Video

[john_morris]

[The video opens on a man's bearded face frowning and obviously touching the screen. He mutters to himself at first.]

Is it... working? Just.. that... Ah!

[He pokes it one last time with his right hand then leans back, now just staring at the screen for a while.]

Hello? Is this... Can this be heard? They said I could be heard and seen through this small contraption. Is there anybody ...?

[He pauses, a little wide-eyed and takes a breath, muttering again.]

Ridiculous, truly... I... Maybe....

[Another pause and he side-eyes the device.]

On the off-chance that this is working as I was told...

Hello. My name is John Morris.

I do hope that I am not merely speaking to myself and the very vacant air around me like a fool... but I am told this will reach all the people that also have this ... rather magical communication box.

I have need of some assistance. You see... my hand...

[He raises up his left hand.]

I cannot let it touch anything or else something very strange happens. Like so...

[A glance around and he picks up a spoon. The silver utensil begins to visibly change to gold as he holds it in view. He lets the spoon fall again, looking distressed.]

I do not know what to do about this!

[He leans in again, poking at the screen.]

Do I... Hello? How does one hear a reply...?

Comments

Video

[john_morris]

[He leans back as if that face was way too close.]

Uh. I beg your pardon, Miss?

[madlove]

The spoon. LOOK AT THE SPOON!

Is that real?

Oh. Hi. I’m Harley. That’s a pretty spoon.

Are you headed to a costume party, cowboy?

[john_morris]

Did you see what happened? I touched it and it turned golden. It's like witchcraft!

... And no, why would I be going to a party?

[madlove]

Definitely witches. Find them and burn them at the stake. Good plan. Need help?

Just, you know, your look.

[john_morris]

This is my usual attire.

And there will be no burning of witches... That was a very barbaric practice in a time long ago. Now, we are more enlightened.

[Yet, he's still over a century and a half behind most people here.]

[madlove]

Enlightened is just another way of saying "we think we're better than people used to be". You get that, right?

[john_morris]

You don't believe in progress, Miss Harley?

[madlove]

I believe that people are inherently flawed and don't like to admit it.

[john_morris]

Many are. Well, most all are and yes, I am certain many would not wish to admit to their own faults. Perhaps they do not even see them.

It is a rare wisdom to completely know oneself.

[madlove]

Are you a shrink?

[john_morris]

What is a... shrink?

[Not a term he's familiar with.]

[madlove]

[ Oh, she could just eat him up. Adorable. Although something's just occurred to her. ]

Hey. What year do you think is?

[john_morris]

I have been told this is the future.

The year I last knew was 1851.

[So there are many, many everyday things or commonly known words that are very new or haven't even been invented yet. He's not a naive man and is very well educated and up to date in his own time but of course so much is strange and futuristic to him here.]

[madlove]

Oh that’s fantastic.



Do you have a horse?

[john_morris]

I did have a horse. I don't here as yet.

[madlove]

Can I ride it when you get one? I can trade you elephant rides for pony rides.

[john_morris]

I do not know where to purchase a horse around here...

You have an elephant?

[madlove]

My best guess is the horse store.

Of course! Got her from the elephant store. [ AKA the zoo. ]

[john_morris]

There is a store for individual animals to be purchased?

[For all he knows that is a thing in the future times.]

[madlove]

[ Of course not. But that's not how she's going to answer. ]

Sure. You go to a thing called a Farmer's Market. Horses for sale everywhere.

[john_morris]

I shall keep your advice in mind. Thank you, Miss Harley.