(1) Voice

[outofthepast]

[There’s a few minutes of unsure tapping on the communicator’s microphone, accompanied by some quiet mumbling about radio frequencies. A voice with a Chicagoan accent that is just faintly reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart finally makes itself audible.]

Been a long time since I’ve seen one of these. Hope I’m not accidentally talking through somebody’s refrigerator.

Anyway, good afternoon, to everybody listening. Nick Valentine here. Nice to meet all my fellow "Imports," I guess, is what they're calling us. Figured I should get used to the broadcasting life, since that's what they've hired me to do. I always thought I had a face for radio.

[The slightest of pauses while he gathers his thoughts.]

I’ve been to a couple of hardware stores now and I think it’s time to swallow my pride and just ask. You folks wouldn’t happen to make Assaultron circuit boards yet, would you? Anything with titanium wiring and rad-guard circuits would work, though. My last diagnostics didn't look so good and I'd rather fix it before it gets too out-of-hand.

I’m starting to get the suspicion I’m out of luck on that one.

While I’m on the subject, though, anybody know a good mechanic? I’m not half bad myself, but I could probably use a primer on all this old tech. Don’t want to end up turning into a toaster or anything.

Give me a ring if you’ve got anything for me. Thanks, and... hm. I'd better come up with a catchy sign-off, pretty quick here.

Comments

[outofthepast]

That's what I thought. I guess I'm a little early.

[Is it too soon to be messing with people?]

Oh, you know how it goes. Set up to do a simple oil change, next thing you know you're making breakfast.

[lightinside]

No, I don't think I know how it goes.

[Laurel is still confused. Something didn't seem right.]

Could you maybe explain what you meant by that? I'm not sure I fully understand.

[outofthepast]

I'm not exactly human. I'm a synth.

I guess the more common parlance is "android."

[lightinside]

Oh. Okay. [Just give her a moment while she processes that.] Androids don't exist where I'm from. Only in fiction.

Are there others like you back in your world?

[outofthepast]

Nobody was more surprised than I was, believe you me.

There are other synths back home. But I'm a pretty unique model, personally.

[lightinside]

Unique how?

[outofthepast]

The newer models you'd never guess weren't human, but us older, spooky-lookin' types are more common.

But the other ones that look like me don't think like me. Or at all.

[lightinside]

I guess that does make you unique then.

[There's a hint of a smile in her voice.]

Was there a particular reason why you were given a distinct personality from the other ones?

[outofthepast]

If there is, I'm not sure what it was.

I've got the brains of a real human person downloaded in me, though. So that's where the personality comes from, in my case.

[lightinside]

They can do things like that? Wow. That's amazing.

[She does genuinely find it fascinating.]

Anyway. Is there anything I can help you with? Aside from what you've already asked about.

[outofthepast]

Yeah, it sure is.

[Ethically horrifying, but definitely amazing.

Nick can't technically look a gift horse in the mouth, on that one.]

Nothing comes immediately to mind, but you're very thoughtful to ask. Could I get a name, perhaps?

[lightinside]

Sure. My name is Laurel; Laurel Lance.

Good to meet you.

[outofthepast]

Nice to meet you, Ms. Lance.

Like I said, Nick Valentine. Any combination of those'll do you fine.

[lightinside]

Okay. I'll be sure to remember that.

[A smile.]

But I usually tend to call people by their first name.