[39: video]

[paper_knight]

Today Mark is walking up and down a snowy New York street, circa 1935 or so, knocking on doors. He's already heard from other transmissions that all of the worlds are empty, but he wants to verify it for himself. "This is the neighborhood where I grew up," he says, panning the camera over the unmarked sidewalk. "I've never seen it so empty."

Later

Comments

[libraritology]

Evelyn walked into a rift out of her own, in Egypt, simply because the buildings looked familiar - the advertisements were ones she recognised, architectural styles similar to ones she read about - and it wasn't until she compared a transmission from Mark to the structures around her that she realised where she was.

With the plethora of weird and unusual peoples from weird and unusual worlds, a snow-covered city is surprisingly out-of-the-ordinary.

In a good way. Evie switches on her communicator and reaches out.

"Mark?"

Goodness, New York is cold, cold, cold.

"Mark, are you in your own world right now?"

[paper_knight]

"Sort of. It's...the city looks different now. This is what it was like when I was a kid."

[libraritology]

"Is this how you remember it?"

She wanders around another street sign, staring down the long, powder-dusted road. Lights are on in the buildings, cars are parked at the curb, but no one is home.

Just like it was at her own house.

[paper_knight]

"Yes. But busier, of course."

Beat.

"Are you here, Miss Carnahan?"

[libraritology]

"I am," comes the affirmative reply, and Evelyn trots around another corner, glancing up at several more signs. It's difficult to make out the exact numbers when they're covered in snow, but she tries.

"I believe I'm at the corner of...ah...Fifth Avenue aaaaand...East 76th Street."

[paper_knight]

"Fifth Avenue."

That's...a bit of a hike.

"I'll head your way. You might want to find somewhere warm to wait."

[libraritology]

Good idea, Mark. Evelyn's teeth are starting to chatter from standing still for so long.

"Um, there's a- a cafe, or a s-soda fountain on the corner. I think it's called Sam's. I can wait in there for you."

And maybe see if there are any scarves lying around inside. She sets off towards the diner.

[paper_knight]

And Mark does the same, with a good-natured "Roger that," over the radio.

His arrival is marked some time later by the chiming of a bell hung over the door.

[libraritology]

And look who figured out how the coffee maker works in the meantime!

Evelyn pushes a cup, some cream, and a bowl of sugar cubes across the counter towards Mark, moving around the other side.

"I thought you might want some after your walk before you show me around," Evelyn smiles, taking a sip from her own drink and tucking the scarf she found into her coat. "If you're all right with that, that is."

everything is shmoo and nothing hurts

[paper_knight]

Evelyn, you are an angel. We hope Mark's smile conveys this sentiment.

"Of course. I was going to offer."

all the shmoooooooooooo

[libraritology]

"Thank you," Evelyn beams, stirring her coffee.

"I've never been to America, I'd like to see it from your perspective. I believe we're near a park, but I'm not exactly familiar with the area, so I'll leave directions in your capable hands."

[paper_knight]

"Thank you," he counters, lifting his own mug.
"That's Central Park, across the way."

[libraritology]

"So this is really the center of New York City, then?"

Leaning to one side, she glances out the diner window towards the grey trees, coated in a thick layer of white. It's desolate, but not without its charms.

"What was it like growing up here?"

[paper_knight]

"Pretty ordinary. I was a happy kid. Lucky that way, I think"

[libraritology]

He must have been born sometime in the early 1920s, if she's placing his age correctly. From her recollection, 1920s America was a pretty swinging time. Everything England got was made popular in the United States before making the jump across the pond.

"That's good," Evelyn replies, and she's serious about it. Mark hadn't had the easiest of times before arriving here. It's only fair he was happy at some point in his life.

"What was your favorite thing to do here over the holidays?"

[paper_knight]

It's his turn to look out the window, thinking. Most of the things he'd do in town have been ruled out by the lack of people.

"When I was a young man, I used to go walking. By myself, first, then with my wife. A little sentimental, I know."