remarkablyblunt | 018 [video]

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018 [video]

[Tommy looks really slick and not at all like his usual tweedy self. He's standing in front of a sign that says 'Wonders Of The Mysterious Orient' and a tent flap. It's a TOTALLY MYSTERIOUS LOOKING TENT FLAP.]

Ladies and gentlemen, have you ever wished to part the hidden veil of the Far East and see the exotic wonders therein? Have you ever dreamed of a smoke-filled night by the Yangtze River, the voice of the paixiao lulling you to sleep beneath the shadow of the river shrines? Or the awe and amazement of facing the hideous dragon-beast!

[He dramatically throws the tent flap aside so you can see into the exhibit. It's mainly just dark.]

Dream no more, ladies and gentlemen! For inside this tent, you will find the wonders of the mysterious Orient, collected on my travels through those distant, savage lands! Marvel at artifacts of untold power! Tremble at strange and aberrant creatures! Like nothing you've ever seen before, ladies and gentlemen, only twenty cents for the show of a lifetime!

[His tone becomes creepy and serious.]

I must warn you, this show is not for the faint of heart. Children, and ladies of a weak disposition, should stay away.

[Tommy gives a creepy smile and turns the camera off.

Feel free to spam if you want to see the show. It's mainly old-looking weapons, a fake dragon mask, some weird coins, a couple Asian-looking instruments, a piece of what's theoretically a spooky cursed ancient tombstone, and the main attraction: a Ghastly Giant Rat! in a cage (it's a coypu).

Fellow carnies would know that Tommy's still basically Tommy, but to townies he insists on being called The Enigmatic Mr. Brown.]

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How's business?

About as good as ever, I'd say. And how's my favorite game operator today?

Tired of the Townies already. Drink at your place tonight?

I'd love to. Come by after I close up the exhibit.

Thanks, T.

[Tommy shuts down the exhibit after the last visitor leaves - there really weren't many today - and pulls out a couple of chairs and a bottle of... something. It's alcoholic, that's about all he can tell. He sets it and two glasses on the "cursed tombstone" and sits down to wait for Hayley.]

[Hayley arrives shortly after Tommy finishes wrapping up, her own games much easier to clean up than his elaborate display. She reaches a hand forward to slide the flap of the tent up and ducks her head in, smiling as she catches sight of her friend and subtle protector.]

Nice set-up. [The girl moves forward toward him and the spooky stone. In a falsely exaggerated accent, she turns her head and teases.] May I join you, sir?

"It would be my pleasure, miss," [he drawls back at her, standing to pull her chair out for her.]

[Hayley laughs softly, setting a hand gently to her chest.] You are too kind.

[She sits as he slides the chair in for her, laughing again. When she speaks, her voice is returned to normal.] Thanks. Anything exciting happen today?

[Tommy pours them both a drink, and leans back in his chair.] "No, nothing. Seems like business has been dropping off lately."

Yeah, I noticed that. [She frowns a little, taking hold of the drink nearer to her and sipping at it freely. Even though she had been drinking for a couple years now, she still didn't like the taste of the stuff and only drank to get drunk these days.] This town is definitely not the friendly type.

[With a grin, she reached up to brush his bangs sideways and out of his eyes.] I think it's probably your hair. That kind of color is not really natural for most people.

[Tommy chuckled and tossed his head sideways after she'd made a swipe at his bangs. They wouldn't stay out of his eyes for long, but maybe their combined efforts would help.] "You think I'd get more customers if I put shoe polish in it?"

[He took a long drink, then refilled his glass and offered the bottle to her.]

[Hayley finished her own glass faster than she preferred, but she liked keeping up with him. He was older, but one of the few that never questioned her age and she didn't want to give him any reason to. Pouring herself more, she shook her head.]

I think it makes you look more mysterious. Besides, polish would take ages to wash out and I happen to like the color, even if it does scare the townsfolk. Just try not to smile at any smile children.. you might scare them away like the balloon man does sometimes.

