( 1 ) ( VIDEO )

[stillbetter]

[Sorry, guys. She's one of those newbies.]

For God's sake. Really? This has got to be a first. Do these people even know who they're taking in? What am I even going to do here? I'm just a radio host back home, not - whatever you think I am.

[She is no soldier worth kidnapping, no, not at all, thank you very much.]

I can't do this.

I won't do this.

[Look. She's even throwing in a pause to show how serious she is.]

Besides, Fred wouldn't begin to know what to do without me. My fiancé? I have a life back home, you know, and it can't wait. So - you ought to put me back. As soon as possible, if that's not too much trouble.

[She has spoken. ... Then she starts to press random buttons because what am this technology.]

... Hello? Can anyone hear me?

[...

beep beep beep]

Comments

[stillbetter]

Yes, I'm well aware that I'm in some sort of - weird sci-fi nightmare, thank you very much.

[khajidont]

Weird sci-fi nightmare. That's... a pretty good way of putting it, actually.

[stillbetter]

It's the only way I can think of, really.

[khajidont]

It's...

[He wants to say 'not so bad', truly, he does. But it is.]

...Yeah, it is what it is. But complaining to the Initiative has gotten us exactly nowhere.

[stillbetter]

Complaining can't be all that's been done about this.

[khajidont]

That depends on what you wanna do with it. Most people think that once the Initiative wins their war, we can go back home, so you can help them out... or you can try talking to the guys trying to set up a government here. They've been talking directly to the Initiative.

[stillbetter]

Exactly how long is this war supposed to last? [It better not be another war of a hundred years.] I'm not going to dedicate a lifetime to something that might never end.

[khajidont]

I wish we knew. But wars don't exactly work with a due date.

[stillbetter]

No, they don't. Therein lies my concern.

[She's frustrated, but not with him.]

[khajidont]

Yeah, I kind of got that. At least time's not supposed to pass by in our worlds while we're here, if that's any help. We can miss the people back home, but they won't be missing us.

[stillbetter]

[Ah. Well. Time travel's weird.]

I'm not sure that makes me feel better.

[khajidont]

[That's the first time he's heard anyone express that sentiment, and he quirks a brow in honest curiosity.]

Why not? You were just talking about your fiancé.

[stillbetter]

Wouldn't you want them to know you're missing? Maybe even try to do something to find you?

[khajidont]

And have them worry their heads off for months and months while I miss, like, a year of school and make my dad do all the work around the garage? And even if they did find me, I mean... they might end up here. In a war.

[He shakes his head.] No way. It's better this way.

[stillbetter]

[She just... sighs. Way to put things in perspective, Jaime.]

I suppose you're right.

[But it's still an awful feeling either way.]

[khajidont]

[He gives her something of a wistful shrug.]

I've had a little more time than you to think about it.

[stillbetter]

Not exactly a good thing, that, is it.

[khajidont]

No, not really. [He shoots her a rueful grin.] Could be worse.

[stillbetter]

Don't say that, it just might get worse.

[khajidont]

Well - probably. Go go Team Optimism.

[stillbetter]

[She closes a fist and shows it to the camera, lips tight. What you just said, young man.]