[audio]

[takeittothemax]

[There’s still some hustling and bustling going on in the background as he gets himself settled. Moving in days. Always a classic. The audio wavers in and out, as if he’s moving around as he speaks into the computer.]

Usually my dreams have more blondes in them. [Some muttering that peters out. More distinctly:] Serves me right, trying to catch a nap on the job. [Sigh x2. He brightens up eventually, though.] Ah, well. There’s no use weeping about it just yet. [If he says things could be worse, they immediately will. So he cuts himself off and moves on.]

Does anyone know if a Dr. Fate’s here? This seems right up his alley. Although I think he stopped taking my calls... can’t imagine why. [Yes he can.]

[More focused on the computer now. From here on out, the audio is much clearer. Finally took a seat, apparently.]

Right, introductions. I’m Maxwell Lord, but most people go with Max. If anyone’s in need of work, I think I can provide.

Well. Soon enough, anyway. I’ll keep you posted.

Now, how do I turn this thing off...

[Oh, there’s the button. Click.]

Comments

[takeittothemax]

Some's gotta be better than none, right?

[Oh, maybe there's a timeline thing, too. Too bad he's not up on his Time and Space Shenanigans.]

Let me think... The Cluster invaded Queens and the big guns had to bail us out. Got banned from Manga Khan's School For Melodrama for life, too.

[raptorcanaria]

You're based in Queens?

[A few years ago, then. This causes her to soften slightly, partly out nostalgia for those friends of hers he was working with at the time.]

Many of us are from later than that.

[takeittothemax]

Yep. I'd hum the theme song, but I'm out of practice. [and off key.]

Huh. Whaddya know. Have any stock tips from the future you can pass along?

[raptorcanaria]

Nah, I leave all the money stuff to the rich kids. You know me.

[Well, not for years.]

[takeittothemax]

Fine, fine, don't tell me. Probably'd break some kinda space time law, anyway.

[raptorcanaria]

You know, it probably would break some space time law if I picked up the financial section.

[takeittothemax]

We'd all make a killing on office bets during Oscar season.

[raptorcanaria]

Are you from before Brokeback Mountain?

[takeittothemax]

Brokeback What?

[raptorcanaria]

There you go then. That's your Oscar tip. Remember it, I'm nto giving out any more freebies.

[takeittothemax]

Jotting it down as we speak.

[raptorcanaria]

And if you have any other questions, Max. I'll let you know I'm in WA-1C in the Water Sector. Just in case you want to have a chat off-network.

[takeittothemax]

Right, I can do that. I think this one's... [he wrote it down and now he's gotta find it-- oh, there it is] ME-3B, if you want to come by instead,

[raptorcanaria]

I might just do that.

[Maybe not today, though.]

Good luck settling in. If you have any questions, I'm here.

[takeittothemax]

One last thing for now, are splitting headaches normal around here? Just thought I'd ask.

[he may have been nursing a migraine since the cart ride.]

[raptorcanaria]

...

No. Not as far as I'm aware.

[She's worried, now.]

I can maybe recommend a doctor?

[takeittothemax]

Huh. I'd have thought the whole space turtle dimension thing would be more of an issue....

Nah, I'll be fine. I just need to find somewhere that'll sell aspirin. Thanks, though.

[raptorcanaria]

Good luck, Max.

text; encrypted 50%

[escarabajo]

[With a little coaching from the Scarab, Jaime figures out how to beef up his encryption a bit past the bar minimum. This... he doesn't know what to do about this.]

Dinah? What's going on? He's supposed to be dead.

[He's a LOT less calm in real life. He can't afford to panic, but how can he not freak at least a little?]

text; encrypted 50% She doesn't know how to make it more that that, okay?

[raptorcanaria]

Time travel shenanigans, sadly.

Every one arrives here from a different point in time. He SEEMS to be from a couple of years before.

[She ponders what else to add, and rapidly discards 'don't freak out,' and 'let us handle it,' then types out and deletes 'don't trust him.']

Stay safe, Beetle.

text; encrypted 50%, neither does Jaime the Scarab did it

[escarabajo]

it only took him two years to become.... you know??

[Jaime sighs and massages his temples. This is going to be a long week.]

I'll lay low. [Which means it's encryption city if he's ever on the network. Until this gets cleared up.]

text; encrypted 50%

[raptorcanaria]

WA-1C if you need me.

Or come into work.

text; encrypted 50%

[escarabajo]

Thanks. I'll be careful, promise.