video; birkenstocks in space (un: j.calhoun)

[bardish]

[ Here's a face peering into the communication device, all up close and personal, before he blinks and pulls his face back. When he speaks, it's in a hushed, panicky whisper: an anxious soliloquy. ] ...is this rolling? [ Blink. ] Shit! It's so rolling! What was I gonna say? I had a whole thing prepared and-- Ahh... Oh god...

[ Do something, Jeff. You can't just stand there like a deer staring at an oncoming 18-wheeler. ]

Uh. Hi...? [ A nervous wave. ] Hello! Greetings? I'm, uh-- I'm not really sure if this is the right place to ask, because I don't know if anyone's alive or dead-- [ Aside: ] Is that guy from the video still around, or is he...?

[ He makes a face, wrinkling his nose at the unpleasantness. Jeff may be looking a little green around the gills here. ]

Anyway...

My name's Jeff and I totally come in peace! Is there anyone out there? Anyone who, like, wears shoes in a men's size 10, who might have an extra pair lying around, because I could really use something other than sandals right now. I mean, they're good shoes, super comfortable, but I'm pretty sure flip-flops aren't appropriate footwear for this kind of place, like, it just seems wrong to walk around here with my toes out-- what if I catch some kind of crazy new strain of tetanus!

[ AWKWARD BEAT. He smiles, grins, way too toothy, like a man on the verge of a panic attack, but he's really trying here. ]

I'm really not picky! As long as they cover my feet! You know, because once I've got the right shoes, then it's all gonna be fine. It's fine. Everything fine! [ Keep telling yourself that, Jeff. ] So... Men's size 10! [ He even holds up 10 fingers, to illustrate. Then he closes his fists into two enthusiastic thumbs up. ] That's all! Thanks!

Comments

video;

[braveoff]

[ Oh no, this guy is screaming 'impending freakout' already. Drake isn't a size 10, and only has a vague idea where they could even start with searching for clothing, but he also really can't watch someone about to lose their shit and not do anything. So of course he replies, trying to project some chill though the communicator for this guy's sake. ]

There might be some around to scavenge, I can help you look. But I think you're right about flip flops being inappropriate... could you wear 11s until we find something? I've got spare boots.

[bardish]

[ Bless you, Drake, you're a good man. He tries to take in some of that chill, breathe it in-- uh, via Facetime-- but all he really manages is a deep breath followed by another nervous smile. ]

Oh yeah. Elevens are super! [ A beat, as he furrows his brow and mutters to himself, affronted by his own word choice. ] 'Super'?

[ REALLY, JEFF. ]

Um. I'm not picky. I can turn it up to eleven!

[ Why are you making a This is Spinal Tap reference, Jeff? To his credit, he makes another face in response to himself. ]

[braveoff]

[ ...wow, buddy. Drake grins, because it is actually pretty funny, but there's an undercurrent of worry in his voice because he gets the feeling that he's just desperately trying to sound okay and way overshooting it. ]

Then you're set for now, I'll meet you and we can search for more supplies. Maybe that'll help you wind down a little, too, huh?

[ There's no condemnation there, just the simple acknowledgement that Jeff is clearly riled. Which is perfectly understandable in this situation, Drake spent two years as a meltdown-fielding welcome wagon in the last place he was hijacked to. ]

My name's Drake, how about you come find me on the mid-level by the shops? Seems like a good place to start looking.

[bardish]

[ There's some genuine easing of the tension in him, now that there's some plan to focus his frazzled energy on. ]

Yeah-- uh, yeah, that'd be good. Getting out, getting some of this pent up crazy energy out-- I feel like a fucking border collie, man!

[ A beat. Jeff rubs the side of his neck, still in "awkward but trying to play it cool" mode. ]

So... that sounds good, yeah. I'm-- I'll meet you there. [ He nods, like he's confirming to himself. ] Thanks, Drake. [ Another beat. ] Oh, and I'm Jeff!

Wait, I already said that.