maskormenace | [02] Video; Backdated to Friday May 1st

Entry tags:

[02] Video; Backdated to Friday May 1st

[ Hey, everyone. It's Walt. You may remember this guy from such videos as drunk posting in his underwear. But in case you don't (and hopefully you don't), Walt is fully clothed this time. He still looks every bit as weary as his video debut, but at least he isn't drunk. That's a plus. ]

I apologize in advance for any inconvenience. It seems as though the Heropa pharmacy was caught up in whatever chaos erupted in the city and suffered some damages. We will be closed until further notice, but I will be doing my best to ensure prescriptions still get out to everyone who used my pharmacy to have them filled. We have a sister pharmacy that has temporarily taken on accounts here in Heropa. Though if it's more convenient for imPorts, I can have things forwarded to the other imPort cities.

Repairs have already begun, so I don't anticipate us being closed for over a couple weeks. If anyone wants to offer their assistance in helping rebuild the damaged sections, it would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, I hope everyone has been well and continues to be well now that the worst of this is all behind us.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Norman rarely forgets a first impression, although he's willing to set them aside when the second impression seems much more interesting. Such as the case may be now. He's willing to listen, at least.

In a measured and calm voice, Norman inquires: ]

And the medications themselves -- is there enough inventory? Supplies?

Most of what was damaged were the over-the-counter products and other medical items in the front half of the pharmacy. The pharmaceuticals we keep in back were fortunately safe.

Small miracles, I suppose.

Hmm. That is lucky. I was going to offer to donate from my own lab if you were facing an immediate deficit. I wondered if your inventory might have been looted.

[ His eyebrow arches mildly, before he smiles. ]

Less of a crisis, on the other hand, which is a relief. Beyond structural repairs, what else needs doing?

That's very kind of you. The lab itself did sustain a bit of damage. It's functional, workable, but I would much rather it be up to a hundred percent before I go back to work in it, you know?

[ But Walt nods. ]

You're right, though. In the grand scheme of things, this isn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

[ He pauses to consider what they need. What couldn't be taken care of by the repair team? ]

I suppose the only things we need in this case are supplies. Bandages, aspirin, birth control, oral hygiene -- those were the sections that suffered the majority of the damage. And a place to refer customers while repairs are underway. Do you currently have a pharmacy of your own?

Completely understandable. Functional or not, improper conditions and equipment need to be considered when concocting something as precise -- and important -- as medication. Dangerous that be disrupted when we have people here with such delicate constitutions.

[ His smile remains, though it's a mild one. ]

I'm not a pharmacist, but I have resources for my own work. I can see what I'm able to do as far as the supplies are concerned.

I greatly appreciate it. At times like these, the real heroes are the imPorts who band together.

[ So cheesy. Walt nearly cringes as he says it. But he manages to sell it with a faint smile -- classically lame chemistry teacher Walt. ]

I hope none of your resources were caught up in the Heropa destruction?

Not at all, thankfully. My lab is located in De Chima, so I prefer relying on more local suppliers. Barring anything that requires importing, of course.

[ He waves his hand nonchalantly. ]

It seems like the least I can do is make good use of those connections at a time like this. We are all in this together, after all.

Indeed. For once, I'm grateful we all happen to be spread out. This whole thing would have been a lot more devastating if it had affected everyone.

It does have its advantages. There's a little something for everyone somewhere, besides.

I'm Norman Osborn, by the way. Chemist, electrical engineer, and businessman. For context, of course. [ Context for why resources and suppliers are necessary, that is. Lest anything seem dubiously legitimate. ] I'd estimate a delivery within a couple of days should be doable.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Norman. I'm Walter White.

[ Oh. Oh! a chemist! A wild chemist appears. Walt just lost Jonathan Crane out of his life so he latches on to the chance to talk chemistry. ]

Really? You're a chemist? I'm one as well. I mean, that was my main thing before I arrived in this world and they made me a pharmacist. It isn't a terrible job, but sometimes I feel as though I'm not being challenged.

Edited (i thought he introduced himself in the post but he didn't. oops!) 2015-05-08 03:56 (UTC)

[ Neeeerd. Nerrrrds.

Norman smirks and inclines his head slightly, as a nod. He continues in a friendly, empathetic tone: ]

No, I understand entirely. They like to do that -- a power play, that's all. I eventually broke away to do more independent research, but they do make you put your time in before you earn that sort of freedom. How patient are you, Mr. White?

[ LET'S BE FRIENDS, NORMAN. ]

It depends on the type of patience. I spent fifty years of my life trying to establish myself in my world. I'm afraid I don't have the patience to put in another fifty if that's what you mean. But if it's a year? Two years? I suppose I could make do with that.

[ As long as he could cook his meth on the side and supplement the shitty income that way. ]

[ YES LET'S, how could they not be. Others will rue the day.

