Case #1: The Stars Look Very Different Today

[feellikejumping]

[Accidental video]
[Standing in the City Square, Sam Tyler freezes, his eyes scanning over this unfamiliar landscape with a wary disbelief. His hand reaches up to press against his temple as if by that mere gesture alone it would restore normality. As if that ever worked in the slightest bit...

The corner of his mouth twitches slightly, and he

Comments

[Audio] 1/?

[justcautious]

Sam?

[Audio]

[feellikejumping]

.... breaths, right. That I can do.

[Audio]

[justcautious]

Okay, jus'...don't move, okay? I'll find you an' then...I'll find you a drink too, prob'ly. Should 'elp, that.

[Action]
There should be a Sam in the Square somewhere. He hasn't asked exactly where, so he runs around it for a bit and almost goes right past Sam before noticing. He smiles sunnily, and then looks a little bit hesitant.

"You're definitely Sam, yeah? Definitely? Yeah. Yeah. Course you are." He nods knowledgeably. "Okay, so I've been working with the Force 'ere for over 'alf a year an' it's in a bad way, so I'm glad you're 'ere. Best get you a drink first though, so you calm down a bit."

[Audio]

[feellikejumping]

Sam wasn't in the mood to go exploring at the moment. It was enough to just take account of his immediate surroundings and the 70's clothing that still clad his body. So sitting down, he slumped against a wall and waited for something, anything to happen that might help.

At the sounds of Chris' voice, Sam lifted his eyes to blink up at him warily. "Drink? That's the first sensible thing I've heard since I got here. Is there a pub nearby?"

[Audio]

[justcautious]

Chris made a face and then noticed Sam's reaction.

"You alright, Boss? You look a bit peaky." Putting his hands into his pockets, Chris tried to be reassuring.

"Not...really that bad here... Well. Um. There ain't really a pub. Bars an' that. Cos it's sort of like America here. They don't know 'ow t'measure pints an' 'alf the beer's like piss." He smiled nervously. "Just need t'know what to order, really." He offered Sam a hand. "Come on, Sam. I'll get you to a bar. Might get some colour into you, make y'stop lookin' like a dead man."

[Audio]

[feellikejumping]

"I've been better." He reached out, taking Chris' hand as he stood. At least Chris had stopped spouting off about magic and other nonsense. It was small consolation when faced with the trauma of having found himself in one strange place after another. But with the promise of the equivalent of a pub, he'd take it.

"Yeah, alright. Lead on."

[Audio]

[justcautious]

Chris nodded. "Wilco, Boss." Right. Closest place was probably the best place, especially if Sam had lurgy or something.

He led a path through the streets, looking back constantly to make sure Sam was following until they reached the bar. "Alright, here we are," he announced, unnecessarily.

[Action]

[feellikejumping]

Reaching out, Sam opened the door and entered, holding the door open behind him so that Chris could enter. Even if Chris was just a figment of his imagination, he was still deserving of courtesy.

"American, right? Why wouldn't I just conjure up a pub?"

[Action]

[justcautious]

Chris followed Sam in and walked over to the bar. He did manage to catch what Sam said, even though it was quietly.

"Sort of wish you had, Boss," he joked, grinning. "Be dead useful. Still. There's always hope, yeah?" He sat down at the bar looking a bit hopeful and caught the bartender's eye.

"It's basically all still American beers, man," said the bartender, "so you can stop staring at me. I told you, I can give you a can of Guinness and that's about it."

Chris sighed. "The least 'light' one, then, that don't cost three oranges." The bartender opened his hands by his sides and shrugged before turning to Sam.

[Action]

[feellikejumping]

He was about to place his order when Chris' words caught him off guard. "... 'oranges'? Since when has produce become currency?"

Sam hadn't even thought of checking his wallet for money...

[Action]

[justcautious]

"S'not produce," explained Chris. "It's money." He dug into his pocket to take out an orange coin and show Sam. "Currency's different here. So this's about two b-- Sorry. S'about 20p." He dug out another handful of coin, mainly orange, and put them away to show Sam the other colours.

"Okay, so, the Yellow's a bit past a quid, the Green's two quid an'...20p, maybe. And the Red's 2p. I don't 'ave any of the others on me but there's some worth more. Wouldn't carry them about though, gen'rally. Be askin' for trouble, that."

[Action]

[feellikejumping]

Sam patted down his clothing, feeling for any loose coinage that might be hidden within his pockets. Of course he'd done that soon after arriving, but it never hurt to recheck.

His pants pockets came up nil. Apparently, all his subconscious saw fit to provide him with was his badge, and id.

"Chris... I don't seem to have any currency on me at the moment. How do you feel about spotting me for tonight? I'm good for it."

[Action]

[justcautious]

Chris shrugged. "Figured I'd 'ave to," he said. "Y'don't get money for free and they don't let you exchange, neither. Well. Y'do if you go an' ask them in charge for some but I figure you'd best 'ave a drink before anythin' else."

[Action]

[feellikejumping]

"In charge?" Sam was certain that he'd regret asking. But how was he to figure out what was going on if he didn't?

"No, wait."

He turned back to the barkeep and gave a nod of his head. "I'd like a whiskey. Make that a bottle."

A good stiff drink was bound to make any reply he heard far more palatable.

[Action]

[justcautious]

The bartender raised his eyebrows at Sam but left to fetch their drinks all the same. Chris looked at Sam a bit hesitantly.

"Um....want me to wait 'til 'e comes back, Boss?"