[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noticing, the ground has changed under his feet from damp concrete to carpet, and the pay phone he's been clutching has been replaced by the Wonderland standard-issue communicator unit.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

[manhunthotline]

Good girl.

[He holds his hands out for her.]

[carbon_knight]

[He moves closer and angles her towards Ben's hands, coaxing. As noted, she's a bit lethargic, but Ben represents a warmer perch than Mark, and she changes hands willingly enough, slowly wrapping her lower half around his forearm.]

See? Missed you.

[manhunthotline]

I don't think snakes miss people, Mark. [He's watching her with a little half-smile on his face anyway.] Pretty girl...

[carbon_knight]

I don't see you complaining.

[manhunthotline]

Did she shed recently? She's very shiny.

[carbon_knight]

[He nods.]

Can you reach the desk drawer, there?

[manhunthotline]

Yes.

[he lays two fingers on the handle and looks at Mark inquiringly.]

[carbon_knight]

Some of her shed skin's in there. The bigger pieces.

...Some of your things, too, I think.