001 ♦ Jesse Finch ♦ Audio

[rigging]

So I've got three guesses as to what this is right now. [ The voice that comes through the communicator is quiet and calm. The undertone to this voice, however, is not at all -- there's a hint of panic and a whole lot of anger underneath. ] One, I traveled back in time to land in some Twilight Zone-Silent Hill bullshit. Two, I've finally cracked and I've gone insane, which, y'know, could be worse, my brain coulda put me in somewhere much more terrifying than a room with a camera -- or three, I'm dreaming. [ Which is what he's afraid of. There's a beat, and then the sound of a lighter being flicked on, a cigarette being lit. ]

Watch, m'just talking to myself. I don't even know if anybody's out there. [ It's been an hour and he hasn't seen anybody yet, after all, though to be fair he hasn't gone very far. He's waiting. Come get him, nightmare. He's not scared of you. ]

Comments

[rigging]

Y'know, the fact that my conscience is apparently a money-grabbing chick says something about me. [ He actually sounds amused. At first, and then -- well slightly relieved, next: ] ... Actually, that's better. I'd rather have the effed up science experiment mystery tour.

So what kind of science? Frankenstein's monster science? Or Weird Science? [ Surprise! He's not brain-melted! Just really fucking weird. ]

[onteamdyson]

I believe the term you're looking for is resourceful.. [Haha, what? He's seriously okay with the experiment explanation?] Dude. I am officially worried about you.

It's more like... benign science that is so subtle we're not even sure if it's actually science.

[rigging]

[ Well, he's not okay with it, he's just not taking it seriously. Silly Jesse. ] Uh huh. See, now I know you ain't actually my conscience, 'cause I sure s'fuck wouldn't be worried about a science project after the last few months.

You gonna tell me who you really are, sweetheart, or do I gotta guess? 'Cause my first guess is Rumpelstiltskin.

[onteamdyson]

That is a shitty guess and you should be ashamed of yourself.

[She switches to video, smiling ever so sweetly.] The name's Kenzi. What's yours?

[rigging]

Worth a shot. [ OH HEY pretty lady is pretty, Jesse would switch if he... knew how. Give him a second while he fiddles with -- there we go. Have a video back. ]

Jesse. It's a damn pleasure, m'lady. [ Snark snark snark. ] So d'you Jiminy Cricket everybody, or s'that just me that's special?

[onteamdyson]

[Oh hey, there's video and-- OH MY FUCKING GOD ANOTHER ONE. Play it cooooool. Wait a second--]

... Jesse, huh?

[That... hmmm. What-- maybe... oh holy shit. Excuse her eyes going just a little bit wide.]

Just you, babycakes. The most special. So special, in fact, that I'm going to give you about a billion warnings for free. First off, be careful who you show your face to right away, you get me? Just trust me on this one.

[rigging]

[ That gets an eyebrow raise. ] Sounds more like a threat t'me, but. Yeah, alright, probably a good idea. Wait, why? I mean, I know m'handsome, but that usually ain't a problem for me, necessarily.

[onteamdyson]

Not a threat! Noooot even close. [She holds up a hand defensively. Ugh. Those idiots are probably going to see it anyway. This shit is public. Dammit. She shifts uncomfortably, thinking pretty hard about this.]

... You're not-- ... acquainted with any totally adorkable rock stars, are you? Need to make sure before I risk anything for your handsome face.

[rigging]

[ A beat. ] -- Wait, are you talking about Galen? How the fuck d'you know -- [ His expression sours, half pissed, half nervous. We're gonna just pretend this happened before he talked to Galen, lalala. ] Galen is here?

You got about three seconds to explain yourself, miss, or I'm hanging up.

[onteamdyson]

Three seconds? You can't say anything in three seconds! [You're setting her up for a loss already. But check how fast she can talk.] Yes. He's here. And there's a bunch of other stuff-- maybe he should just explain it, because whenever I try to explain this shit, people look like they're about to cry or they try to drown me in the fountain and it's COLD out there. So.

... Yeah. Talk to him. And just watch your back! [Damn. No. Wait.] Not from me! I didn't mean it like-- ... [Siiiiiiiiiigh] If I was threatening you, you'd know it.

