video;

How is this even happening? You're just an outfit. [Dan takes several steps back in a retreat. At least he's managed to sound vocally convincing. This strange costume is moving without anyone in it. Maybe some have seen it out and about with someone in it. Grimly enough, it doesn't say anything it just keeps approaching with steady certainty. ]

I don't believe this. This is just crazy. It's a curse. It's all unreal, bullshit...

[His back touches the wall. A conflict is certain. The costume is the first to throw a punch. And for what it is, it miraculously packs a punch. As the scuffle progresses, the network device is knocked off.]

Hey! I know I'm not Sean Connery but I know I'm not a 3.

I've trimmed down. The suit fits still after that many years. That's something.

It's kind of weird being here for the holidays. Not just Christmas and New Years. When I was a kid, my dad would indulge my great aunt and grandma by bringing out the menorah. They would do hymns. He didn't understand it, they'd say. I didn't either. Hebrew's not the easiest language to pick up.

Hanukkah is over. I think about them from time to time. Particularly my dad. He seemed to easily juggle Christmas and Hanukkah, even though now that I think about it his side of the family was a little too gung-ho about it. But that was their generation.

As for me? Well, I didn't choose religion at all. In fact, I didn't do anything that my parents had in mind. My mom really hoped I'd be a doctor. Her dad was a doctor, he did very well for himself. That's why she got to be on the go all of the time. I don't know what she and dad had in common. Maybe it was the right place, right time kind of meeting.

...Why am I talking like this?

I was able to escape one world destruction back home. And my luck isn't something to take to Vegas. What are the chances of having another near miss? I don't know. There's no button pushing involved though.

Damn. This City doesn't give you a straight answer or let you sort things out with the facts.

I miss Laurie. I miss New York. I miss...everything familiar. I haven't got a chance to see what came to be after--that.

audio;

I knew it would be incredible. I never thought that I would be able to know first hand. 110 degrees of vision, and everything is sharp, precise.

[feathery ruffle]

And even though it's daylight, this is terrific.

[paaaaaaaaaaaaaause for another scientific observation]

Blinking is fascinating with three eyelids.

I've had a few things on my mind. I'm not sure how to resolve em. That curse on the 5th gave out masks. And, I'm aware of what a concealed identity can mean to some people. An escape, a free getaway, freedom from consequences to name a few. I saw some pretty poor behavior, worse than kids. I don't think that's all that there is in people. Sometimes just plain freedom, and that's not bad. It can be used for good. A new identity can be a new purpose, a person isn't who they were. People choose to do things anonymously without curses, like giving big donations for charities is one thing I can think of. Masked people, in their own weird way, can go off and do things normal people would balk at. Stop a robbery, locate a missing kid...

And that shouldn't make them exempt from consequences. I don't know.  These aren't complete thoughts. Just something I wanted to say.

private;;unhackable;

I should get on that folder. Every time I do, my stomach churns. I've thought about handing it over to the police. That's an easy way out. And that would require too much explaining. Adrian did this on purpose. That jackass.

private;;unhackable

This folder! My God! What does it mean? These men....boys.... Jesus Christ, I don't even know where to begin. Once again, I think Rorschach was right all along. Where they marks? Targets? It'll be up to me to find out. I've got my work cut out for me.

end;;

Did any one else get attacked by some strange pale guy? I'm not taking warnings about what this month can be so lightly anymore.

Yvaine, are you doing okay?

As an American, it's no surprise I prefer coffee over tea. I have no hostile thoughts about the British or Asians street punks excluded to each their own, so long as nukes aren't involved. Besides that it's all water under the bridge. Needless to say, I didn't have a drop of coffee. It isn't healthy, I think just a few vices are okay. I've given up Little Debbie's. For good.

No sign of Bubastis. That means that she's gone away with Adrian. Which now without a doubt leads me to believe that he found a way out. Son of a bitch. It isn't fair to leave you Palace workers high and dry. I'm no Fortune 500 corporate executive, but I think my people skills aren't horrific.

private;;unhackable;

I'm going to open that folder. Just...not today. I should soon. What if it's another code? This place could be the center of another conspiracy.

Listen to me.... Rorschach, I never thought you'd leave that big of an impression.

Adrian Veidt has left the City. I wouldn't say we were friends. He'll be missed, I'm sure.

...Has anyone seen a gigantic cat?

private;;unhackable;

All the note says is that he's not sorry. Not sorry? Not sorry for what? Not sorry for making New York City a hole in the world?

I own the Palace now. I guess. There's so much in it. I've got to be careful. Maybe it isn't what it seems. I've already found some things that I don't want to touch. There's a folder.... What have I been left with? If he was still around, I wouldn't be as sedate as I have been.

I managed to get Yvaine out of the forest. She seems to be doing okay. I found the guy who had her chained up. He doesn't completely come across as a psychopath, that's not always the case though. I'll need to be careful.

