1. (video)

[thisonetime]

[The feed comes on, but at first, everything's dark.]

The hell is this?

[Then there's a shot of Ellis's gray eye, and then it pans back out to his face. He's covered in a layer of dirt and various bodily fluids, and beyond that, he's tired and bruised in a few places. The stone ceiling of his barracks room can be seen in the background, and Ellis looks quite perplexed.]

Hello? Anybody out there? This funny little book's talkin' about worlds bein' unmade and records bein' kept and whatnot, but it ain't makin' much sense.

Like, how'm I here if everythin's not made anymore? And hell, you can't unmake shit! My friend Keith tried to unmake a car once, cause he thought it was haunted, but all he got was a broken car and a face full'a burnin' oil. He quit messin' with it after that, mostly 'cause he went blind for like six months. Don't know if it was really haunted or nothin', but I guess anything can happen, after the zombies an' shit...

[Ellis just trails off, then looks around the room. With his free hand, he rubs the space between his shoulder and neck and winces. Getting pounded into the ground by a charger sucks, and he's still aching.

Then, he turns back to the camera and smiles, though it's a little uneasy.]

So, hey, m'name's Ellis. I'm lookin' for Nick, Rochelle, and Coach, if any y'all out there.

[And they had to be, didn't they?]

Comments

[thisonetime]

Why didn't y'just quit? I mean, Keith an' I quit loads'a jobs when they weren't workin' out no more.

[shovels cheese into mouth]

[dominateartimus]

It doesn't work like that, sadly. Its either do your half of a deal or die.

[He gave a small shrug, not like he's bothered by the idea.]

[thisonetime]

[Ellis stops mid-shovel, one cheek poking out.

Then he swallows, and he looks pointedly at Sandrath.]

Wait a second...

Are y'all in a gang? Are y'all with mob?

[dominateartimus]

No. I work alone.

[Although he kind of wished a few enemies showed up from his world, it would release so much tension he was feeling for the past few weeks.]

Anyway, that's enough talking about me. What about you?

[thisonetime]

[Work alone? Maybe he's an assassin. Or a serial killer. Maybe he's a cult leader. No, wait. Maybe he's-- who knows.

Ellis blinks, then frowns, confused.]

Well, what about me? You curious 'bout somethin'?

[dominateartimus]

Yeah, I am.

[A small smirk returned his lips. He gestured his hand to the various liquids Ellis had been drenched in.]

I'm curious about what you killed to be covered in all that... stuff.

[thisonetime]

Oh, kay, all right. Just, you know, zombies. Couple boomers, a spitter, one pissed-off tanks, an' a smoker t'boot. No jockeys, though, that was good.

[dominateartimus]

I'm afraid I don't know what any of those are.

[Well, the spitters were kind of obvious and he could get a vague guess of what a tank was.]

[thisonetime]

Different kindsa zombies! Special, mutated kindsa zombies. Boomers and spitters'll both puke on ya, but only the spitter's got, like, acid in her, and a smoker, like - he grabs you with this big goddamn tongue and tries t'choke y'all to death. Tanks, though, them's nasty bastards. Big 'nough to chuck a car atcha, and takes damn near all the bullets you got and then some t'kill.

[dominateartimus]

Sounds fun.

[There was no trace of sarcasm in his voice at that. If anything, grinned a little bit more at the idea, but then it faltered.]

Well, thanks for informing me. I think I've taken up enough of your time, so I'll let you be.

[He moved from his spot and headed towards the door-way.]

[thisonetime]

Oh, uh, sure. See y'round, I s'pose.

[Ellis just lets him go, but then he calls after him.]

Don't go sneakin' up on me like that again, y'hear?

[dominateartimus]

Good night.

[As he head down the hall, he called back to Ellis.]

I won't unless I want to get hit by that bat of yours.

[thisonetime]

Good!

[After all, he didn't want to hit Sandrath. Aside from that freaky eye thing, he seemed like a pretty cool guy. Then, grinning, Ellis returned to his food.]