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

[gleans]

[ Galen doesn't let go just yet. He's missed Jesse so much, especially after this bullshit with Ghoul, and even though he's acting weird, he just -- wants him close. Just for a few more seconds. ]

It's called Cape Kore, it's like -- it's a scientific research facility, and time's all fucked up and we have fucking clones, and -- [ Fuck. Galen pulls away so he can just look at Jesse, like he needs to see his face to get Ghoul's out of his head. ] And I don't know how we're gonna get out.

[rigging]

Times all -- clones? [ UhhhhHHH. Jesse frowns deeply, totally confused. He reaches, holds the front of Galen's jacket uncertainly. ] I -- okay, back the fuck up here, explain this t'me like m'five. Slowly.

[gleans]

[ Galen sighs, trying to iron out his nerves, and nudges his glasses up. ] I'm trying to think of like -- a movie, or something, to get this across easier, but -- fuck. Okay. I don't know where we are. There are like thirty of us in this tiny cape town, and nobody's found a way out. There are cameras fucking everywhere, and there are these scientists, and there are two guys here who look exactly like us. [ Following? Sorta? ]

[rigging]

[ ... Sorta. ] And I'm assuming we gotta worry 'bout the guys who look just like us more than the scientists? Judging by what I heard already.

[gleans]

[ Galen's just gonna lean his forehead against Jesse's, here. ] No, I'm pretty sure the scientists are the bigger problem. The guy who looks like you -- I mean, the lookalikes, they're just douchebags. But the scientists are the ones keeping us here.

[rigging]

[ Jesse takes Galen's hands and links their fingers together quietly. It's okay for now, he thinks -- as much as he doesn't think he can trust Galen's word on this, he still wants and needs the touch Galen is giving him. It's reassuring. ]

... Right. So do we see the scientists runnin' round?

[gleans]

[ He can almost feel Jesse's hesitation, and it settles on him uncomfortably. Galen starts chewing at his sore-from-the-cold lips, grips Jesse's fingers tightly. ]

No. Somebody caught one the other day, grilled him for answers, but if they found anything useful, I haven't heard about it. [ A little shiver. ] We should head to the house. [ A beat. ]

... So -- did I disappear, or anything, at home?

[rigging]

Don't. [ Jesse says out of habit, nosing at Galen, nudging him. Stop biting your lips. It's such a familiar action that his chest twists, and he sighs, shoulders slumping. ] No. You were still there. Band's still there, it's still December. [ You're still in the hospital. ]

[gleans]

[ Galen stops, but quickly licks his lips. He's already fucked in the way of chapped lips, but having the reminder again -- god, they weren't even separated long, but he kind of missed it.

[ ... Wait. ]

You -- December? Jess, it's October. [ He glances down at the snow worriedly. ] Or... it was...

[rigging]

It -- [ wat. Jesse blinks, halfway through the motion of covering Galen's mouth with his palm like he always does when Galen licks his already chapped lips. It's like second nature -- but he doesn't get all the way there, just drops his hand to his side and shifts. ]

No, it's... when I left it was December. Mid-December. [ He raises an eyebrow. ] ... What's the last thing you remember doing with me?

[gleans]

[ Galen looks just as confused as Jesse does, reaches for that hand. He tries to think -- what was the last thing they did together? ]

No, it was like -- it was near the end of October. You were gonna meet my dad in a couple days.

[rigging]

[ Jesse lets Galen take his hand, rubbing his thumb along the side absently. ] Wh -- I met him already, though. I met him... in. [ A beat. ] Wait, so y'don't remember any of November? D'you remember getting -- [ He stops. Getting sick. If Galen doesn't remember, Jesse's not going to remind him. ] This don't make any fucking sense.

[gleans]

No, it doesn't -- what do you mean, getting what? [ He looks a little scared. What the fuck happens in November to make Jesse act the way he was acting? ] What happened?

[rigging]

Nothing. [ Jesse says very firmly. He lets go to take Galen's face in his hands. ] Nothing. If you don't remember, it ain't a big deal. You're fine. You're sleeping, right?

[gleans]

[ What, no. Galen's hands come up to wrap around Jesse's wrists. ] Yeah, but -- Jess. The first thing you said to me was about kicking my ass. You don't think I'm gonna want to fucking know?

[rigging]

It's nothing. [ Jesse says sharply. ] Don't ask me again. [ And he never does this, he's pretty open with Galen when Galen wants to know things, but not this. If Jesse can somehow prevent it from happening... ]

[gleans]

[ Hurt and confusion flash across his face, and Galen takes a step back, pulling Jesse's hands down as he does. ] What the fuck, Jesse?

[rigging]

[ Jesse sees that hurt and confusion, and he's split down the middle. Half of him wants to comfort and the other half is screaming that none of this can be trusted. Maybe he should just try to get his bearings first. His shoulders sort of slump, and he brings the heels of his palms to knead at his eyes. ]

I -- sorry. M'sorry, m'freaking out, Galen, it's a fucking lot to take in, alright? [ Deep breath. ] It -- November's a shitty month. I don't wanna talk about it right now, alright, drop it. [ A beat. ] Please.

[gleans]

[ Galen falters. ] Fine. [ For now. Until he's settled. He steps closer again, and just -- kisses Jesse. ] Look -- it's fucking freezing, I'll take you back to the house.

[rigging]

Yeah. Yeah, al -- alright. [ Jesse sighs, but he returns the kiss, soft and tired. He should sleep, but he knows he's not going to be able to, now. ] ... House?

[gleans]

[ Galen takes Jesse's hand and starts leading him out of the cemetery, in the direction of number twenty. ] Yeah, you might've missed it, but the creepy welcome wagon message tells you which house you're in. Not that it matters, cuz you're coming back with me. [ A small smile. ] It's a big house, and the roomies are pretty cool -- especially Kenzi. Pretty sure you're gonna like her a lot.

[rigging]

[ He had missed the number, but it's fine. He'll figure out where he wants to live, the stupid creepy voice isn't the boss of him. He listens quietly as they walk, hand not holding Galen's in his pocket; his grip on Galen's hand is loose, though. ] Wait -- Kenzi? Y'mean conscience girl? She mentioned you.

[gleans]

[ Galen holds a little tighter, as if that'll make up for it. It's also a very quiet 'fuck you' to whatever Jesse's problem is.

[ He laughs a little. ] Conscience girl? Yeah, we're friends.

[rigging]

[ Jesse's expression is a little sour, but he's trying. Let him adjust. ] Yeah. She came on, said she was my conscience and that she was charging for her services. [ But he sounds vaguely amused, so. ] I liked her enough.

[gleans]

[ Pffft. ] Okay, kinda disorienting. She's great, though, and she's been a huge help.