2nd Night | Video

[aboveand]

[When the video clicks on, Terry can be seen sitting on a couch with Ace sitting beside him, the large dog's head in Terry's lap. The teen is trying his best to maintain his composure, but the worry all over his face is clear.]

I know this is probably a long shot, but does anyone know Matt McGinnis? Could... anyone tell me if he's gone?

[Of course, Terry already knows the truth, that his little brother went home in the two months he apparently missed here, but he doesn't want to believe it.

There's a pause as Terry absently scratches the Great Dane's chin.]

...Probably not the best way to start a video after a two month disappearance, huh? My name's Terry McGinnis, and this here's Ace. We got here about a year ago, and due to some "porter glitch" or something, we've been gone for the past two months apparently. So uh, hi again, I guess.

[Several emotions cycle through his face before Terry plasters on a weak smile.]

If anyone has any good ideas for a distraction right now, I could really use it.

Comments

[ret2go]

Ah geez, that's awful! I'm sorry to hear that.

I'll keep an eye out for him if he shows up again?

[aboveand]

[He looks down at Ace to give more head scritches.]

...Thanks.

[Terry's not exactly hopeful he'll be back.]

[ret2go]

Are you gonna be okay...?

[aboveand]

Yes... no... I don't know.

[He sighs.]

Under normal circumstances, I'd probably be okay with it, since he's safer in Gotham than here, but... this isn't normal circumstances. He was apparently from another universe, a... worse... universe.

[ret2go]

So... like a version of where you came from, but everyone's evil and has goatees?

[aboveand]

Like a version where you get a bad end in a vid game and you're recovering from the end of the world.

[ret2go]

I don't think I know entirely what a vid game is, but I've definitely heard of bad ends before.

And the end of the world just doesn't sound good at all!

[aboveand]

No, it doesn't.

He didn't tell me a whole lot of what went down there--I don't think he liked to talk about it that much--but what he did say wasn't good.

[ret2go]

So you think he might've been sent back to all of that?

That sucks!

[aboveand]

[Terry winces and stares hard at the ground. That's exactly why he's been a wreck since returning.]

...Yeah.

[ret2go]

Uh... W-well you just got back, right? So he could come back, too!

[aboveand]

....Yeah, maybe.

[Someone doesn't sound too sure.]

[ret2go]

It's totally possible! So you should definitely stay optimistic about it. [Yeah it sounds a little flat to her too.]

[aboveand]

[He forces himself to smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Sorry Shantae, it's not that simple.]

So how's the genie business going?

[Because he needs to change topics fast, and he is genuinely interested in her profession.]

[ret2go]

...honestly? I really thought I'd be doing more business.

To be fair, I haven't really been advertising much lately? So at least I can blame my own lack of effort for that.

[aboveand]

That might be your problem. I mean, who wouldn't want to hire a genie?

[ret2go]

Right?! That's what I thought!

I kinda thought there'd just be... a line outside my door. But now it turns out I have to actually work to get custoemrs.

[aboveand]

You need a better word of mouth campaign.

[ret2go]

Or a billboard! Or a hit pop song and dance number!

[aboveand]

Pretty sure you need a lot of money for those things.