video.

[littlemissfutility]

I was wondering--how long do you think you should wait until you decide that someone's really gone?

[In view: Beth, in a tank top, shorts, and a bunched-up scarf, sitting on a porch swing that moves idly to and fro. Good weather, the hints of picturesque countryside, even if the capsule-like building behind her is on the ugly side. Someplace out of view, a dog barks once or twice.]

Like, my boyfriend's been in and out for weeks at a time. And it's happened a lot--this is the third time now. Other people, though...they're gone, and that's it. Or they leave and come back, and the next time, that's it. It all seems so random. Looking for a pattern's gonna drive you crazy.

So when do you stop checking for their name on the network? How do you decide if this time's forever, or if it's just another phase? [A pause, her mouth tugging downward.] It's almost harder than really losing people--at least then, you know they're gone.

Comments

[d33tached]

Well, perhaps in the case that he does return, you can simply explain to him what you've just done for me, then.

[littlemissfutility]

yeah no
but thanks i guess

[d33tached]

There's certainly no need to thank me.

This is Mr. Pinkman that you're speaking of, yes?

[There's a pause.]

Jesse.

[littlemissfutility]

yeah
jesse
you know him????

[d33tached]

Yes, I did.

[There's another considerable pause.]

I suppose he was a friend of mine.

[littlemissfutility]

[She waits for him to finish (or, you know, gets distracted talking to other people, whatever) before she answers.]

he's a good guy

[d33tached]

Yes, he is.

[littlemissfutility]

[Present tense. She likes it.]

he can still come back
it's only been a week

[d33tached]

Perhaps he will.

[D33 was gone for a month, after all. Even so, he has little hope that K31 will return. Why should his attitude surrounding Jesse be any different?

[It's not safe to let yourself hope. If there's anything D33 has learned over the past twenty years, it's that.]

[littlemissfutility]

fingers crossed right?????

[There's a pause, when it occurs to her that she's never said anything about the friend they had in common.]

i'm sorry about kei leaving btw
i hope she comes back too

[d33tached]

I would rather not speak of K31 right now.

[littlemissfutility]

i miss her too
we don't have to talk about her

[d33tached]

I would just as soon not, then.