to the border. All these people came--my friends--all these people I didn't know.

Then some guy comes up to me and says "Hey Kalo, nice party."

He didn't know my name. He didn't even know who I was. Dad paid fifty people--actors, basically--to stock my birthday party.

And not a single friend from my home bothered to call. Darin didn't even call, the asshole.

I don't need a hug. I hate it when people touch me.

[Nakhlasmoke]

'Cause Karo, that ain't ya choice to make. Ya can give people choices, an you can even tell 'em why summat's the right thing, but ya can't make 'em take the road ya want to walk. See?

May be that it's time for ya t'think about what it is that really matters t'ya, an go that way yerself, no da holding ya hand.

Everything ya said has all come back t'ya da. An I know what it's like, livin in an old man's shadow. Some times it's best t'get yer own spot in the sun. The world ain;t gonna break apart if ya do something yer old man don't like.

When ya were a kid - what did ya want t'do?

[Haphazard]

'
When ya were a kid - what did ya want t'do?

I never really wanted to do much of anything.

You don't think I'll become a hobo, do you?

[Nakhlasmoke]

I never really wanted to do much of anything.

You don't think I'll become a hobo, do you?

What if ya do? A hobo's jus someone who moves from town t'town, looking for work.

That's better than a tramp, an worlds better than being a bindlestiff. *Shrug*

What's the worst that can happen?

[Haphazard]

<to hap>


My dad looks out for me. He makes sure I have everything I need. When I turned sixteen, we went down to Palm Coast, rented a yacht, and took it all the way to the border. All these people came--my friends--all these people I didn't know.

Then some guy comes up to me and says "Hey Kalo, nice party."

He didn't know my name. He didn't even know who I was. Dad paid fifty people--actors, basically--to stock my birthday party.

And not a single friend from my home bothered to call. Darin didn't even call, the asshole.

I don't need a hug. I hate it when people touch me.


That's like... really depressing. And I mean, really, really depressing.

Why'd your dad do something like that? I mean... that's going to fuck with your head for a long time. I'd rather have just nobody come at all. At least then I have the cake to myself.

[Haphazard]

What if ya do? A hobo's jus someone who moves from town t'town, looking for work.

That's better than a tramp, an worlds better than being a bindlestiff. *Shrug*

What's the worst that can happen?

I could get eaten by a street-sweeper. Or suffocate when they put the sprays down. Or...

Eh. There are just too many ways to get killed if you don't at least have a pod to sleep in at night. And... what the hell's a bindlestiff?

[eyeblink]

<to inka>Whatever beer they have, please, Ink. That'll be lovely. Thank you.

I think I'll park my arse here for a while, why not eh? It's nice and warm in here. Anything good on the jukebox?

<to karo> Yes, I'm a lesbo. I'm a dyke. I'm a muff-diver. I'm a carpet-muncher. I've heard all of those. I just like girls, that's all.

Sorry if I'm getting defensive. I've run into more than a few guys who don't believe me. Sorry, guys, I just don't fancy you. Okay?

The parents are okay about it, not that they can do anything about it anyway. I think they'll get their grandchildren through my brother and sister anyway. I'm quite looking forward to being eccentric old Auntie Aggie one day.

So yes, I'm a lesbian but I'm also Polish and British. I speak both languages and I have both passports. That's just as important to me as who I sleep with.

Anyway, you sound like you have a few issues of your own to sort out.

<to hap>Don't look at me, I've no idea what a bindlestiff is either. I'm the one in a foreign country here!

[Haphazard]

<to hap>Don't look at me, I've no idea what a bindlestiff is either. I'm the one in a foreign country here!
New around here, eh?

Do you need someone to show you around?

Oh wait. You just said you were a lesbian. Never mind. *sigh*

[eyeblink]

Why, does that cramp your style or something? I won't tell! Where were you going to show me around, or shouldn't I ask?

[Haphazard]

Why, does that cramp your style or something? I won't tell! Where were you going to show me around, or shouldn't I ask?

No, I mean that you're kinda cute. Ruins it to know you're off-limits, you know?

Then again, my girlfriend'll get mad. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

It depends. What would you like to see?

[eyeblink]

Cute is nice. I can certainly take compliments.

What's your girlfriend like, anyway? Describe her to me.

I like cute. That's made my evening, that has. <twists a lock of her own hair round one finger>

What I'd like to see? Not just the tourist things. I'd like to see the town as a local would see it. <smiles>

[Haphazard]

Cute is nice. I can certainly take compliments.

What's your girlfriend like, anyway? Describe her to me.

I like cute. That's made my evening, that has. <twists a lock of her own hair round one finger>

What I'd like to see? Not just the tourist things. I'd like to see the town as a local would see it. <smiles>

Well, she's got dark hair and a cute smile and she's not picky -- otherwise she wouldn't have ended up with me, you know? She works herself too hard. Type A personality and all that. I guess someone has to.

It's the rainy season, so there aren't going to be too many tourists anyway. There's a lot of museums and a shopping district downtown if you like that sort of thing, but I know the good restaurants. You like food? I know too many girls who don't. It's disgusting. Looking at me, people think I don't like food, but I do, really. It's just that food doesn't like me, much.

[eyeblink]

Oh come on, shopping district? I'm a girl, remember - I shop. Food is fine too - I can eat most things. I'm on holiday - I won't think about diets until I get home. Just as well I exercise.

Do you have intolerances or allergies then? A friend of mine, her name's Pam, has ulcerative colitis. That's like Crohn's. I've seen what that can do to people. Not pleasant at all. If you've got anything like that, I'm sorry for you.

Stop me if I'm getting too nosey. Tell me to mind my own business.

Anyway, can I say you're cute too?

<accepts drink from Inka> Dziekuje. That's Polish for "Thank you". You're cute as well.

[Haphazard]

Oh come on, shopping district? I'm a girl, remember - I shop. Food is fine too - I can eat most things. I'm on holiday - I won't think about diets until I get home. Just as well I exercise.

Do you have intolerances or allergies then? A friend of mine, her name's Pam, has ulcerative colitis. That's like Crohn's. I've seen what that can do to people. Not pleasant at all. If you've got anything like that, I'm sorry for you.

Stop me if I'm getting too nosey. Tell me to mind my own business.

Anyway, can I say you're cute too?

You can. You can say whatever you like. *grins*

No, I don't have any intolerances or anything. Just some bad luck. See here? *pulls up sleeve* Coffee burn. Waiter dumped some on me last week. Said it was an accident, but eh. It wasn't the first time there, either. I have a feeling your friend's got it much worse, though.

So what brings you out here?

[eyeblink]

I guess so. Pam's one of these people who's never had much luck, you know what I mean?

Me, I was on holiday with my girlfriend. We're staying in a hotel a couple of miles away. But I think we've now broken up. I just walked out wanting to clear my head. I'm not looking forward to having to go back there tonight. She might even be looking for me for all I know.

If any of you guys see her, let her know I'm okay? Her name's Natalie. She's the same height as me, five ten or so, but slimmer, red hair. Julianne Moore lookalike.

<gulps>

Oh God I'm weakening.

<sniffs, dabs at eyes with handkerchief>

Sorry about that.

<gulps>

I think that was one drink too many.

<goes pale, puts hand over mouth>

I've really really done it now.

<stands up>

Talk amongst yourselves, okay?

<hurries off to the Ladies' restroom>

[Inkspill]

Sometimes I just want to get away from it all. Because I can't solve everything--I can't solve ANYTHING. I don't know, I think for me to make even the slightest difference I'd have to be President.

My dad's running for President next year and the more fake he becomes, the more his poll numbers rise. So his tan gets darker, his teeth whiter, and that cheesy, politician's grin grows wider.

I think the only way I can survive this world is to be fake too. I can't last a second in without getting made fun of or beaten up. I wasn't made for this world. I should try to be somebody else... or just leave.

Yeah, where would I go?

My ulcer's acting up again. It really hurts.

I can't go on like this. I don't want to live, but I don't want to die. At least not without... nevermind.

God, for me to become a politician, I'd have to become normal. But I mean does anyone know what normal is?

Good luck with becoming President. Really. Being fake is totally a government thing in Zion.
You could come live in the SPE dorms. They'll take pretty much anybody. I mean, the government has to do one thing for the people, right?

Life is real weird right now. I just ran into a lovely girl but I don't love her in THAT way. Not really sure what's going on.
The fighting's a little less now.

<to eyeblink> No offense taken. It's not like I know about love, anyway. I think I've seen Natalie around the LOT dorms. Is she smart? I know she's pretty.
Oh--feel better. I hear there's a line for the restroom. True?

[eyeblink]

No, I got lucky. If I had my way I'd have twice as many Ladies' as Gents' toilets (as we call them back in England). We need more time in there. You can tell most buildings were designed by men, can't you?

I was waitressing a couple of summers ago in a motorway service station. There was always a long queue outside the Ladies. Every day, without fail.

<blushes> Yeah, sorry about that little...episode. I think I'd better stick to soft drinks for the moment. Drinking on an empty stomach is NOT a good idea.

I can't believe I'm in a bar in a town in the States and I'm having a conversation about restrooms, toilets or whatever you call them!

Sorry, I don't know your name...? I'm Agnieszka, but no-one can ever spell that so it's usually Aggie for short. <shakes hand> Dzien dobry, as we say in Poland.

That Natalie you know must be her American double - they were separated at birth, you know? <grins> The one I know came with me from the U.K. And yes, she's VERY smart.

[karo.ambrose]

When ya were a kid - what did ya want t'do?

I can't say. It's stupid. Sorry, I'd rather not talk about it. I don't want Dad finding out cuz I just can't stand hearing how stupid I am from him anymore.


Anyway, you sound like you have a few issues of your own to sort out.

No I don't! Take that back. You just wish you were me and had your own jet and your own servants.

And deep, deep down, I bet you wished you were straight too. And normal.

[karo.ambrose]

That's like... really depressing. And I mean, really, really depressing.

Why'd your dad do something like that? I mean... that's going to fuck with your head for a long time. I'd rather have just nobody come at all. At least then I have the cake to myself.

Well, it was for the best, I suppose. My dad knew some guy from Channel 11 was going to attend the party, and he didn't want the entire country knowing I didn't have any friends, because it would look bad for his campaign. Having a loser son and all.

I hate cake anyways. It's too fattening. I hate it when I see older people and how fat they've gotten and it's like, eat some freaking vegetables or go for a walk. Don't they realize what they're doing to their body?

[eyeblink]

<to karo> Dunno. What's "normal"? Don't we all wish things were different?

When I was a little girl I thought I'd grow up into a boy. Didn't happen. I wanted to be good at maths and sciences like my older brother. Didn't happen. I'm doing English Literature at Uni.

I remember lying in bed one morning, I think I was ten or something. I just knew I was gay, right then. It just seems normal to me. I have men as friends, and not all of them are gay, but the thought of having sex with any of them? No way. That's just so weird.

Oh, there are plenty of hassles I get every day. I get men who think my sexuality is a spectator sport or who think I just haven't met the right man - who is them, of course. I get hassles from the more hardcore dykes who think because I have long hair and like going round in skirts that I'm not serious enough. And because I have fair hair and I'm not, er, exactly small on top, that I'm some kind of bimbo.

And don't get me started on the religious types who tell me that unless I get shacked up and knocked up pretty quick I'm going to burn in Hell.

So don't tell me I really want to be straight. I don't.

<to inka>
I'm nineteen later this month. You're, what, fifteen did you say? You're far more confident than I was at your age. I think that's pretty cool, you know?

[LilliCray]

Well! This is a most interesting conversation.

Oh... I'm sorry to butt in. Ether's decided to be silent this evening. Sometimes it gets lonely. Don't even have Astrid; they wouldn't let a cat in the bar.

You all are quite set in your beliefs. I used to be that way. A few thousand years of wandering can change that, though.

Being normal is highly overrated, don't you think?

