i

[dutysubdued]

[light pencil strokes-- slowly, carefully written:]

The screaming has ceased.
Hello. I have been reading for a while. This pencil will not last long, but I will use it until it is spent.

Who are you? Where are you? Are you well? Unwell? Is it a good day? How many are you?

[pause.]

What name is written on your book?

Comments

[limitedrun]

Another nutter, then.

[dutysubdued]

I've only ever been called mad or crazy.

Who are you?

[limitedrun]

That's what you're still being called. That's what a nutter is.

Why are you asking?

[dutysubdued]

I will remember, then.

I'm curious. Is it inappropriate to ask? I have not had this book long enough to know.

[limitedrun]

I'm sure you'll hear it again.

That depends on who you are.

[dutysubdued]

I would like to be called Blue. "Soldier Blue" is engraved on this book.
Does that help?

[limitedrun]

Soldier Blue? What did you do to your parents to make them hate you that much?

[dutysubdued]

I do not know.
Perhaps they weren't the ones to give me this name. Maybe it is just this book.

[limitedrun]

You were called something before getting the book, right?

Oh, you're in a nuthouse. That explains a lot.

[dutysubdued]

The name they call me isn't my name. I am here because I cannot be anywhere else yet.
I will leave when I wake up.

[limitedrun]

What do you mean, wake up?

[dutysubdued]

This is a dream.

[limitedrun]

How And what makes you say that?

[dutysubdued]

Because everything here is unfamiliar. I know where I belong, and I will be there when I wake up.

[limitedrun]

[Griffin going to go ahead and... stop taking the crazy guy seriously now.]

Right. Well, you have fun in your mental home.

[dutysubdued]

Are you leaving?