[ 01 ] Video; Possible Action for housemates?

[kingpawn]

[ The video starts rolling well before Walter's prepared to sit down and talk. What the viewer gets is about twenty minutes of a frail and sickly thin, older white man in his tighty whities, staring blankly into the screen. A bottle of wine is in one hand, continuously pouring the contents into a glass as he drinks them down only to refill it again. It's the alcoholic channel, with a few fascinatingly thoughtful jaw clenches and an unwavering staring competition with the lens. Finally, he clears his throat and speaks up. ]

So this is supposed to connect me to others 'like me?' These so-called imPorts...

[ He studies his empty glass, turning it in his hands. ]

There's one question that never got answered, and maybe you can give me some insight? Clue me in a little because I sure saw a lot of fire and brimstone a few days ago...

[ He looks up, dead eyes focusing on the screen. ]

Is this supposed to be hell?

Comments

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[kingpawn]

Well, it certainly isn't heaven. But you sound certain -- like you speak from experience.

[ Can't rule anything out. Anything's possible, Walt has found. ]

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[sunasuna]

Hardly. [Sure, there were the different levels of 'hell' in Impel Down, but they never affected him like they did with the other prisoners.] But if this was hell, I don't think you'd have as much time to make an idiot out of yourself.

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[kingpawn]

[ Walt might have taken that as an insult, but at the moment he's too drunk to care. ]

That all depends. This could be someone's hell.

[ Surely he's scarred a few with his state of undress. ]

It could even be my own when I sober up.

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[sunasuna]

If that's the case, this hell is rather lacklustre, don't you think?

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[kingpawn]

This could just be a warm up. The real hell could still be yet to come.

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[sunasuna]

Mm. And what would you expect the real hell to be like, then?

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[kingpawn]

Hell. Real hell isn't so much about physical torture and pain. Real hell is mental suffering, facing all of the things you've done wrong and knowing there is no way to undo them.

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[sunasuna]

Then this doesn't need to really be hell. Anyone so interested in self-flagellation and dwelling on the past can make any place their own hell. In the end, the location doesn't matter. [Remorseless jackass, over here.]

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[kingpawn]

I suppose that's true. Hell is within, carried to whatever fancy setting you happen to visit -- even if it's a world with superheroes and bizarre powers.

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[sunasuna]

See? You're catching on already.

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[kingpawn]

[ slightly sarcastic: ]

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

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[sunasuna]

Apparently.

At least now you can freely wallow in the hell you brought with you, without worrying about whether or not it's real. [lol.] Enjoy your stay.

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[kingpawn]

Yeah. Thanks. I'm sure you'll play your part in making me feel welcome there.