video | un: r.chambers

[herbmixing]

Hi, everyone. My name's Rebecca.

[ The video opens on a small, homey apartment, filled with plants and books. Rebecca sits at a small piano, a mug of coffee steaming by her side. She looks...tired, really. It's been a difficult few weeks.

But that's no reason not to keep trying. ]

I was just wondering...what's the state of medicine like in your world? I had thought we were on the cutting-edge back home, but with everything I've seen here, you realise just how far we have to go. Considering everything that happens to us so regularly here, it can be really easy to lose track of your health.

I'm a field medic and a chemist, so I'd never call myself a doctor, but I still wanted to extend an offer to everybody: if you need someone to patch you up or do a quick check-up, call me. If you need medicine - over-the-counter stuff, obviously, not anything serious - then I'll run it over or get someone to deliver it to you. Just... [ She gives a weak smile. ] I want to help a little more, and I don't think being okay with a handgun really holds up against everything others can do, you know?

...anyway, I'm rambling. [ She looks down, playing an idle few bars of a melody. ] I've been staying in a lot. Watching old Disney movies, mostly, and I ended up working on this...

[ She adjusts the sheet music and sets her fingers in position. What follows is a nice little rendition with very few errors. Being able to just concentrate on something helps, a lot. Once it's done, she flashes a quick, embarrassed smile at the camera, then leans over and shuts it off. ]

Comments

text | r.chambers

[herbmixing]

Thank you! I've been working on it a lot the last week.
I didn't think I'd end up working on Disney scores, of all things.

[torsion]

Arrangements aren't easy, but working with something you are familiar with (and enjoy) is the same in any field. Always easier!
I'm not really familiar with them, but I'd love to hear more -- or join you, maybe?

Just no Moonlight Sonata.

[herbmixing]

That would be nice! I'll be honest, I was looking at Beauty and the Beast as well...and the Lion King. It's so much easier to watch them here instead of dealing with rewinding tapes!

[ It's been one of those weeks. ]

Haha...I think we've had enough of that one for a very long time.

[torsion]

As long as you've got the sheet music, I'm fine.
DVDs? Right, they're amazing!
Although I kind of miss rewinding. Chris, Forest, and I would sometimes rent some new movie and one of them would always forget to and I'd get a fine. :(

Did I ever tell you the damn piano in Spencer's European Estate triggered a hidden doorway, too?
I hate that damn tune, but at least it's not something I don't know.

[herbmixing]

I picked up a few. It seems kind of old-fashioned when we have all this high-tech equipment around us, but I like having proper sheet music and tapes. Rewinding is kinda comforting, in a way.

It did? I'll never understand why that mansion was so strange...

[torsion]

I understand. I guess part of it is getting older for me...
Should probably get a VCR or something soon. Not that I watch a lot of TV or movies. Might be the time to do some catching up while I'm here?

George Trevor, the architect. I get the feeling he was a fan of riddles, too, since I don't think it was just the contractors that created them.
Was on a cruise liner with the interior designed by him.
It looked different in some ways, but you could really see his touches on it.

[herbmixing]

I don't either, really. It's just been one of those weeks where you don't want to do anything taxing at all.

Sorry, what? He designed a cruise liner AND the mansion?

[torsion]

I work best under pressure so not working and no pressure... It's a new thing, ha ha.
How do normal people spend their time?

Yeah. I wouldn't doubt there's more I don't know about.
I guess he was a really influential designer. Not surprised Spencer would choose him for that reason.
Can't have your secret laboratory shithole look like a dump when you're trying to fool people, I guess.

[ SHE'S NOT SALTY. ]

[herbmixing]

If I ever find out, I'll let you know.

[ But she gets it. Oh, how she gets it. ]

I guess not. The least they could do was not make it aggressively impractical. I can't imagine how much work it was for those researchers just to get around.
Not that the RCPD was much better.

[torsion]

I hope you will. I could use that kind of advice.

I imagine there were go-arounds and some of them had their own keys or... whatever. They probably only had to go to the lab and I wouldn't doubt they were brought in the back way at times.
I've spent way too much time thinking about this.

You were only there for two weeks. Imagine what three years of key misplacement is like. I have stories would have your head explode.
You'd think they'd be more careful with them or have a guard that specifically deals with keys or something, but no...

[herbmixing]

I can imagine. You know, I'm beginning to think Chief Irons might have had a few problems...

[ Was that almost a joke? ]

[torsion]

You know, I never trusted or liked him.
Always heard rumors about him accepting bribes.

Guess I didn't realize how true it was. What a piece of shit.

[ It made Jill smile a little, at least! ]

[herbmixing]

You said it.
I guess it's all in the past now.

[torsion]

The past has a way of creeping up on you.
But that might just be age talking.

[herbmixing]

It might be. It's okay. We're not old yet!

Speaking of which, how are things with... [ God. Sorry, Jill, she still can't refer to him as 'Dick'. ] Gumshoe?

[torsion]

I'm going to be twice your age in two months, you know. Well, almost twice, anyway.

Putting me on the spot, huh.

[ C'mon, Rebecca! Don't be like that! Do you not like Detective Detective? ]

[herbmixing]

Yep! I want to hear all about it.

[torsion]

Where other people can see it, huh.
I mean it's going great.
I like him a lot.
It's nice to feel wanted.

[herbmixing]

It'll be fine. Nobody reads these things.
That way I don't have to feel too mushy when I say how happy I am for you.

[torsion]

I thought that until I occasionally found myself doing it.
Things can get boring when you're staring off in the distance on an adductor machine, you know.

Thank you. It's...
I don't know. Strange.
But good.
Guess I've spent so long alone I forgot what it was like to have someone you can depend on for company.

[herbmixing]

[ gayseal.gif ]

I can imagine.
Do you two have any dates planned?

[torsion]

We're kind of casual, I guess?
But I guess we're going out for pie sometime soon. And bowling.