[01: audio] white knuckles

[manhunthotline]

[With oddly apropos timing, given the recent appearance of the traveler, detective Benny Stango has arrived in the middle of a conversation with Mark Meltzer's answering machine--his last conversation with either it or the man himself, in fact. Without his noticing, the ground has changed under his feet from damp concrete to carpet, and the pay phone he's been clutching has been replaced by the Wonderland standard-issue communicator unit.

So the network gets treated to a low voice, sharp with panic and thickly-accented (the Bronx, if anyone was wondering). And he's shouting. Despite years of smoking, the man has a set of lungs on him.]

--Jesus, Meltzer, what is that thing?! I took a shot at it, it didn't even flinch! I ran the whole way back to the squad car--yeah, I gotta remember to clean the seat--jesus, Meltzer, I never believed you were right, I'm sorry! Just gimme a c--

[The voice stops, almost cut off. Stango's looked up, finally noticed the change.]

What the hell...?

[At least he's still blissfully ignorant of the whole hellhound issue.]

Comments

[paper_knight]

Stango.

[Mark is in the middle of turning his room into a defensive bunker, so he's stressed and preoccupied and apt to snap--but part of him is still pleased to hear from Benny. He could do with an ally to balance out the Traveler's arrival--however uneasy said alliance might be.]

...Stango, where are you?

[manhunthotline]

Oh, now you can answer the goddamn phone!

[It's automatic, but his tone has lost some of his bite; it's more reflex than anything, as he's still staring around himself in bewilderment.]

Well, I was in a phone booth just outside Montauk, but...I ain't anymore.

[paper_knight]

Indoors? You sound indoors.

There should be a room number just outside your door. Can you check it for me?

[manhunthotline]

Indoors--hey, maybe you shoulda been the detective. [Sarcasm. Not only his default state, but his most reliable fallback in a panic. He sighs and jerks around to look at the nearest door.]

Says one-oh-one.

[paper_knight]

Yeah, yeah.

[So it was maybe a little obvious, and really, he should have remembered that Wonderland's room numbering system makes no sense. Benny is out of earshot, so he could be anywhere.]

Can you see a stairwell? There's usually one at the end of every hall.

[manhunthotline]

There's a door with no number. Might be stairs behind it, why?

[paper_knight]

Because I would like to catch you up in person rather than by yelling over the radio, and it's easier to meet on the stairs than it is to navigate the hallways.

[Especially, he thinks, for someone panicked and unaccustomed to the mansion's unique idea of direction.]

[carbon_knight]

[Meanwhile, on the mirrorside, the faint shouting draws Mark Meltzer's mirror to sharp attention. He takes what he was working on--the first real project in ages, circuitry and broken glass and tiny moving parts--sets it aside, and heads across the hall.]

too lazy to set up ben's account rn so you get this

[manhunthotline]

[It swings open, only pulled to, not locked, not even really closed. It looks as empty as it did once it had finished absorbing Ben's belongings, just hardwood floor, white walls, and a simple wooden bedframe made up with plain white sheets.

And one extra thing: Ben. He's seated on the edge of the bed with his grey suit jacket unbuttoned, tie askew, no hat. He looks as if he hasn't slept in days, and he has one arm wrapped around a bedpost as if it's the only thing anchoring him.

He looks up at the sound of someone entering the room, and stares blankly before recognition--and relief--fills his eyes.]

Mark…?

[carbon_knight]

I thought I heard your other yelling.

[He steps inside cautiously--he's not sure if that's really recognition or his own wishes projected onto a new, similar mirror who naturally recalls Mark Meltzer--and offers his hand.]

[manhunthotline]

[He reaches out, slowly, takes the hand, and shakes it. There's still something dull and vague about his eyes, but his grip is firm. Then he says, seriously…]

Mark. Why are we shaking hands?

[carbon_knight]

[Ohthankgod]

You've been gone two years.

[manhunthotline]

[He draws back a little, stunned.]

That long?

[voice] SCREECHES????

[worldentire]

You know Meltzer?

[voice] YELLS REALLY LOUD

[manhunthotline]

Who the hell are you? What kinda stupid phone is this, and how did you get the number? Yeah, I know Meltzer. Better than I want to.

yELLS EVEN LOUDER AND WAVES ARMS

[worldentire]

It's the kind've stupid phone you get when you come here, sport. I have the number by virtue of bein' here, too.

My name's Augustus Sinclair. Esquire, that is. You're in luck: he's around here somewhere too.

just imagine giant flashy text here

[manhunthotline]

That's a stupid goddamn way to run a phone service. I already ran into him.

[He sounds a little bitter. Playing cards with Mark Meltzer is not how he'd planned to spend his evening.]

oh god blingee returns WHERE DID MY CIGAR SMOKING ICON GO

[worldentire]

It's not so much a phone service as a constant stream've information t'everyone with a device. He's charming, if a bit, ah. Hesitant.

[manhunthotline]

Charming is not the word I woulda picked, but okay.

videoAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHA I'm not sorry

[nascensibility]

[Obviously, the one thing Benny Stango could possibly want right now is another inquiring mind, because he does so appear to love answering people's questions with the utmost courtesy. His affable nature is apparent - nay! - bursting at the seams trying to let itself be known to the Wonderland populace!

Evelyn O'Connell, dear friend to Mark Meltzer and all-around pleasant person, is more than happy to assist any associate of Mark's.]

...Excuse me, sir?

[All right, so it's best to remain proper, given that he looks to have only just arrived. Better safe than sorry.]

Are you looking for Mark Meltzer?

[video] yes good thing you have contacted this extremely sweet-tempered man

[manhunthotline]

Jesus Christ, the phone is lookin' at me.

[…But hey, at least it's pretty. Benny tries to look a little less like he has a splitting headache, without much success.]

I found him.

[video] he's a softie at heart I'm sure

[nascensibility]

I know, dreadful contraption, isn't it?

[She can empathise. Technological marvel or not, they're still bloody complicated and what's so wrong with a radio, anyways? Do we really have to move so far beyond telephone calls?]

But I'm very glad you've found him, he's a good friend of mine. Has he briefed you on the particulars, Mister...?

[video] deep, deep, deep…deep down

[manhunthotline]

Stango. Benny Stango. He's, uh…workin' on it.

[It all sounds pretty ridiculous, to be honest, but the terrifying howling from outside demanded explanation.]

[video] that's a lot of layers, good thing she's an archaeologist

[nascensibility]

I'm Evelyn O'Connell.

[It's only polite to return the introduction.]

Is...is there anything I can help you with? To settle in? Or have you got things handled?

[He seems a little preoccupied, and she doesn't want to be a bother.]

[video] oh…baby…?

[manhunthotline]

I, uh…y'know, I'm still kinda sortin' it out. As far as losin' my mind goes, this is really not my style, but I have trouble buyin' into this whole Alice in Wonderland gig.