maskormenace | [03] Video

[ The video feed starts with Walt in a room in his Heropa home, an open box on the bed filled with Kaylee's things -- coveralls neatly folded and tucked inside, wrenches and other tools laid delicately on top...the whole process seems exceedingly painful for him as with each item he pulls out of the closet, the efforts become slow and labored. ]

I don't know who knew Kaylee Frye. If you didn't, you should have. I've never met anyone so genuinely cheerful and kind. She was the sunshine in this dark, cloudy world.

[ There's a very sad, forlorn smile. This feels more like a funeral, like saying goodbye to someone who passed away. And in some cases it's worse -- them vanishing to another universe, never to remember their time here, never to be seen again. ]

She helped me when she didn't have to. She cared when she shouldn't have. She took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. And what did she expect in return? Nothing.

[ With a long pause, it's very clear Walt is trying to maintain his composure. A breath in and a breath out. ]

I hoped I was wrong. I hoped to god I was wrong. That her disappearance was only temporary. But it's been a few weeks, and there's been no sign of her returning. I will miss her. Every day I will miss her. I already do.

This world -- it's done nothing but take things away. From me. From everyone else. Can you honestly say you've gained anything from being here?

[ Walt goes to reach into the closet for one of the final items and his hand twitches back. The sadness in the lines of his face increases as he pulls out a wrapped present -- a card reading: To Mr. White.

That's when Walt can't hold it back anymore. He sits on the edge of the bed, pulls the square-shaped present to his chest and cries. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'd visited a time or two. Not for long and not many places. Our Earth is nothing like this anymore.

What is it like then? If not like this...

We went into space to find resources because we ran out of natural resources. A lot of the water is too polluted to fish in. There are a few places that are no longer inhabitable due to flooding, constant hurricanes, other natural disasters, or they were destroyed during wars. There's also a lot of species of animals that are extinct on my Earth. Bees, dolphin's, and chimps are some of them.

[ That sounds terrible. And way worse than any of the problems Walt had faced. At least his earth was still in tact. ]

I'm sorry to hear that. Out of curiosity, what year is it where you're from? I wonder if it's something that could potentially happen in the future of my own earth.

It's 2514 when I'm from.

Wow. That far into the future? So this world must be strange for you -- stuck five hundred years in the past.

It's definitely been a weird adjustment. Things are very different.

So what has been your least favorite change? And your most favorite?

How far behind everything is here, that's my least favorite. Especially medically wise. My first job here was as an EMT and adjusting to how...backwards things were was hard. [ Which is sad because this place has some pretty advanced things compared to some worlds. ] My favorite change is that things still exist on this Earth. They haven't exhausted their resources and caused mass extinctions yet. It's a beautiful place. And this world isn't completely doomed yet, that's nice too.

I can only imagine what your medical technology must be like if this is behind. When I first arrived, I had some medical problems that needed taken care of. I was amazed at the advances of this world compared to my own. And my own is only a few years behind this version of Earth, technically.

But perhaps you can bring your knowledge to the table? You know, I've heard a lot about a man named Tony Stark who makes state of the art technology. It would be worth it to pitch some of the things you had in your world to him.

Medical technology and just technology in general. Where I'm from, or when I'm from, it's not too expensive or hard to just replace damaged parts. [ She hesitates for a second. ] My eye is a replacement. It's completely real, I couldn't afford to buy one that was a matching color, but I could afford this at least. [ And having two different eye colors isn't all bad. It's just not a story she likes explaining. ]

I'm not a medical scientist myself and I while I could have someone look at my RIG to see about replicating it...I'm not quick to trust people that intimately.

[ Upon hearing she lost her eye, Walt reacts with an expression of sympathy. But judging by how quick she is to brush past the topic, he assumes it's not something she wishes to recount, so he leaves it be for now. ]

I think it's a unique trait -- having two different eye colors. So many people want to change the things about their appearance, including eye color. But you? You have the best of both worlds.

[ He offers her a friendly smile, one that quickly grows empathetic. ]

But I do understand. I....was hesitant to let anyone that close to me here as well. It's hard to trust in the unknown -- especially when no one's intentions are entirely clear.

That's what I try to look at it as. It bothered me a bit for a while, but mostly because people ask questions. [ And she appreciates that he hasn't. Very much. ]

Have you gotten over that hesitation yet?

People have an uncanny knack for trying to pry.

[ There's a thoughtful pause after her question and he looks off screen for a moment. ]

I suppose that I have to an extent. I allowed them to test me for the cancer that had taken my life back home. If only to appease my brother-in-law who is also here. But if he wasn't around? I'm not so sure I would.

Yeah, they really do. [ She pauses herself and then frowns. ]

Maybe it's a good thing he's here then. Does that mean you're free of that here?

I am.

[ Answers Walt with a grim smile. ]

It seems a new world can be the magical cure you need.

[ A pause, and then: ]

Do you know Jesse Pinkman?

[ She shakes her head. ] No, I don't. Why?

[ Because he's the asshole who stole my cancer....is what Walt wants to say. But instead: ]

Just curious. He's a former student of mine from home. Good kid. Probably around your age. You two would get along.

If you ever get the chance, you should meet him.

I'll keep a lookout for him then. I'll have to admit I keep to myself a bit here.

It's always smarter to do so. But if you see him around, I don't think he would mind you saying hello.

[ He pauses a moment, quite clearly checking her ID. ]

Ellie, is it? I'm Walter. Walter White. Or just simply Walt, if you prefer.