[eyeblink]

No, no, more the merrier. Sit yourself down. Conversation'd hit a lull anyway. The rain looks like it's settling in. I can quite happily spend the night here and face the music in the morning.

Just make sure I don't drink too much. Making myself sick isn't fun, and I do like to be in control of what I'm doing.

And you're right. Who wants to be normal anyway?

<extends hand to lillicray>Agnieszka. Aggie. What's your name?

[LilliCray]

*shakes Aggie's hand* It's usually Adah, except for when I lose control. But that's not relevant at the moment.

I don't drink, myself. Never was able to hold in a drop of liquor. I like to be in control of myself, as well.

So, how long have you been in the States? I believe I missed that portion of the conversation.

[eyeblink]

Hi, Adah. Nice to meet you. Dzien dobry.

I'm on holiday - sorry, vacation. With my girlfriend - well, she was my girlfriend. I certainly thought she was. But she wants us to be just friends now. I didn't take it well. When I fall for someone, I really fall and I get hurt.

I left her back in the hotel room. She's probably looking for me. I turned my mobile off. Suppose I'd better send her a text, tell her I'm okay.

Does this place serve food? I'm getting hungry.

<Reaches inside her coat pocket, takes out a pair of glasses, puts them on.> There, I can see everyone better. Too vain by half, me.

Do I look intellectual like this? <chuckles> As much as a fair-haired girl with boobs like these is likely to, I guess. <chuckles again>

My round next, isn't it? What would you like? I'll stick to Diet Coke for a while, myself.

So who's Ether, then? He or she? And why you getting the silent treatment?

[LilliCray]

Ah... I'm set. Water bottle. Just came in to sit and think, you know? By the way, I think you look fine with those glasses on. I'm somewhat partial to bifocals.

Ether is... well, let's just say she's a friend. If I tried to explain everything, you'd think me crazy. She's avoiding Astrid, actually, which is why she left me alone.

Anyway. I'm sorry about your... girlfriend. I've never been involved with anyone, myself, so I can't really empathize. But I hear break-ups are hard. Is that why you came here? To drink away the pain?

[Haphazard]

Hey, can somebody turn up the air conditioning in here? I'm going to burn up!

[eyeblink]

<to Andah>Cheers, m'dear. If I could change one thing it would be my crap eyesight.

You've not been involved with someone? Well there's still time.

Yeah, you're right. Drinking the pain away. Sounds quite romantic in a way - in love with the hurt. I'd like to get absolutely blind drunk but I know I'll just get sick. And feel like shit in the morning. And besides if I get so drunk that I don't know what I'm doing, someone might take advantage of me. :) None of you guys would do that, I'm sure... ;) <giggles>

I've still got my mobile switched off. Let her stew a while longer. I'll have to go back sometime. We've got a week of vacation left and then the flight home.

Oh fuck it, let's have another pint. Anyone want one?

<to hap>
It is getting a bit hot in here, isn't it? <tugs at neck of T-shirt, sniffs> <wipes hand on jeans> Sorry about the smell of wet clothing - got soaked on the way here. Sorry about that. All my spare clothes are back in the hotel room.

[Haphazard]

<to hap>
It is getting a bit hot in here, isn't it? <tugs at neck of T-shirt, sniffs> <wipes hand on jeans> Sorry about the smell of wet clothing - got soaked on the way here. Sorry about that. All my spare clothes are back in the hotel room.

*adjusts scarf a bit* Yeah, it's too hot.

As for the matter of wet clothes? *scans up and down* I really don't mind.

[LilliCray]

Funny. Didn't notice the heat until you mentioned it. The temperature is a bit high.

Hm... I never have seen the attraction in alcohol, or getting drunk. The stuff tastes disgusting, in my experience.

Isn't your drink cold, then?

[Haphazard]

Funny. Didn't notice the heat until you mentioned it. The temperature is a bit high.

Hm... I never have seen the attraction in alcohol, or getting drunk. The stuff tastes disgusting, in my experience.

Isn't your drink cold, then?

Well, it's getting to be that way. *sips old coffee*.

Hmm... You new here, too?

[LilliCray]

New to the bar, the conversation, or the neighborhood? Ah, guess it doesn't much matter; the answer to each is "yes".

Is it really that obvious?

[Haphazard]

New to the bar, the conversation, or the neighborhood? Ah, guess it doesn't much matter; the answer to each is "yes".

Is it really that obvious?

I've got a sixth sense for these things. So, you know, I can tell. I don't know if all the others around here can tell so much, though, but they all seem new, too. They have like, the human equivalent of a new-craft-smell.

Okay, so then, what's your name, and what brings you out here?

[LilliCray]

Name's Adah, most of the time.

I'm here mainly because "here" was convenient. I've been living on the road for a few months. Trying to find someplace nice to settle down. That sort of thing, y'know?

So, sixth sense, you say? Very intriguing. I'm something of a conniseur of the paranormal. I suppose you're good at reading people, then?

[Haphazard]

Name's Adah, most of the time.

I'm here mainly because "here" was convenient. I've been living on the road for a few months. Trying to find someplace nice to settle down. That sort of thing, y'know?

So, sixth sense, you say? Very intriguing. I'm something of a conniseur of the paranormal. I suppose you're good at reading people, then?

Eh. I like to show off. The only things beyond normal I've seen are what my sister creates.

You probably won't find a place to settle here. No vacancy anywhere. The landlords are all assholes, anyway. Not to push you away from Our Fair City, but eh. There are better places to be.

Why'd you have to leave in the first place? Foreclosed?

[Danger Jane]

Medea--So. There are people in here?

[Haphazard]

Medea--So. There are people in here?

At a bar? Sure. Okay, it's a bit early to get wasted, but come on. I've had a rough day.

So, what're you doing here?

[Danger Jane]

At a bar? Sure. Okay, it's a bit early to get wasted, but come on. I've had a rough day.

So, what're you doing here?

I suppose I haven't had such an easy day. At least, it's been much more confusing than most days are now. I must be losing my edge...this week hardly compares to my youth...

What happened to you?

[Haphazard]

I suppose I haven't had such an easy day. At least, it's been much more confusing than most days are now. I must be losing my edge...this week hardly compares to my youth...

What happened to you?

Ehhh... it's a long story... *adjusts scarf* And... wow, how old are you, exactly?

Let me buy you a drink. I actually have cash today. What'd you like?

[Danger Jane]

Ehhh... it's a long story... *adjusts scarf* And... wow, how old are you, exactly?

Let me buy you a drink. I actually have cash today. What'd you like?

I like...wine? What else is there?

I'm sixty-one. How old are you, exactly?

[Haphazard]

I like...wine? What else is there?

I'm sixty-one. How old are you, exactly?

Seventeen.

Yes, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but nobody has to say anything, right?

Anyway, you don't look it.

They might have wine, but probably not any good stuff. You sure you wouldn't like something harder? Let's see... the bartender makes a good bloody mary, hurricane, cosmopolitan...

[Danger Jane]

Seventeen.

Yes, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but nobody has to say anything, right?

Anyway, you don't look it.

They might have wine, but probably not any good stuff. You sure you wouldn't like something harder? Let's see... the bartender makes a good bloody mary, hurricane, cosmopolitan...

Order anything. It doesn't really matter what. And since you're so polite, I'll raise hell if anyone gives you a hard time. The only reason I don't look it is that I squander my talents mixing beauty potions. I suppose that's better than mixing poisons, at least.

What's your name?

[Haphazard]

Order anything. It doesn't really matter what. And since you're so polite, I'll raise hell if anyone gives you a hard time. The only reason I don't look it is that I squander my talents mixing beauty potions. I suppose that's better than mixing poisons, at least.

What's your name?

Okay. I'll get you a hurricane. It's too hot for what I'm drinking, anyway. *sips coffee*

You're so sweet. I've met some real weirdos in here. Like this crazy guy who had his dad fill in extras for his birthday party. And he kept giving me money because I kept scaring him. Seriously, there was something wrong with that kid. Almost got to feel sorry for him.

I didn't know people still made anything for beauty anymore. Everyone seems to just want plastic surgery now. They seem to work just fine though, just judging from you.

Anyway, my name's Hirsch. That's what everyone calls me, anyway. What's yours?

[Danger Jane]

Okay. I'll get you a hurricane. It's too hot for what I'm drinking, anyway. *sips coffee*

You're so sweet. I've met some real weirdos in here. Like this crazy guy who had his dad fill in extras for his birthday party. And he kept giving me money because I kept scaring him. Seriously, there was something wrong with that kid. Almost got to feel sorry for him.

I didn't know people still made anything for beauty anymore. Everyone seems to just want plastic surgery now. They seem to work just fine though, just judging from you.

Anyway, my name's Hirsch. That's what everyone calls me, anyway. What's yours?

My name is Medea. I wonder if everyone calls me that.

I don't know if you know me well enough, though, if you're saying I'm normal. Or sweet, for that matter. Or maybe time really does heal all wounds. You seem sweet yourself. And you know, my gifts are rather...uncommon. Unmarketable, you could say. I don't think they would be well-received in the public's eye.

You must come here often if you know so many people here. Do they know you, or do you know them?

[Haphazard]

My name is Medea. I wonder if everyone calls me that.

I don't know if you know me well enough, though, if you're saying I'm normal. Or sweet, for that matter. Or maybe time really does heal all wounds. You seem sweet yourself. And you know, my gifts are rather...uncommon. Unmarketable, you could say. I don't think they would be well-received in the public's eye.

You must come here often if you know so many people here. Do they know you, or do you know them?

Medea? Sounds old. I guess I believe you when you say your age.

Well, the people... it seems like there's just a lot of people coming in recently. All from different places, which is weird, because it's not tourist season, either. I have no idea where they're all coming from -- it all sounds like different places. I don't come here that often, but the people I talked to today are real nutjobs.

Uncommon gifts... hmm? Care to share?

[Danger Jane]

Medea? Sounds old. I guess I believe you when you say your age.

Well, the people... it seems like there's just a lot of people coming in recently. All from different places, which is weird, because it's not tourist season, either. I have no idea where they're all coming from -- it all sounds like different places. I don't come here that often, but the people I talked to today are real nutjobs.

Uncommon gifts... hmm? Care to share?

Old...very old.

I'm a witch, particularly skilled in the art of making potions. Which I now use to hold off old age, who knows why. It's not as if I have anyone left to impress.

Do people approach you, or do you approach them?

[Haphazard]

Old...very old.

I'm a witch, particularly skilled in the art of making potions. Which I now use to hold off old age, who knows why. It's not as if I have anyone left to impress.

Do people approach you, or do you approach them?

Oh, come on. Sixty-one isn't bad at all. If you play your cards right, you might get another sixty. Maybe more with what you're saying.

I approach a lot of people. They're fun, you know?

[Danger Jane]

Oh, come on. Sixty-one isn't bad at all. If you play your cards right, you might get another sixty. Maybe more with what you're saying.

I approach a lot of people. They're fun, you know?

They're fun, but...so intimidating. You never know what they know about you. You never know what they're really thinking. You never know how much power they have over you. There's so much risk.

Sixty-one, yes, but you could say I'm not from around here. It's a little older than that.

So you like people. Do you stay in touch with them, or do you just meet many people a little?

[Haphazard]

They're fun, but...so intimidating. You never know what they know about you. You never know what they're really thinking. You never know how much power they have over you. There's so much risk.

Sixty-one, yes, but you could say I'm not from around here. It's a little older than that.

So you like people. Do you stay in touch with them, or do you just meet many people a little?

Oh, people come, and people go. All the time. I only have a few that I keep around. You know, if you keep moving, they never get too much power over you. Do you have to stick around one place so often that you've never noticed?

The earth spins the same wherever you go. How could you be older somewhere else...?

[Danger Jane]

Oh, people come, and people go. All the time. I only have a few that I keep around. You know, if you keep moving, they never get too much power over you. Do you have to stick around one place so often that you've never noticed?

The earth spins the same wherever you go. How could you be older somewhere else...?