Norman nods again, tenting his fingers together thoughtfully. ]

I wouldn't worry about that. Between us two-- [ Though this conversation is public, which Norman knows. ] I've been here a little longer than a year now, and in the world before this one about five. In that time I've built up businesses, a reputation, a body of work -- take it from me, it's more than possible. Provided you're driven and clever enough.

[ ~~ESPECIALLY CHILTON??~~ ]

So you come from the other world as well? This is the second time I've heard of it.

[ And from such upstanding people like the Penguin, too! ]

I heard you were subjected to an apocalypse. In which case, I'm both glad and impressed by the fact that you survived.

[ Yeah, that's right. Kiss up to the man who can possibly lead to a bigger and better career! A+ move, Walt. ]

Did you have to restart everything you had built for yourself all over again once you arrived in this world?

[ ~~IT IS NOT UNLIKELY.~~ ]

That I do. I won't bore you with the details, of course -- fundamentally, I would call any differences only negligibly important. [ With more of a grin, he adds: ] Surviving is another talent of mine.

[ How vague. And while Norman can imagine what Walt's angle is here -- at least in part -- it suits him fine. He could use competent allies. ]

I have. I've been careful with restarting my business here, focusing mostly on contracts and my own research -- which is why now I have plenty of resources to substantiate immediate business plans.

[ Competent is pretty questionable when it comes to Walt. BUT he believes he is and that's all that counts, right?? ]

Oh, that's excellent to hear. Do you have something in particular that you research or does your business encompass all chemistry-related studies?

[ This is very relevant to his interests. What an interesting guy this Norman Osborn is -- a survivor, a well-adjusted businessman, AND a chemist. It's everything Walt aspires to be, and while it burns him up a little that this man already has it, he knows that Norman can very likely put Walt on the road to his own business, so he can ignore his own jealousy for the time being. ]

Oh, it really depends. My company's focus was always chemical R&D and supply before I expanded it to encompass technology development as well. [ Weapons, etc., got to stay competitive. ] The business focuses on a wide variety of chemical research, I find no reason to limit myself. But as for my own work, my favorite area is biological.

[ He pauses, brief but deliberate. ]

Medical, cosmetic, that sort of thing -- I have my pet projects. Can I assume you're a similar case?

Oh, yes. Absolutely. I believe we're similar in that we both find the most satisfaction in our work.

[ Walt chuckles softly. ]

Yes, I do have a few of my own projects going on. Nothing too big.

[ Just some meth. Cooked up some poisons the other day, too. Replicating Crane's fear toxin. GOOD, normal projects! ]

But as long as I can keep myself busy, that's what's important. It has been driving me crazy to not have the pharmacy up and running.

Satisfaction and passion; I think any successful man needs a healthy mixture of both. I'm glad to hear you agree.

[ More people should agree with Norman, all the time. It's an efficient way to get on his good side, at least. ]

Are you prone to restlessness, Mr. White?

So it would seem.

[ Walt shakes his head. ]

Moreso being here than ever before. I find the distraction of work preferable to actually thinking about what it means to be in this world.

Hm. [ Sympathetically, maybe: ] You sound like someone with a lot to get back to.

[ Walt flinches. He can't even hide it. And then he hesitates before: ]

Actually, no. I have nothing back home. I am one of the few who got a second chance at life in this world.

[ A pause. ]

Late stage lung cancer.

[ And a bullet wound to the side. ]

[ Ah. Norman suppresses any change in expression he may be tempted towards, his face remaining curious and neutral. He nods once, a simple acknowledgement. ]

Then you're one of few capable of understanding the full potential of this world. Only those who have faced loss -- or have been threatened with it -- really do seem to understand opportunity when it's presented, no matter how elaborate or how subtle.

I find it inspiring. Life goes on, and here we are to witness it.

Well, people always talk about some sort of afterlife. I was never one to believe in that sort of thing myself. I think most would be surprised at the shape this afterlife took, however. I mean -- superheroes?

But I guess I can see things from your perspective. It is pretty incredible to see some of these things -- things that should be impossible, but aren't.

Does it frustrate you, though? As a fellow scientist, I mean. We're so used to having a certain understanding about how things work. And yet, this world seems to throw all of that to the wind.

Superheroes are actually fairly commonplace where I come from. Strange maybe, but without resorting to a cliche, I think reality's own capacity for strangeness is often underestimated.

I think of it like this: for every alternate universe, there must be minute variations in matter. A person from your universe could therefore have chemical variances distinct from those of a person from, say, mine; enough that nature, genetics, or science itself could have drastically different affect on one than the other.

[ Norman pauses, tilting his head slightly to one side and glancing upward in vague consideration, before he returns his gaze to Walt and smiles. ]

Of course that's all simply a theory. But it helps to break down our situation less abstractly as much as possible.

[02] Video; Backdated to Friday May 1st

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.

VIDEO.