01 - Public / Video

[domesheriff]

[for a moment, a woman's face is simply staring out at the broadcast, consideringly, as though not sure it's started yet. she's in her early twenties, Hispanic, her dark hair braided, and dressed in the uniform of resort security]

[realizing from the display on the screen that the broadcast must have started, she says:] Hello. [the word is a bit uncertain. she swallows, trying to mask her nerves, and continues more calmly:] I'm Linda Esquivel. I'm from Chester's Mill, Maine. [there's a beat of hesitation, as she wonders if she should give more information than that, but she ultimately decides to leave the description as it is] I just got here a couple days ago, and I've joined the security patrol. I was a sheriff's deputy back home. [and sheriff, but she doesn't think two days of that job due to the disaster that happened really counts, so she leaves her credentials at that]

I thought you should know who I am in case you see me around. And, uh, I'd like to start meeting people, too--and learn a little more about this place. I've never seen anything like it before. [another pause as she debates how to end an open message like this. finally, she goes with:] I'm here if you'd like to talk.

Comments

[timesbureaucrat]

Well, the interdimensional teleports use quite a lot of energy. I'm sure they won't want to waste it on pleasure jaunts back and forth. They'd take us back if we asked, just not necessarily promptly; it would need to be scheduled in around the more essential teleport usage.

[He tilts his head, curious about her question.]

You may ask. It doesn't mean I'll reply. That will depend on what the question is.

[domesheriff]

[she nods] Makes sense. [there's a brief pause before she adds:] I'm just surprised they bring individuals here--instead of groups, I mean. [her tone is a little wistful]

[she raises an eyebrow at his rather haughty response, but she goes ahead and asks the question anyway] I don't really know much about...travel across dimensions. When you went back, had much time passed since you left?

[timesbureaucrat]

Ah, yes, that. A common concern, I think.

When I returned to my own universe, no time had passed. I've heard of some exception, but it usually appears to be able to return people to precisely at or close to the exact time and place where they left.

Afraid you left a kettle on?

[domesheriff]

[curiously, she asks:] Have they ever explained?

[she cringes at his initial answer, but then she just looks uncertain. at his odd turn of phrase, she blinks, but she shakes her head] More the opposite. If I ever went back...it'd have to be after I left. [but she doesn't elaborate. the situation she left behind isn't one she's ready to think too much about]

Anyway, I'm glad you were able to travel when you needed to.

[timesbureaucrat]

Explained, no, but I've been studying the teleport technology.

Once you break through the interdimensional barrier, you're entirely outside of the fabric of space-time of your own universe. Therefore, if or when you return to your own time, it should be possible for them to drop you off at absolutely any spatio-temporal point in your own universe, hypothetically.

[domesheriff]

[she doesn't react to that explanation immediately--admittedly, a lot of it went straight over her head. but she gets the gist of what he's implying and brightens a little, nodding] That's good to know. Thanks, Narvin.