Network/Text

[directors_cut]

So- that was weird. Or not. That shit typical around here?

Still haven't really met anyone here, so to borrow an ice breaker from one of my girlfriend's magazines: Who's your celebrity crush?

I'd have to go with Sharon Stone.

Comments

[directors_cut]

Basics are good. I'm not really sure California High School prepared me for...any of this. Not seeing where trigonometry's gonna save the day, you know?

[He laughs, and then looks curious, given that his weapon of choice hadn't arrived with him.]

There's big guns?

[cactusy]

If you sign up for security there are. Energy guns; no bullets. They're cool, but not always practical.

[directors_cut]

Like some sci-movie? I don't have a lot of experience with guns. [Not completely true.] Is it hard to learn?

[cactusy]

Easier than a regular gun, probably.

[There's the sliiiightest hint of disdain in her tone here, even if it's not directed at Billy himself.]

And I'm all for high-tech weaponry, but you ask me, making guns on easy mode just means people without training will be more tempted to fool around with them. If you don't have experience, get some real lessons first, okay? I'll show you, if you want.

[directors_cut]

[Billy manages a casually interested nod, like it's not something he's ever thought of before, and definitely nothing he has any experience. The police back home believed it easily enough.]

Yeah? I guess that'd probably be a good idea. Be able to protect myself if it came down to it. My best friend was nearly fucking gutted just after he got here. If whoever did that to him is still around I don't want to run into him.

[cactusy]

[Shaw stops dead, mid-bend over another discarded board.]

Yeah? When did that happen?

[directors_cut]

Uh...a month ago? Ish? Maybe two? (As of the starting post.)
That one doctor with the sunglasses fixed him up, and that was sorta it.
I guess it's not like there's police to report it to, and honestly...no one's seemed all that concerned it.

[His brow creases in a troubled fashion.]

[cactusy]

Some of us didn't even hear about it.

[She grumbles as she straightens again - testy more than properly worried, the board still on the ground.]

Communication really sucks in this joint. Who was the victim? Did he see his attacker?

[directors_cut]

[Billy shrugs and gestures vaguely with his palms.] I dunno, I guess some guy said he was just confused and it must've be attacked before he got here, but I trust him. Didn't seem like anyone was going to take it too seriously after that though, so we've just been watching each other's backs.

My friend Stu. [He takes time to think, like he's remembering the details.] He said the guy, I dunno, um- was in some kind of creepy mask? Kind of like a ghost or somethin? Black robes?

[cactusy]

[Shaw snorts contemptuously.]

Gotta love a dramatic disguise. Stu Macher? I don't know him, but I've seen his name on the rosters. I'll talk to him.

[directors_cut]

Sounds like one of those movies.
Yeah, that's him.
We go way back.