[Video] [Christmas Time is here again]

[expectremorse]

[The camera turns on to reveal what looks like Hoffman's room-except for the fact that it's a wreck. There's blankets strewn about and clothes flung EVERYWHERE. Then the camera moves-there's clearly something behind it before there's a small round child in a sweater that's way too big for him

Comments

[most_feared]

[NOOO More tinies.] Just hang in there, Sport. We're workin' things out!

[expectremorse]

[Have the best wibbly face Kay.] ...Are you a police man?

[It's the eyes. Or the face. Or the carriage. Hoffman bites his lip] It's not me. 'm a big kid but Angie's little and if something happens to her I'll be in trouble. Big trouble.

Big big Big trouble. [His arms stretch out] This big even.

[most_feared]

Yes, I am.

[So much wobbly face. It's kind of heartbreaking.

Especially with what he has to say next.]

That's a lot of trouble, Slick. I guess we'll have to do whatever we can to make sure she's safe too. We'll get you home real soon, I promise.

Until then, consider this ah... like a sleepaway camp.

[expectremorse]

...Ok. The nice blonde lady said so. I just gotta watch out for her cause it's important.

I've never been to camp before. will we have marshmellows? and graham crackers? My dad says I haveta join the boyscouts when I get older and I don't wanna because they go on hikes and stuff but I like marshmellows.

[most_feared]

I'm sure someone can arrange that. I'll see right to it. [Today is the weirdest goddamn day.] Got someone lookin' out for you so far?

[expectremorse]

[pause] Her name's Stephanie. She's a friend of my mommy's.

[pause. Then he looks concerned] ...I really do hope Angie's okay.

[most_feared]

Steph is good people. She'll stick by you.

[He doesn't want to lie to Hoffman and say nothing bad will happen to his sister. Not for a moral reaction against lying, but rather while it would comfort Hoffman now as an adult he might take it badly since Kay knows what happened.]

You'll be back to her in no time.

[expectremorse]

[He scratched his arm a bit, nervous.] Are you a policeman?

[most_feared]

I am, yeah. [Close enough, anyway.]

[expectremorse]

...Did you take Angie away?

[His voice is very soft] ...Is that why I'm here?

[most_feared]

No, Kiddo. We didn't. But it'll get taken care of. [He says knowingly. In that tone of "that's all I can say".] Just enjoy bein' a kid for a few days.

[expectremorse]

[Have a knowing, almost worried look before he smiles]

Okay. 'except I got dolls. eew.

[most_feared]

I got a model car. How about I just give you that.

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman's interest is peaked] Really?!

[pause] I promise not to eat the small pieces. They are not candy.

[most_feared]

Yeah. They don't taste good either. [You are a damn weird kid Hoffman.]

I'll bring it by. I know where your room is.

[expectremorse]

[He wiggles a bit] I don't eat the stuff because my dad said it's bad.

[He looks down, a little uncomfortable for a moment before he looks back up.]