[ 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

[paintjobs]

Just like it sounds. Rumor has it that imPorts don't stay dead. There are one or two out there to give you a firsthand account, if you're interested.

[kingpawn]

So we have a new, immortality as long as we're here? To go along with these powers of ours?

[ So....Walt doesn't have to worry about dying. But at the same time, he can't kill someone. He's not sure how to feel about this. ]

[paintjobs]

No one's been around long enough to test it against old age, but seemingly yes. Convenient, isn't it?

[kingpawn]

[ There's a long pause. Not very convenient. At all. His glass drops at some point, a clattering noise in the background. ]

What about diseases? Terminal diseases?

[paintjobs]

Not something I have much experience with, as far as humans go, so I couldn't tell you. Though it seems reasonable that if you were to die of a terminal illness, the Porter would see you right back in again. Who knows in what state, though. Charming thought, isn't it?

[kingpawn]

Would a side-effect just happen with the disease? Or is that a common occurrence for any and all deaths?

[ Walt knows this guy claimed it was a rumor, but rumors come with their fair share of secret truths, right? He wants to know everything he possibly can. ]

[paintjobs]

You're sounding a little bit invested. Came in with something nasty, did you?

[kingpawn]

Answer my question.

[paintjobs]

Afraid I can't. I'm not really an expert in imPort death -- I doubt there are too many people who are. No one you'd want to talk to, anyway.

[kingpawn]

[ Walt sighs. Well that's a dead end. ]

I see.

[ He pauses and then confesses: ]

I have...had? have lung cancer. It seems to be in a state of remission right now, but there's no telling if it will come back eventually. And if it does, I really don't want to keep dying over and over again because this world refuses to let me stay dead.

[paintjobs]

[ he makes a dismissive noise, which probably goes with a careless wave of one hand ]

Cancer, that's just mutated cells. A little bioengineering and you'd have nothing to complain about, I'm sure.

[kingpawn]

I'm looking into it, yes. And I'm not really complaining, so much as wondering what it is that awaits me.

[ And being disappointed to find it isn't death. Thanks for that!! ]

[paintjobs]

There you go. Another reason to be pleased you've shown up here, you'll find all kinds of medical advances. We're not all from such unenlightened backgrounds.

[kingpawn]

You're just full of optimism, aren't you?

[paintjobs]

Well someone has to be, you're clearly not here to be the life of any parties.

[kingpawn]

Get me a few more bottles of wine, and you might be surprised.

[paintjobs]

And maybe some pants on you, while we're dreaming big.

[kingpawn]

At least I kept on the underwear. You all should be grateful for that.

[ Geesh. Everyone keeps ragging on his choice of pantslessness. ]

[paintjobs]

Oh, now, I'm sure there's someone out there that might have enjoyed the show.

[kingpawn]

[ Be that as it may.... ]

There are children on the network.

[ His voice is full of disgust because obviously drinking alcohol in his underwear is G-rated material, but take off the underwear and everything changes. ]

[paintjobs]

That was an observation, not a suggestion.

[kingpawn]

Observation or not, I still have enough sense to keep my clothes on. Because of the children.

Honestly -- children fighting crime. Is that what this world is resorting to?

[paintjobs]

[ sort of a verbal shrug here ]

No one is forcing them to.

[kingpawn]

They're children. They're going to make stupid decisions without proper guidance.

[paintjobs]

Oh, sure, probably. That's what youth tends to be about.