005: AUDIO

[intheblanks]

[This evening the city might want to be grateful that Robert Chase has what might be described as a decent singing voice, even when, as now, it's coming out faintly slurred through the wires.]I ain't laughing

Comments

[byweavinglives]

Oh.

You're singing.

[intheblanks]

Oh yeah. [And he's drinking, which may be clearer when his words aren't set to a tune, although he's not as far gone as he could be - intends to be.] I hadn't noticed.

[byweavinglives]

Oh.

And you're mildly drunk, at least.

[intheblanks]

And you're not usually this prone to stating the obvious. Or maybe you are.

You know, I really can't remember.

video

[dulcisnuntius]

[Just a video of Dulcie applauding. Bravo!]

audio)

[intheblanks]

[well, it wasn't much of a performance (for that, get him in a good mood and turn on the karaoke).]

You could at least throw money.

audio)

[dulcisnuntius]

What, at the screen?

audio)

[intheblanks]

[Well, the angel has a point. Though it takes Chase longer than usual to realise it.]

You're right. Terrible peace on earth and mercy mild, God and Sinners reconciled idea.

[starshipmedical]

You at a bar?

[ Because if he is, he's going to go and find him. ]

[intheblanks]

[Now he's not singing, it's clear from the silence in the background that he's not.]

Nope. Prefer to make an arse of myself in private.

[Let his brain work through that a minute.]

'S working well.

[starshipmedical]

Well, except for the part where you posted it on the network, sure.

[intheblanks]

Hmf.

[Which means yes, McCoy, he'd got there. Oh and also.]

Star trekkin' across the universe.
Boldly going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse.

[this is not here...]

[as_damaged]

[but she is watching. maybe worrying, just a bit.]

audio)

[intheblanks]

[Well, as long as she's watching the post, the line keeps opening periodically.

Ahem.]

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart,
But the very next day, you gave it away.
This year, to save me from tears-

☞ when you're living in a hallway that keeps growing

[as_damaged]

Curiosity keeps her from letting this go, and when she sees him mention to someone else that he's not in a bar... well, if he were in a bar, Cameron wouldn't be heading out to pull him off his stool and sober him up. But she has a suspicion. One she can't just ignore-- curiosity is a professional habit, after all.

Feeling foolish she pauses at a corner to slip her shoes off, walking down the hall in stocking feet. Stealth isn't exactly her forte but it's better than the clatter of her heels, and (if she's right in her guess,) maybe he won't notice the soft footfalls, slow and uneven thuds. To her they seem to echo, shockingly loud, each accompanied by a jolt of cold from the hospital floor as she heads down the hall to stand outside the laundry room and listen. Somewhere to hide out.

☞ when you're living in a hallway that keeps growing

[intheblanks]

Chase is past noticing very much. Playing bartender, he's lined up his own glasses (plastics, and vending machine polystyrenes) along one shelf, careful even in this state to avoid disturbing the cover sheets keeping hygiene in the dark.

He could have gone to a bar - but he's more likely to be found in one when he isn't planning on seeking out oblivion. Most nights catch him in one of the local hole-in-the-walls for a constitutional, or two. Tonight isn't for his constitution. By the time Cameron reaches the door he's at the point of duetting with himself,

"I could have been someone-
Well so could anyone-
You took my dreams from me,
When I first found you-
I kept them with me babe,
I put them with my own,
Cant make it all alone,
I've built my dreams around you."

Though without the benefit of video, she's missing a very skilled attempt at air-violin.

[anotherbiscuit]

I'm loathe to admit that perhaps the Network is good for something. That was very lovely, Dr. Chase.

[intheblanks]

[Well, that's not quite the response he expected. But he's always happy to be polite to a grand dame. Efforts to mask the blurry edges of his words are go:]

Glad I could help change your mind. Long time since I've been carol singing.