Case # 37: Video

[19centconstable]

[Someone is holding the communicator carelessly in one hand, as though they don't know it's on. The floor passes by slowly under the camera's lens. Whoever they are, they're walking hesitantly toward something. Bathroom tile appears, and then: the base of the toilet.]

Sweet wounded Jesus. I've died and gone to heaven.

[It's a boy speaking; his voice soft and high, his accent somewhere between Irish, British, and Pirate.

In other words: George Crabtree.]

Comments

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

Outside! To play in the snow! [She took the stairs as quickly as she could, gripping the railing tightly as she did so.]

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[Now he's definitely forgotten how grown up he's supposed to be, because there's snow! And they can play in it!

He trails after her like an over-grown puppy. Some things will never change.]

Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She had to stop a few times, but she was able to make it to the door and pointed at it, since she couldn't reach it.]

Open it!

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[Twelve year old George isn't quite as civilized as George will be, but he's a good boy, and his aunts have him well trained. He does as she says, then follows her onto the deck.

And stops in his tracks.]

This...is no boat.

[It's a space station?]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She sighed, shoving him.] No. It's a boat in space. It's...magic or something.

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[He stumbles slowly into the snow.]

The stars are so close. Can you touch them?

[George is not clear on what stars are made of.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

No, stupid. Don't be a dummy. [She reached out and grabbed his shirt.] Don't do that.

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[George is cowed by that, because at this age he was quite sure he was stupid. Or at least: not smart.]

Sorry.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

It's okay. [She smiled at him, forgiving him as only small children can.] Ready to play!

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[He nods.]

I'm not sure what Indians do in the snow, though. They might sleep through it, like bears.

[Oh, Jimmy McLeod (George's Native American manfriend): George will learn one day.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

That's not fun. I don't want to sleep through the snow. [She pouted at him.] Oh I know! [She reached out for the horse.] I'll take your horse and you have to close your eyes, count to twenty and then find it!

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[He hands the horse over and closes his eyes.]

One...two...

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She giggled and ran off with it, hiding it underneath a chair and piled snow on top of it. Her eyes couldn't really see it that well, so she just assumed that George wouldn't either.

Laughing, she went to hide behind another chair to wait.]

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[He opens his eyes.]

...do I get hints?

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

No! Indians don't get hints! [Not that she knew.]

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

But how am I suppos-...

[He frowns at the snow. Which has foot prints in it. Oh. He follows a likely set to a chair, and a pile of snow that doesn't look entirely natural. He digs through it.]

I...I've found it!

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She laughed.] Now you have to run or I'll take it back! [And she tore off after him.]

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[He stares at her for a moment, then takes off across the deck. He's taller than her; longer-legged. And George has always been rather quick on his feet.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[Jane's armed with a little girl's energy and determination. But she's really no match for him, so, after a short amount of chasing, she simply stopped and sat down in the snow to pout.]

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[He circles back around to her, braces his hands on his knees, and pants.]

Why did you stop?

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She waited until he was closer and then leapt up to chase after him again, hoping this would work to her advantage.] I didn't!

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[Oh crap: she's got him. Future constable down.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She giggled and, once she had him, gripped tightly to his shirt so she didn't go falling down.] I win! [When her feet were steady underneath her again, she stood up straight again and took a few steps back.] It's cold.

Re: Spam!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I suppose it is.

[George is pretty hardy and hasn't really noticed the cold yet.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[Jane liked to keep things where they were comfortable. And she was comfortable with winning. So instead of play again, when she could potentially lose, she decided to stop. That would be better.]

I'm tired of playing.