Frankly I am unsure how I got here, but a pretty good amount of time seems to have elapsed, since I saw a picture of the Parthenon, except it looks to be in ruins...


I moved around so much when I was young that there was no one I kept around. It was my own fault. And then finally...I had a place only for me. Where there was only me. For years and years and years.

Why do you move? I did because I had to.

[Haphazard]

Frankly I am unsure how I got here, but a pretty good amount of time seems to have elapsed, since I saw a picture of the Parthenon, except it looks to be in ruins...


I moved around so much when I was young that there was no one I kept around. It was my own fault. And then finally...I had a place only for me. Where there was only me. For years and years and years.

Why do you move? I did because I had to.

People just don't stick to me very easily. I don't know how it happens. It just kind of does.

Oh. They're gone now.. the ruins. Not even them anymore. The ones in Greece, right?

[Danger Jane]

People just don't stick to me very easily. I don't know how it happens. It just kind of does.

Oh. They're gone now.. the ruins. Not even them anymore. The ones in Greece, right?


Yes, in Greece. How long ago was that? ...sad to see everything so different. But relieving. No one here must know me. Everyone there knows me. Everyone.

I stick to people, but then something happens and I do something terrible always and then I must leave. I ruin my own welcome. Do you mind it, being so transient?

[Haphazard]

Yes, in Greece. How long ago was that? ...sad to see everything so different. But relieving. No one here must know me. Everyone there knows me. Everyone.

I stick to people, but then something happens and I do something terrible always and then I must leave. I ruin my own welcome. Do you mind it, being so transient?

Not really. It's not bad, being transient. Reminds me that everyone else is like a goldfish. Their brains can't hold onto anything. Weird how most people don't notice that, though.

It was... I dunno. A very long time ago. 3,000? Hell, I'm no good with dates.

[eyeblink]

Hi, Medea. Pleased to meet you. I hope I don't get filed under "nutjob".

I'm Agnieszka - Aggie for short. I'm eighteen (nineteen later in the month), I'm a student from London, England. I was here with my girlfriend and we...well, I've been bending these folks' ears all evening about. I'll stop boring you all, shall I? Let's just say I'm nursing a broken heart and leave it at that, eh?

[LilliCray]

Time is funny. People say it heals all wounds, aids in recovery and such. Mostly, it just makes people forget. I've probably forgotten more than I've ever learned.

Pleased to meet you, Medea. I'm Adah. I get displaced a lot. Usually some sort of tourist in whatever town I happen to be in.

So, you're into potions? Used to run into that a lot, growing up. What's your specialty?

[Danger Jane]

Not really. It's not bad, being transient. Reminds me that everyone else is like a goldfish. Their brains can't hold onto anything. Weird how most people don't notice that, though.

It was... I dunno. A very long time ago. 3,000? Hell, I'm no good with dates.


Three thousand years...incredible.


You must be exceptional if you notice that other people are unlike you. What makes you exceptional?

[Danger Jane]

Hi, Medea. Pleased to meet you. I hope I don't get filed under "nutjob".

I'm Agnieszka - Aggie for short. I'm eighteen (nineteen later in the month), I'm a student from London, England. I was here with my girlfriend and we...well, I've been bending these folks' ears all evening about. I'll stop boring you all, shall I? Let's just say I'm nursing a broken heart and leave it at that, eh?

We could, if you wanted. But why? I'm in no hurry. Tell me about your broken heart--trust me, I know enough about them.

[Haphazard]

Three thousand years...incredible.


You must be exceptional if you notice that other people are unlike you. What makes you exceptional?

I dunno. I'm a goldfish, too. It's just that I know I'm a goldfish. So I'm a self-aware goldfish, but nonetheless, I'm still a goldfish.

So what, you're going to say you're over 3,000 years old now?

[Danger Jane]

I dunno. I'm a goldfish, too. It's just that I know I'm a goldfish. So I'm a self-aware goldfish, but nonetheless, I'm still a goldfish.

So what, you're going to say you're over 3,000 years old now?

No, I don't think those years count. But the name--it's that old. You said it sounded old.

Self-awareness makes you a better goldfish. Do you think you'll ever be more than that?

Am I one of your goldfish?

[Shady Lane]

Unnamed Male Character: I think I got lost...I'm looking for the Health Food store. I thought it was on this block...do you know where I can find it? I can't even remember then name of the place.

[Danger Jane]

Unnamed Male Character: I think I got lost...I'm looking for the Health Food store. I thought it was on this block...do you know where I can find it? I can't even remember then name of the place.

Lena--Um, there are a couple. There's Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but those are grocery stores really...there's that little independent place, too, they sell vitamins and whatever too. With the yoga studio in the back? The Healthy Life Grocer. I can show you where it is, if you want...are you from around here?

[Shady Lane]

Lena--Um, there are a couple. There's Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but those are grocery stores really...there's that little independent place, too, they sell vitamins and whatever too. With the yoga studio in the back? The Healthy Life Grocer. I can show you where it is, if you want...are you from around here?

A few blocks over. I don't normally come down here, but we have this new baby who can't handle the formula most of the babies are on. So I'm supposed to pick up this totally dairy free stuff, see if that helps. It's kinda sad. He's crying all the time...I don't know how long we're going to be able to keep him.

The independent place sounds fine...do you think it'll have baby formula?

Thanks so much for helping me, by the way. I guess I walk around in a fog a lot of the time...

[Danger Jane]

A few blocks over. I don't normally come down here, but we have this new baby who can't handle the formula most of the babies are on. So I'm supposed to pick up this totally dairy free stuff, see if that helps. It's kinda sad. He's crying all the time...I don't know how long we're going to be able to keep him.

The independent place sounds fine...do you think it'll have baby formula?

Thanks so much for helping me, by the way. I guess I walk around in a fog a lot of the time...

It'll probably have baby formula...it's jam-packed full of stuff. Anyway I'm in a fog almost always. Can't shake it. It's the worst. Nobody understands how bad it is to be so disconnected.

TMI. Sorry. I don't usually do that.

How old are you?

[Haphazard]

No, I don't think those years count. But the name--it's that old. You said it sounded old.

Self-awareness makes you a better goldfish. Do you think you'll ever be more than that?

Am I one of your goldfish?

You're just another goldfish, unless you can prove yourself otherwise. You think you have what it takes?

I guess you're already a little unusual, you know, having an old name. But that's not enough to not be a goldfish. My sister has an old name, but she's special in other ways...

I don't think I'll ever be more than a goldfish. I'll just become a fancy goldfish with the puffy eyes that you have to pay a lot for, if anything at all.

[Danger Jane]

You're just another goldfish, unless you can prove yourself otherwise. You think you have what it takes?

I guess you're already a little unusual, you know, having an old name. But that's not enough to not be a goldfish. My sister has an old name, but she's special in other ways...

I don't think I'll ever be more than a goldfish. I'll just become a fancy goldfish with the puffy eyes that you have to pay a lot for, if anything at all.

I suppose if I don't, I don't know who does. What makes someone more than a goldfish? Who have you met who is more?

How is your sister special?

[Shady Lane]

It'll probably have baby formula...it's jam-packed full of stuff. Anyway I'm in a fog almost always. Can't shake it. It's the worst. Nobody understands how bad it is to be so disconnected.

TMI. Sorry. I don't usually do that.

How old are you?

I'm seventeen....

No, I'm in a fog, too. I think it's this, like, shock from finally being settled. I bounced around for so long, and then when i was fifteen I finally became, like, glued? And it's...sort of been difficult to grasp. It's not that I don't believe it's real--I do--and that's what the weird thing is. It's weird to not be afraid that I'm going to blow away.

Not TMI. Don't worry about it. It's...nice to connect with someone.

How old are you?

[Haphazard]

I suppose if I don't, I don't know who does. What makes someone more than a goldfish? Who have you met who is more?

How is your sister special?

I think my sister might be more. She's really smart... and her attention span is incredible. She never ever ever ever forgets anything. More like an elephant than a goldfish. Then again, she might just be a smart goldfish.

I don't really know what makes someone more than a goldfish. I guess I'd know it if I saw it...

Then what do you have? What makes you not a goldfish?

[Danger Jane]

I'm seventeen....

No, I'm in a fog, too. I think it's this, like, shock from finally being settled. I bounced around for so long, and then when i was fifteen I finally became, like, glued? And it's...sort of been difficult to grasp. It's not that I don't believe it's real--I do--and that's what the weird thing is. It's weird to not be afraid that I'm going to blow away.

Not TMI. Don't worry about it. It's...nice to connect with someone.

How old are you?

I'm seventeen, too. I don't think anything is real today, except maybe Eva. She's the only thing that ever feels real. She can tell when I'm getting too nervous and cloudy to handle it and she holds my hand or something to keep me okay. I blow away all the time. Cell by cell.

You're really lucky that you're glued. Not so lucky that you have a baby, I guess.

Did something happen to settle you, or did it just happen?

[Shady Lane]

I'm seventeen, too. I don't think anything is real today, except maybe Eva. She's the only thing that ever feels real. She can tell when I'm getting too nervous and cloudy to handle it and she holds my hand or something to keep me okay. I blow away all the time. Cell by cell.

You're really lucky that you're glued. Not so lucky that you have a baby, I guess.

Did something happen to settle you, or did it just happen?

I got adopted. Once I got past about five, they told me my chances of getting adopted were awful. I was prepared to just be a ward until I turned eighteen. And then, bam, I'm fifteen, and my fifth set of foster parents says they want to adopt me. I...could not have been more surprised.

They're great, though. Like, everything's really good. Except I don't really leave the house except when they need something...

Oh, Kinley's not my baby. He's a foster. We have, like, sixteen different foster kids with us at any given time. Right now we've got, uh, seven, I think? It changes from week to week. Kinley's been around for about a month, but, like I said, I don't know how long we're going to have him.

I'm sorry you're blowing away...I used to feel like that a lot.

Do you think anything could settle you?

[eyeblink]

We could, if you wanted. But why? I'm in no hurry. Tell me about your broken heart--trust me, I know enough about them.

Cheers. I've done a lot of unburdening tonight. I'm here on holiday - vacation - with my girlfriend and I think it's just finished. Over. Hope we'll still be friends. We do have a week to get through, then the flight home. I'm sure we can be grown-up about that.

There's plenty more fish in the sea, if you'll pardon the expression.

That's me with my mature head on. It still hurts like fuck all the same.

Dziekuje, pani Medea, as we say in Poland. Thanks for listening. And now, another drink.

[Danger Jane]

Cheers. I've done a lot of unburdening tonight. I'm here on holiday - vacation - with my girlfriend and I think it's just finished. Over. Hope we'll still be friends. We do have a week to get through, then the flight home. I'm sure we can be grown-up about that.

There's plenty more fish in the sea, if you'll pardon the expression.

That's me with my mature head on. It still hurts like fuck all the same.

Dziekuje, pani Medea, as we say in Poland. Thanks for listening. And now, another drink.

What does dziekuje, pani Medea mean?


Did you expect it to be finished when you left for your vacation?

[Danger Jane]

I think my sister might be more. She's really smart... and her attention span is incredible. She never ever ever ever forgets anything. More like an elephant than a goldfish. Then again, she might just be a smart goldfish.

I don't really know what makes someone more than a goldfish. I guess I'd know it if I saw it...

Then what do you have? What makes you not a goldfish?


Well, I suppose...nothing much. I just made many more much larger mistakes in my youth than most people. They were my own fault. I just couldn't see any other ways then. I can't see what else I could have done now, either. It was a trap, though I don't know who set it or why.

How old is your sister?

[Danger Jane]

I got adopted. Once I got past about five, they told me my chances of getting adopted were awful. I was prepared to just be a ward until I turned eighteen. And then, bam, I'm fifteen, and my fifth set of foster parents says they want to adopt me. I...could not have been more surprised.

They're great, though. Like, everything's really good. Except I don't really leave the house except when they need something...