[rigging]

[ Wow, that's pretty fast. Jesse doesn't hang up, just listens -- and at the end, he raises an eyebrow and snorts in amusement. ] I'll watch out for the kitten claws, then. [ No, he knows better. He won't underestimate her, or anybody here. ]

Rather would hear it from you, to be honest. Ain't exactly on -- speaking terms with everybody's favorite rockstar. [ Which is your fault entirely, Jesse. ]

[onteamdyson]

[Not on speaking terms? THE HELL DOES HE MEAN NOT ON SPEAKING TERMS? Galen was all OMG JESSE OMG when he showed up-- okay, not really. Just... he mentioned him. A few times.

Kenzi suddenly looks really defeated. A little deflated. Serious case of the sads up in here.]

Can you at least stare at him in a meaningful but possibly reluctant way from a distance? I'm your conscience, remember? You should talk to him.

[rigging]

[ Jesse sort of just looks confused, at this point. Are Kenzi and Galen friends? What did he tell her? ] Uh. Not sure that's a good idea, babydoll. Do me a favor and stay away from his Kool-Aid. It sounds like a good idea at first but it ain't, trust me. [ The scientist thing seems too involved for a nightmare, but... considering the circumstances, it's the first conclusion he's attaching to. ]

[onteamdyson]

[Woah, what? Stay away? ... yeah, that's not happening. She's got more reasons to trust Galen than this guy at this point, but now she's a little wary of both of them.]

He's my roomie. [And bff in no time flat, but that tidbit sticks with her. Totes watching closely for his reaction.]

[rigging]

[ Oh, Jesse, you're making quite the first impression of yourself. He frowns, and is quiet for a long moment. ] ... How long have y'known him?

[onteamdyson]

A week.

[Not long, she knows, but they clicked. Good vibes. Tentative trust. Okay, maybe she's getting a bit sloppy with her survival skills lately, but he seemed like a good kid! He needed someone.]

[rigging]

[ She's right on that point; Galen needs people. So does Jesse, but we don't talk about that, he's totally fine on his own, duh. He rubs at the back of his neck. ] And he's slept normal the whole week? No trying to escape t'nap somewhere all day?

[PRIVATE FOREVER until we say otherwise]

[onteamdyson]

[Okay, this is getting fucking weeeeeird. She switches the feed to private, because this is NOT anyone's business, and frowns at Jesse.]

I don't watch him every second, dude, I'm not his freakin' babysitter. But yeah, he's normal, I guess. What's normal? He's not napping when we're hanging out and we do that relatively often so... gonna go with no. [A beat.] Why?

[and then jesse goes HOLY HELL YOU CAN PRIVATE STUFF???]

[rigging]

[ Oh, hey. Private. Jesse nearly slaps his face in frustration. Why didn't he think of that? But Kenzi's answer makes his relax a bit, and he sighs. ] Alright. It's just -- a thing, back home. He got --

[ He squints at Kenzi, like he's trying to look through the communicator into her soul, or something. ] Sick. He was sick, and the sleeping too much was part of it. Just wanna make sure it ain't happening again.

Look, I know you got no reason to trust me or like me but - if you're friends with him, thanks.

[onteamdyson]

[Woah, SICK?! What kind of sick. He was sick?!Her poker face slips completely off and leaves her looking incredibly concerned. He hadn't said anything. Maybe it's a time thing. Maybe he just didn't want her to know. Ooooh sinking feeling, go away.]

... He seems fine. [Seems being the keyword. Gaze suddenly averted.] But what do I know? I've only known him for a week. Maybe you should talk to him and find out for sure.

[rigging]

Yeah. Yeah, I will, I think. Hey. [ The concern on her face is enough for Jesse. ] Hey, babydoll, will y'look at me for a second?

[onteamdyson]

[She does. But not because he called her babydoll! And now she's glaring and trying to look tough.] What?

[rigging]

[ JESSE USED CHARM. IT WASN'T VERY EFFECTIVE... ] Probably made an ass of myself so far, yeah? Sorry. Waking up in the middle of a town I ain't been to is -- actually, not new, but still fuckin' disorienting. So.

[onteamdyson]

[Oh, apologies! Hmmm. Galen likes him. She wants to like him, but now she's not sure. She needs a second opinion. Deep breath. The glare fades into something a little more neutral.]

... I know it's hard. It's totally fucked up. Soooo not your fault, don't stress. [She really doesn't want to say 'you get used to it' ... but he will.] I'll definitely see you around. If you get in a tight spot, you call, okay? I'll probably be there.

[rigging]

[ He settles back against the wall he's been leaning on, nodding. ] Yeah. Yeah, okay, thanks, means a lot t'say that to a stranger. [ He offers a half smile, which is more of a grimace. ] Same goes for you. Y'need help, call me. [ Have a tiny salute. ]