NETWORK | VIDEO

[mrsklover]

[The message starts off with nothing but darkness for a few long seconds. It's quiet and still until, finally, a groan comes through. Another one follows behind it and the video shifts to show it apparently just pressed into the dirt.]

Fuck...

[The video turns again, whipping around as the person holding the comm seems to drop it a few times before finally righting it, camera facing the wrong way.]

How does...fucking... Shit...

[It falls again but then is lifted back up, turned around, and at long last the owner is shown: Richie Tozier squints at the device almost like he's in pain. Which...yeah. Sort of.]

Uh... Hey everyone... [He scratches his head.] You ever get the feeling like you missed something? Or a few somethings?

Comments

[plate_builder]

Yes, I presume they would. Actually, May is imminent. You're quite delayed in the latest session I'm sorry to say. And things happened in the blizzard that no doubt warrant sessions.

[mrsklover]

Blizzard?

Fuck, Reeve. What the fuck happened while I was gone?

[plate_builder]

So much, Richie. So very much. How about I brew up the end of this month's batch of replicated coffee, and you fetch something from the Diner. Most of those working there now are newer so you should be able to get in and out without too much gossip if that speedy young man is not around.

[mrsklover]

[He nods mildly, feeling equal parts stunned and confused. The Diner. Sure.]

Yeah. Sure. You want something specific or should I just go for a Grand Slam? [ He waves Reeve off before he could get confused by the reference. Something tells him Denny's isn't universal. ] Bad joke. Nevermind. But if you want something, yeah. Let me know.

I might pick up some red fruits too. Coffee is good but something tells me I should have something stronger on hand.

[plate_builder]

I'm sure the joke is fine with the cultural cache. You are the comedian. But yes, just fetch me some of whatever they have cooked up fresh.

And no one is assigned to the Flygood these days. It's open access. We can just get some Red Juice from there.

[mrsklover]

I'm sorry, what? You're just telling me now it's open access?

I'll meet you there with a fucking bucket.

[plate_builder]

As if The Deep End isn't already open access in its own right. And are you sure you really want that much? It seems counter intuitive for retaining any of the catch up information.

[mrsklover]

You make the assumption I want to retain it. Maybe halfway through I decide ignorance is bliss. I'm thinking ahead, dude.

[plate_builder]

As you will then. But no mixing coffee and alcohol. Mixing your mind altering substances is not wise.

[mrsklover]

...I should really tell you about the show I did in Colorado back in '98. You might worry less, then.

[plate_builder]

Somehow I doubt it.

[Hilariously enough, Reeve could probably tell him about his own mixing and maxing in '98 and it would probably involve not seeing his home in a while.]

[mrsklover]

Let's just say it involved cocaine, weed, a bunch of pills, a roulette wheel, and more alcohol than you can dream.

I saw god and he was a koala.

[plate_builder]

I cannot say that I know what a koala is, but I am not surprised. We'll ensure you don't face that today.

[mrsklover]

Teddy bear looking thing? Big ears? Big nose? Clings to shit? [Yeah, probably not something that lives in his world. Oh well. ]

It's all good. Now that I'm back I would probably see floating glownies or whatever. Can't wait to find out!

[plate_builder]

Do you mean an Elfadunk?

[No, an Elfadunk absolutely isn't correct, given the fact that those are more elephant-like than anything.]

If nothing else, I can at least be the person to get you back to your bed when you're wasted.

[mrsklover]

A what?

[Probably as meaningful to him as 'Koala' was to Reeve. But whatever. He just shrugs.]

Yeah, okay. That's a deal. Just don't draw a dick on my face when I pass out or anything.

[plate_builder]

What? Do people actually do that? I heard things like that in college, but it seemed so improbable.

[mrsklover]

Wow.

You had a really boring young adulthood, huh?

[plate_builder]

I was busy with school. Such is the life of a prodigy.

[mrsklover]

You should have been a fuck up like me. You get loads more time for crap like drugs and drawing on passed out friends.

[ His eyes light up with an idea. ]

Hey! Dude, we can let you catch up on the shit you missed! We need to have a kegger.

[plate_builder]

Alas, if I was in your boat, I would never have left the farm. Which perhaps the world would have been better for, but still, I would have been a terrible farmer.

[Reeve has to chuckle at that comment.]

Richie, just because I never saw someone draw dicks on faces doesn't mean I didn't go to parties where there was rampant drinking. I wasn't that old before my time.

[mrsklover]

Look, I don't make the rules, but if there are no dicks, it's not really a good party. You must have been at subpar, ex-farmer raves. Fun, but not the same.

Don't worry, I'll teach you.

[plate_builder]

[Reeve just chuckles to himself because he knows better. He doesn't need Richie to believe that or not.]

I think I shall have to pass. I'm supposed to be catching you up on recent history, remember?

[mrsklover]

Yeah, yeah. I'll surprise you with the rager. Don't worry. It'll be great.

[ He salutes the camera. ]

Meet you at the Flygood, pal! Bring markers!

[plate_builder]

It takes more than two to have a rager, Richie. But as you will. I'm not bringing markers though.

[He will get his coffee and pain pills. But he does gather it all up and head for the Flygood. This is such a foolish idea, but it was worth it to get the man caught up.]