Oh, Kinley's not my baby. He's a foster. We have, like, sixteen different foster kids with us at any given time. Right now we've got, uh, seven, I think? It changes from week to week. Kinley's been around for about a month, but, like I said, I don't know how long we're going to have him.

I'm sorry you're blowing away...I used to feel like that a lot.

Do you think anything could settle you?

I don't know what could. I've read things from people who say just all the sudden one day the fog went away and they connected to their bodies and their bodies connected to the world...I don't know how to feel like that anymore. I'm just floating, and nothing's even real. Just a game or a screen or something.

I'm glad you were adopted. I guess I shouldn't complain, right? Foster care must have been really hard. Why don't you leave the house?

[Shady Lane]

I don't know what could. I've read things from people who say just all the sudden one day the fog went away and they connected to their bodies and their bodies connected to the world...I don't know how to feel like that anymore. I'm just floating, and nothing's even real. Just a game or a screen or something.

I'm glad you were adopted. I guess I shouldn't complain, right? Foster care must have been really hard. Why don't you leave the house?

Well, do you like it? Would you like to reconnect? Or are you okay floating? Because I'm not floating anymore, but I am still foggy, but...I don't mind it. It's okay. I feel like I'm in an old movie. The black and white kind, you know?

Foster care...you have some good homes and you have some bad homes, but either way it's not permanent. I'm glad I was adopted too, though. Meredith and Sol--my parents--they're pretty cool. Meredith makes the best lemonade, and Sol's always trying to get me to come boating. No real reason to leave the house...there's so much going on there, and I can watch movies or sit on the balcony and just chill, and...I get tired so easily. Meredith keeps talking to me about going to the doctor, getting me tested for anemia or something, but I really only have the energy to walk to school and back. This...**gestures around** Going out? Getting food for the kids? Kind of new for me.

[Danger Jane]

Well, do you like it? Would you like to reconnect? Or are you okay floating? Because I'm not floating anymore, but I am still foggy, but...I don't mind it. It's okay. I feel like I'm in an old movie. The black and white kind, you know?

Foster care...you have some good homes and you have some bad homes, but either way it's not permanent. I'm glad I was adopted too, though. Meredith and Sol--my parents--they're pretty cool. Meredith makes the best lemonade, and Sol's always trying to get me to come boating. No real reason to leave the house...there's so much going on there, and I can watch movies or sit on the balcony and just chill, and...I get tired so easily. Meredith keeps talking to me about going to the doctor, getting me tested for anemia or something, but I really only have the energy to walk to school and back. This...**gestures around** Going out? Getting food for the kids? Kind of new for me.

I usually have enough energy but I hate when I don't. It ruins my routine. I fucking hate when my routine gets ruined.

Have you always been this tired?

I really want to reconnect. I just don't know how. The doctors tell me to stay busy and stay distracted so I do, but it's not like I can shut my brain off, you know? Eva's great at that. She meditates for real, for like an hour at a time, but I just sit still and count my breathing. And that's like second nature now so really I just think and think. I'm not supposed to. It doesn't feel like an old movie. It feels like I'm lost. Lost lost lost.

Do you like how you feel lately?

[Shady Lane]

I usually have enough energy but I hate when I don't. It ruins my routine. I fucking hate when my routine gets ruined.

Have you always been this tired?

I really want to reconnect. I just don't know how. The doctors tell me to stay busy and stay distracted so I do, but it's not like I can shut my brain off, you know? Eva's great at that. She meditates for real, for like an hour at a time, but I just sit still and count my breathing. And that's like second nature now so really I just think and think. I'm not supposed to. It doesn't feel like an old movie. It feels like I'm lost. Lost lost lost.

Do you like how you feel lately?

I don't mind it. It's hard to mind anything right now, really. Everything's sort of rolling off my back.

I think I always was this tired really, but I made an effort to work through it before becuase I was afraid my foster families would use it as excuse to get rid of me, you know? Now I'm safe. I've let my guard down. I can admit that...everyday life is grinding me down.

They talk about that, you know? The Grind. The Grind of Daily Life. I know why they call it that. IT really does feel like you're being ground down sometimes...that someones taking your face and just rub rub rubbing it against a rock until you're flat and shapeless. Better to be flat and shapeless to begin with, really.

Is Eva your family? I don't have any real family. Not that I know of, anyway.

[Danger Jane]

I don't mind it. It's hard to mind anything right now, really. Everything's sort of rolling off my back.

I think I always was this tired really, but I made an effort to work through it before becuase I was afraid my foster families would use it as excuse to get rid of me, you know? Now I'm safe. I've let my guard down. I can admit that...everyday life is grinding me down.

They talk about that, you know? The Grind. The Grind of Daily Life. I know why they call it that. IT really does feel like you're being ground down sometimes...that someones taking your face and just rub rub rubbing it against a rock until you're flat and shapeless. Better to be flat and shapeless to begin with, really.

Is Eva your family? I don't have any real family. Not that I know of, anyway.

Everyday life is so hard. I wonder if it is for everybody, I wonder why they bother if it's so hard for everybody. Life doesn't have to be like this, does it?

Eva's my twin. She's the most my family. Nick is my little brother and there's Mom. Dad's gone. It's my fault.

You think you are shapeless? I think I am. I'm just a little black rain cloud, you know, like that little kid song. What the hell.

Do the other foster kids feel like family to you, or is it not permanent enough?

[Shady Lane]

Everyday life is so hard. I wonder if it is for everybody, I wonder why they bother if it's so hard for everybody. Life doesn't have to be like this, does it?

Eva's my twin. She's the most my family. Nick is my little brother and there's Mom. Dad's gone. It's my fault.

You think you are shapeless? I think I am. I'm just a little black rain cloud, you know, like that little kid song. What the hell.

Do the other foster kids feel like family to you, or is it not permanent enough?

No, no, not permanent enough. It's painful to get attached, becuase they have to end up going away. My parents say they might adopt another kid or two some day. But not until they find the right one. I don't know how they knew I was the right one. I don't feel like the right one.

I don't feel like a cloud. More like a piece of paper or a stone or something. Piece of paper really covers it.

I have no idea where my real parents are, if they're even alive. My earliest memories are of foster. I don't miss them. Do you miss your dad?

[Danger Jane]

No, no, not permanent enough. It's painful to get attached, becuase they have to end up going away. My parents say they might adopt another kid or two some day. But not until they find the right one. I don't know how they knew I was the right one. I don't feel like the right one.

I don't feel like a cloud. More like a piece of paper or a stone or something. Piece of paper really covers it.

I have no idea where my real parents are, if they're even alive. My earliest memories are of foster. I don't miss them. Do you miss your dad?

I miss my dad a lot and some of the worst feelings I have are the guilty ones. The docs don't get it. Guilt is scary. Scary as everything else. I guess something that holds me back from everything is that I'm scared of how the world will feel. Eva says her emotions are a lot bigger now than they were when she was a kid. I dunno if I could handle it coming all at once like people say it does.

Do you think you'll always be a piece of paper, or maybe when you grow up and have your own family or something you'll be something else? There must be something special about you, anyway.

[Shady Lane]

I miss my dad a lot and some of the worst feelings I have are the guilty ones. The docs don't get it. Guilt is scary. Scary as everything else. I guess something that holds me back from everything is that I'm scared of how the world will feel. Eva says her emotions are a lot bigger now than they were when she was a kid. I dunno if I could handle it coming all at once like people say it does.

Do you think you'll always be a piece of paper, or maybe when you grow up and have your own family or something you'll be something else? There must be something special about you, anyway.

I do really, really good magic tricks. I can make stuff appear from nowhere.

'Course, it's not really magic.

I'll always be a piece of paper but...maybe someone will write something on me?

I guess that's the hope.

Guilt's one of the things I can't deal with. But I don't think I really have much to feel guilty about. I'm sorry if you do.

Maybe you have to start with being a kid again first. Start by making things real, but small. And then work your way up to seventeen?

[Danger Jane]

I do really, really good magic tricks. I can make stuff appear from nowhere.

'Course, it's not really magic.

I'll always be a piece of paper but...maybe someone will write something on me?

I guess that's the hope.

Guilt's one of the things I can't deal with. But I don't think I really have much to feel guilty about. I'm sorry if you do.

Maybe you have to start with being a kid again first. Start by making things real, but small. And then work your way up to seventeen?

Maybe. Nobody's ever thought of it like that before. The doctors always give me medicine and ask me probing questions but it doesn't really work. I don't know what the meds are even for. I mean they tell me but it doesn't mean anyhting.

What if you wrote on yourself and decided what you'd be?

Where'd you learn magic?

[Shady Lane]

Maybe. Nobody's ever thought of it like that before. The doctors always give me medicine and ask me probing questions but it doesn't really work. I don't know what the meds are even for. I mean they tell me but it doesn't mean anyhting.

What if you wrote on yourself and decided what you'd be?

Where'd you learn magic?

Orphanage. This old friend of mine...we learned together. We're not really in touch anymore. But sometimes he finds me. No matter where I go, he finds me. We live parallel lives. It's sort of like we're magnets and we repel each other before we can get too close, you know? But at some point, I guess we tried to force too close a relationship, and one of us flew away. And...it was him. Worry about him, but I'm also scared to death he'll find me.

Don't really know who I want to be. No one I need to be, really. I'm okay in my apartment, drinking lemonade, listening to the babies cry. I'm okay.

I hope you'll be okay, too.

I don't trust doctors. What would happen if you stopped taking the meds?

[Haphazard]

Well, I suppose...nothing much. I just made many more much larger mistakes in my youth than most people. They were my own fault. I just couldn't see any other ways then. I can't see what else I could have done now, either. It was a trap, though I don't know who set it or why.

How old is your sister?

My sister's twelve, and already she's turned the roomba into a puppy. I don't know how she did it, but she did.

Trap? I think I can see that... sometimes there just aren't that many options... *sigh* Do... do you really think that somebody's out to get you?

[Danger Jane]

My sister's twelve, and already she's turned the roomba into a puppy. I don't know how she did it, but she did.

Trap? I think I can see that... sometimes there just aren't that many options... *sigh* Do... do you really think that somebody's out to get you?

It wasn't like they were out to get me. It was like I was their tool. It was like they could control me.

I have heard rumors of that, at least. That I was nothing but a powerful pawn for Jason to get his golden Fleece. I was so young when it happened...but that doesn't make any difference because I'd do it all again. I don't know why, but I would.

Twelve is very young. Maybe she isn't a goldfish. I suppose you'll know soon.

Is someone out to get you?

[Danger Jane]

Orphanage. This old friend of mine...we learned together. We're not really in touch anymore. But sometimes he finds me. No matter where I go, he finds me. We live parallel lives. It's sort of like we're magnets and we repel each other before we can get too close, you know? But at some point, I guess we tried to force too close a relationship, and one of us flew away. And...it was him. Worry about him, but I'm also scared to death he'll find me.

Don't really know who I want to be. No one I need to be, really. I'm okay in my apartment, drinking lemonade, listening to the babies cry. I'm okay.

I hope you'll be okay, too.

I don't trust doctors. What would happen if you stopped taking the meds?


I don't know. Mom always finds out if I don't take them. Or Eva does. It's worst when Eva does cos she makes me feel so bad cos I know she gets into trouble when I don't take them. The doctors are just messing with us I think. We're just a game for them. They want to figure us out, or figure twins out, or figure themselves out. It's a game.

Why are you scared of him finding you if you like him so much?

[Shady Lane]

I don't know. Mom always finds out if I don't take them. Or Eva does. It's worst when Eva does cos she makes me feel so bad cos I know she gets into trouble when I don't take them. The doctors are just messing with us I think. We're just a game for them. They want to figure us out, or figure twins out, or figure themselves out. It's a game.

Why are you scared of him finding you if you like him so much?

Because he...makes me think about stuff I don't want to think about.

He's living the life I used to have. He'll never get adopted, but that's not important to him anymore. All that's important to him is streets and girls and smack and that's the life that made me so tired.

