Video;

[shifting]

[ Sam is wearing one hell of a grin as he makes sure his video is steady. He backs up, and in view behind him is a small pick-up truck with a high cap over the bed. It may have once been powder-blue, but those days are clearly well behind it.

But hey, it has tires. Honest to god tires. ]

It was hard enough findin' one that doesn't hover, but throw stick-shift in the mix and you'd think I was askin' to buy the first printing press. [ his grin widens. ] Hell, I feel like a hunter showin' off a trophy.

But bein' able to avoid public transportation? Or just go campin'? That's priceless.

She's gonna need a name though, for good luck. [ Sam levels a playfully serious look on the camera. ] Can't go drivin' a cursed truck. So, any suggestions?

Comments

[leonized]

What's a name have to do with good luck?

[Cars and trucks still kind of stressed him out so he wasn't going to touch that part of it.]

[shifting]

Just an old superstition that relyin' on somethin' without a name's bad luck. Mostly has to do with boats, but I always felt it matters with cars too.

[slightlyoffchilt]

This is certainly symbolic of some yearning.

[shifting]

[ oh, this fucking guy. ]

I think even Freud'd agree that sometimes a truck is just a truck.

Text

[dirtyredneck]

[This is one of the few posts across the general network his communicator alerts him to that he's actually appreciative of. Motorcycles were more his thing, but he knew his way around a truck and that thing, she was a real beauty.]

She looks like a Carla to me. Real classy girl from the 50's. What is she, a 55? 56?

permavideo

[shifting]

Carla. [Sam lets the name linger on his tongue, nodding.] I like that. That one's in the runnin' for sure.

56. Engine's in great condition though, even if the shell's a little worse for wear. But that's all right. You like cars?

voice

[viced]

You're pretty brave, to drive in a beater like that.

[shifting]

Compared to the hovercrafts, I guess. But she's still up to road drivin' standards. Bein' able to feel the road beneath me when I drive feels safer anyhow.

voice;

[hisheartsdesire]

Impressive. I imagine she was worth all the trouble, though. [A pause.] Maybe Tess? Joan? Maeve?

voice;

[shifting]

I do like Joan. 'Specially if you meant that as a Joan Jett reference.

video;

[cleptes]

You're putting me to shame, Sam. I've been here longer than you have and still haven't gotten myself a car.

[ She says it with a smile though. ]

How long do you think it'll take to fix her up?

[shifting]

Oooh, now I doubt I could ever do that. S'probably just that I'm worse at hailin' a taxi - the vineyard's a pretty far drive from my place.

But I don't think it'll take too long. Really just needs a new coat of paint an' a buff, and the interior's got some cracks in the seat leather. Other'n that she's pretty good to go. Maybe get the brake pads changed in a month or two.

video;

[infomodder]

Now that's a trophy worth showing off.

[excuse him but ur new lady is irresistible]

[shifting]

[ ogle all you want, man, he is absolutely showing her off. ]

Thanks. Beats the hell out've some poor deer's antlers.

You have a car of your own?

video

[airshow]

Woooowee, I didn't know they even made 'em with wheels here. How old is she?

video

[shifting]

Right? Goddamn, I don't know what's so wrong with not wantin' to drive a frisbee around.

The truck herself's a '56. I suspect the engine's a lot newer though. She's had some work done. But I'd never judge a lady for that.

[instars]

Will you bring her to my shop?

[Cue: one curious spider.]

[shifting]

...Yeah, sure. You thinkin' to just look 'er over?

video;

[flowerette]

How about Raina?

[shifting]

Oh, now c'mon - I don't think the truck's pretty enough for that.

video | id reads "power girl"

[boobwindow]

[ What the hell is this lady wearing? A costume, that's right. ]

You know, I've never quite figured out why boats, cars, et cetera are female.

[shifting]

[that, uh. That's one hell of a costume, ma'm.]

Wish I had an answer for you, but I don't know myself. Probably it started with a reason, but now it's just... superstition, I think.

Plus who wants to rely on a 'Chuck' or 'Barry' to get them anywhere?

video

[rathercommon]

[ Her manner is affable enough, but she says: ]

I've got to agree with Power Girl. Assuming that vehicles are always female is rather objectifying.

[shifting]

[Sam looks dismayed.]

Are you really gonna look at this truck and tell me she's not a gorgeous woman? 'Cause I might have to cover her ears.

[fastballspeciaaaaal]

Rolly McVroomVroom! It's the perfect car name.

[shifting]

I'm not gonna deny it's got quite the ring to it. Makes me think you've done this before.

( audio. )

[aberth]

[ Adam has seen a fair number of those trucks in Henrietta, and so the familiarity of it means he has to respond. ]

Don't name her Betty. [ His accent is a little more pronounced here, a hint of the south creeping in. He actually forgets he's on the network in favour of talking shop. ] I used to work at an auto shop back home and the amount of times I've seen someone bring in a pick up like that called Betty must mean it ain't a very lucky name.

[shifting]

[well it's always good to hear another Southern accent.]

I'll take your professional advice then. 'Sides, don't think I could give 'er that name without hearin' the song every time. Which don't get me wrong, it's a great song, but I honestly only know the chorus, so I suspect it'd get stuck in my head pretty quick.

[dreamkid]

You should give it a new paint job.

[ He's not judging; in fact he is--as usual--smiling eagerly. Sam's mood is contagious, and Matthew likes the truck. It just really needs a fresh coat of paint. ]

Got any good names yet?

[shifting]

Might need another month's paycheck first, but yeah, can't argue with you. She could use a new coat.

...Carla seems to be the front-runner. You have one to suggest?