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

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Nobody's quite sure. They're working on figuring it out. The way I see it, it has to be something weird -- anybody tell you we're all from different places and times yet?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

...No.

Although that's not much harder to believe than the 2-way radio movie wristwatch.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Yeah, the radio movie wristwatch thing confused me, too.

What year was it, the last time you checked?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

Forty-nine... is it different for you? And does everybody have one of these watches?

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Yeah, it's twenty-three, for me. And everyone has one, and they're stuck on pretty good, so don't try breaking it.

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

I... wasn't about to, but good to know.

That's... heh. I remember Twenty-three.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Yeah? You've got an advantage on me, then. Who knows where I'll be in forty-nine?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

As long as it's not here, right?

[The wry smile carries in his voice.]

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

You got that right.

So, what's your name?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

Markus Rathbone. Er, just Rat, if you want.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Nice to meet you. Name's Meyer Lansky -- no interesting nicknames, sorry to say.

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

You should probably count yourself lucky for that.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Well, yeah, I guess I'm pretty glad nobody calls me Rat.

[A pause.]

No offense, I mean.

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

[He just laughs.]

None taken. It started out as an insult, but I adopted it.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'd've done the same. Gives people one less insult to use on you.

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

Exactly. Anyway, it's my nickname, now, but you can call me Markus if that's easier.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'll probably switch back and forth between the two. Where're you from?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

Kalamazoo, Michigan. Nowhere glamorous, sorry.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

You could've fooled me -- I've never been to Michigan; if you'd said it was the most exciting city in the US by 1949, I might've fallen for it.

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

Nah, it hasn't changed all that much. I've played gigs down in Chicago, though, when I was younger. And over in Detroit.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Chicago isn't bad.

[It's also not his favorite place, but that's neither here nor there.]

So you're a musician?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

[It's Rat's idea of a big city, anyway. It's more exciting than his hometown.]

I guess I am. I haven't been in a band in a few years, though.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

What do you play?

Re: Voice

[bluesrat]

Mostly guitar, but I can fake it on a few different instruments.

Re: Voice

[recognize_an_opportunity]

You might be able to do that around here -- trade some music for some food, or something.