(no subject)

[allucinator]

[Jack appears on the network. It looks as if he isn't aware he's being filmed at first; he glances around him nervously, his eyes darting from place to place.]

So-- right. You guys don't got no newsies, yeah? But I'm grown outta that business anyway, so I figure, I'll do somethin' else anyway.

[And now he focuses on the camera. His eyes are a little sunken in; his cheekbones jut out sharply from his face. The entire effect is unpleasant; he looks like he hasn't slept or eaten in quite some time. Carefully, each movement deliberate, he takes a cigarette out of his pocket; his gaze focuses on that as he speaks.]

I draw pictures. Real good, if I do say so myself. Do paints, too. You want your picture done? You want your wall painted? Maybe you're in theater, you want some sets done, or maybe you want somebody to put a, a, a mural on your wall. If it's somethin' to do with art, I can do it. I don't give a damn what it is. I'll paint you and your stupid girlfriend if you want, 's long as you pay me. Name's Jack Kelly.

[He nods sharply, once, and lights up the cigarette.]

An' in personal business, a couple thin's: this gun's good an' all, but I'm in the knives business, meself. Anybody sellin' any good blades? I don't mean no stores, all right, I ain't lookin' for no directions to no weapons shops. I'm talkin' about the good stuff, the stuff you get on the streets. I don't got much money yet, but like I said, I got a few skills I can exchange.

An' speakin' o' them: I hear I got some roommates. Miss, uh, Galadriel and some guy named Guy? Well, I ain't gonna be in at all. Not for sleepin', anyway. So don't trouble yourself with that, when you don't see me come in.

[A deliberate pause. He exhales a lungful of smoke and watches it drift upwards before adding:]

Asano Rin. I got a bone to pick with you, and I think you know why.

Comments

[allucinator]

What the hell's that supposed to mean!

[payback]

Another long story! Um, did you get enough to eat? Do you want to sit down? We can go back to my rooms...

[allucinator]

I-- could use some more to eat, if you got food. What the hell-- oh, Jesus, are you sleepin' with him? I was only jokin', oh, Christ, do I gotta go talk to him?

[payback]

Jack. I am not sleeping with anybody. He's just my friend. Now let's go to my rooms and we'll feed you up a little more. Also, you need a bath.

[allucinator]

Yeah, well, good.

[He mutters that-- but he also steps toward the elevators, with a little wrinkle of his nose.]

An' don't remind me. I've met like three people today who kept gently tellin' me where the showers were.

[payback]

With good reason... God, I remember how it was for me... [Being fresh out. Why should he have to go through that again?

God, it's just cruel.]

You were there, you know. In the Port. You were there for a long time with me... you did a lot. Worked a lot and did a lot of things, you know?

[allucinator]

[He glances over at her, his smile fading once again.]

Was I . . . all right?

[payback]

Yeah. You did all right. So did I. [She takes his arm and starts guiding him towards the back elevators.]

Jack, at least look at your room.

[allucinator]

So I'll do all right again.

[He says that firmly, with far more certainty than he feels, and lets himself get guided back to the elevators. The shaft is small, a little too small-- but again, Rin is there. And he trusts her, and so he lets the doors close on them.]

I'm gonna-- I dunno. Find somewhere else to sleep. Just til the nightmares pass.

[payback]

The rooms are good. You'll have your own, they're apartment-mates, not in the same room.

[allucinator]

They'll still hear em.

[But that's good to know. Perhaps he can set up some sort of sound-proofing system with the blankets. He muses on that for a moment before glancing over at her, catching sight of her expression.]

Hey. Hey, come on-- don't look like that. I'm out, Rin. And if you're right, bout me in the Port, then it's proof I'll be all right. Okay? So don't-- I'm all right.

[payback]

Try to stay. Just try something, okay? Try not to go someplace bad. I guess if you want to rent some room just for you, then you have money and I'll lend you some. But I don't think you'll find better lodgings than here.

[allucinator]

. . . yeah, all right. I'll-- I'll stay here for the night. And see where I am in the mornin'.

[He sighs.]

Your place or mine?

[payback]

Mine right now. You could get to meet Vanadi.

[allucinator]

Sorry, is that a threat or a warnin' or a hint for me to get excited?

[He stretches as they slip out of the elevator-- though he chuckles when he catches sight of what floor they're on.]

You're on here too? We're neighbors. Or hallmates. Or somethin'.

[payback]

Floor seven? [A pause.] Good. You can sleep on my floor if you can't handle the apartment now.

Anyway, Vanadi's nice. Be nice, okay?

[allucinator]

When've you ever known me to not be nice? I can be nice. Don't look at me like I pick fights, all right, I can be a real nice guy.

[All said with a mocking air, of course! But he really does intend to be-- well, sweet. If he can. Maybe.]

[payback]

How are you this cheerful when the last thing you remember is dying by fire?

[allucinator]

Cuz I don't let meself think about it! Now stop bringin' it up and start tellin' me what you're gonna serve me for dinner.

[He gives her a bright smile, only slightly edged.]

[payback]

[A pause, as she quiets, face casting guilty a bit. That was meaner than she should have been.]

How about some soup? Bread? [Pause.] How did you even know to ask for me?

[allucinator]

Anythin' light. Bread's good.

[He sighs as they finally reach her complex door.]

Cuz you're the only one I remember. Your name, your face . . . I remember all our friends, all the . . . people there, but you're the only one I remember with, you know. Clarity.

[payback]

[A dead pause. She stares at him, her expression so mixed. Dead horror, sorrow.]

It's not like that for me. I remember all of them now.

[allucinator]

[He glances over at her-- and now he just looks tired, the manic cheer gone from his expression.]

I dunno which is better.

[payback]

It used to be like that for both of us in the Port. [Hollowly. She raises her shoulders, staring at the floor; releases tension and looks up, hyperextending her neck. She knows which one she thinks is better.]

... Jack, I'm so sorry.

[allucinator]

[But immediately he shakes his head.]

Don't. Don't-- not right now. Please. Let's just-- let's just go and eat somethin' and you can talk to me, and we'll be cheerful, and it'll be okay. Just for today. Please.