the times they are a'changing

[retropolis]

WHO: NELSON GARDNER and YOU
WHERE: Around the City! Locations specified.
WHEN: January 28th - February 2nd
WARNINGS: Will edit if needed.
SUMMARY: Nelson copes with the unpleasant surprise of arriving in faux-New York almost fifty years in the future the rational way: varying levels of hysteria and despair.
FORMAT: Tagger's choice.



It wasn't often that Nelson's asthma acted up -- not noticeably, not for years -- but he had been having on-and-off hyperventilation attacks of increasing severity since he arrived in this... wherever he was. He coughed and gasped and the pain in his chest seemed to tell him (scream to him) that whatever this was, it at least wasn't a hallucination. He knew plenty about pain, after all, and you didn't feel it from simple fantasies. That knowledge didn't help his confusion any.

In a way it was both everything he wanted and everything he didn't want all in one (hah) breath. A team of heroes could protect the world (a team of the right heroes), but what good did a whole city of them do? How could they do more than stumble over each other and cause more problems for themselves and everyone in their paths? It was tactically clumsy, at least from Nelson's perspective. More than anything it was overwhelming. How could anyone stand out this way? But that was a selfish thought. He was old and he was out of shape -- really, if he hadn't been obsolete already this seemed like the final nail in his coffin, and the worst of it was that this city looked like every social ill Nelson could imagine multiplied by ten; where was he? What had happened to New York? Just looking at the communicator in his hand perplexed him. It was apparently some kind of combination telephone and walkie-talkie, which was already beyond his comprehension.

Get ahold of yourself, he coached himself, willing himself the confidence to stand up straight again and walk steady until he could find somewhere to sit, or someone that could help. Of course he could do this -- with his USMC experience, he could do anything if he stayed alert, confident, optimistic… and strong. He was going to put his best foot forward and try to meet this situation with all the dignity he could muster.

Or if not dignity, at least steady breathing.

( I can be contacted on PM or plurk if further planning for any thread is wanted. Obviously most of these scenarios are pretty flexible; I'm open to location changes and/or time jumps occurring (e.g. they meet at coffee, then go to a movie, or the tag-in doesn't occur directly after the specific moment the set-up implies but rather an hour later) after the initial set-up unfolds, or if someone else has tagged and using a different time of day or slightly different (but nearby) location makes more sense. Tagging multiple days is also totally fine if desired! )

Comments

[invoking]

[ If he's making a reference to God, that bit flies over Gil's head. Godless heathen. ]

Perhaps there is someone controlling the Porter.

[retropolis]

[ He's not necessarily. THIS IS A GODLESS PLACE... he looks at Gil, surprised. ]

How could there not be?

1/2

[invoking]

[ He raises both his arms, the tiny plastic bag swishing as he does so. ]

It doesn't seem there is anyone controlling it. No one can touch it otherwise it--

[invoking]

[ He pales a little. ]

It ports you elsewhere...

[retropolis]

[ He frowns, face paling a little bit. No, no. There's simply no way he'll believe a machine is acting on its own accord. The future can't be that out of control. ]

There's always someone behind these things. Obviously this one's good at not showing himself, he wants to leave the impression that we're being ruled by a fickle piece of technology.

[ He pats Gil's shoulder. ]

Chin up, son. There's always something that can be done, even if it hasn't been found yet.

[invoking]

[ He snaps out of it, casting a cursory glance over to where Nelson's hand is. This person is so friendly...

He might have blushed a little there. ]

Ah...

Possibly, yes. This level of technology is beyond me anyway and best for whoever can understand it. [ If anyone is going to figure that machine out, it's going to be one of those people who specialize in it. ]

[retropolis]

[ He nods, hiding any uncertainty under a somewhat stoic expression. Keeping calm under pressure had been one of the things Nelson had struggled most with when he had just become a Marine, and he found as he got older (much, much older) it had become a struggle again, not instinct like in the good old days. Still: he had some control over himself. He's trying to look on the bright side both on Gil's behalf, and on his own. He pats Gil's shoulder again before removing his hand. ]

I'll say. It's all rather over my head, I don't suppose I'd be any help in that area even if I wanted to be. Still -- there's bound to be someone that can solve the puzzle. Sooner or later there always is.

[invoking]

[ He takes his words to heart, wondering if he's allowed himself to sink further in misery his whole time here. He shouldn't be doing that to himself. If there's a way in, there's a way out.

Right. It's a lot more simpler. It makes him feel like his head has cleared up a bit more. ]

Ah, of course. There's always a way. [ He smiles. ] Sorry, I didn't catch your name, sir.

[retropolis]

[ Nelson smiles back, his mood somewhat lightened as well. He only just got there, of course, but he can't see why they could be brought in with no way to find themselves out. It seemed absurd. ]

I don't think I caught yours either. You can call me Nelson.

[ Out of habit, he offers his hand. ]

[invoking]

[ He looks at the hand and hesitantly takes it. ]

Gilbert. It's nice to meet you.

[retropolis]

Likewise. You're one of the first people I've run into around here who feels much the same way as I do about this place.

[invoking]

The time I'm from seems so much simpler in comparison. [ But he is baffled by the cultural changes. Kenzi's kissed him twice without warning and asked him such personal questions.

Then there's April...

He thinks people don't have the same values they used to have or more importantly, manners. ]

I don't really understand a lot of the people or things...

[retropolis]

[ Nelson sighs again, understanding completely. ]

Time marches on. All we can do is march after it. [ The notion depresses him, however. ] But people can learn to adapt to most anything.

[invoking]

[ Easier said than done. His shoulders fall as he exhales slowly. ]

... Yeah.

Things can get hectic, but I think you'll be alright here. [ He seems like he can manage. ]

[retropolis]

One hopes.

[ Still, he forces himself to smile again anyway. ]

No worse off than anyone else, at the very least. That's something.

[invoking]

[ A nod. ]

Are you still exploring the City?

[retropolis]

Yes. It's not too different from New York City. [ Squints. ] Thankfully.

[invoking]

So you're from that place? There are a few others, too.

[retropolis]

I'm not surprised, it is a big city. Would that they were anyone I knew.

[invoking]

There's a chance someone from your world may be here.

[retropolis]

If they are I haven't seen them yet. [ He shakes his head. ] And a great many of them are dead, I'm afraid. It's unlikely.

[invoking]

[ His expression is caught somewhere between sympathy and discomfort. ] I'm... sorry.

But-- [ How does he break it to Nelson? He rubs the back of his neck nervously. ]

[retropolis]

Oh, no need. It's been long enough. [ His tone is regretful anyway. He glances at Gil. ] But what?

[invoking]

[ He averts his gaze. ]

The Porter has the power to bring even the dead here.

[retropolis]

[ Nelson stares. He sounds a little upset when he speaks again. ]

What are you saying?