audio | un: steinbeck

[graftage]

[There's the sound of someone clearing their throat.]

I don't know, I guess I just wanted to get this off my chest. See if this has happened to anyone else. It still feels weird to me to even think about it, but...

[A long sigh.]

Anyways. My name's John Steinbeck. And where I come from, that was just a regular name with no other meanings attached to it. Coming here, though, I happen to get lots of people askin' about some kind of author. Seems like he has the same name as me. Which is like, sure, guess the name could be common.

[There's a pause.]

And then, a really good friend of mine gave me one of his novels, and...its bizarre. The names of the characters have the same names as my family. The situation in the book is stuff that I'm familiar with, too. It's just....weird. And I guess I just wanted to ask if, like, this is something people have even experienced, knowing that there's some other YOU out there in a different world who you weren't even aware of. I know people come from different worlds. But has anyone found out about another version of themselves or whatever through talking to people around here? Or is there anyone else who has actually met their own selves here? I guess that could be a thing.

[World dimensional shenanigans, oh my!]

...Thanks for listening. [A beat.] And before anyone asks, no, I've never written a single thing in my life.

Comments

audio

[originalshen]

...While I can't say I've seen any books written by or about me, I have indeed met myself, yes. Though considering the strangeness of the world and situation we currently find ourselves in, I'll admit I haven't questioned it quite as much as you appear to be doing.

audio

[graftage]

Why wouldn't you question it, though? Isn't that weird for you, to just meet...you?

[originalshen]

I certainly won't say I wasn't bothered by it. But on the other hand, there isn't a single thing about this world that isn't "weird" in some way or other - or is the sudden tendency to grow animal parts considered normal where you're from?

Suffice it to say that some issues had a rather higher priority than a man unlucky enough to share my fate.

[graftage]

Not really, but there's a guy who can turn into a tiger.

You could at least share tips if you guys are so supposedly unlucky, though.

[originalshen]

I don't see what sort of tips you would need. Avoid each other if you can't stand the other one's presence, collaborate with him if you find that the more agreeable choice. Or you could attempt to kill him, if it comes to that.

If you were looking for tips on fate, well...I suppose you have my condolences.