[thank you, carlene; your entire life is garbage - VIDEO]

[pop_of_color]

[The video, though active and recording, shows only back - but it's not a solid black,
as though the camera's been covered. Instead, it shifts and moves and lets in some peeks of light, suggesting that someone's trying to keep the camera covered with their hand or with something that keeps sliding off. At one point, there's a grey ceiling and the top of someone's head - the only indication of which is two black curls.]

Shit.

[The video goes black again with the sound of the device being placed on a hard surface of some kind, probably a table.]

All right, listen up, dum-dums. [The voice is that of a woman. She has a deeper tone than others, and there's an edge to it that suggests she could very easily kill you if she wanted to. And that she probably does.] I don't know how the fuck I got here or why - or why I woke up in America's sweaty asshole of all places, or why I'm now in Amish country - but I need to get back to Brooklyn, ASAP.

Also, what the hell is it with these damn .. machines? [She means the Porters.] This is some Star Wars bullshit, and it's probably the only cool thing going for this place right now.

Comments

[audio]

[glassfall]

Goodness, that sounds ridiculous. Why would someone ever choose to forgo all of this wonderful technology?

Then again, I shouldn't judge them. It may sound silly, but it doesn't sound like it's hurting anyone.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

Nah, they're fucked up. There are shows and shit about it. They excommunicate kids who try to leave, they're patriarchal as fuck.

They make quilts, though. And barns. That's their contribution to society.

[audio]

[glassfall]

That sounds dreadful. I feel so sorry for their children.

[No amount of fancy quilts will excuse that shit, just saying.]

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

But you're not one of them ... you're just ..

Technologically impaired.

[audio]

[glassfall]

That's an apt way of putting it.

I'm Cinders, by the way.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

Emily. [Rosa's not using real names until she knows people.

Which means probably never.] Cinders. Weird name. Where's it from?

[video]

[glassfall]

[Aaaand here, she switches to video, her bright red hair making it clear where it's from.]

It's been my nickname, ever since I was little.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

[Huh.]

Cinders is a lot nicer than Ginger, I guess.

[audio]

[glassfall]

[She switches back to audio with a smile.]

I agree. I would hate to be called Ginger.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

Makes no sense when you think about it, considering Ginger is yellow.

[audio]

[glassfall]

You know, I'd always thought that, too.

[Of course, ginger is rare where she comes from, but she's still cooked with it a few times.]

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

When did you arrive here?

[audio]

[glassfall]

I was here for a brief few hours in April, but then I was pulled in at the beginning of May.

[Yeah, the calendar here is weird.]

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

.... I don't get it.

[audio]

[glassfall]

Which part?

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

.. All of it.

You were here but then you weren't but then you were?

[audio]

[glassfall]

Well, yes. It was strange to me, too.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

Did you remember being here the first time?

[audio]

[glassfall]

Yes... but not until I returned here.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

So you had no memory of being here when you were home?

[audio]

[glassfall]

None at all. In fact, I remembered everything as though I hadn't been brought here.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

Huh.

Wonder if that happens to everyone.

[audio]

[glassfall]

From what I've heard, it is... but you'd have to ask around to get a better picture.

[audio]

[pop_of_color]

I mean, I don't care that much, but it's weird.

[audio]

[glassfall]

Truth be told, I find it a little concerning.