( 3 ) ( AUDIO )

[stillbetter]

[Click. Someone sounds distressed, but trying to keep it together. Trying being the operative word.]

I know this is the absolute worst time to bring my own matters up, but - someone, a friend of mine - she's gone missing. I-I believe she's gone home. [Which should be a good thing, right? Except not.] Going home for her is... [breathe, Poppy.] She was in a lot of trouble there. They locked her up, they took away her children and her wife, and - I guess what I want to know is - can they bring her back? Or, I don't know - is there any way we can know she's all right? If we can help her?

[god, this is a mess.]

I'm sorry, I just have absolutely no idea what to do. [Before she forgets -] Her name is Emilia. She was Julia's wife.

[Pause.]

What can we do to help those who have - [disappeared?] All I have are these bloody headphones.

[Said headphones can intercept communications from far away. WILL POPPY EVER FIGURE THIS OUT? Someone help her do that or something]

Comments

Video

[irrationalprogramming]

Just what do you mean by--

[GODDAMMIT *Mute was totally on board the sympathy train until that last bit. She? Julia's wife? What the hell has happened to marriage in this universe?

There'll be time for your prejudices later, *Mute, security concerns come first.]

...Never mind, shelving that thought for now. Can you get me a last name and picture? I'm trying to put together a list of missing people to watch out for.

[stillbetter]

I - sure. Emilia Gorski. I mean - Gorski-Grumley. I can't provide you with a picture, I'm afraid, but - perhaps a description? Would that suffice?

[irrationalprogramming]

Nah, but the name should be enough. One second.

[*Mute is replaced briefly by a loading animation, before returning, sending a link.]

Is this the girl?

[stillbetter]

[She remembers that post. It's hard to listen to it again, so Poppy hits stop shortly after it begins.]

Yes, exactly. [quietly:] That's her. Or - was.

[irrationalprogramming]

Well, the good news is that I've got reason to believe that the missing people are still alive, so don't worry yourself over that part.

[stillbetter]

[a beat. She nods to herself.] Is there nothing else?

[irrationalprogramming]

Not much, unfortunately. I'll let you know when I hear more.

[stillbetter]

Sorry, but - how will you do that, exactly?

[irrationalprogramming]

I'm constantly monitoring security camera footage from all over the city right now. If she shows up on any of them, I'll know.

[stillbetter]

Oh. [Oh.] ... All right.

You're not doing it entirely on your own, I hope.

[irrationalprogramming]

I'm more than up to the task! Trust me, this kind of thing is second nature to me.

[stillbetter]

[Dear me.]

Second nature. [right.] I'll have to take your word for it.