I can't live that life again. Almost killed me the first time. I just want him to be okay. I want him to get adopted. But it won't happen.

You're twins? I guess I shouldn't say that's cool, right?

[Danger Jane]

Because he...makes me think about stuff I don't want to think about.

He's living the life I used to have. He'll never get adopted, but that's not important to him anymore. All that's important to him is streets and girls and smack and that's the life that made me so tired.

I can't live that life again. Almost killed me the first time. I just want him to be okay. I want him to get adopted. But it won't happen.

You're twins? I guess I shouldn't say that's cool, right?

I guess you can. It is cool. I am lucky because Eva can be the me I can't. She can remind me how to act and everything. She's like an anchor.

Is that the stuff you don't want to think about? Living on the streets stuff?

That's really harsh. I'm sorry. I can't do drugs because of the meds. It would kill me.

[Shady Lane]

I guess you can. It is cool. I am lucky because Eva can be the me I can't. She can remind me how to act and everything. She's like an anchor.

Is that the stuff you don't want to think about? Living on the streets stuff?

That's really harsh. I'm sorry. I can't do drugs because of the meds. It would kill me.

**laughs a little** Drugs kill everyone. Just a matter of how fast.

It's not that I don't want to think about it, it's that..a lot of it I don't remember, and the rest of it just feels very very far away.

I never really lived on the streets. I had crappy foster parents who didn't keep track of what I did, so I'd sneak out everyday and go be with him, sometimes overnight. Once they finally kicked me out, I went back to the orphanage, got clean, got shipped out to Meredith and Sol. Which is where I am now and forever.

Everything is much better now. If only I weren't so tired.

So you guys aren't evil twins or something? I mean, you get along? That's cool.

[Haphazard]

It wasn't like they were out to get me. It was like I was their tool. It was like they could control me.

I have heard rumors of that, at least. That I was nothing but a powerful pawn for Jason to get his golden Fleece. I was so young when it happened...but that doesn't make any difference because I'd do it all again. I don't know why, but I would.

Twelve is very young. Maybe she isn't a goldfish. I suppose you'll know soon.

Is someone out to get you?

I... I dunno. Maybe. Or maybe I'm being used. I don't know. *fiddles with scarf fringe* maybe I am.

Kathrine might be more like one of those big koi fish in the koi ponds. An overgrown goldfish, you know. I can wait to see, though. Not like I'm goign to abandon her.

Jason? Golden Fleece? That sounds familiar, somehow. *sips coffee*

[Danger Jane]

**laughs a little** Drugs kill everyone. Just a matter of how fast.

It's not that I don't want to think about it, it's that..a lot of it I don't remember, and the rest of it just feels very very far away.

I never really lived on the streets. I had crappy foster parents who didn't keep track of what I did, so I'd sneak out everyday and go be with him, sometimes overnight. Once they finally kicked me out, I went back to the orphanage, got clean, got shipped out to Meredith and Sol. Which is where I am now and forever.

Everything is much better now. If only I weren't so tired.

So you guys aren't evil twins or something? I mean, you get along? That's cool.

We get along pretty well. I know I bug her a lot sometimes and I try not to, because she looks out for me, but that's how I know I don't bug her too much. She looks out for me.

You should see somebody about being tired. I bet they wouldn't give you medicine very quickly. The doctors aren't bad until you start being an interesting case, I've noticed. Once they realized what a psychological goldmine Eva and I are, they started cashing in.


Drugs didn't kill you, did they? Do you think they'll kill your friend?

[Danger Jane]

I... I dunno. Maybe. Or maybe I'm being used. I don't know. *fiddles with scarf fringe* maybe I am.

Kathrine might be more like one of those big koi fish in the koi ponds. An overgrown goldfish, you know. I can wait to see, though. Not like I'm goign to abandon her.

Jason? Golden Fleece? That sounds familiar, somehow. *sips coffee*


Jason went on on a quest with the Argonauts, his men, to bring the Golden Fleece to his city, Iolchus, and reclaim the throne in his father's name. He was the hero. I was the woman. So I did the dirty work.

Are you the one who takes care of Kathrine?

[Shady Lane]

We get along pretty well. I know I bug her a lot sometimes and I try not to, because she looks out for me, but that's how I know I don't bug her too much. She looks out for me.

You should see somebody about being tired. I bet they wouldn't give you medicine very quickly. The doctors aren't bad until you start being an interesting case, I've noticed. Once they realized what a psychological goldmine Eva and I are, they started cashing in.


Drugs didn't kill you, did they? Do you think they'll kill your friend?

They didn't kill me because I stopped using them. They won't kill him if he stops, but...I don't know if he will. I can't really think of any reason why he should. he's still sixteen. More than a year left until he's technically free. That's weird, isn't it? He lives on his own, by himself, with no one helping him stay alive except his smack dealers, and he's still not free. Not legally, anyway.

But anyway. I'm alive because I'm not on drugs. Why would I give the doctors a chance to change that?

Do the doctors mess with Eva, too?

[Haphazard]

Jason went on on a quest with the Argonauts, his men, to bring the Golden Fleece to his city, Iolchus, and reclaim the throne in his father's name. He was the hero. I was the woman. So I did the dirty work.

Are you the one who takes care of Kathrine?

No, it's just that Mom and Dad are never home, so we're mostly just there alone. I still have three more years of school left until college, and I don't even know if I'm going after that.

Oh yeah, like I haven't heard --

wait a minute...

When did you say you were from again?

[Danger Jane]

They didn't kill me because I stopped using them. They won't kill him if he stops, but...I don't know if he will. I can't really think of any reason why he should. he's still sixteen. More than a year left until he's technically free. That's weird, isn't it? He lives on his own, by himself, with no one helping him stay alive except his smack dealers, and he's still not free. Not legally, anyway.

But anyway. I'm alive because I'm not on drugs. Why would I give the doctors a chance to change that?

Do the doctors mess with Eva, too?

They mess with her but not as much because she's relatively normal. Mild/moderate OCD, like worse than normal people but mild enough to not interfere too badly, and synesthesia are pretty much it with her. They can't tell if she's OCD because she's OCD or if she's OCD because of so many years of anticipating my compulsions.

Well, maybe the doctors wouldn't give you drugs. Maybe they'd tell you you need certain vitamins, or something. We have to take a lot of vitamins and capsules and stuff for our hormones.

What will happen to him when he's free? Can you rescue him before that?

[Shady Lane]

They mess with her but not as much because she's relatively normal. Mild/moderate OCD, like worse than normal people but mild enough to not interfere too badly, and synesthesia are pretty much it with her. They can't tell if she's OCD because she's OCD or if she's OCD because of so many years of anticipating my compulsions.

Well, maybe the doctors wouldn't give you drugs. Maybe they'd tell you you need certain vitamins, or something. We have to take a lot of vitamins and capsules and stuff for our hormones.

What will happen to him when he's free? Can you rescue him before that?

No, I can't.

Once he's free? He won't be a ward of the state anymore, so he can stop running from police cars. Though if he's not clean, I don't expect emancipation's going to change his life all that badly.

Are you OCD too? If you don't mind my asking...

[Danger Jane]

No, it's just that Mom and Dad are never home, so we're mostly just there alone. I still have three more years of school left until college, and I don't even know if I'm going after that.

Oh yeah, like I haven't heard --

wait a minute...

When did you say you were from again?

You thought maybe three thousand years ago?


So people now would know me. It seems I'll never escape it.

Why aren't your parents ever home?

[Haphazard]

You thought maybe three thousand years ago?


So people now would know me. It seems I'll never escape it.

Why aren't your parents ever home?

It's just that... I think that incident was famous... if it happened... I don't know. I don't remember. I didn't pay much attention in my literature classes.

My parents work. Like everyone else's parents. And, like everyone else's parents, they work a lot. I should get a job, but I don't think I could hold one down.

Wait, so what does 'golden fleece' do, exactly?

[Danger Jane]

No, I can't.

Once he's free? He won't be a ward of the state anymore, so he can stop running from police cars. Though if he's not clean, I don't expect emancipation's going to change his life all that badly.

Are you OCD too? If you don't mind my asking...

Mega OCD. It's okay. It's mostly the least of my worries. It's just sometimes these pictures pop in my head like when I want to sleep, and it'll be like some slimy rotting corpse that isn't even a real species--

It's fucking scary.

Or I'll be trying to sleep and I'll hear one of Eva's friends yelling at me, and I know it's not real--nothing is--and I just tell them to shut the fuck up. Sometimes it works.

I hope your friend gets clean. I don't know anybody with a problem like that, but then I guess I live in a town with three health food stores. We have other problems, you know? Spoilder ones. Do you think you'd ever do that stuff again?

[eyeblink]

What does dziekuje, pani Medea mean?


Did you expect it to be finished when you left for your vacation?

It means "Thank you, Medea". "Pani" is a word used to address females - it's "Pan" for males.

I know I don't sound Polish - I was born there but my parents moved to England when I was a very little girl. I sound London, even though I've got a Polish name. Quite proud of it really. Now Poland's in the European Union, there are more of us around in England than ever before.

No, I didn't expect it to be finished. When I fall in love, I really FALL. I get hurt then I get up. Then I fall again.

[Danger Jane]

It's just that... I think that incident was famous... if it happened... I don't know. I don't remember. I didn't pay much attention in my literature classes.

My parents work. Like everyone else's parents. And, like everyone else's parents, they work a lot. I should get a job, but I don't think I could hold one down.

Wait, so what does 'golden fleece' do, exactly?

It doesn't do anything. Jason's uncle usurped the throne and when Jason wanted it back, Pelias--his uncle--sent him on a quest he thought would kill him. Unfortunately for Pelias, I had magic. No one counted on that.

My parents didn't work. My father was king. My mother--well, she was rather absent.

Why couldn't you hold down a job?

[Haphazard]

It doesn't do anything. Jason's uncle usurped the throne and when Jason wanted it back, Pelias--his uncle--sent him on a quest he thought would kill him. Unfortunately for Pelias, I had magic. No one counted on that.

My parents didn't work. My father was king. My mother--well, she was rather absent.

Why couldn't you hold down a job?

Well, that's kind of dumb, going on a quest for something that doesn't do anything.

I'm a goldfish. That's what I mean. I can't pay attention long enough for them to yell at me for doing something wrong. It's like that at school, too.

King? Does that make you royalty?

[Danger Jane]

It means "Thank you, Medea". "Pani" is a word used to address females - it's "Pan" for males.

I know I don't sound Polish - I was born there but my parents moved to England when I was a very little girl. I sound London, even though I've got a Polish name. Quite proud of it really. Now Poland's in the European Union, there are more of us around in England than ever before.

No, I didn't expect it to be finished. When I fall in love, I really FALL. I get hurt then I get up. Then I fall again.

I am exactly that way. Except I don't really get up. I never really got up. I just crawled like a coward or a snake for years and years and years. I must still be crawling, and he's dead. Everything from then is dead.

Is it hard to be foreign there? It was hard to be in Greece. We seem to have a lot in common. Do you think so?

[Danger Jane]

Well, that's kind of dumb, going on a quest for something that doesn't do anything.

I'm a goldfish. That's what I mean. I can't pay attention long enough for them to yell at me for doing something wrong. It's like that at school, too.

King? Does that make you royalty?

You might say I'm excommunicated royalty. Which is what happens when you kill your brother, the heir to the throne.

The fleece let him become king. It was worth it to him and his men. And he was worth it to me.

Maybe you could do a job you're good at. What are you good at?

[Haphazard]

You might say I'm excommunicated royalty. Which is what happens when you kill your brother, the heir to the throne.

The fleece let him become king. It was worth it to him and his men. And he was worth it to me.

Maybe you could do a job you're good at. What are you good at?

What am I good at? Well... what am I good at... what am I good at...

I don't really have anything I'm good at. Except for maybe that I'm lucky, and even now I'm starting to doubt that. *shrug* I'm really not good at anything.

[Danger Jane]

What am I good at? Well... what am I good at... what am I good at...

