[ 3 ] [ voice; forward-dated to early saturday morning ]

[retropolis]

[ He doesn't speak immediately, though there's the very, very faint sound of the radio in the background. A breath is drawn and when he does finally talk he sounds some combination of very concerned and upset while also trying not to be. ]

Um -- uh -- hello. I wouldn't normally use this thing for such a simple question, but I figured this would be the fastest way to get a real answer, since-- well, I know that protocol here doesn't always allow for just calling the police.

So: Has anyone else disappeared... recently? Unaccounted for?

[ He clears his throat and there's a pause as he takes a drink of something. ]

You see, I can't reach my friend Sally. [ Another pause. ] Jupiter. She's not normally very difficult to get ahold of, but it's no use. Now, my coworkers went missing for about a week last month without any warning, and they're all back now. But they weren't alone, either, and I know -- I know that these things can depend on if they're individual or en masse. That is, it's what I've heard.

But if anyone has seen her... or heard from her... I'd just like to make sure she's all right. I want to ensure that--

[ You don't want to know how many times he's tried calling her to bring him to the conclusion that, yes, something may be wrong. Like. It was a lot of times. Just in case: ]

Sally, if you're listening to this, I really hope you aren't just avoiding me.

Comments

[glassbox]

Y'didn't piss her off, did you?

[retropolis]

No... well, I don't think so. I can't imagine what I could have done. We get along just fine, normally.

[glassbox]

Y'sure? I ain't sayin' y'did anythin' wrong, but y'never know with some gals what's gonna set 'em off. And it ain't like most men are great with bein' sensitive n'all.

[retropolis]

As sure as I can be, but, uh. I'm no expert when it comes to women. [ A beat. ] She should just tell me, then. I gave her plenty of chances to answer the phone.

Voice

[viced]

Actually, it's a pretty common thing, people disappearing.

voice

[retropolis]

Just up and going... back, right? Without any kind of warning? [ He pauses. ] I've heard as much.

voice

[viced]

Yeah. It's an unfortunate side-effect of showing up here. Sometimes, though, they come back.

voice

[retropolis]

She'd been here before.

I'm not sure if that means anything.

voice;

[waiting]

[ She's probably gone, he thinks, but he's not going to tell Nelson that. Neither is he going to raise any false hope. ]

Can't say I've heard of anyone disappearing recently. Sorry.

voice;

[retropolis]

It isn't-- uh, there could be other explanations, still. It's early enough.

voice;

[waiting]

When was the last time you talked to her?

voice;

[retropolis]

She didn't turn up all that long ago, but she had plenty of other friends to catch up with. [ He thinks. ] Still, it can't have been more than a week. I think it's important to try and keep in touch.

voice;

[enigmaestro]

If only someone had falsehood detection, to check this truth with you.

Oh well.

voice;

[retropolis]

Uh.

Well, would you? I-I'd be extremely grateful to know one way or the other.

voice;

[enigmaestro]

I'm hardly convinced that you've earned the privilege.

voice;

[retropolis]

You know, it really isn't asking much.

text

[aggressiveapathy]

dead :(

text

[retropolis]

SHE IS NOT DEAD!!!!
YOU SHOULDNT JOKE ABOUT THAT!!

text

[aggressiveapathy]

it happens everyday
takes like
a week
and bam
back

voice

[gevurah]

Sally was back? [ Or... not anymore. ]

voice

[retropolis]

She was. For a week or two...

[ A pause. ]

You two were friends?

voice

[gevurah]

That explains it.

We spoke a couple of times. [ She wouldn't say they were friends at all. ]

voice;

[hexappeal]

That... happens sometimes. And it wouldn't be the first and probably not the last time Sally's been ported out. [But she does sound a little disappointed about it. Sally. :(]

voice;

[retropolis]

Ah. Well. Does that mean you think she'll be back?

voice;

[hexappeal]

Maybe? It's hard to say. It was about a year between the last time and this one.