üks // 01

[webfreedomftw]

A: 946 Beulah Street

[Hey, parents. One of your kids isn't what he used to be. This is probably best seen by the way he's creeping around the house with the lamp he unplugged from the nightstand in the room he woke up in, assuming this a dream or a prank, but ready with a blunt object and a fairly good swing should the place turn hostile.]

B:

Comments

B

[skyruns]

Unfortunately, you aren't dreaming. Unless we're dreaming the same dream, and I don't think that's possible.

[webfreedomftw]

You'd be surprised the sort of dream-sharing technology that's been hypothesized on.

[Pause.] Not to be rude or anything, but who are you?

[skyruns]

True, but they're hypotheses for now, aren't they? At least, as far as I or my father-- er, Dr. Andonuts knows.

Oh, sorry. I'm Jeff. And... the third possibility is the right one.

[webfreedomftw]

That depends on which official American reports you're reading, I think.

It's... not a pleasure to meet you, Jeff. I'm sorry, I can't lie about that. Although I'm sure you're a perfectly fine fellow.

[skyruns]

Ah-- that'd probably do it. I'm not really familiar with those reports, actually.

I understand that. This isn't really the best place to meet anyone in.

[webfreedomftw]

I don't think the general public tends to be.

Uh. You can call me Eduard, if you wish. Where are you from?

[skyruns]

Maybe that's something that I can send back home-- well, if I ever get back there with memories of being here intact.

I'm from Winters. I haven't seen it in a while though...

[webfreedomftw]

I can't say I know where that is, sorry. [Pause.] How long have you been here?

[skyruns]

Ah, really? Well, it's kind of hard to identify on a map, I think. Er... let's see. I think about two or three months at this point.

[webfreedomftw]

Which country is it in?

[skyruns]

Foggyland. [a beat--] It's north from Eagleland, if that helps.

[webfreedomftw]

[Those... those aren't countries. Estonia is well-familiar with all of the countries and even some of the no-longer countries of the world. None of them, to his knowledge, have ever even drunkenly declared themselves Foggyland. There is a long pause while he tries to think up an answer that is more diplomatic and polite than "no, seriously, where are you from, kid?"]

I see. I've never been there, myself.

[skyruns]

Ah, that's fine. It's quite a way's away, I think. Er, where are you from?

[webfreedomftw]

Estonia. [Pause. And contemplation: how often do people know where he is if he doesn't know where they are?] In the Baltic region. Near Finland.