maskormenace | 001; Video

[ The man that appears on screen is wearing red from head to waist--or at least so far as it went out of shot. He wore a leather Sam Browne, a white lanyard, and more gold buttons and badges than was probably necessary, but he smiled a genuine smile too - handsome; blue eyes, dark brown hair - exuding as much professional warmth as any man could hope to. No, there was no hat on his head--he was, believe it or not, trying to dress down. ]

Good afternoon. My name is Constable Benton Fraser. I first came to Chicago on the trail of my father's killers...except this isn't Chicago; it's not even Illinois, and I've never been much further south than the 42nd parallel in my life. [ And did he mention it is insanely hot? Not like a little hot. Not like summer in Chicago hot. Not even sitting two feet away from a campfire hot; but more like might spontaneously combust how does anyone survive in this climate hot. From just below his feet, out of view of the video feed, Diefenbaker whines urgently. If Fraser is suffering, the arctic wolf at his feet is finding the transition harder still. ]

Generally speaking, I serve the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Generally speaking. That's rather why I'm here. You see, in the absence of holding a commission, which I'm hoping to reobtain as swiftly as possible, the fact remains that I am presently a private citizen, and as such the uniform is... Well, it's unnecessary. [ And a lie, or at the very least unintentionally misleading. ] That and it itches.

I would be eternally grateful if there were anyone who might be able to spare me a change in clothes, at least until I have the opportunity to find my feet; in fact, I'd insist on returning them within a week--laundered and freshly ironed, of course.

[ He inhales slowly, and there's a fraction of emotion slips through that is hope and concern and fear, before his schooled mask is back in place. ] And if anyone has spoken to a Chicago PD Detective named Ray - Raymond Vecchio...

[ He trailed off, ducked his head, kneading his left eyebrow with his thumb and forefinger. He missed Ray; either of them. Both. He was supposed to be looking for the hand of Franklin, not dying of heatstroke in Florida, and the Northwest Territories: the Yukon, Nunavut; Canada--they all seemed so impossibly far away now. Whatever he was saying before didn't matter, he decided. If Ray were here he'd make himself known, and it was a superfluous waste of other people's patience. ] Thank you kindly for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That is correct, although now that you mention it, the 42nd Parallel is also a rather excellent novel by John Dos Passos, incorporating both fictional and biographical elements in its storytelling. Well worth reading if the interest should take you.

Ah. What's it about?

Many things, but as a general theme: sociopolitics and the human condition in the United States following the end of the First World War. It was the first part of a trilogy on the subject.

What are the other books in the trilogy called? That sounds... interesting.

1919, and The Big Money. My grandparents' copy was an illustrated edition containing all three books, although I believe it's been recently reprinted in the Library of America format.

[ It says something about him that he doesn't even recognise discussion of 20th century literature as a tangent. ]

If it exists on this version of Earth. Anyway, thank you for the recommendation. I'll see if the city library in Nonah has anything similar to it.

And welcome to... the United States? I'm Annie Leonhart, if introductions are the order of the day. Until circumstances change, you're a guest of the United States military, regardless of prior country affiliations.

It's a pleasure to correspond with you, Annie, I hope you like the book.

I've been a guest of the United States Military before, so I'm largely aware of how these things work, thank you. If I can avoid having a gun pointed at me, at least for the foreseeable future, it would be a decided improvement on last time.

Canada isn't currently listed as a country in conflict with the United States. You're not Russian in any way, are you?

No; at least I don't think so. I'm afraid my knowledge of the language leaves much to be desired, also.

It's unlikely enough in that case. The United States is particularly against Russian... anything, after recent events, so it's about the only thing that can land you higher up on the chart of "people or items to deal with." You should be safe from guns being leveled at your heart for now.

Ah, well I wouldn't be so sure of that. I seem to attract gunfire, both of the intent to kill and the friendly variety--an oxymoron, incidentally.

I suppose what I'm saying, at the risk of seemingly overly superstitious, is that I wouldn't care to jinx it by seeming overconfident.

"Jinx it" being a reference to causing something to become true by believing it couldn't be true?

Quite right. A word with a fascinating etymology if you have any interest in such things.

I don't know if I do... what's an etymology?

The origin of a word; it's meaning and history in spoken and written language. For instance the word etymology itself comes from the Greek word etymon meaning 'true sense', and the suffix -logia, meaning 'the study of-'

"The study of true sense" of an origin. I see, so that's what it's called. Does Greek references the country Greece?

That's right. Greek and Latin - the latter originating in Italy - are considered to be classical languages, and have strongly influenced both English and other European languages.

If I may ask, where are you from?

A world that may be some version of Earth, but there's no one simple name. Most recently, I'm from the Stohess District at Wall Sina, but that terminology only means something if you know the human empire's geography. There's no country name, no nation, and nothing to call the world other than "world" or "earth."

I understand. Many of the people I've known all my life have had very little understanding or interest in the land beyond calling it Home, or The Land, and yet settlers to the territories brought names to the mountains and the rivers and the oceans; words for things which the Inuit either didn't need, or already had names for.

I can only imagine, given my own experiences, that it would seem intimidating. Exciting, too. A whole world beyond your own knowledge of it.

I guess it's exciting, too, but more often it feels like a headache, or overwhelming. I want to know more, which is strange... being able to be curious and voicing it. There's much more to see and do than I ever thought of as being possible before.

[ Putting it lightly. Before, Annie couldn't conceive of any world where she might have some freedom of movement... or anything close to what she's been faced with, and had to handle, since arriving here. The sheer number of people was insane enough, let alone the technology, the locations, the immenseness of the sea... ]

Are the people you're talking about these Inuit?

I read about the world a long time before I ever actually got to see it. I think, had I been able to see it first, I never would have had the presence of mind to read about it too. But I was a curious child with a wild imagination and everything to prove, and my world was very small, and very dangerous.

But if all those hours I spent on the floor of my grandparents' library count for anything, it's that I can assure you of this: the headaches are a good sign, they mean you're learning.

Chiefly yes, although the many such people I've called friends have included others from many of Canada's first nations. I find the Inuit uniquely inspiring, however; incomparable survivors in a land both hostile and beautiful.

Ah, so the headache has some upside. I'm glad to hear that. I thought it was just stress.

It's interesting to hear you describe yourself that way. I know people like that back home... here, too, I suppose.

[ In a manner of speaking, but... not one she likes to linger over. ]

Where is it that the Inuit live? Within the country... I suppose I'm asking about the landscape. Names won't mean much without additional research.

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