I don't really have anything I'm good at. Except for maybe that I'm lucky, and even now I'm starting to doubt that. *shrug* I'm really not good at anything.

Well, you're only seventeen. When I was seventeen, the most significant thing I did was chase boys. At least you take care of your sister...that's a bit more respectable, I'd say.

Is that a job?

[Haphazard]

Well, you're only seventeen. When I was seventeen, the most significant thing I did was chase boys. At least you take care of your sister...that's a bit more respectable, I'd say.

Is that a job?

I don't get paid for it, do I?

I guess what I could do is put my winnings in the bank, but where's the fun in that?

[Danger Jane]

I don't get paid for it, do I?

I guess what I could do is put my winnings in the bank, but where's the fun in that?

Do you gamble?

Put it into the stock market. There's where your luck helps.

[Haphazard]

Do you gamble?

Put it into the stock market. There's where your luck helps.

Yeah, I gamble... like, a lot. Most people are willing to bet if they think they'll win, I've noticed. It's kind of incredible. I should go to a casino or something. You think I look twenty-one?

Stock market... maybe sometime. If I find myself with enough cash for stocks. It'd be an upgrade to something more legal.

[Danger Jane]

Yeah, I gamble... like, a lot. Most people are willing to bet if they think they'll win, I've noticed. It's kind of incredible. I should go to a casino or something. You think I look twenty-one?

Stock market... maybe sometime. If I find myself with enough cash for stocks. It'd be an upgrade to something more legal.

You look twenty-one enough for bars, don't you?

Why are you so lucky?

[Shady Lane]

Mega OCD. It's okay. It's mostly the least of my worries. It's just sometimes these pictures pop in my head like when I want to sleep, and it'll be like some slimy rotting corpse that isn't even a real species--

It's fucking scary.

Or I'll be trying to sleep and I'll hear one of Eva's friends yelling at me, and I know it's not real--nothing is--and I just tell them to shut the fuck up. Sometimes it works.

I hope your friend gets clean. I don't know anybody with a problem like that, but then I guess I live in a town with three health food stores. We have other problems, you know? Spoilder ones. Do you think you'd ever do that stuff again?

No. And if I do, I don't expect to do anything else afterwards.

I guess maybe I could be convinced. If stuff got bad enough again. If...he really needed someone to be with him.

That sound really scary. I'm sorry. We had a girl living with us for awhile who'd just come from her real home, this really really nasty situation, and she was just really messed up. You couldn't even touch or, or she'd scream. I hope you're not as messed up as she is. Or I hope that, if you were, you're getting better. She was doing a little better by the time she left us. Still wouldn't talk, but she hugged me goodbye.

Spoilder?

[Danger Jane]

No. And if I do, I don't expect to do anything else afterwards.

I guess maybe I could be convinced. If stuff got bad enough again. If...he really needed someone to be with him.

That sound really scary. I'm sorry. We had a girl living with us for awhile who'd just come from her real home, this really really nasty situation, and she was just really messed up. You couldn't even touch or, or she'd scream. I hope you're not as messed up as she is. Or I hope that, if you were, you're getting better. She was doing a little better by the time she left us. Still wouldn't talk, but she hugged me goodbye.

Spoilder?

More spoiled? We're just a bunch of spoiled brats. Our problems don't really matter and they certainly won't leave us on the streets. It's all just whining.

I think that sometimes. But I know my problems matter. At least to me they do.

I'm not as messed up as that girl. I might have been a while ago, but I don't really remember. I hope she doesn't really remember when she gets better because it'd be worse if I did. Being on the streets would have made me worse. But my family was okay.

Are you an orphan? Is that an okay question?

[Shady Lane]

More spoiled? We're just a bunch of spoiled brats. Our problems don't really matter and they certainly won't leave us on the streets. It's all just whining.

I think that sometimes. But I know my problems matter. At least to me they do.

I'm not as messed up as that girl. I might have been a while ago, but I don't really remember. I hope she doesn't really remember when she gets better because it'd be worse if I did. Being on the streets would have made me worse. But my family was okay.

Are you an orphan? Is that an okay question?

Ha, yeah, it's an okay question. A bunch of us aren't. I'm pretty sure I am? But there's no way to know for sure. I assume my parents are dead, but, I mean...they could have been really awful and I was taken away really quickly, or my mom might have dropped me off at the firehouse, or my parents might have, I don't know, lost me in Times Square or something when I was a year old. I really don't know, but I choose to think they're dead just becuase it's easier. It's possible that the orphanage knows, but I don't get to find that out until I'm eighteen.

Wherever they are, I have new parents now. So. I'm Permanent now.

I sort of know what you mean about the spoilder thing, then, becuase I go to prep school where, you know, we wear uniforms and learn about being conscious citizens and all that, so yeah, it makes sense. I see girls crying about their unproblems. But they don't sound like you. I don't think you're like that. You don't look like them, at least. They all look the same. Those messy blonde buns, sparkly lip gloss, you know? Those girls scare me. I like girls who wear hoodies.

Megan--that's the girl, Megan--was never on the streets. She was just small and messed up. She was eight when we had her. I think that was last year. But time sort of all blurs together. You know?

How long have you been messed up?

[Haphazard]

You look twenty-one enough for bars, don't you?

Why are you so lucky?

Yeah, but this place is really lax. The casinos are a bit stricter, because, you know, more government regulation and stuff because of all the cash flow.

I dunno why I'm so lucky. I guess it just happens, you know? Maybe I was born that way. But if my luck's running out now, well, I didn't get that much. Maybe I used it up too much at the beginning. That wouldn't be fair...

[Danger Jane]

Ha, yeah, it's an okay question. A bunch of us aren't. I'm pretty sure I am? But there's no way to know for sure. I assume my parents are dead, but, I mean...they could have been really awful and I was taken away really quickly, or my mom might have dropped me off at the firehouse, or my parents might have, I don't know, lost me in Times Square or something when I was a year old. I really don't know, but I choose to think they're dead just becuase it's easier. It's possible that the orphanage knows, but I don't get to find that out until I'm eighteen.

Wherever they are, I have new parents now. So. I'm Permanent now.

I sort of know what you mean about the spoilder thing, then, becuase I go to prep school where, you know, we wear uniforms and learn about being conscious citizens and all that, so yeah, it makes sense. I see girls crying about their unproblems. But they don't sound like you. I don't think you're like that. You don't look like them, at least. They all look the same. Those messy blonde buns, sparkly lip gloss, you know? Those girls scare me. I like girls who wear hoodies.

Megan--that's the girl, Megan--was never on the streets. She was just small and messed up. She was eight when we had her. I think that was last year. But time sort of all blurs together. You know?

How long have you been messed up?


I've been messed up five years. Since I was twelve. I guess I'm not quite like the girls with the unproblems. Eva's not either. Lots of our friends are, but we don't hold it against them. It's the worst they know, right? They can't really imagine how it feels to have real problems. Not real. Big. Bigger. I don't know.

Our friend Jess is like that, I guess. She isn't shallow really and she's not stupid, but she sure doesn't let on to that easily...I know she's smarter and better than she acts because I don't bother her. I bother some of Eva's friends. They act like I'm autistic or something.

I guess it must be easier to think of your parents as dead. Do you think you'll try to find out when you can?

[Danger Jane]

Yeah, but this place is really lax. The casinos are a bit stricter, because, you know, more government regulation and stuff because of all the cash flow.

I dunno why I'm so lucky. I guess it just happens, you know? Maybe I was born that way. But if my luck's running out now, well, I didn't get that much. Maybe I used it up too much at the beginning. That wouldn't be fair...


What makes you think your luck is running out? Are bad things happening to you?

[Shady Lane]

I've been messed up five years. Since I was twelve. I guess I'm not quite like the girls with the unproblems. Eva's not either. Lots of our friends are, but we don't hold it against them. It's the worst they know, right? They can't really imagine how it feels to have real problems. Not real. Big. Bigger. I don't know.

Our friend Jess is like that, I guess. She isn't shallow really and she's not stupid, but she sure doesn't let on to that easily...I know she's smarter and better than she acts because I don't bother her. I bother some of Eva's friends. They act like I'm autistic or something.

I guess it must be easier to think of your parents as dead. Do you think you'll try to find out when you can?

Maybe. I don't know. I don't really care. It's not as if they raised me. The closest I ever had to a parent is...that friend that I mentioned. We really raised each other. And the foster parents, and Meredith and Sol, of course.

I'm okay. I don't need them, really.

Since you were twelve? Man, that's a long time. I was still very innocent when I was twelve. Still a little kid, in a lot of ways. But my friend, he was twelve when he ran away from his foster home...he's been on the streets since then, except when I could convince my foster parents to let him stay with us. But they were such jerks that living there really wasn't much better than being...out here. **shrugs**

Do you and Eva mostly have the same friends?

[Haphazard]

What makes you think your luck is running out? Are bad things happening to you?

Yeah... yeah, they are. I guess. But I'm still winning bets... does that make me still lucky?

[Danger Jane]

Yeah... yeah, they are. I guess. But I'm still winning bets... does that make me still lucky?

I suppose...what kinds of bad things?

[Haphazard]

I suppose...what kinds of bad things?

I don't know if it's just my imagination or not... but if it is, then that would be bad luck too...

I don't know if I should tell anyone, but I think I'm being watched. You ever get that feeling...?

[Danger Jane]

Maybe. I don't know. I don't really care. It's not as if they raised me. The closest I ever had to a parent is...that friend that I mentioned. We really raised each other. And the foster parents, and Meredith and Sol, of course.

I'm okay. I don't need them, really.

Since you were twelve? Man, that's a long time. I was still very innocent when I was twelve. Still a little kid, in a lot of ways. But my friend, he was twelve when he ran away from his foster home...he's been on the streets since then, except when I could convince my foster parents to let him stay with us. But they were such jerks that living there really wasn't much better than being...out here. **shrugs**

Do you and Eva mostly have the same friends?

Yea. We have all the same friends. Except this guy who just moved here and I think he's really cute but Eva doesn't really seem interested....she just hangs out with Jess all the time. Eva doesn't pay attention to boys. She says she's too busy but I dunno about that. I think she'd make time if she wanted.

Do you need anybody else? You seem pretty self sufficient, at least from what you've told me. Maybe it's just a front.

[Shady Lane]

Yea. We have all the same friends. Except this guy who just moved here and I think he's really cute but Eva doesn't really seem interested....she just hangs out with Jess all the time. Eva doesn't pay attention to boys. She says she's too busy but I dunno about that. I think she'd make time if she wanted.

Do you need anybody else? You seem pretty self sufficient, at least from what you've told me. Maybe it's just a front.

Ha. **small smile**

No, I mostly just hang out with my parents and my foster siblings. Stay home and watch a lot of movies. Like, I'm not a freak...I have friends I eat lunch with, and everything. They're just...not really friends. I don't know most of their last names.

There's this one girl I think is cute. No one talks to her 'cause she's a teenage mom. So they basically just talk about her. But I think she seems nice. But I don't know how to make her notice me.

Does this guy notice you?

[Danger Jane]

I don't know if it's just my imagination or not... but if it is, then that would be bad luck too...

I don't know if I should tell anyone, but I think I'm being watched. You ever get that feeling...?

The gods are always watching. Or they could be at any moment. So I am used to it.


Why would you be being watched?

[Haphazard]

The gods are always watching. Or they could be at any moment. So I am used to it.


Why would you be being watched?

Not God... or gods... or whatever. Like other people. People who want to know about what you do, for some reason. I don't know why I'd be important enough to be watched, but it's everywhere now. God, this sounds so paranoid, doesn't it?

[Danger Jane]

Ha. **small smile**

No, I mostly just hang out with my parents and my foster siblings. Stay home and watch a lot of movies. Like, I'm not a freak...I have friends I eat lunch with, and everything. They're just...not really friends. I don't know most of their last names.

