[ video ]

[hostage]

[Here's a guy who looks like shit. Not like he's been beaten up or injured or anything like that. The kind of "looks like shit" that comes with recovering from a meth bender curled up on the floor of some catacombs while there's a war raging outside. His body needs sleep desperately but the chaos has kind of prevented that, so he looks pale and sick with dark circles around his eyes and he's subtly shaking - which means the camera is shaking as he holds it.]

Hey, so... Hey. I know we're busy cleaning up and all, but I need, um... I'm just wondering if anybody could bring me some cigarettes. Or, like, anything else to smoke.

[Vague because he's not sure what's legal here.]

I'll pay you back or, you know, whatever. I'll owe you.

And, um, Nananea? You're probably busy with all them hurt people, but - that thing we talked about? I'm ready when you are.

[Despite looking like he should spend the next two weeks in bed.]

Anyway, yeah. Thanks in advance.

Comments

[hostage]

I dunno.

[He pauses that thought while he lights the cigarette and takes a drag.]

I lost track. A little before the bombs.

[strategic_guile]

Same time as me then. It seems like there are really a whole bunch of us new people. [Takes out a cigarette of his own and lights it with his own lighter he pulled from his inside left pocket.]

[hostage]

What shit luck, huh? People were telling me it used to be quiet here.

[strategic_guile]

Quiet and boring as hell. Now we get bombs. [Inhales and lets out a stream from pursed lips] Though it seems like the UE isn't good with follow through, which is great for us.

[hostage]

[This is Jesse's lack of enthusiasm over being gassed to death.]

I'd take boring any day, but yeah, we're lucky they suck at this.

[strategic_guile]

I'll have to wait and see if the boredom is as bad as they say before I commit to taking it over bombings.

[hostage]

[He shrugs, tapping his ashes out onto the floor because he can't be fucked while the whole place is a mess anyway.]

Boredom never killed anybody.

[strategic_guile]

True, but it makes people do stupid shit. [Another inhale]

[hostage]

Like what?

[strategic_guile]

Anything that starts out with, 'Hey guys, watch this!'.

[hostage]

I dunno. Sounds like a good time to me. At least, as the audience.

[strategic_guile]

[Grins] Good time, but no less stupid.

We're gonna be busy with clean up for a few weeks at least, so plenty of things to do. Or watch other people do, who knows.

[hostage]

Yeah, about the whole clean-up thing... Is that, like, mandatory?

[strategic_guile]

I doubt it, but it would keep your mind off of withdrawal for about half a second.

[hostage]

Not as much as getting a fix would.

[strategic_guile]

Well, if you find out they actually have any of that stuff here, let me know.

[hostage]

If they don't, they'll have it soon.

[strategic_guile]

How entrepreneurial of you. [Reaches into right inside jacket pocket and pulls out a half pack of cigarettes.] Well, you'll have to make due with these 'til then.

[hostage]

Hey, thanks. Seriously. I won't forget I owe you.

[strategic_guile]

[Laughs and puts the cigarette pack on the table. Have an amused smile as he makes for the door.] I won't either, Jesse, but it's good to meet you.

[hostage]

[Jesse doesn't show him out, on account of not wanting to walk around too much extra while he feels this shitty, but he does give a casual little wave.]

Looking forward to doing business with you, Blaine.

[strategic_guile]

Sure. [A wave and he's gone]