Rat | 001 | Video | Day 68

[bluesrat]

[It's pretty clear from the video that the device has been turned on by accident, since the first view is partly up someone's nose. It's not a small nose, but a squinting blue eye quickly replaces it as the central focus, before the video pulls out to show the whole, narrow, lined face. The owner of the face mutters, half to himself, but clearly audible over the sounds of the water on the shore nearby.]

Hunh. It didn't do that before.

[There's another startling moment of video while he taps the screen with one calloused finger.]

Calling Dick Tracy? I don't know where Cape Kore is or how I got here, but I'm pretty sure you don't want me. If anyone's listening, I'd be glad for directions to the train station, and I'll just be on my way.

Comments

[Video]

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar would be more interested in fresh meat if he were still a Leviathan. The newcomer is in luck.]

From several people who were here before me. And of course, there are the cameras. Have you seen them yet?

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

[He looks thoughtful, and even glances around, although he appears to be on the waterfront somewhere.]

I think I may have. They looked different from anything I've ever seen, but I couldn't figure out what else they could be.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

You may as well come into town. It's safer. You won't be able to walk out of here, either. And for the love of mercy, don't try to swim.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

I looked around a little, and no, Bessie would never survive that.

[He gives a weak little smile and pats something offscreen that gives a little hollow sound, like a big suitcase or box.]

[Video]

[tryingitall]

Well, we've had a few disappearances, and--

Wait, what? Bessie? [After seeing one arrival show up with a cat, he's half expecting some sort of pet in a carrier, with a sound like that.]

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

[He looks sheepish.]

...My guitar. Sorry.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

You're a musician? Excellent! We need some non-lethal forms of entertainment here.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

...I'm afraid to ask.

Think if I play music it'll discourage the more dangerous distractions?

[Video]

[tryingitall]

[He'd drop a Thunderdome reference now, but he's pretty sure this guy wouldn't get it. Instead, he gets a topic change.]

There are some...odd quirks to the place. And like I said, we've had some disappearances. Tell me more about where you come from?

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

[Can't we just get beyond the Thunderdome?]

I'm sorry to hear it. Uh, I dunno, I'm from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Nowhere special.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

[All right, I asked for that.]

You know, I'm getting to the point where I don't believe it when people tell me 'nothing special' or 'nowhere special'. Are you a professional musician?

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

[He laughs a little, but he really did mean it.]

That depends on your definition, but I used to be in a band, yeah. It wasn't my day job, but I did make money doing it.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

Sounds special to me. [There's a flicker of genuine warmth, and then he's back to the more playful attitude.]

Do you write your own music, then? You ought to hang around the bar when you feel like playing.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

I... used to.

[He smiles back, because this guy seems all right.]

If I find my way to the bar, I'll do that. Maybe I'll pick up some spare change...

[Video]

[tryingitall]

You can try. I'm not sure spare change matters much around here, actually. I know no one's asked me to pay for anything yet.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

I'd say that sounds fantastic, but I'm getting the impression you don't mean it that way. There doesn't seem to be much around here.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

I suppose it's a bit inconvenient. On the one hand, there's so much extra housing you've bound to find a place. On the other hand, there's a food shortage so some of us may end up at one anothers' throats yet. Or maybe we'll work it all out somehow, hell if I know.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

That... could be a step up in the world.

[He smiles weakly. Rat knows how to go hungry, and how to sleep in doorways. He'll manage.]

[Video]

[tryingitall]

[Geez. He recognized the look of a man down on his luck, but that's...more down than he expected.]

I'm sorry to hear that. Look...if you can't find housing, at least, let me know and I'll do what I can for you. I'm Balthazar.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

[Well, he's never had to fight people for a last scrap of food, so he may be exaggerating a little.]

Thanks, but I'll be okay. I'm Markus Rathbone. My friends call me Rat.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

Rat, hmm? You'll have to come up with your own nickname for me, I'm afraid.

And I won't press, but keep it in mind. We all need to hang together in this place.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

Do you want one? It's a dangerous thing to ask for.

And thanks, I will! I can use all the friends I can get.

[Video]

[tryingitall]

Perhaps, but you'd better get to know me first.

Re: [Video]

[bluesrat]

Is that a warning?

[Video]

[tryingitall]

What? Oh, no, just a suggestion. I'm difficult to classify on just one meeting.