[Tommy laughed again, feeling the alcohol begin to take the edge off the long day he'd had.] "Maybe that's my problem: I tell everyone the exhibit's to frightening for children. I could start letting the young 'uns in. I might have to leave the rat out, but hardly anybody pays to see the rat."

[He raised his glass towards the coypu - he called it Max - before downing his drink.]

[Hayley took another long sip of her drink, returning the bottle to the stone, then glanced over at the rat with a frown.] Aw, I like Max.

[Being a tiny girl who had skipped dinner entirely to come drink with Tommy, the alcohol was already beginning to take effect.] Can I pet him?

[Tommy poured himself another glass as he nodded.] "Go ahead. He likes you."

[Hayley again finished off her glass quickly, trying to keep up, before she stood. There was a momentary pause then, to ensure she was balanced, before she walked over toward the little animal's cage. The girl crouched down in front of it and unlocked it, slowly reaching in both hands to slide around its waist. She paused when it moved, letting Max sniff to know it was her, before she continued and then finally pulled him out. She cradled the "rat" against her body as she moved to sit down again.]

I figured he could use some fresh air.

"Mmm, I think we all could." [He drained his glass again and stood, finding his footing slightly unsure for a moment.] "Why don't we go outside. You want anymore?" [he asked, picking up the bottle.]

Yeah, sure. I'm not even that drunk yet.

[She was more drunk than she realized, but she smiled obliviously. Hayley stood with the animal in her arms to follow him outside, leaving her glass behind; they could drink from the bottle. Once outside, she continued walking away from his tent toward the outskirts of the carnival to where she had found some wildflowers earlier that day, wanting them to just be able to get away from awhile.]

I want to show you something. Are you coming? [She asked without looking back, trusting him not to leave her. The area was dangerous, especially toward the outskirts of the carnival, and she honestly didn't want to venture out there in the evening without him.]

"I'm coming," [Tommy assured her, running to catch up. Even tipsy, he wasn't about to let her wander off alone with who knew what lurking outside the carnival's borders.] "What's out here?"

[Hayley slowed a hint until he was caught up and walking beside her. She meant to lean into to his arm a hint to nudge him but tripped and half toppled against him. Neither was in danger of falling over and she quickly righted herself, keeping hold of Max, but realized maybe she was a little more drunk than she thought.] Sorry! There was a, uh, stone, or something. You okay?

[Then, looking ahead to their destination, another wide smile spread across her face. To answer his question, she offered only a single word.] Peace.

[Tommy managed to catch her when she stumbled against him, chuckling quietly as he helped her find her feet.] "No need to worry about me. Are you alright?" [He kept his hands on her shoulders for a long moment, to make sure he wouldn't trip and fall himself when he let go.

He raised his eyebrows at her.] "Oh? That's something I'd like to see."

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. [Hayley slowed her pace a hint to keep Tommy's hands on her shoulders, appreciating the gesture to help steady herself. It didn't take them long to pass the tents and arrive at the patch of grass and wildflowers she had discovered earlier. As soon as they were there, Hayley plopped down on her knees to sit among the green, skirt gathering around her legs.]

I know it isn't much, but.. look at the flowers, Tommy! There's a beauty here you cannot even begin to put into words. [She smiled up at him, more excited than she had been in ages. One arm still cradled the "rat" that began squirming, the other petting it gently to calm it again.]

[Tommy sat in the grass next to her, giving her a grin.] "It is. Very peaceful."

[She lifted the animal from her lap to the grass beside her as she shifted positions to sit on the ground itself, legs extending out in front of her. Her hem was resting just above her knees, slightly immodest for the era, but she seemed oblivious. Hayley reached out a hand in silent request for the bottle.]

See? And I chose you to share it with. You should be glad I had a rough day. If it had been a good day, we might not be having this drink, which means you never would have seen this place.

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018 [video]

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