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

[dowhatisays]

Watch it, pal. Any closer and we'd be countin' your nose hairs.

[bluesrat]

...Uhh. Sorry?

You know, I wasn't even really sure there'd be anybody on the other end.

[dowhatisays]

You ain't the only one. Welcome to the fucking future or some shit. So everyones here says.

[bluesrat]

How do you mean the future?

[dowhatisays]

You got a talking watch with moving fucking pictures on it. You wanna a fucking flying car too before you buy it?

[bluesrat]

I'm not even sure I'm not dreaming. Or maybe I've been shivved and I'm bleeding out slowly while hallucinating...

[He sighs.]

Yeah, okay. The Dick Tracy 2-way move watch is pretty weird. What I really want to know is who put it on me while I was sleeping and abducted me to here.

[dowhatisays]

Keep working on finding that out, pal. And if you do works it out let the rest of us knows 'fore they cart you the fuck out of here for their experiments or some shit.

You got a name?

[bluesrat]

I'll... let you know if I come up with any answers.

Markus Rathbone. My friends call me Rat.

[dowhatisays]

[Oh hey, nicknames! Just like home.]

Charlie Luciano. Friends call me Lucky.

[bluesrat]

[Rat is fairly certain they don't move in the same circles, but there's something a little familiar about this guy, anyway. He sounds like a gangster. Rat's met gangsters. He's being cautious.]

Do I get to call you Lucky?

[dowhatisays]

[It would be nice if someone did. Meyer only ever calls him Charlie, he thinks his nickname is dumb. But he's still gonna play it cool for now.]

Depends how much socializing we end up doing, don't it?

[bluesrat]

Sure thing boss.

[He smiles. An old mentor's voice in his head says 'just keep your head down, and play the gig.']

[dowhatisays]

[He likes you already, Rat.]

You a cards man, Rat?

[bluesrat]

[Oh dear lord. As long as Lucky only likes him enough to leave him be, he'll be content.]

If you mean I'm good at 'em? Not really. I'm just in the band. Well. I was.

[dowhatisays]

[But what if he wants to keep him? What then?]

Musician, huh?

[bluesrat]

[Then Rat will be doing a lot of sweating.]

Yeah. Guitar, mostly. The band kind of... fell apart.

[dowhatisays]

This place only got one bar and I don't reckon I've seen them do no live music since I been here. Maybe you oughta convince 'em otherwise. Could mix things up around here.

[bluesrat]

Know anybody else around who can play or sing?

[dowhatisays]

Not that I've seen. But hey, I don't know everyone in this dump.

[bluesrat]

[He gives an amiable nod.]

Maybe if they hear somebody else performing, they'll come out of the woodwork.

[dowhatisays]

Wouldn't hurt none.

[And now a thought...]

You got any smokes on you?

[bluesrat]

Maybe half a pack... nowhere to buy 'em around here?

[dowhatisays]

[NO he can't let him know how valuable cigarettes are around here. At least before he gets one off him. IT'S BEEN DAYS.]

Naw, just left mine at home. You'd be doing me a great favor if I got one off ya.

[bluesrat]

...Is there somewhere to stick it in the watch thing and it comes out the other end?

[Because really, this thing is so bizarre that he's willing to believe it can teleport small objects.]

[dowhatisays]

[Wat]

No. I was more thinking I'd go to wherever it is yous are.