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synthneon2023-11-01 01:57 am
outlierdirector) wrote in synthneon2023-11-01 01:57 am
oceanview || ❝ i must guide my love through the night. ❞
I cannot feel her by my side
Even in this placе inside my mind
🔦 late night redux.
Even more now that he's apparently stuck in some sort of nightmare... world? There's got to be a way out. Door has been able to get out and in. The manuscript page he has says so. Why he can't make it work is something else.
"Unwilling disciple."
If that's him? Then, well, the page is pretty accurate in describing how he feels about it.
He's always wondered what his dreams meant. Always wanted some kind of answer. That doesn't mean he wanted to be dragged into some crazy damn horror nightmare world by some guy that haunts his dreams. He didn't ask for any of this. Then again, he has to wonder, if any of them asked for any of it.
Especially Alan Wake.
Shit, who would of thought the famous writer who disappeared ended up here? Maybe all those rumors and ghost stories about the lake were real. Maybe that witch who had her heart cutout is real.
Not that he wants to go running into her here.
Tim looks over the manuscript page one more time before folding it back into the inner pocket of his coat. He's followed the steps and just can't get it to work like Door has. Something's missing--maybe even something from him. He'd ask the man who wrote the page, but, it always seems like Alan has enough on his plate.
Back to work on the other project he's given himself. Not like there's much else to do here.
He starts humming a new tune. Not new, but, something different from the Night Springs theme song at least. He squats down in front of the TV he's managed to find and drag into the room inside the Oceanview Hotel. The only thing he really seemed to make any sense of answers from was that weird science show--"Dr. Darling the Science Man." At least it seemed like it had something on it that was useful. Maybe if he can find the right channel he can tap into whatever the hell it is.
His whiteboard is filled out, reordered, things drawn a bit better to certain elements. It makes sense to him at least and that's the part that really matters.
Tim pauses long enough to listen to the shuffling of shadows outside. He glances over his shoulders, checking both the doors he's holed up in. 209. Same room as before. Why change if it worked? Besides, it gives Alan a better chance to find him--if he needs to. Once the shuffling shadows pass he goes back to trying to tune the TV as needed.
It's been years since he's seen a TV like this. Why is the tech in the nightmare New York so old? ]
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But the more he looped on himself, the more he began to remember. It was strange. It is strange. Everything here is strange. Hell, Tim Breaker being here at all is strange, as is the fact that Alan keeps finding him.
He's glad to see him, and glad when he remembers him, but a part of Alan is wary too: wary of growing too attached to the friendly face and light banter that Tim provides. What if one of these times, Tim disappears, leaving the Dark Place and Alan behind? What then? Is he just going to continue on his way but always stopping and listening for the familiar sound of humming, not realizing that he might never hear it again?
Is it better to not develop attachments at all, in the event of that inevitable goodbye? More than likely, there won't even be a goodbye, just an empty room where someone once stood.
But as luck would have it, that hasn't happened yet, and as Alan turns a corner and is greeted by the sight of the Oceanview Hotel, a feeling of deja vu settles in. Still, even if he's done this a dozen times or more, he doesn't hesitate in walking up to the doors of the hotel and stepping inside. He takes a few turns down the various hallways, and that's when he hears it. Humming. It's a different song this time, but it's one that Alan knows. He's heard it before. Not being hummed, but... somehow. Over a loudspeaker? On a television? It's familiar.
Either way, the humming means something, and Alan just needs to follow it. There's an open door just a short distance away, and Alan heads towards it, stepping inside when he finally gets there.
Ah, yes, he remembers this scene. Whiteboard. Man in a collared shirt and tie. Gun at his hip. Good old Sheriff Breaker. One of the few constants around here. ]
So, how's the crazy wall today?
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Alan, hey. [ Tim stands up fully and looks over at the board. ] Oh, you know. Crazy but not crazier. In fact, it's ... organized? Organized crazy. Hey, is that a thing here? You just start putting the crazy in ordered boxes?
...something like that. [ He laughs at himself. ] Anyways, feel free to check it out.