There's this one girl I think is cute. No one talks to her 'cause she's a teenage mom. So they basically just talk about her. But I think she seems nice. But I don't know how to make her notice me.

Does this guy notice you?

Yea. He talks to me more than other girls, even though I don't talk much back...I don't really talk to anybody. I don't know why I am to you. I think he might ask me out. Eva says she'll cover for me. Mom doesn't want me dating. She thinks it would be traumatic.

Just be nice to her and she'll notice you. Give her special attention. Not too much, until you can tell if she likes you too.

I read a lot of magazines.

Would you date her even though she's a teenage mom?

[Danger Jane]

Not God... or gods... or whatever. Like other people. People who want to know about what you do, for some reason. I don't know why I'd be important enough to be watched, but it's everywhere now. God, this sounds so paranoid, doesn't it?

Oh, I don't know...people are paying you extra mind? Be careful, is my advice. I wish I could go back a few decades and tell myself that.

[Shady Lane]

Yea. He talks to me more than other girls, even though I don't talk much back...I don't really talk to anybody. I don't know why I am to you. I think he might ask me out. Eva says she'll cover for me. Mom doesn't want me dating. She thinks it would be traumatic.

Just be nice to her and she'll notice you. Give her special attention. Not too much, until you can tell if she likes you too.

I read a lot of magazines.

Would you date her even though she's a teenage mom?

Oh yeah sure. I'm good with kids, you know?

That's funny about your mom, 'cause Meredith's always telling me I should get out more and find a girl, but I want a girl like someone from the old movies, you know? A girl with a perm and a hat who tilts her head to the side when she talks, who waves goodbye to trains and wears a lot of gray, you know? Or even if it's not really gray, it looks gray because that's how those movies are.

I feel like this girl could be like that. Her baby could come, too.

I'm kind of shy is the problem, and we don't have any classes together, so what excuse should I have to talk to her? She probably wouldn't like me coming up to her and tell her I think she's interesting 'cause she has a daughter any more than I'd like people telling me I'm interesting 'cause I was a foster and a smack addict, you know?

Eva doesn't think you should date, either?

[Haphazard]

Oh, I don't know...people are paying you extra mind? Be careful, is my advice. I wish I could go back a few decades and tell myself that.

It's kind of starting to freak me out. Okay, it is starting to freak me out. I don't do too much they could want me for, right? I think they put a tracking device on my neck. I don't know why, but they said if I tried to take it out, it'd probably kill me.

I don't know whether I should go to the FBI or a psychotherapist...

[Danger Jane]

Oh yeah sure. I'm good with kids, you know?

That's funny about your mom, 'cause Meredith's always telling me I should get out more and find a girl, but I want a girl like someone from the old movies, you know? A girl with a perm and a hat who tilts her head to the side when she talks, who waves goodbye to trains and wears a lot of gray, you know? Or even if it's not really gray, it looks gray because that's how those movies are.

I feel like this girl could be like that. Her baby could come, too.

I'm kind of shy is the problem, and we don't have any classes together, so what excuse should I have to talk to her? She probably wouldn't like me coming up to her and tell her I think she's interesting 'cause she has a daughter any more than I'd like people telling me I'm interesting 'cause I was a foster and a smack addict, you know?

Eva doesn't think you should date, either?

Eva doesn't care, I guess. She doesn't care about dating much but she said she'd cover for me...so it must be okay.

It sounds like you are a gentleman. I think you should go for that girl. If she doesn't like you, she isn't worth it, because you're a gentleman. I know what you mean about the movie.

This guy isn't a black and white movie guy. He's hunky. He's tall and blond and muscley and surfs. We met him at the surf shop at the beach one day at work. That's where we work. We work the same shifts, usually.

Excuses...I'm not sure. I guess you could use a pickup line, but those are usually cheesy...maybe you could just say hi? Have you ever talked to her before? You're pretty cute, I'm sure she wouldn't mind the attention.

[Danger Jane]

It's kind of starting to freak me out. Okay, it is starting to freak me out. I don't do too much they could want me for, right? I think they put a tracking device on my neck. I don't know why, but they said if I tried to take it out, it'd probably kill me.

I don't know whether I should go to the FBI or a psychotherapist...


Can you see something in your neck?

I think you should go to the FBI, more likely....

[Haphazard]

Can you see something in your neck?

I think you should go to the FBI, more likely....

Do you see anything? *lifts up scarf a little*

I guess it doesn't matter, you know, because if I go to one and they turn out to be the wrong one, they'll send me to the other by force. But I don't really want to do either. I just want it to stop...

[Shady Lane]

Eva doesn't care, I guess. She doesn't care about dating much but she said she'd cover for me...so it must be okay.

It sounds like you are a gentleman. I think you should go for that girl. If she doesn't like you, she isn't worth it, because you're a gentleman. I know what you mean about the movie.

This guy isn't a black and white movie guy. He's hunky. He's tall and blond and muscley and surfs. We met him at the surf shop at the beach one day at work. That's where we work. We work the same shifts, usually.

Excuses...I'm not sure. I guess you could use a pickup line, but those are usually cheesy...maybe you could just say hi? Have you ever talked to her before? You're pretty cute, I'm sure she wouldn't mind the attention.

Ha, thanks. I have a funny nose...I'm definitely not the blond hunky type. **shrugs** I'm the old movie type. I'm kinda dusty, I guess.

I've never talked to her, no. I don't really talk to people. I don't even really talk to my school friends. We just stick together at lunch and in the courtyard and stuff so we don't have to be alone. Then everyday after school, I walk home alone, crash on the couch. That's about as much as I can stand. I don't know how I expect to date anyone when I can barely muster up the energy to get dressed. Meredith keeps talking about putting caffeine in my lemonade.

But...do you want to date him?

[Danger Jane]

Do you see anything? *lifts up scarf a little*

I guess it doesn't matter, you know, because if I go to one and they turn out to be the wrong one, they'll send me to the other by force. But I don't really want to do either. I just want it to stop...

Maybe you have to be proactive. I don't know--maybe a little bulge? Is that why you're wearing the scarf?

Being proactive is the only way to achieve anything. Even if all you want is peace and quiet.

[Danger Jane]

Ha, thanks. I have a funny nose...I'm definitely not the blond hunky type. **shrugs** I'm the old movie type. I'm kinda dusty, I guess.

I've never talked to her, no. I don't really talk to people. I don't even really talk to my school friends. We just stick together at lunch and in the courtyard and stuff so we don't have to be alone. Then everyday after school, I walk home alone, crash on the couch. That's about as much as I can stand. I don't know how I expect to date anyone when I can barely muster up the energy to get dressed. Meredith keeps talking about putting caffeine in my lemonade.

But...do you want to date him?

I want to date him. He makes me fluttery. Nobody in real life has ever done that to me.

Do you know her name or anything? Would she know yours? I think you should just say hello to her. Bring her a lemonade or something. If she asks why tell her you think she's pretty and looked thirsty.

Dusty, sure, but good. I don't know what I look like. What do I look like?

[Shady Lane]

I want to date him. He makes me fluttery. Nobody in real life has ever done that to me.

Do you know her name or anything? Would she know yours? I think you should just say hello to her. Bring her a lemonade or something. If she asks why tell her you think she's pretty and looked thirsty.

Dusty, sure, but good. I don't know what I look like. What do I look like?

Tall. I don't mean that you're freakishly tall or anything. You just...give off this air of being tall. You have pretty hands. You look like you could wear tons of heavy rings and still have very delicate looking hands. *holds out his hands** I have delicate hands, too. Not as precious on a guy.

If you want to date him, isn't it a bad thing that Eva wants to cover for you?

**smiles** That's a really, really good idea about the lemonade. I love that.

Her name's Tina.

I doubt she'd know mine.

Which is Siam, by the way. Spelled like King of Siam, but pronounced like sham. Like...fake.

[Haphazard]

Maybe you have to be proactive. I don't know--maybe a little bulge? Is that why you're wearing the scarf?

Being proactive is the only way to achieve anything. Even if all you want is peace and quiet.

It was black... I don't know... maybe it's not even there. *rubs neck* Gah. I should go see someone. I bet the school has a hotline for stuff like this. They've got to.

Yeah, it's why I'm wearing it. I mean, God, why would I wear it otherwise? It's so damn hot! Seriously.

Proactive? How proactive have you been?

[Danger Jane]

Tall. I don't mean that you're freakishly tall or anything. You just...give off this air of being tall. You have pretty hands. You look like you could wear tons of heavy rings and still have very delicate looking hands. *holds out his hands** I have delicate hands, too. Not as precious on a guy.

If you want to date him, isn't it a bad thing that Eva wants to cover for you?

**smiles** That's a really, really good idea about the lemonade. I love that.

Her name's Tina.

I doubt she'd know mine.

Which is Siam, by the way. Spelled like King of Siam, but pronounced like sham. Like...fake.

Oh no it's not bad. I mean she'll make up a story about me and her going to Jess's or someone's and she'll disappear for a few hours then come get me, so Mom will never know.

Siam is a cool name. Are you a sham? You seem very genuine to me. I never met anybody so genuine I think, except Eva of course, but that's different. I hope Erick is like that. That's the guy's name. Erick.

Those are nice things you said. I don't think your hands look too delicate. They look just right. I mean you don't look too delicate. You just don't look like a big tough guy. You look like a guy who would date a teenage mom and not think twice about it. You look like a sweet guy is what I mean. Even if Tina doesn't know your name yet, she will soon. I hope the lemonade trick works. *smile* You should read more girl magazines.

Geez. Half an hour talking to you and I feel closer to the world than I have in five years of therapy. Do people do this often with you?

[Danger Jane]

It was black... I don't know... maybe it's not even there. *rubs neck* Gah. I should go see someone. I bet the school has a hotline for stuff like this. They've got to.

Yeah, it's why I'm wearing it. I mean, God, why would I wear it otherwise? It's so damn hot! Seriously.

Proactive? How proactive have you been?

I've been overly proactive. I've done whatever I've had to for my goals...a lot of killing. All for nothing. I won't kill anymore, but I must defend my peace.


Go to your doctor and tell them your neck hurts and you need an X-ray.

[Shady Lane]

Oh no it's not bad. I mean she'll make up a story about me and her going to Jess's or someone's and she'll disappear for a few hours then come get me, so Mom will never know.

Siam is a cool name. Are you a sham? You seem very genuine to me. I never met anybody so genuine I think, except Eva of course, but that's different. I hope Erick is like that. That's the guy's name. Erick.

Those are nice things you said. I don't think your hands look too delicate. They look just right. I mean you don't look too delicate. You just don't look like a big tough guy. You look like a guy who would date a teenage mom and not think twice about it. You look like a sweet guy is what I mean. Even if Tina doesn't know your name yet, she will soon. I hope the lemonade trick works. *smile* You should read more girl magazines.

Geez. Half an hour talking to you and I feel closer to the world than I have in five years of therapy. Do people do this often with you?

I'm not a sham, no. **shakes his head a little**

And thank you.

No, people don't talk to me very much. **shrugs** I guess I'm hard to distinguish. Whenever I'm out of the house, I'm in my school uniform. Surrounded by hundreds of other people in the same uniform. I blend right in. Though...my uniform's about three sizes too big, so I always look a little different, I suppose. **small smile**

But I like talking to people. Especially when the conversations go well, like, this, and I feel like they should be written down.

I should read girl magazines. I've been reading a lot of Agatha Christie lately. Figures. Old-timey stuff.

I misunderstood about Eva. I thought you meant she'd make an excuse to him, tell him you had some sort of contact dermatitis. You know. Make him back off. I wonder if Tina has friends that will want me to back off. I won't believe them if they tell me she has contact dermatitis. She has pretty skin. You do, too.

I'm glad you feel like you can talk to me. It...feels good to be useful, you know? **shrugs**

[Haphazard]

I've been overly proactive. I've done whatever I've had to for my goals...a lot of killing. All for nothing. I won't kill anymore, but I must defend my peace.


Go to your doctor and tell them your neck hurts and you need an X-ray.

