( ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ )

[mantlepieces]

[ It's dark -- mostly because it's late, but there aren't an excess of lights on, either -- though Reggie's face is faintly illuminated by the light of his communicator screen and also something off-screen that might be a TV or bedside light. Either way, he's recognizable enough, and though he's smirking faintly his expression is otherwise somewhat blank.

He's been staying out of most of the current drama as best as any survival-oriented, cowardly narcissist can, which is pretty damn well. All things considered. Basically he hasn't been leaving the house if he can avoid it, for which has his reasons. ]

So, all right. Hear me out. Anyone else ever noticed how once you're here, you have to just start believin' in everything? Like that any kinda crap is possible and you just gotta get used to it... after a while you don't even have to think about it anymore. [ Which is, you know, nice. In his opinion. ] Nice thing about that is not having to worry so much about whatever happens, I think. No matter how bad things have gotten here, it's never been the end of the world.

... Well, not yet. [ And his brow crinkles at that, but only briefly. ] Kinda makes you think, huh? Like what's the best way to take advantage of being stuck in some world that actually takes okay care of us? Don't even bother arguing with me about that part, it's true and everyone oughta know it. We get a lot of free, fake time to kill being here, so I say it should be obvious: we can do whatever we can't do back where we came from. Anyway, what I actually wanna know is--

Anyone here made a bucket list yet?

Comments

[mantlepieces]

no its more like "I dont feel like going out and hanging out with drunk old freaks in smalltown nowhere, south florida"

[heavyhitter]

i GUESS i could take a raincheck if u think u couldnt do it

[mantlepieces]

look Im just getting to the point

we could just hook up without making it all complicated

[heavyhitter]

yeah ur making a real convincing case for it

[mantlepieces]

yeah well, likewise

video

[heavyhitter]

[ yeah okay she does probably have to get off her ass and actually do something here. so there's a brief pause in the texting while she relocates to somewhere a little less flashy and dark and awful, refreshes her lipstick, and picks a good angle/good lighting. it's a nice thing this club has such a fancy looking lounge/bathroom for a backdrop. she's talking as soon as the video suddenly clicks on. ]

See, you say that, but I'm the one trying to make shit interesting, here. I could hook up with anyone, and you weren't completely ugly, so you've probably got a few choices too. We gotta stand out a little, you know?

video

[mantlepieces]

[ Okay, now that's better. Reggie reaches over to turn on his light so he, too, isn't shrouded in a dark room, but also so he doesn't have to squint at his own screen. ]

I guess it helps, but why would you want to hook up with anyone? [ He tosses his hand in the air dismissively. ] We can still make it plenty interesting.

[heavyhitter]

Eh. [ She shrugs. ] I mean, can you blame me for needing some convincing? I guess everyone looks boring next to Vegas.

[mantlepieces]

Yeah, I can. [ He gestures to himself appreciatively. ] Your loss if you ain't got taste. Vegas is in a desert.

[heavyhitter]

You sound like you've never been to Vegas.

[mantlepieces]

What would I do in Vegas? I'm not eighteen until July.

[heavyhitter]

Well, step one, you get the right kind of ID. [ said with a smile that suggests she has, in fact, that kind of ID ]

[mantlepieces]

That would come in handy. Maybe not for Vegas, but anywhere else.

[heavyhitter]

Lucky you then, I've got helpful friends.

[mantlepieces]

I knew there was something about you that seemed likeable.

[heavyhitter]

Don't worry, I think you'll find I'm all-around super likeable.

[mantlepieces]

I don't commit to agreement before results. But there's definitely hope.

[heavyhitter]

Who's asking for commitment? I'm just telling you what to expect.

[mantlepieces]

That's another point in your favor. Good job.

[heavyhitter]

Are we keeping count? How many have I got so far?

[mantlepieces]

I don't know, like three?