Hey, by the way. How are you doing? Holding up okay? [ Alan doesn't look like a drowned ... nah, better to say he isn't soaking wet. Normal looking. Well, normal for Alan anyways. Put together? And, not asking who he is, so the memory must be doing well for him. ] It feels like the... residents? They're more agitated today. "Today."
[ He turns to the side so Alan can investigate all he'd like. He turns the dial OK the television a few more times and sighs. Nothing seems to work like it should here. Alan probably already knows about that, so no point in venting about it. Especially if Alan has been having it rough.
The whiteboard is more organized. Warlin Door's photo is still front and center, but subjects are fit together:
[ Tim returns to humming the new tune and checking the back of the television. ]
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He glances at the whiteboard, taking in everything written on it, and he nods. ] Yeah, I see what you mean. It is organized. So does that mean you've had a breakthrough?
[ He wonders, not for the first time, how Tim's doing so well down here. Well, this place's version of "well". ]
I think I'm hanging in there. I remembered you this time, so that has to be a good sign. [ He scans the board again before turning back to Tim. The board is interesting, but talking to his friend is more important. ] So, you noticed that too, huh? Wonder what's setting them off.
[ It's never a good time trying to navigate around those residents. ]
Having TV problems? You should probably get a man in. [ That was funnier in his head, and one of them has probably made that joke before, but he just ran with it before glancing back at the board and the various things written there, going down them all one at a time. It's not until Alan notices the category THE RED HEADED WOMAN. ]
Hey, Tim? [ He's staring at the board, and that category in particular as he asks: ] Who's that? And no, I'm not asking with ulterior motives in mind. Just to clear that up.
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[ He gives a small shrug. ] I'm always prepared in case your memory slips. Which, I get it, man. With the way this place loops on itself? It's enough to make anyone second guess their memory. Which is why I thought ordering the board would be better. Good way to make sure I'm not repeating myself. Or, at least, lessen the repeating.
[ A shrug. ] It seems like anything sets them off these days. I'd say its something in the air, but, I don't think this place even works that way. You know this... dream place better than me. Any idea what can agitate them this badly?
[ Then, he looks up front the television. A laugh escapes him. ] Oh, if I could? I would have. Nothing in this place works right. I've been trying for hours to get the right channel.
[ Tim leans over the television to look at the board. It takes a moment before he can figure out what part Alan is looking at. ]
Well, if I knew her name, I would of put that down instead of her hair color. [ He sighs slightly. ] I've seen her in dreams before--like others. She has something to do with those polyhedrons I keep seeing. I've seen her a few times on the T.V.s around the place.
And, no, that's not why I'm trying to get the T.V. working. I was hoping to find that scientist guy from before--oh, maybe you don't remember. There was this guy--"Dr. Darling the Science Man." I thought we could learn something from it. Or, I'm insane.
Why?
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[ That earns Tim an actual smile. Alan appreciates the man's help more than he knows. ] Every time it doesn't slip, I count it as a win. But even when it does, you help with that, you know. I have to say, it's nice to have a friend around here that I can count on. [ He coughs and idly runs a hand over the messenger bag that he carries. ] So, if there's something you need from me, and I can make it happen, you let me know.
[ Because he wants to be a good friend in return. ]
Honestly, I don't know. Just walking by them is enough to set them off sometimes. Are they drawn to real people like us, because they were real people once? Who knows, really.
[ Alan peers in closer at the writing about the redheaded woman. ] If it's the same person, I know her name. I know who she is. We've- we've met. Talked. [ Kissed. A lot. And done more than just that. But he doesn't need to know that. ]
...Polyhedrons. Hedron. Polaris? [ He realizes belatedly that those words won't make a lick of sense to Tim, but he couldn't stop himself from thinking out loud. ]
Tim, I think we need to get this T.V. working. Maybe we can both get what we want out of it. What's so interesting about this science man guy?
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Thanks, Alan. I'll keep it in mind. [ A small smile finds it's way to his face. ] Let's keep that as a back up plan for now. Last possible option, you know?