Eddie is still...I don't know why I bother. He's never going to change.

I don't know if I should apologize for drinking and posting or apologizing for what I said. It happens. Though it rarely happens to me in public. Projected into the public would be a better way to describe it. I mean, there are children on this network. I should be more responsible.

Private to Yvaine;
You're absolutely entitled to your privacy....but you also happened to be chained? I asked you once if you needed help. I meant it.
end;

Private to Eddie;
What's the connection between you and Laurie? I think you're lying if you say she's not attractive.
end;

audio;

I'm thinkin' uuh...this beer isn't so bad. The stupid clothes are gone. The beer--[hiccup] that I didn't drink that beer is gone. I've been trying not to drink because it uh....I think that's what helped me get fat. Just this once I thought. It smelled good. Oh what the hell I thought.

[Shuffling walk, perhaps a stagger.]

You know, I really wish Laurie were here. I miss her. Rorschach too. I don't think he'd like the beer or the hausen. Laurie might dig the beer. I dunno what she drank. Drunk. Drinks.

I can't find a taxi.

[Did he forget that this thing is on?]

Oooooh, this isn't New York. No wonder my apartment isn't where it should be. I don't think it'd be there. 'least it woulda been that thirty--thirty five minutes. What time is it? I can't find my--There it is.

[Plunk and] Ow... [Sitting on the sidewalk isn't comfortable.]

For being in a city full of people and some of em I know, it's sure lonely. A new kind of lonely cuz after Keene, I felt like I lost everybody. Me too. I'm still kinda lost. Know what I mean?

audio;

I'm glad there's a push button flame thrower on Archie. In the end it proves itself.  I don't need to look like Mike Tyson. Even he probably doesn't. Those things were persistent.

....Sorry about the smell. Maybe the fans could do something?

voice;

[beep boop boop BEEP beep BOOP beeeep beeeep beeeeeeep.]

I'm trying to call home but numbers don't dial right. Kinda sounds like I'm on the radio. Hello! Hello! Heh. I could be famous.

...Guess I'm not going to school is okay. I just hope dad doesn't find out. It's not my fault this time! How am I s'pose to go when it isn't even here? Man, I better get used to taking the bus by myself. Fast.

Flight should be left to aircrafts, birds and insects. Not garments, especially when they're attached to people. I never thought I'd be airsick before. Then again, I never expected to be hanging from the ceiling by my shoes for so long.

....I need to lay down. I don't think I can sleep. I hit my head, it hurts like a son of a bitch. What are the symptoms of a concussion? I should know this.

Is there going to be any kind of get together?  For tomorrow. It's the 4th of July tomorrow isn't it? American Independence Day is a big deal where I'm from.

I'm going to make potato salad. Maybe grill something. I don't know.

I wonder what it's like back home. It'll be nine months from--all that.

It's also Eddie's birthday.

[ooc; 4th wall when it is tiiime. Horrid trauma will be gone after the wall goes back up. Them strikes are hard to hack but hackable if you rly wish.]

How accurate is that Hall of Missing? I'm not saying that it's inaccurate, but has there ever been a time it wasn't 100% right? I'm just wondering. A friend of mine is gone. I should just face facts. That's what happens here, people come and then they go.

The modifications for Archie have gone away. I'm glad. Lime green and sparkles don't belong on any kind of transport vehicle.

( private;;unhackable )

I didn't vote. I guess that's old news anyway. The best that anybody can hope for out of an election is that the right decisions are made for the right reasons the right way.

I should go out and get new clothes. These don't fit as well anymore. That's something to be cheerful about. That's got to be at least ten or fifteen down. Enough to notice.

For being a city without a country or even time period the majority of stories were European. Is that normal? The West has always been influential to pop culture. Granted somebody could argue otherwise. Just an observation.

Romana, sorry I didn't get back to you. Are you still available? To help. With the ship. Jesus Christ....

private::unhackable;
Does it really take a jail break to make me feel better?

I think that this City would benefit from a neighborhood watch system. By no means am I suggesting that everyone take up the nearest blunt object--don't, for the love of God, don't. Not every person is meant for combat. I mean that the police force alone should have a reliable citizenry who is ready to be that extra pair of eyes and ears. Let everyone share a bit of accountability. We need to look out for one another. If we can just unify if only for our own protection, crime will be minimal, the moral would stay up, and who knows what we could beat that comes up? We could

Why stop at watching out for your neighbor. What about these guys? Or them? Or them? Deforestation doesn't only happen in the Amazon. Feathered friends could use an ally. They don't have the voice. Even if you don't care much for birds think of the implications. Without them, there will be more insects and rodents. And without forests for them to live in, they'll seek out food and warmth in homes.


....Am I really talking like this?

In my lifetime I never thought I'd be in a combat situation with hair. That torch button I installed did the trick. I'd rather have the smell then to be crushed.

And if someone would care to notice I'm doing well off. Thanks.
( private::unhackable; )