01 [TEXT]

[hornrims]

[The habit of staying in hiding runs deep, and Richie is uncomfortable with broadcasting his face or voice over the network. In general he doesn't like the idea of the network but now he's getting desperate. It's been nearly a month that he's been here and still no sign of his brother. He had been standing right next to Seth before this. It didn't make sense.]

Right before you came here, were you with anyone? Did any of them come with you?

Has anyone been here a while before someone you knew turned up? How long did that take?

Comments

[prespangled]

yeah, someone i know showed up at the same time i did. but it's complicated.

who are you looking for?

[hornrims]

I can handle complicated.

I was with a group of six other than myself when I got here. It seems weird that with a group that large I was the only one who was pulled in.

[prespangled]

'weird' seems to be the soup of the day around here.

they might show up. they just might be from your past or future, so don't let it rattle you.

[hornrims]

Easier said than done, but we'll see.

Anyone from your future here?

[prespangled]

yeah, a few people actually. i hadn't met a couple of them yet, but then there was my best friend.

i'm steve.

[hornrims]

I don't know if I'd want to know things about my future. Kinda takes away the idea of free will.

I'm Richie.

[prespangled]

you only gotta worry about it here. seems like you forget all about it once you leave.

[hornrims]

So what's the point? Why is this place even here?

[He doesn't exactly expect an answer.]

[prespangled]

you might wanna ask the gods that question, but don't bet your bottom dollar on their answer.