001 First kill; video

[secretlabtech]

Say 'hello', Lamby. [ Yes, this is a grown man in your video feed with a tiny flannel sheep. Dexter holds it up to the camera, looking at it wistfully as he does. He would. It'd his son's favourite. ] Baaa.

[ And that's quite enough of that. The man's eyes lift up, and then he retreats enough that Dexter is entirely visible on the sceen from the chest up, wearing a frankly garish printed shirt and a bright smile. The smile is fake. All of this is fake. A normal person responding to a normal situation, not Dexter with what Dexter knows about this place. Dexter who's stuck between wanting to go home to his son and... Other Things. Dexter Divided. ]

I mean I know this is Florida and anything can happen, but aren't space theme park rides a little passe? Don't get me wrong, I think Space Mountain is as cool as the next person, but that's a roller coaster. I've had to walk everywhere since I got here. Everything's broken, the food is lousy, sleeping arrangements are cramped - and I live in Miami; I know cramped!

[ And while we're on the topic of theme parks... ]

I urge you to reconsider opening this theme park, Mr. Hammond. It's just not safe. Wait-- [ He cocks his head to one side, as though listening. ] What's that sound? [ The table jumps, jumps, as though something heavy is making it rattle. Suddenly his own hand leaps out at him, a tiny, homicidal flannel sheep taking him by the throat and knocking him out of his chair as he gives a very fake yell. ] Argh!

[ Oh no, he's back. Too much time playing with small children, he can't help himself. ]

Just kidding. But seriously, I'd like to go home now, please. I know, I know, everyone must say that, right?

Comments

[video]

[bibliophilism]

[Michelle giggles. She's enjoying your show, Mr. Dexter, sir. But she quickly stops giggling and sighs wistfully, and somewhat wearily.]

Oh, I'd like to go home too. I can't stay long. [She discusses this as if they're just paying a visit; lighthearted for someone who also wants to go home.]

[video]

[secretlabtech]

I have to get back before I miss another bedtime. [ A smile, and Dexter sits back, idling as he plays with Lamby's ears. ] What about you?

[video]

[bibliophilism]

My sisters and I are on a rescue mission to save a friend. We promised to save her no matter what the cost.

[She glances down briefly and sighs. Michelle is worried about them but doesn't say it.]

video

[littleduck]

[Oh, that lamb is adorable. And that shirt so bright. But that lamb toy is adorable. And looks so soft. She finds herself smiling at this man, even if she has no idea what he's rambling about. Pop culture references are lost on her. But still, he seems nice enough.]

I don't think there's a way home, at least not yet. I've tried exploring, just a little. [Her eyebrows knot together as she frowns deeply.]

I think we might be trapped, really stuck here.

[And since the little lamb was what originally caught her interest, she decides to just go right back to that.]

I like your doll, though. It matches your shirt perfectly.

video

[secretlabtech]

That FAQ that I read said the same thing. 'Don't bother asking, there's no way back home.' [ He seems a little distant as he peers at the baby blanket, but to be quite honest if you smelled it right now you wouldn't think it was cute. Oddly it's not a smell Dexter minds. It reminds him of his son. ] It does? [ He checks Lamby out against his chest, and sure enough-- ] Look at that. He's right at home.

voice|

[entrapments]

Hate to say it, but.

You and everyone else.

voice|

[secretlabtech]

I think I deserved that one. Do you mind me asking what you're in a hurry to get back to?

video;

[goodpath]

[ There's some fun on the ship. Cid's eyes are bright with curiousity, though he'll never admit he liked a baby toy. He's much bigger than that. ]

I can't go home, either.

video;

[secretlabtech]

[ Oh god, it's all true. There's a child here, and Harrison might be here too, and foolish Dexter had fallen at the first fatherly hurdle, actually looking for his son after arriving in a strange place. He'd been a little distracted by his dead older brother.

Is that guilt? Fear? What if he's still down there? ]

None of us can go home. [ Daddy Dexter, an unfathomable urge of protectiveness that he can't deny, and his voice has adopted an odd lilt, as though he's talking to his own son--his own son who is a little younger. ] Hey. What's your name? You're not alone, here, are you?

text;

[tg]

dude
anyone wearing such a frankly hideous hawaiian shirt has no right to point fingers and call things passe
or point hand puppets
same idea
also re: hand puppet
top notch performance would watch again

[ Oddly, Dave's pupaphobia is not tingling. This is a strange reaction. Must investigate. ]

text;

[secretlabtech]

I'll have you know these are incredibly stylish in Miami.
Also Lamby is a baby blanket, but close enough.
Thank you. I've always thought I could have been a particularly good actor.

[ Haha. Nobody but Brian could ever know how good that joke actually is. ]

video;

[tumbleweeds]

... I hate to say it, and don't tell because my reputation is struggling enough as it is, but that was adorable.

video;

[secretlabtech]

I think I can live with adorable.

video;

[golemized]

Its clothing is quite an attractive color.

[ Pause. ]

Where is Florida? Is it for "lovers", as Nebraska is according to the other man's clothing?

video;

[secretlabtech]

[ Nebraska is for lovers? Dexter pauses visibly, because it must be talking about Brian...

...but there is a lot for him to really digest in this other than Brian and T-shirts and how he could have that when he's never been to Nebraska, not really, and...

And the thing in the video is absolutely not human.

Where does he even start?

By opening his mouth and making clumsy, inarticulate vowel sounds for a few moments, obviously. ]

It's uh... Um. I mean...

[ Congratulations, Dexter. That one's going to be difficult to outdo. ]

Depends on which T-shirt manufacturer you ask.

[ Really? Beating out your own record a moment after you've made it; I'm impressed. ]

voice »

[unparental]

Wow, suddenly having Childhood Development flashbacks.

voice »

[secretlabtech]

Really? That's too bad; it wasn't the meaning of 'abstract' I was really going for.

video

[emerges]

Cute.

But I don't know if you'll be able to win a passage home with just a show like that.

[ unless he somehow does and then she's making one of those sheep things for herself. ]

video

[secretlabtech]

If anything was going to, it would have been the attack of the killer sheep. Unless they decided to keep me around for comic relief.

[jilt]

An entertaining plea, even if you did end on the old cliche.

[secretlabtech]

I can only apologise for that. It was wrong of me.

video;

[ringbearer]

[ okay that sheep thing..was a little weird but. hey hobbit dads and moms do the same thing ..probably. ]

And everyone here might tell you the same thing, we haven't an idea of how to get back.

video;

[secretlabtech]

[ What is wrong with your ears, kid? Okay but not seemingly made out of stone, that's a good start, right? Nevermind that Dexter is now legitimately nervous every time someone uses the video function. ]

What about an idea of how we got here? Is it the same for everyone?

video;

[gothchicklit]

What in the hell is with the... sheep or whatever the hell that thing is? [ Because really, dude, you look like a psychotic freak. No men your age should play with them like that. ]

video;

[secretlabtech]

It's my son's. A gift from the metal locker god.