[ His eyebrows raise slightly. "Because they were real people once." That's telling without really telling. His head tilts, a frown on his face. People who were real people once. It rings a bell somewhere in his head. Something familiar--phrased different, but, it reminds him of home. Bright Falls that is.
Huh.
Another note for the crazy wall. Once Alan leaves. ]
You know her?! [ Tim suddenly becomes the most animated he's been since Alan's met him. Remet him. He leaves from behind the television to stand beside the writer. ] Tell me what you know. Maybe it'll make sense of what's going on.
[ Though, he doesn't want to freak the man out. Alan's pretty jumpy most days. So, he lets out a breath and shakes his head. ] Sorry, let's answer your question first. I guess you forgot that detail. No worries, man.
Last time we met up in the Hotel you had a key on you. One that said something about an "Oceanview Motel and Casino"? Instead of the Hotel. The key opened a box that was in the Janitor's Office. Had all these documents with a seal you said was familiar. Yeah, I know that seal, by the way. The documents in there talked about something called a "Light Switch Cord", classified, redacted. That stuff. It mentioned referring to a "Dr. Darling presentation"?
Well, that's the same name of a guy I keep seeing on the T.V. He talks about parallel dimensions, many worlds, dream logic. He's somehow tied to the documents and the Hotel, I think. Which means he might be connected to the Motel too.
[ Tim pauses then. ] Alan. That seal on those documents, if you still have them? That's the Federal Bureau of Control. They showed up in Bright Falls in 2010, after you disappeared. They fenced off all of Cauldron Lake. General store, camping grounds, hiking trails. All of it. They've never left. Sometimes they have people come into town to fix equipment around the Lake. Asked for documents regarding certain--
[ CLICK.
Tim turns around the moment he hears the television click on. He feels his hopes rise for a second. Maybe the damn thing worked and he'll get answers he wants. Or, something like answers. Instead the screen flicks on and a title screen shows up. IN BETWEEN WITH MR. DOOR.
A musical beat.
Then, Mr. Door himself shows up. Chuckling, clapping, pointing at the camera.
Tim feels his heart sink and beat quicker. It looks exactly like the man from his dreams. Maybe with a little different with his glasses, but... ]
『 Haha, welcome back to the show, everyone! Oh, do we have a real special treat for you tonight. Of course, as always, the in house band--The Old Gods of Asgard! 』
[ The camera flicks over to the Old Gods of Asgard. One smiles, one does a quick rift on the guitar, the other taps a few drums. The crowd cheers before being quieted by the host. ]
『 Like I said though. We have a special guest tonight. It was very, very hard to line this guest up. Oh, the BOOKING it took! But, without further ado. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the show, Ms. Jesse Faden! 』
[ Tim turns fully to the television then as Mr. Door walks a brilliant redheaded woman over to the stage. His eyes widen. His hand reaches out and grabs Alan's jacket. ]
Alan--that's her! The red headed woman I keep seeing. That's her! This is that talk show you mentioned, right?
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[ I don't even want to THINK about what would happen if he spent as long as I have here, or if he went as deep as I've gone. This place will chew him up, carve him out, pull out EVERYTHING good. I won't let that happen. When I took that dive, I didn't have very much going for me that was good, except for Alice. But Tim- he has a lot going for him that's still good. He needs to keep that. He will keep that.
Alan looks at Tim with a determined expression on his face. It might look strange to the other man, as though it's just appeared out of nowhere, but Alan doesn't care. He makes a mental note to himself to try and find something, anything, that would help the good sheriff escape. It's a tall order, as Alan can't even escape himself, but it's still something that goes on his to-do list. ]
Backup plans are the way to go around here. Backup plans, notes to yourself, more notes to yourself. Believe it or not, there's no such thing as too many notes.