I can't I don't have any insurance. I do know a veterinarian, though... maybe she can help?

Killing? Umm. Hmm.

[Danger Jane]

I'm not a sham, no. **shakes his head a little**

And thank you.

No, people don't talk to me very much. **shrugs** I guess I'm hard to distinguish. Whenever I'm out of the house, I'm in my school uniform. Surrounded by hundreds of other people in the same uniform. I blend right in. Though...my uniform's about three sizes too big, so I always look a little different, I suppose. **small smile**

But I like talking to people. Especially when the conversations go well, like, this, and I feel like they should be written down.

I should read girl magazines. I've been reading a lot of Agatha Christie lately. Figures. Old-timey stuff.

I misunderstood about Eva. I thought you meant she'd make an excuse to him, tell him you had some sort of contact dermatitis. You know. Make him back off. I wonder if Tina has friends that will want me to back off. I won't believe them if they tell me she has contact dermatitis. She has pretty skin. You do, too.

I'm glad you feel like you can talk to me. It...feels good to be useful, you know? **shrugs**

I guess it does, you're right. I haven't felt useful in such a long time...I used to be, like when I was a little kid. I don't think I'm that girl at all anymore. Not a single bit. I don't know where she went.

You really like old stuff, don't you? Stating the obvious. Sorry. It just works for you. You seem sort of vintage.

I like talking to you a lot. I haven't felt so normal in a long time. This whole time I haven't had a single bad thought. I have tons of bad thoughts. All the time.

I hope I have pretty skin. I wash my face about ten times a day. It's not like I need to--Eva never gets zits and she only washes hers morning and night. I wish I could do that but it feels so so so bad.

If you like talking to people, you ought to be just fine with Tina. As long as you can get her talking. And...if you got me talking, you should be able to get her, too. Do you think she was always quiet, or just because of the baby? And I don't think people would tell you to back off if they were her friends...they'd want her to be happy.

[Danger Jane]

I can't I don't have any insurance. I do know a veterinarian, though... maybe she can help?

Killing? Umm. Hmm.

Maybe go there...then they can see that there's something in you. And no one will think you're crazy.

The killing is over now. It's long over. It will never be again.

[Shady Lane]

I guess it does, you're right. I haven't felt useful in such a long time...I used to be, like when I was a little kid. I don't think I'm that girl at all anymore. Not a single bit. I don't know where she went.

You really like old stuff, don't you? Stating the obvious. Sorry. It just works for you. You seem sort of vintage.

I like talking to you a lot. I haven't felt so normal in a long time. This whole time I haven't had a single bad thought. I have tons of bad thoughts. All the time.

I hope I have pretty skin. I wash my face about ten times a day. It's not like I need to--Eva never gets zits and she only washes hers morning and night. I wish I could do that but it feels so so so bad.

If you like talking to people, you ought to be just fine with Tina. As long as you can get her talking. And...if you got me talking, you should be able to get her, too. Do you think she was always quiet, or just because of the baby? And I don't think people would tell you to back off if they were her friends...they'd want her to be happy.

I don't know if she was always quiet. I don't really know much about her, except that she's a junior like me and she has eyes that are black all the way around, so you can't tell pupil from the iris. I like that. And that she has a daughter, but I don't know what her name is. People never talk about that. They just giggle at her for being scandalous or something. I think she was fourteen when her daughter was born, which is not very old, and means she might have gotten pregnant when she was thirteen. Which is sad, but makes me feel a little camaraderie, since thirteen was smack year for me.

Thank you again. I'm glad you're not thinking bad things...

I'm pretty vintage, yeah. I wear a lot of hats. I think that helps?

Can't wear them to school, though. I think school would be a lot better if I could wear my hats. Or if I could do magic and impress people. Somehow I don't think they'd be impressed.

Don't like to be dirty? You look very clean, if that helps. Sometimes when I get really tired I'll just lie around the couch and won't shower for a few days. It's gross, I know.

[eyeblink]

I am exactly that way. Except I don't really get up. I never really got up. I just crawled like a coward or a snake for years and years and years. I must still be crawling, and he's dead. Everything from then is dead.

Is it hard to be foreign there? It was hard to be in Greece. We seem to have a lot in common. Do you think so?

Yeah, we might do. <grins>

It's not easy to seem foreign in London - you get people from all over the world living there. And at least I talk the language like a native. Well, I *am* a native. And you get used to people not being able to spell or pronounce your name.

I've got two passports. I always thought that was pretty cool.

I don't know if I'd feel at home if I lived in Warsaw, even though I was born there and I speak the language. Lovely place to visit though. No, there are lots of things I don't like about London, but I do feel at home there. It's in my blood by now.

I was saying earlier, the hassles I get are things like people who don't believe I'm a lesbian because I don't look butch. And guys who think because I've got fair hair and boobs this size that I've got no intelligence. And clothes and shoes - especially shoes - because I'm tall. You must get that one as well as you're quite tall yourself.

[Danger Jane]

I don't know if she was always quiet. I don't really know much about her, except that she's a junior like me and she has eyes that are black all the way around, so you can't tell pupil from the iris. I like that. And that she has a daughter, but I don't know what her name is. People never talk about that. They just giggle at her for being scandalous or something. I think she was fourteen when her daughter was born, which is not very old, and means she might have gotten pregnant when she was thirteen. Which is sad, but makes me feel a little camaraderie, since thirteen was smack year for me.

Thank you again. I'm glad you're not thinking bad things...

I'm pretty vintage, yeah. I wear a lot of hats. I think that helps?

Can't wear them to school, though. I think school would be a lot better if I could wear my hats. Or if I could do magic and impress people. Somehow I don't think they'd be impressed.

Don't like to be dirty? You look very clean, if that helps. Sometimes when I get really tired I'll just lie around the couch and won't shower for a few days. It's gross, I know.

I feel bad for her because I know how that feels. Because people act like I'm stupid because I don't talk, but I'm not stupid, I just don't talk. It's the worst at parties when normally nice guys get shitfaced and call me retarded.

Hats help. I've never seen a guy who wore real hats except in stupid magazines.

Why can't you do magic in school? Do schools have no-magic policies? That seems awfully specific to me. I bet everyone would like you if you did magic for them. Not that they shouldn't like you anyway.

You must have paid a lot of attention to her if you know her eyes that well. When do you get that close, that you can see that?

[Shady Lane]

I feel bad for her because I know how that feels. Because people act like I'm stupid because I don't talk, but I'm not stupid, I just don't talk. It's the worst at parties when normally nice guys get shitfaced and call me retarded.

Hats help. I've never seen a guy who wore real hats except in stupid magazines.

Why can't you do magic in school? Do schools have no-magic policies? That seems awfully specific to me. I bet everyone would like you if you did magic for them. Not that they shouldn't like you anyway.

You must have paid a lot of attention to her if you know her eyes that well. When do you get that close, that you can see that?

Well...pictures, mostly. In the yearbook. She's on the equestrian team, and there's this one picture of her with her arm around this horse, and she looks so happy...and you can see her eyes.

**smiles** I'm sure I could do magic at school, but...**tilts his head to the side** People would probably call me retarded, wouldn't they?

Yeah, I wear a lot of...what are they called? Newsboy caps? I think that's it. Flat with a little bit of a brim? They make my nose look less funny.

I'm sorry people do that to you. If you want? You don't have to talk. We can just be. Here. **shrugs a little**

I won't think you're weird.

[Danger Jane]

Yeah, we might do. <grins>

It's not easy to seem foreign in London - you get people from all over the world living there. And at least I talk the language like a native. Well, I *am* a native. And you get used to people not being able to spell or pronounce your name.

I've got two passports. I always thought that was pretty cool.

I don't know if I'd feel at home if I lived in Warsaw, even though I was born there and I speak the language. Lovely place to visit though. No, there are lots of things I don't like about London, but I do feel at home there. It's in my blood by now.

I was saying earlier, the hassles I get are things like people who don't believe I'm a lesbian because I don't look butch. And guys who think because I've got fair hair and boobs this size that I've got no intelligence. And clothes and shoes - especially shoes - because I'm tall. You must get that one as well as you're quite tall yourself.

I suppose I might. I haven't been here long, though, and I hardly know what I'm doing here...it's a strange story, but I don't know the details either so I can't really tell it. Here I am.

I didn't feel at home anywhere for many years. When I did at last it was a place where no one else lived. Lonely. But no cities would have me. It was my own doing.

It's pretty clear you have intelligence. People really hassle you like that? No one understands anything. I am only hassled legitimately. I deserve it, I did it to myself, you understand.

[Danger Jane]

Well...pictures, mostly. In the yearbook. She's on the equestrian team, and there's this one picture of her with her arm around this horse, and she looks so happy...and you can see her eyes.

**smiles** I'm sure I could do magic at school, but...**tilts his head to the side** People would probably call me retarded, wouldn't they?

Yeah, I wear a lot of...what are they called? Newsboy caps? I think that's it. Flat with a little bit of a brim? They make my nose look less funny.

I'm sorry people do that to you. If you want? You don't have to talk. We can just be. Here. **shrugs a little**

I won't think you're weird.

I'm fine talking. Or not talking. I've never just hung out with someone on my own like this. Eva's always there. I'm in the background. I only really talk much with Jess, cos we've known her so long.

I don't think your nose looks funny. It has character.

I guess people would say you were retarded. But maybe some of them would actually think it was cool, and be friends with you...but if you're happy without that, who cares? Do you do your magic for the other foster kids? I bet they'd like that.

Hm. I bet Tina would like it. If she wasn't talking enough over lemonade, you could always try a magic trick. *smiles, then bites lip*

[karo.ambrose]

No one's going to talk to me, so I'll just sit here by myself. Honestly, I really don't even care.

Blah blah blah blah. That's all I hear.

I am just blah blah blah blah. I am never going to amount to anything.

Screw it. You guys just laugh at me when I'm not around anyway. Don't deny it. I see the way you look at me.

Party crasher. Sorry. That's me. Like I said, ignore me.

[Shady Lane]

I'm fine talking. Or not talking. I've never just hung out with someone on my own like this. Eva's always there. I'm in the background. I only really talk much with Jess, cos we've known her so long.

I don't think your nose looks funny. It has character.

I guess people would say you were retarded. But maybe some of them would actually think it was cool, and be friends with you...but if you're happy without that, who cares? Do you do your magic for the other foster kids? I bet they'd like that.

Hm. I bet Tina would like it. If she wasn't talking enough over lemonade, you could always try a magic trick. *smiles, then bites lip*

Or I could make the lemonade appear as if from nowhere!

Yeah, I do magic for the foster sibs all the time. And my friend and I were basically celebrities whenever we were at the orphanage. Most of the sibs I have now weren't around then, though....they're all so young. And a lot of them are so green--taken right out of their bad homes and placed with us. Which is fine, except it means they're really skittish and they don't understand how the whole foster thing works. The worst is when they ask if we're going to send them away. Because they don't understand that...that's just how it works. It's sad.

Where's Eva now? Is she okay with you being alone? Does she worry?

[Danger Jane]

Or I could make the lemonade appear as if from nowhere!

Yeah, I do magic for the foster sibs all the time. And my friend and I were basically celebrities whenever we were at the orphanage. Most of the sibs I have now weren't around then, though....they're all so young. And a lot of them are so green--taken right out of their bad homes and placed with us. Which is fine, except it means they're really skittish and they don't understand how the whole foster thing works. The worst is when they ask if we're going to send them away. Because they don't understand that...that's just how it works. It's sad.

Where's Eva now? Is she okay with you being alone? Does she worry?

She's seeing a movie with Jess. I didn't want to see it so they just told me not to get in trouble. And I'm not getting in trouble. So we're all set.

Why do kids get sent away? Why can't they stay in one home if it works? I mean, don't they just put another kid in their place? That is sad. It's really sad.

Between magic and lemonade, I think you're 100% ready to ask this girl out. Or at least talk to her. It's perfect *smiles*