SHOWMASTER HEART GAME (SATURDAY)

[showmaster]

A familiar voice can be heard above you, you're not sure if they're talking to you or not but it does feel like you're part of this conversation:

"What a Wonderful Story that you have. I've read it many times when I was feeling sad. You know, I wanted to keep it in my personal collection, but it doesn't seem that's going to be possible. To grant my wish, I'd have to sacrifice what it means to be a reader ... to become the story. That's The End that I'm looking for.

...

...

...

...

..."

Comments

[restitui]

[sorry little showmaster. ]

We're here, you're not alone.

[ticketmaster]

Where are we going...

[heartlands]

We can go wherever you want. Or we can stay here for a while, if you aren't ready to leave yet.

[restitui]

[ not into the ocean he wants to say, ]

Whenever you want. You want to find your brother, right? I know how that is - we can find him, whenever you're ready, family is forever.

[ticketmaster]

[You can tell that she looks distraught. If she leaves this spot, will this be yet another mistake that she makes? What if she can't trust these strangers either? If she doesn't go, will she be responsible for more of her own brother's pain?

Even if she doesn't say these words out loud, it seems to be apparent that these are the kinds of thoughts she's having.]

...where?

[heartlands]

Do you want to decide, or do you want us to help you choose which way we head?

[restitui]

[ nods inclining his head to gingham in agreement - ]

- where is the place you want to go most right now?

[ticketmaster]

I want to go to my brother. I want you to decide. I mess up everythiiiiiiing.

[She begins wailing again.]

[heartlands]

Hey... Hey, I bet your brother doesn't think it's your fault.

[moving to put a hand on her shoulder]

Take your time.

[restitui]

It's definitely not your fault - none of this is your fault.

[he adds quietly, he doesn't reach out for her since gingham has that but he does think a moment. ]

I think we won't find him in the ocean - [they will, but not how she wants ] - but there's a door over there...?

[ticketmaster]

[She throws herself back into the sand.]

No, I can’t go there. I can’t go! I can’t, I refuse!

[heartlands]

[sympathetically]

We're not going to force you. I promise. But - do you know what's through that door...?

[restitui]

[ nodding, empathically. going to sit down again, it looks like ]

You don't have to do anything you don't want to.

[showmaster]

...that's where brother's friend is...

[heartlands]

[after a moment]

Did his friend do something to you?

[restitui]

- or him?

[ticketmaster]

No... she helps keeps his books safe... but she won't help me find him...

[heartlands]

Okay. Well - we won't make you go there if you don't want to. Promise.

[glancing at phoenix, though, and leaning over to whisper to him]

I don't want to split up or leave her, but I think it might be important for one of us to go look in there while we can. What do you want to do?

[restitui]

[he looks a little apprehensive, but nods. equally quiet. ]


I can do it. Just make sure she doesn't go in the ocean? ... I have the feeling his "friend" is the Ticketmaster, it's probably okay.

[frontdesk]

[The little girl looks at him and then back over to Gingham, and tries to reach for someone's hand.]

[heartlands]

[nodding, with another whisper:]

I'll make sure. Just be careful, okay? As careful as you can.

[and then he'll reach down to take her hand as she offers it, addressing her instead]

Maybe we could walk down the beach for a while, if that's okay with you?

[restitui]

[ he'll smile encouragingly - both at gingham (as if to say he's always careful - he's not) and to the younger showmaster. ]

Yeah, go with Gingham. He'll help you try to spot anything in the distance.

[as he moves to get up and............ guess he's heading to the door to at least open it and try to peek in, this can't go badly. ]

[frontdesk]

[If you open it, it does look like the subway!]

I think you shouldn't stay here . . . maybe you should go . . . find my brother . . .