007 | not the first time I hear

[mortal_son]

[ VIDEO ]

[ There's something with a rectangular edge mostly blocking the camera when it comes on. The rest of the view is plain ceiling. There's a clatter of keys, and then a voice called out - ]

Hey, Aki! Someone should damn well just fire me already.

... You're not even here, are you.

[ Shuffling sound - taking off a coat, maybe? And the sound of a fridge opening ]

Oh, I want it all in one bag - lady, I toldja if y'put raw shit in the bag with everythin else, it's gonna leak, and then you're gonna have blood all over your nice produce and what the hell did you expect, crazy lady, then you've gotta complain to my manager and -

[ Sound of a can of something opening ]

- and does nobody know how to use one of those damn self-checkout things, seriously, if it says it ain't gonna take cash, then cash won't work, yellin at me is gonna be like yellin at a brick wall, cause I don't give a shit -

[ Frustrated groan ]

- and now I'm talkin to myself like a crazy person.

[ Grumbles now under his breath, goes back to the phone. Picks up - looks like it was a pack of cigarettes blocking the camera. Shinjiro notices the light, indicating he's recording, and winces. ]

Damn it.

[ Switches off the video ]

Comments

video;

[stairsbro]

Someone save this man from retail.

video;

[mortal_son]

[ Annoyed ] I'm the one who signed up for this shit.

video;

[stairsbro]

Why the fuck would you do that?

video;

[mortal_son]

[ He pulls a long drag off his cigarette. Yes he's outside, Aki would murder him for smoking in the flat. Wry smile. ]

They pay me money?

[Video]

[initia_nova]

I'm guessing you found a new job.

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Yeah. Pretty much had to.

[Video]

[initia_nova]

Sorry that the clients are being so difficult. Retail is always a hard job.

Where do you work?

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Pan's Grocery.

I bag groceries.

[ See how excited he is by this, Scott? So excited. So excited he'll get another cigarette now. ]

[Video]

[initia_nova]

I've never been there, do you have dry dog food?

Nothing wrong with that, it pays the rent. And you can always find a new job later if you get done with this one.

[Yeahhhh...He can tell Shinjiro is ecstatic.]

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Yeah. Though you'll wanna grab some wet food for your doberman as well. They've got both here.

[ Shrugs ]

Anybody who'd give me a paycheck is good 'nough, I suppose.

[Video]

[initia_nova]

Perfect. And yes, both will be the best option, I'll come tomorrow once I'm done with work. Have you found a place to live already?

It's a start.

[Video]

[mortal_son]

[ Small frown: ] Yeah. My friend basically arm-wrestled me into gettin a place with him.


[ Perhaps literally, depending on how that thread goes ]

[Video]

[initia_nova]

[Scott blinks a few times after that answer but his visor hid it.]

Your...friend?

video;

[stairsbro]

You're doing something miserable because money? I'll pay you money if you let me film you flicking that cigarette into a bucket of confetti.

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Somebody from my world. Known him since we were kids.

Showed up about a week ago, and. Well.

He's a stubborn asshole.

video;

[mortal_son]

... You'll do what?

Why? [ Skeptical ]

[Video]

[initia_nova]

Oh, that's great. Not the asshole part but having here someone you know from home. What's his name?

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Akihiko Sanada.

[ Sighs ]

You'll probably see him 'round the city, joggin or trainin or somethin.

[Video]

[initia_nova]

I don't think I did yet but I've been busy lately. I've finally found an apartment to live in as well.

Did you go to the same high school...?

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Good to hear.

For a while. He's from my future, though, so he's already graduated and everythin.

[Video]

[initia_nova]

They allowed pets so I have no problem keeping Horatio.

I know how weird it is to deal with people who comes form a different time than yours. You okay with that?

[Video]

[mortal_son]

Hey, that's real good to hear, then. Hope he's got 'nough room there, too.

[ Looks a little pensive. ] Kinda got to be, y'know? Least it's good to hear how they're doin, after I left. Like ... [ hesitates ] ... like they graduated, what they were up to, that's all nice to know.

[Video]

[initia_nova]

He does but I spent most of the time out of the house and he comes with me, so he gets out a lot. We are in Attleton Attics 203, if you ever want to come by and pet him.

Yes, those are the kind of things that are worth knowing. You aren't curious about how future you is doing? When I time traveled I got that question answered without wanting it...I wish I would have been kept in the dark.

[Video]

[mortal_son]

[ Blinks, then says: ] Thanks. I could do that.

[ And then ... shrugs, looks away from the camera. He's not going to tell Scott. ] Yeah, don't wanna know too much. Y'know how it is.

[Video]

[initia_nova]

You're welcome.

[That's fine, he won't press the issue. Not for lack of caring, he just understands how it is.]

I do and yeah, that might be for the best. It doesn't ruin the surprise.