entranceway | File E7657841

[ So, it's been a while since John's put his face out there, but considering the last time (and everything that's happened since), maybe it's not so hard to figure out why. Nevertheless, this suitably fine Sunday finds him taking the risk once again. It's not so much an attempt to be social as much as a way to stay connected without getting too close. ]

Hey, everyone. [ He waves. ] 'Bout a year an' a half ago, me an' the residents of Wonderland — some of 'em, at least — played a get-to-know-you game. It was pretty amusin' so I thought I'd bring it back, maybe add a few things, too.

Here's how it works: I'll says somethin' like, "If you were a superhero..." then you'll answer, "I'd be the Batman 'cause I'm from Gotham, my entire wardrobe's black, and I've smoked a pack a day for ten years, so my voice sounds like this." [ For the last part, he lowers his voice to a near-comical growl. ] Pick somethin' that suits you, or somethin' that's funny, and then when you're done answerin', come up with a similar one for me.

If you wanna play that, I can start us off with an easy one: If you were an animal...

Now, if that's not your game, I've got this totally original Wonderland Bingo card. [ He shows off the image of the BINGO card to the camera. ] Fill it out for yourself. If you can manage a bingo — that's five squares in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — then I'll personally give you some kinda prize. Maybe dinner, I dunno.

Finally, if none of those are all that appealin', I'm thinkin' of maybe gettin' people together for a friendly game of Truth or Dare. If you're interested in that instead, just lemme know...

[ Yep. That's what John Blake's offering Wonderland this week. Hope you guys enjoy his newfound interest in doing very little that could be considered productive. ]

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[ Blake could be a first name or a last name, but at least it's more than that "JR" guy gave him. ]

Alex.

There are a few others here from my world. [ He laughs. ] Guess if I'm gonna tell you about myself, I might as well just fill out your card.

Couldn't hurt. Or you could play the other game. Whichever you like better.

[ For the record, it's his last name, but he almost never goes by his first name, and infrequently by his middle. ]

[ He looks down, scribbling out his answers as he talks. ] What, the "If I were an animal" game? That, I don't know. Maybe a dog? There aren't many animals around Vega anymore.

Here. [ He holds up his answers. ] Guess you don't have to buy me dinner.

If you really want dinner, all you gotta do is let me know. [ He shrugs. Blake will always, always, always take the option to feed someone if they're hungry. ]

But before that, why're you a dog? What've you got in common with a dog?

[ Blake, where were you when he was a starving V1 on the streets of Vega? ]

I don't know, I'm ...persistent?

[ It's possible he doesn't actually know anything about dogs. ]

Ah. Can't say I know a lotta persistent dogs, but I'm sure it's the kinda trait they're known for.

[ He's not much of a dog person, not really. ]

Is Vega on Earth?

Yeah. Used to be Las Vegas, back before [ He sighs, ] everything went to shit.

[ Blake nods slowly. ] So, when're you from, then?

2038. Why, when are you from?

[ He hadn't considered that time might be a factor. ]

2012 thereabouts. So you're in my future. Or, uh, a future. Guess we wouldn't have to come from the same reality...

2012... That's early enough that we wouldn't even know if your future is my present. Still.. I'm not even born yet when you're from. Fucking weird.

Yeah, it's a bit messed up, I'll give you that. Some people're from far in the past, some're from far in the future. Gives a guy a headache thinkin' 'bout it.

And all from different worlds? Different realities? [ He shakes his head. ] Yeah, I think I'm feeling that headache.

You get used to it. Not sure if that's positive or not, but it's true.

How long have you been here, that you're getting used to things, and arranging games and stuff?

21 months.

21--? Man, a lot can happen in 21 months.

[ 21 months ago, Alex was just a V2 soldier in the AA Corps. ]

Tell me 'bout it. Most days I try not thinkin' 'bout it, most days I fail not thinkin' 'bout it. There's definitely a philosophical aspect of bein' here.

I heard somewhere if we get back, we don't remember this place at all. D'you think you'll just be 21 months older somehow and not remember a thing?

No. From what we've heard — and some of us have experienced — when you go home, it's like you never left. Don't remember anything or anyone here, just like it never happened.

Some people come back and they remember bein' here before if it's not been too long, but it's rare.

[ So even if he finds a way out, he could just be sucked back in. Great. ]

This place, man.

Yeah, I'll tell you what...

Anyway, what's your name? Did I ask that? Don't think I did. Name's John Blake, but most everyone here calls me Blake.

[ Most everyone ever calls him Blake. ]

So you're the "nagging text" guy.

I'm Alex. Alex Lannon.

Yeah, that's me. It's not as bad as it seems, Alex, I promise. Usually stick it makin' sure people eat if they're apt to avoid that sorta thing on a regular basis.

Do people make a habit of not eating? [ The sheer privilege of it rubs Alex the wrong way. ] Where I'm from, way I grew up, you got food you don't waste it.

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video; I love this CR! Also, I just noticed Blake introduced himself twice. Ooooops!

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