[ He's about to say something about the Taken, but Tim's exclaiming in surprise because of what Alan's just said about Jesse. ]
Well, there's kind of a lot about her that I know. Where should I start? [ But then the subject changes again and Tim's explaining and Alan's listening intently. If Tim's talking, that means it's important. And it's something he most likely forgot, so he needs to pay close attention. ]
Right... the key. I think I remember that. Or something about a key. You helped me find... something. The way to whatever I was looking for at the time. [ The Light Switch Cord. I know that's important. ]
Yeah... I think that rings a bell. Actually, I've heard that name from someone else too. [ Jesse. ]
Wait, you know about the FBC? That's- She works for them. Jesse Faden. Well, not just works, she's... she's the Director. [ Maybe he shouldn't be telling Tim this, because maybe that's considered classified information, but who exactly is Tim going to tell?
Alan's about to say more when he also hears the click of the television turning on. ] I guess you didn't need that man in after all-
[ Alan cuts himself off as the title screen flashes on, followed by a familiar musical beat, and then the appearance of a man that Alan knows. ]
Door?! What the hell?
[ The host continues, setting up his introduction for whoever the guest is, and then Alan's mind goes blank for a moment. nonono- not her. What the hell? This can't be happening. This can't be- Damn it, not her! I told her not to...
Alan stands there stunned even as Tim's hand reaches out and grabs hold of his jacket. ]
How the- How the hell did she get there? That's- the talk show, but-
[ No... ]
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[ Or, something like that. ]
Notes and backup plans. Got it. I'll keep it in mind.
[ Tim is listening intently even if it doesn't sound like it. The red headed woman is the leader of the FBC? Then why is he seeing her? It sounds like Alan has more of a connection to her than he would. There's a look of confusion on his face before he looks back at the whiteboard.
Alan mentioned something about a hedron and polaris? Like, the star? Where does that tie in? And, that key and documents. Sounds like it's things to remind him about. Maybe they're shuffled away inside that bag of his. Tim is about to suggest that until the events unfold.
His hand is still gripped tightly onto Alan's jacket. He meant to grab the arm, but, sort of missed along the way. The reaction of the writer confirms its the Door that Alan knows. He still doesn't match up to what Tim knows, but, it's the best lead he has so far. ]
『 Sorry, why am I here?
Oh, that's right! We wanted to keep it a surprise when we reached out to you! I wanted to get both of you on the show at the same time, but, you know how it is trying to contact celebrities when they're doing promotional tours. 』
[ He turns his attention briefly back to Alan. "A promotional tour" isn't what he'd call whatever the hell is going on with Alan. He doesn't even know what it really is, but it's definitely not that.
"Mysterious woman", "new muse", "in a relationship with Alan Wake. An intimate one."
So why the hell has he been seeing this woman and various versions of her if she's tied to Alan Wake? That's... weird. Weirder than this place gets. Yeah, hopefully Alan won't take any of that in a weird or bad way. Hopefully.
The interview continues on, and as it goes on, Tim finds his attention locked more on Alan than the woman on the screen. She's guarded, even when Door tries to bait answers out. Cautious. Smart woman, given everything going on. It makes him wonder how any of what Door implies is true. It seems polar opposite of Alan--but maybe opposites attract or something like that. ]
『 But, more on that in a few minutes! Don't touch that dial. We'll be right back with more of our exclusive interview here, on In Between with Mr. Door! 』
[ The television clicks onto a slide waiting for commercials before static comes in. Tim debates moving his arm from Alan's jacket, but, something in him tells him the man needs to be grounded or he'll fly off the handle. Alan Wake did have a temper from what Tim can recall of the stories back from 2010. He's not sure he'd want to see what that temper would do here in the Nightmare Place. ]
She's got the same name as the woman you said. You're sure that's her? Absolutely sure. One hundred percent positive? She should be back in reality then, not here on... whatever the hell that was. Unless, I don't know, it's some crazy dream she's sharing with us.
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But the conversation they've been having fades out of Alan's mind for the time being when he sees what's happening on the television screen. He doesn't pull away from Tim, mainly because it feels as though his feet have become glued to the floor. He's riveted in place, watching Door's talk show unfold with intense focus.
