2 [accidental video]: Czeslaw Meyer Encounters Trouble Between The 5th & 6th Floor

[tiny_schemer]

[The NV starts recording as it impacts with the floor - there's a blur as it tumbles down several stairs, other, colorful things tumbling with it. At the bottom of that flight, it lands face-up, recording a very stunned-and-then angry young boy in a boy tie, staring at the remains of the two grocery bags he just dropped.]

What a mess.

[He starts

Comments

Voice

[makes_asteroids]

Are you all right?

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

I'm okay, but the food...

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

[Kindly] Is replaceable. What did you lose? Milk, bread, how badly damaged is the fruit?

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

They'll be fine. It's just a few bruises.

I made a mess, though... do you think they'll let me borrow a mop from the janitor? I don't want them to get mad and kick me out, it's dangerous out there. And cold.

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

Good.

I never actually stayed in the apartments there, friends intercepted me first. I'm sure if you alert maintenance they will handle it however, don't fret.

What type of milk and bread was it?

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

You're lucky to have friends here, mister. I'm trying to make it on my own here. [There's just the slightest quaver to that, exactly what you'd expect of a young boy who was trying to be brave in such a bleak situation. It's an easy enough part to play.]

A quart of whole milk and a loaf of rye bread.

[gloomily] I can't believe it. Three whole dollars down the drain...

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

I was. Is there no one from your world here? [Have worried grandfather tone]

All right. I'll drop some off to you this evening before I head into work. Light, medium, or dark rye?

I know how you feel lad. But it will be ok.

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

Dark - but - but you don't have to. I couldn't pay you back. Unless you have a little work for me to do... I'm small and very fast, and stronger than I look. If you needed someone to clean out your chimney or clean out beneath the floorboards or shine your shoes...

[Generally, the boy doesn't like relying on others for anything, but he's gotten all too used to having someplace warm to sleep and good food to eat, which means he'll have to use a few people to secure them.

It's not because he values their companionship. It's not because he misses the people who took him in back in New York. It couldn't possibly be.]

I don't have anyone, mister. I don't have any family, even back in my world.

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

[scoffs] I do not need to but I can. You don't need to pay me back.

You don't. How long have you been on your own? How old are you? [He doesn't like that.]

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

I'm eleven.

Well... it feels like I've been on my own forever. I was taken in by a man when I was little, but he died. Lately, I'd been living with Miss Ennis, a lady who has no family either.

I guess I shouldn't have gotten to used to it.

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

[Aww Jeeze.] No, you shouldn't have.

You haven't been here that long, have you?

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

A few days.

Is it true we're stuck here? I've taken a look around, but it's so cold, and the rioting...

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

It is I'm afraid. The rioting is calming down, and yes, it's going to get cold. Do you have clothing for the winter? Good boots?

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

I bought some long underwear with some new changes of clothes... I don't know which coat or boots are best, they look different than what I've seen in stores before. I guess I'll need all those when they turn me out in a month.

Re: voice;

[makes_asteroids]

You'll have some where to go before then. I can take you to pick out some winter clothing, if you'd like.

What have you seen in stores before?

voice;

[tiny_schemer]

Do you think Miss Ennis will come here too?

Well, most of the clothes just looked different. They weren't as flashy and brightly colored, and it seems like there were less of them, too. Some of the fabrics seem weird, too. And one time I was looking at pants and the lady at the store acted like I was stupid because I was in the girl's section.

I guess in my head I knew things would be different after almost 80 years, but I'm so turned around it's embarrassing. And all of the clerks know I'm not from around here because of how I'm dressed...