video | 005

[magnets]

Sunuva- bitch.

[ The camera goes all screwy as Jesse pushes himself up, sits back on his knees and sweeps his hands off on each other. He doesn't seem to notice the camera's even on as he paws at himself and finally stands, swearing a few times under his breath as he does. Idly beats some gravel off his jeans. He sounds dumbfounded when he finally speaks again. ] I'm back here.

[ And the camera turns with him, a few confused steps before he throws his arms out to both sides, an irritated kind of shrug. ] I'm back- here. [ And his hand raises again, so he can first tap a finger against the screen, and then slap an angry palm against it a few times. He repeats, ] Sunuvabitch.

[ Then he finally fiddles with the buttons, intending to turn on the communicator, but, ] oh, [ it's already on. ] Ya wanna clue me in here? [ He glances around the area. ] Yo, anyone still out there?

Comments

( audio )

[rigging]

You motherfucker. [ Look, he's not really mad, he's more relieved, but HE THOUGHT YOU WERE GONE. ] Yeah, still here, we're still here.

( audio )

[magnets]

Yeah, wow, hello to you too. [ It takes a beat for him to recognize - it's been a while - and then, ] Finch?

[ He sounds belatedly relieved by the fact. ] You're still stickin' around.

[rigging]

Yeah, well, not all of us get t'go on vacation. [ This time it's more grumpy sounding than anything. He doesn't mean it. ] Thought you was gonna be gone like the rest of 'em, you asshole.

[magnets]

Vacation. [ And he laughs hollowly; there's a mighty sniff as he grabs at his nose and pinches hard. ] Yeah, that's where I been. Motherfuckin' vacation.

Why're you pissed at me? Ain't my fault if they chuck me back home, like, take away? Like, my remembering this place at all? Chuck me back here again like it's a joke? Ain't my fault. [ A beat, and then, ] Why? What? How long was I out for?

[ Months, he's figuring. That's what it's been. Months. ]

[rigging]

I ain't pissed at you and I ain't saying it's yer fault, get off your soapbox, Pinkman. [ Jesse protests, pissy. Because it's not, and Jesse knows! He sighs. ] Two days. Not long. But enough. You don't come back in a day and usually you don't at all.

[magnets]

Two days? How's that even- [ No. No way, he's done questioning this place. He's been through too much shit to think too hard about this bullshit. ]

Ya sure now? Cuz ya still sound pretty cranky over there. [ He pauses again, and then, ] Yo, two days. You're sweatin' me over two days?

[ He doesn't really get it yet. Not used to people being worried about him anymore. ]

Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Somehow, I doubt you want to hear 'welcome back.'

Re: Video

[magnets]

[ Jesse sighs, sniffs and rubs at his nose a few times before he answers. ]

Worse places I could be, I guess. Still here, huh?

Re: Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Sure, there're worse places, but I'd prefer not to imagine them. Yeah, we're all still here.

[gleans]

Pinkman? You okay?

Re: Video

[magnets]

[ He just arguably came from one. He's imagining it. ] Everything still workin' the same? No food, no nothin'?

( casually privates )

[rigging]

[ Excuse you. ] What, there a time limit for this sorta thing? [ He is cranky, jeeze. ] You was gone long enough for me t'wonder if the fuckin' scientists got hold of you.

[ Look, he'll even private it. ] You're my friend, Pinkman, fuck me for worrying.

[magnets]

Yeah. Yeah, stellar. [ Just listen to all that sarcasm. ] They leave me faceplanted in the damn dirt and I feel like I got punched in the face.

[magnets]

Two days is, like, a bender. I could'a just been passed out on the beach for a day for alls you know. [ He wipes a hand over his mouth, thinking it over. ] You know what? I been gone 'round four months, way I see it, so for all I know, they got their like pervy-ass grabby hands all over me. So thanks. For bringin' that up.

[ He feels sick to his stomach, shaky and wrong. The guys upstairs definitely did something, and he looks uncomfortable just thinking about it. ]

Look, I'm back, right? So just like- Y'know, cool it.

[gleans]

Awesome. [ Yeah, that's a cringe. ] You need, like. Painkillers? Do you remember where you were?

[magnets]

No. [ Initially, and then after a beat while he rubs at his forehead. ] Got anything good?

Oh, yeah, it's- [ And he collapses down in a seat, statue clearly visible behind him. ] Fountain.

[gleans]

Does pretty well on a hangover, that's all I got.

Uh -- okay. [ It's not a big deal, he can go to Jesse; he did technically take that semi-medic job from Bruce. ] I mean before they dropped you on your face. You were gone for a few days, dude.

[rigging]

[ He's been gone four months. That hits Jesse a little hard, because he knows how much can happen in four months. And he has a hard time admitting it out loud, but Pinkman's the closest thing to a good friend he's got in this place. Pinkman gets him a little better than most. And if there's one thing Jesse can't stand more than anything, it's people refusing to let him care.

Deep breath. Stop being angry. When Jesse came back, Pinkman helped him. Jesse swallows his anger the best he can. ]

Where are you now? You alright?

[magnets]

What, like, aspirin? [ He stops himself from making a face, but the camera goes haywire again as he pats at his jacket and - yeah, it's there. ] Never mind. I got it.

Oh. [ And the camera's back on him as he looks around like he has to check the vicinity. ] Yeah, I- [ as he pinches the bridge of his nose, ] -remember. Jesse told me. Like, other Jesse. Went home for a while, I guess.

[magnets]

I'm-

[ He jerks at his jacket as he starts walking, and then finally says in a voice like he doesn't even believe it, ] -fine.

[ He starts off a few more steps before he stops with a sigh. ] Look, I'm goin' to my house, cuz if I've only been gone a couple'a days, that guy stayin' there with me's makin' a mess in there, and I gotta, [ Yeah, that sentence trails off quick as he pats at his jacket with a free hand and screws up his face. Four months, and being back here feels like a bad dream just like everything else; it's still not settling in right. ]

Why, you comin'?

[gleans]

You sure? [ Meth isn't a painkiller, Jesse. He's skeptical. ]

You too, huh? That's happening a lot lately. Disorienting as fuck.

[rigging]

[ Yeah, Jesse doesn't believe that either. It just makes him even more worried. ]

Yeah, I'm coming. [ Jesse tells him firmly, already pulling a jacket on. ] You got someone staying there, now? [ A beat. ] If there's a mess, I got it. I'll meet you there, yeah? [ Not like he's giving Pinkman much of a choice, to be honest. ]

[magnets]

It's- [ And he waits a moment, rubbing the heel of his hand into his eye now, thoughtfully. ] Look, I ain't gonna stop ya if ya wanna bring somethin' over. Could use all the help I can get.

Yeah? Lots'a people? [ Wonder what they're trying to pull. ] Didn't even sign up for this shit.

[magnets]

Yeah, man, some- detective guy, if he's still there. He's like kickin' in my walls and drinkin' all my shit. [ The booze he stole from the bar in the first place, but whatever. It's his. Still. ]

[ He nods a few times. ] Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ya ain't cleanin' up after me, though. [ Not that it's up after him. Whatever. ] See ya. [ And he clicks off the communicator. ]

→ action

[rigging]

[ Hey, whatever you take back to the house counts as yours, in Jesse's opinion. But whatever, he's on his way, he's got a bottle of booze (for emergencies) and it won't take long for him to get there.

When he does, he knocks on the door. It's only a little aggressive. ]