When the camera pans over to Jesse again, he reaches out with one hand, fingers outstretched like he wants to touch the image on the screen. It isn't her, because he refuses to believe it, but he can't stop himself from reaching out, any more than he can stop himself from missing her. I miss her. I miss her so much.
As Alan watches, thoughts, or rather commentary, on what he's hearing Door say enter and exit his mind.
Mysterious woman? I mean, I guess, if you don't know her. Tortured author? Maybe, but if everything would just leave me alone for five seconds, maybe I wouldn't be.
The more Alan sees, the more his expression changes. Tension becomes clear in his posture and in his face, and a vein on his neck starts to pop out, betraying his rising agitation. It's obvious that Door is fishing for answers, or maybe he's just having a laugh while knowing the answers all along (he does have that annoying quality about him) but what's less obvious to Alan is if this is real or not. Jesse promised she wouldn't go into the lake, and Alan believes her, which means this just has to be one giant mindscrew.
Believing that it's real is so far off the table, and Alan would break the table just to be careful.
The interview turns to the subject of Initiation and Return, and Alan's agitation seems to only grow. ]
What the hell is this? I thought it was bad enough that I was listening to Door talk about a book I never wrote about a fictional author named Alan Wake and- shit.
[ The interview continues for a few more minutes before Door calls a break, and the show goes to a commercial break. Finally, after a moment of staring at where Jesse's image was, Alan turns his gaze back to Tim. ]
I know it's her. I'd- I'd recognize her anywhere. [ His eyes search Tim's, as if searching for answers that the other man probably doesn't have. ] That's not real, right? It can't be real.
[ He latches onto Tim's supposition like a drowning man latches onto a rope or life preserver. ]
It has to be a dream state. I've been in one of hers before. Maybe this is something else from one of her dreams.
[ But what the hell does it mean? ]
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[ Tim is quiet most of the interview--well part of the interview anyways. There's not much commentary at all, save for his question to what Alan has said. He knew that Alan was writing to get out of the Dark Place. Just as he's been trying to find Door to get out. That is where the shared notes come in.
So, Door thinks Alan wrote a book. Probably this "Initation" or "Return" that he mentioned. Alan either never did or has no memory of it. Door's pulled the red headed woman--Jesse Faden--in on whatever the hell is going on. Tim would wonder if it is to torture him, but, he can see the way Alan is reacting. Tension, veins swelling, looking like he wants to punch something.
That raised hand towards the television also didn't escape his notice. Alan cares about this woman--a lot. ]
I'd say the possibility of it being real is as real as anything else in this place. [ He knows it's not the answer Alan will want. Still, he can't bring himself to lie to the man. They're friends, right? ] Or... maybe she's been pulled in here by her dreams? If this is the place I've gone during mine? She'd be able to wake up just fine.
We'd need to get to her to see. [ An idea to test the waters. Though, he imagines Alan is going to jump at the opportunity. ] I'll go with you as back up. Given how agitated the locals are? You might need the extra firepower.
Assuming we're going to find out what's going on, anyways. We could stay here.
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[ Alan's disgust with the whole thing is clear, and he's not even trying to hide it. Jesse being on Door's show is just more salt being poured into an open wound, whether it's real or not. And of course, Alan has to admit that there's a distinct possibility that it's real. The definition of "real" shifts and changes by the minute, even down to the second, but it still exists. It's not the answer he wants, but he can't pretend it doesn't exist either.
If things like Taken that roam around barking out his name or whispering it other times are real, then this can be real too. ]
Either way, whether it's real or not, or if she's just been pulled in while dreaming, it's not good. I don't- I don't want her getting too close. I don't want this place reaching out and seeping into her mind, and-
[ He cuts himself off, because even the imagined thought of what might happen if Jesse gets touched by the Dark Presence, even if it's only in her dreams, is not something he wants to think about. The Dark Presence can get in everywhere, so why not in dreams too? ]
Yeah, we need to get- Wait. [ He glances back at Tim questioningly. ] If you come with me, that's me taking you away from this. [ His crazy wall. ]
I think you working things out here is more important than me trying to get to wherever Door is. [ He knows where Door should be, but will he be able to get there? ] This could be just another wild goose chase set up by the Dark Place.
