001 // public, video/text // all aboard the failboat

[meanstwin]

[ The initial shot is a close-up of a dark-haired man in his late twenties with a freshly-washed face and an absolutely baffled expression. He's tapping nervously at the keys on his comm, and under the bottom of the feed runs what appears to be an American telephone number with a 509 area code. The feed runs up the side of his face to blackness

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

I got bad news and worse news.

still video, but like he's trying to use the comm as a phone

[meanstwin]

[ He doesn't recognize the voice. ] ... who is this?

[with_my_teacup]

...someone with a real good view of your ear canal. Back it off, tough man.

My name's Riddick. Fellow inmate aboard a rehab-facility they call the barge. And I'm betting Carol ain't here.

[So is this guy the best actor in the world, he's wondering, calculating-- or does the Admiral really just drop kittens in the shark tank like this. Because really. This seems kinda cruel.]

[meanstwin]

[ This is the real life, Riddick. The view shifts again, to a vague swinging shot of the room around him - a mostly-bare apartment living room, as if it's just a house rather than a real home. ] How do you know where I am? This looks like my place, well mostly but...

[championoftime]

I believe you have the wrong number.

[meanstwin]

Then, um, who do I have? I'm so sorry.

[championoftime]

The Doctor. Dr. John Smith.

I'm afraid that you're not going to be able to find a line out, either. Communications are fairly restricted here. [That restricted gets a "R" roll. He sounds very Scottish for some reason.]

[meanstwin]

This isn't... I think I understand it now, it's more like a radio.

So you're close by. But I don't think I know you.

[flashy_magic]

Uh...that's not a phone.

hey i hope you like losing your title :3

[meanstwin]

Someone just explained that to me. Actually, he was very helpful. I still don't understand what's going on here, but...

Video - As most effeminate man on the Barge?

[flashy_magic]

Oh. Well, this is sort of a redemption ship thing. Every inmate gets assigned a warden that works on getting them to stop doing whatever they did to end up here in the first place. Then if they succeed, you get to come back to life.

video - *exactly*

[meanstwin]

[ ] ... back to life? Right, now that makes sense...

[expectremorse]

No Carol.

[pause] Wife? Girlfriend?

[meanstwin]

...my sister. [ He knows how odd it sounds, from a man his age, but she's the most important woman in his life. ] I don't know where she is, and... something happened she needs to know about.

[ His first attempt at a smile since he's come aboard is bitter as he shakes his head. ] But I guess I can't get ahold of her here, huh.

[expectremorse]

[INSTANT SYMPATHY. Hoffman frowns]

No, no you can't. I'm sorry. There might be moments where you can get a clear signal-but most of the time we're pretty damn cut off.

[meanstwin]

I'd started to think that.

She might show up soon, if what people are saying is true.

[strangehstorian]

She can't hear you, dear. I'm sorry, but you're not really at home right now.

[meanstwin]

[ A kid here... oh wait no it's some kind of... little person, that's what you're supposed to call them now, right? ] ...I thought as much even if I don't understand why this is half of my house...

[strangehstorian]

Well, your quarters have been chosen to make your stay more comfortable. If you would like them changed to something else, that can be arranged too.

[meanstwin]

No, I... it's no trouble, I just don't understand how this could happen.