second ➛ video

[backpacking]

Okay, short and sweet. I've got some questions. ... And one comment, which is fuck that last trip. You think you're home free from whatever crap you've got back home, and then... bam. It's in your face. What's that about?

[ huff ]

Name's Ellie. I spent a lot of time reading back home and now that we're not in the trenches anymore, I need some reading material. Suggestions? The library's huge here and I don't even know where to start!

Uh... [ What else... She scrunches up her nose, thinking. ] Anyone up to teaching a kid to swim? Because that's something long overdue that I haven't gotten around to. And -

[ She looks a little more meekly at the camera, then glances away, chewing on the inside of her cheek. ]

There any way to get in touch with someone back home? Like... I dunno, a magic mirror so we can see they're okay? It's important. Thanks.

Comments

Video

[whiskeyslinger]

[ Ellen hums, trying to remember the things she used to find Jo reading on the back porch at that age. ] If you haven't read it yet, To Kill a Mockingbird is always good. If that's too tame, you might want to try In Cold Blood by Capote. And if small southern towns aren't your thing you might be talking to the wrong person.

[She nods.] No problem. Don't sweat it, it's easy once you get the hang of it.

Video

[backpacking]

For sure! That one's on my list. [ The first, anyway; the second has her squinting, because it sounds familiar. ] Southern's fine; I traveled with this guy from Texas and I heard it all the time.

[ She doesn't sound like Joel, though. ]

Which is better, d'you think?

Video

[whiskeyslinger]

To Kill a Mockingbird. Start with that one and I'll see if I can't dig up some lighter fare for you.

[She smiles.]

I've always had a thing for Southern. They're more dramatic than the midwest. I liked that at your age.

Video

[backpacking]

Can do. I'll head over there after this.

[ To the library, that is.

Ellie snorts, but she's grinning. ]

Oh, dramatic for sure. The guy I know gets super cranky, too.