[ 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

voice;

[enigmaestro]

[Flatly:]

You didn't ring false.

voice;

[retropolis]

[ A pause. Then he sighs. ]

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Mayor. I do appreciate the confirmation.

voice;

[enigmaestro]

That'll teach you to punch me so unceremoniously.

voice;

[retropolis]

I--

[ WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS!! He clears his throat. ]

You know that I -- I apologized for that.

[enigmaestro]

I said I forgave. Not that I'd forget.

[retropolis]

I wouldn't expect you to, but--

I can't undo it now.

[enigmaestro]

You'll have to continuously make it up to me, I suppose.

[retropolis]

What more can I even do?

private

[enigmaestro]

It's come to my attention that there are, ah, forums concerning City Hall personalities that require observation.

On the internet.

private

[retropolis]

Some what?

Which-- what sort of observation?

private

[enigmaestro]

A forum, like a public speaking forum. A place where people talk to one another.

I need you to keep me informed, about my name. My image. I can't trust April with this, for obvious reasons.

I'm convinced she's on there.

private

[retropolis]

Is there something wrong? What's being said?

private

[enigmaestro]

Gossip. Some harmless, some detrimental. Some personal speculation about preferences in company.

Imagine, when they begin to talk about you.

private

[retropolis]

Good lord.

You, uh-- you want me to just keep you informed? Surely it won't escalate to any extremes. I'm not versed enough in the world wide web to know how to intervene on any slander.

private

[enigmaestro]

I know how tenuous the situation is, Nelson, and you're going to have to trust me. Wholly. Which means trusting my intent. Blindly.

private

[retropolis]

Yes -- uh, of course. Just tell me what you need me to do whenever the time may come.

private

[enigmaestro]

I don't suppose you've heard of, ah, Rumblr?

private

[retropolis]

[ A little indignantly: ]

Should I have?

private

[enigmaestro]

Depends on your expected ratio of "hip".

And definition, I suppose, I don't mean the one you're apt to fall upon and crack.

private

[retropolis]

I don't really "surf." And I especially try to avoid reading propaganda.

private

[enigmaestro]

The second surprises me. You seem -- ah.

private

[retropolis]

[ Beat. ]

I seem what?

private

[enigmaestro]

Highly patriotic.

private

[retropolis]

I am.

I mean I don't care for tabloids. You know, gossip.

private

[enigmaestro]

Your government is asking you to do something, Gardner.