[ He knows he's going, goose chase or not. But if Tim wants to back out and stay here, he gets it. ]
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[ Maybe that's how Door got a hold of it to turn it into a ... book or whatever. Maybe if they can get their hands on that manuscript that'll give them leverage for whatever Alan is actually trying to get done. They've never really shared that information. It might be time to do that now. ]
Then we make sure she's not really here. Easy clean and sweep. Hopefully, if the place isn't overrun by the locals.
[ Given he's never been to wherever this show is being broadcasted from. Alan would know, given he's been on it. He's never been able to find it though.
At the motionless gesture of the crazy wall, Tim glances back over it. A sigh comes from him, nodding, before turning his attention back to Alan. He already made up his mind, but he's reinforced it now. ]
I think the only answers I might get is if I tag along--if you don't mind. Your reasons are the main priority. But, if I can learn something to help with this? All the better. [ He grabs his sheriff hat--because why not have it if this is a damn dream world--a flashlight and ammo for his gun. He opens a drawer and tosses Alan an extra flare gun. ] Door brought me here, remember? That means he's holding cards I need.
Like I said though. Your stuff first. Talkshow, Jesse, your apparent manuscripts.
[ He pauses and offers a smirk. ] Or, you could look at it this way: I'm helping out a member of the Bright Falls community that went missing. Even if he was only there temporarily.
Now, I can't find wherever Door does this from. I've tried. So, you're leading the way. I'll watch your back.
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Well, I thought I had it, in the room where I do all the writing. [ Or someone writes. Sometimes it's me. Sometimes it's... ]
Maybe there's multiple copies. Maybe the Dark Place needed copies, so there just were copies. Or every time I make a draft and something doesn't work, that just gets grabbed up by the Dark Place. [ He shakes his head. He doesn't really know how that makes sense, or how Door would get his hands on them if that happened to be the case. ]
You know, if things were different, I'd get you the biggest case of donuts that I could find. You do like donuts, right? Or, just replace donuts with something you really like.
[ He owes Tim a lot already, and the unfortunate thing is, he doesn't know how he'll ever be able to repay him. ]
If it is, I know how to deal with them. Kind of. [ Sometimes luck isn't on his side when dealing with them, but maybe it'll go better with Tim backing him up. ] Do you have a flashlight?
[ He offers the other man a smile as he watches him grab his hat, flashlight, and ammunition. That answers that question. His smile is a small one, and grimmer than he'd like, but there's not much to smile about around here. ]
Maybe if things had been different, I'd actually live there. [ It's hard to really envision it, but maybe in time, Alan would have grown to like life in Bright Falls. ]
Just stay close, alright? [ He catches the flare gun, and it and his flashlight slip into his hands with almost practiced ease as he gives Tim a looking over to reassure himself that he's ready. Well, as ready as anyone can be, anyway. ]
I don't mind at all. It's a nice change, having someone around for company.
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[ After all, he ended up in another dimension after years of dreams about aliens and everything. Who says there isn't more to everything going on? ]
Multiple drafts and copies. So, like finding a needle in a haystack. I'll keep my eyes open. [ Given he has a book of them already? It shouldn't be too hard. Maybe he should give them to Alan. Maybe he shouldn't? He'll test the idea once the current issue is solved. ] You know? I don't think I've ever seen a room that you write in. You always seem to find me instead. I must be obvious to find.
[ He chuckles slightly. ] Donuts, that's a cop joke, right? Anyways, yeah. Krispy Kreme donuts. Have you had them? Really sweet, but, pretty good. Coffee isn't as good as the Oh Deer Diner stuff though.
[ Then, a smirk. ] I'm not sure a big shot city guy would like moving to a small town where everyone knows everyone. It's nice, but, you strike me as the kind of guy who'd rather keep his life private. Not that it's a problem. Just, y'know. People talk.
