three ❀ video

[unknowable]

[It looks like Adam has taken one of the mopeds to pieces. There are engine bits carefully arranged around him, his hands still have traces of grease on them, and there are tools nearby. He generally doesn't use the network much, but - this seemed relevant.]

I guess these are the vehicles we were promised. They seem all right - probably won't go more than 25, but it's not like there's a real need for speed here. They run pretty well, though they're electric, so they'll need charging. And they're not too complicated, so if something breaks it should be easy to fix - I'd be fine showing anyone who wants to learn.

[He pauses for a moment, shrugs.]

Or doing it for you, I guess. But there's some... weird stuff.

[Adam picks up the carburetor, unscrews part of the covering, and pulls it off. Rather than what would be expected to be inside - normal moped parts, necessary to running it - out pops a spring-loaded, fake-looking snake, like something you'd hide in a can for a shitty prank.

Expecting this, Adam does not seem surprised, only vaguely tired and maybe a tiny bit amused.]

All the ones I looked at have something like this. They run fine, though.

[And, totally deadpan, as a service to those who might be unfamiliar with this kind of thing:]

They really shouldn't.

Video

[benumbing]

[The video opens with Jack crouched on the beach, a handful of sand trickling from the gaps between his fingers. He's staring at it like he's trying to find the catch, something that would prove that it's counterfeit.

After a moment he sighs and dusts his hands together.]

Am I the only one who liked the city better the way it was? Or does that make me a blasphemer? [Wouldn't be the first time. He glances back, eyes lifting in the direction of the skyscrapers.] This looks a little too much like the city I came from.

[Everything clean and shiny and fake. Jack sighs before he speaks again.]

I'm looking for something that I lost recently, something that I was hoping someone might've found. [Jack chews on the inside of his cheek for a moment.] It's one of those hairless little...things. I haven't seen it in days. I don't think it could see very well, and I doubt it could swim. If anyone has seen one wandering around-

[He doesn't know how to finish. He cares, and that's never been an easy thing for Jack to show. He takes another deep breath, forcing a smile to his lips.]

Return it and I'm in your debt. Maybe we could even roll around on the beach together, make memories, get sand in our underwear. That sort of thing.