[ Tim checks the ammo as they leave the room. He goes quiet as the shadows shift around, mumbling the same crap they always do. Words, cults, stuff about stories. A few turn to look at them and Tim gently eases Alan around the corner. It doesn't take long for them to exit the Hotel and back to the dirty, newspaper, neon filled streets of the not New York City. ]
So, this Jesse Faden. She's important to you, isn't she? And I don't mean in the "oh I visited her dreams and gave her cryptic messages" kind of way.
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[ And he knows full well that he certainly hasn't uncovered this place's secrets. More than likely, it won't give them up easily, if it does at all. ]
Maybe I'm wrong, but wrong and right aren't clear at all to me anymore. It's more like theories and guesses, and sometimes a theory gets confirmed, if you're lucky. But I think you've already worked that part out. There's honestly not much to see in that room, but maybe we'll find our way there. Or maybe the room's in my head and not real. Who knows, really.
[ He chuckles a little bit too as Tim plays along with his mention of donuts. ] I don't know, I just thought you looked like a donuts kind of guy. Don't ask me what that's supposed to look like. [ He stops to try and think if he remembers ever trying the donuts Tim's mentioned, but he can't put a finger on it. I guess that's a no. Or if I did, I forgot. ] I guess if I ever get out of here, I'll have to try one.
[ He purposefully tries to keep his tone casual, in hopes of not giving his doubts on that subject away. If he gives up, then he'll never get out. ]
Sometimes the thought of being off the grid feels like something I'd like. But maybe I'd just go crazy living in a small town. [ Or crazier. ] People talk anyway, Tim, even in the city. [ I can only imagine what people are saying about me now, if they're even saying anything. Is it worse to be talked about or to be forgotten?
Alan wants to keep talking, to drown out the rustling noises and the shuffling sounds that he's become too familiar with. But more than that, he wants to try and drown out the inevitable familiar whispers that sometimes become more than whispers. It's a futile effort, because nothing is loud enough to drown them out, not even the sound of his own voice. The first time a Taken says his name, Alan jumps, but he's quick to shine the flashlight and point his gun to take it out. After that, he sticks closer to Tim, not because he's scared (well, he is) but because... No, he really is just that scared.
But maybe it just makes sense that they should stick together rather than being too far apart, especially as they move from the hotel to the city streets where Taken seem to be lurking behind every corner. He offers Tim a sort of nervous smile as he walks with him, and when the subject turns to Jesse, he pauses for a moment before continuing to walk. ]
Yeah, I'd say she's important. She... [ He shifts the flashlight to his other hand just long enough for him to rub the back of his head, and then he shifts it back. ] I met her in a loop. Well, several loops, but at first, she was just someone looking for answers about me, about everything that's going on.
[ When exactly did we become something more? ]
She's part of the story now, although I don't think I intended it to be that way at first. [ Or did Scratch do it first, and I just kept her in because she was already involved? ]
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[ The longer the conversation goes on, the more Tim realizes how long it must have been for Alan in this dimension. Thirteen years in their time. How long has it been for him in this place? You can't keep track of days or nights because there are none. It's an endless night that you can't sleep in--and don't even feel the need to sleep--and it just goes on and on. He's only been here not even a handful of the time that Alan has been. ]
"Find our way there"? You can't just... go back to it? You have to navigate your way there? [ They're questions from curiosity, not judgement. Tim doesn't have a place that's "his" in this dimension. Honestly, he doesn't want one. ] Right. When we're out of here? Krispy Kreme, on me. You can pay me back if you end up liking it.
[ Whenever "when" turns out to be. ]
People talk. They most certainly do.
[ He can't imagine what it must like to be famous and have the media constantly on you. They always said Alan was a firecracker and off the rails, making problems anywhere he went. That might be true. But, Tim has to wonder how much of that was caused by Alan himself and the circumstances Alan found himself in. Would he have done what he did if the media wasn't constantly on him? Maybe. Fame does things to people.
Tim focuses the moment Alan jumps. He shines his flashlight on the Shadow, only for it to dissipate. Tim doesn't know the rules of the Dark Place. Only how to navigate it. Sort of. Light makes the Shadows go away. Staying in the Light the longest helps. They don't tend to go inside most buildings. Maybe one day he'll ask Alan, but, he doesn't want to burden the man when he's jumping at Shadows.
Literally.
Tim can't hear how they shout or whisper Alan's name. It's almost like a personalized hell. The rest of it he hears. This is my story! Get out of my story! Those things. They're unnerving as hell, and he has hunches, but he doesn't want to ask or assume things.
"A loop." What does that mean? ]
And when you say "part of the story", you mean these manuscripts you haven't found? The ones that Door keeps saying are books. Even though you lost them, you know she's in them?
[ He's just trying to make sense of it.
They pass a shop--Vision TV Shop--and Tim pauses. There's televisions on top of televisions. They all come to life at the same time with the same image. He reaches out and grabs Alan by the strap of his satchel to grab his attention. The title screen is back.
In Between With Mr. Door. ]
『 Ha, welcome back, folks! I hope that commercial break didn't cause you to get up from your seats and run into the dark of night! Nothing good ever comes from it. We left of with our special guest for the night--the mysterious and controlled Miss Jesse Faden! 』
[ Tim frowns and glances at Alan. The question is obvious: Does Door know what we're doing?
Jesse squares her shoulders before looking out at the "crowd." She smiles.
He can suddenly see why Alan is drawn to her. Something about her just seems to glow. Though, it doesn't take a profiler to tell that Jesse is playing along with it now--to some degree anyways. She's still guarded, but, certain things seem to be pointed and said on purpose. ]
『 So, then, it must be "Return" you know something about! Maybe a sneak peek at what it is that we can expect?
"What I can say is that it takes place back in Bright Falls. Like Departure did. Government agencies get involved. The doppleganger is back. There's a struggle between light and dark-- 』
[ Tim is startled at the sudden blast of music from the "in house band." Wait, The Old Gods of Asgard? ]
Like... the Old Gods of Asgard? Bright Falls' local legends?
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[ Once, he hoped that his time here would be short. What a fool's hope that turned out to be. If he didn't have the knowledge that he'd been missing for thirteen years, he'd say that it feels like he's been gone for thirty. Like so many other things around here, time is a meaningless construct, and Alan's caught up in that meaninglessness.
He shrugs at Tim's questions. Maybe it makes no sense, but as they just said, very little around here makes sense. ]
I don't know how to explain it. Well, I do, but I'll have to start at the beginning for it to make sense. Well, as much sense as anything around here can. [ Of course, Alan has to wait for a moment before he can launch into his explanation. The Taken are everywhere, of course, and it's really not a good time to be having a conversation with anyone. But if he waits too long, maybe he'll lose his chance. ]
Yes and no. There's pages that exist, but I didn't write them. I don't remember writing them. So either I was made to forget them, or someone else wrote them. I'm writing too, to change the story into something that will help me get out. But the problem is, once something is written, it's in the story, and I have to use it too.
[ This is one of those chicken and the egg moments, isn't it? Who put who in the story first? ]
Jesse's in the story, because I need her to be. I- [ He's going to think I'm nuts. ] I needed a hero. She already had all the tools needed.
[ And then it got complicated. But maybe everything was always complicated. He's about to go on with his explanation when he feels Tim reaching out to grab him by the strap of his satchel. ]
What- He's still going?
[ Alan sighs. He really doesn't like Door, even if he can't put his finger on why. And in response to that pointed look from Tim, Alan looks back with an equally pointed look. Door seems to just know things, things that he shouldn't be able to know, so it's not a stretch to think that he knows what they're up to. But what will he do about it? That's the question.
As before, Alan's attention is pulled immediately as soon as Jesse appears again. He very nearly steps forward to touch the screen again, not that it'll do anything. She's an image on a screen. She can't feel him or his touch. Something inside him clenches when he sees her smiling.
Will I see her smile like that again?
Alan watches the back and forth exchange playing out, wondering if there's a reason why they're seeing this. Is there something in it that's useful? Something that might help them get the answers they're both looking for? Alan has to admit that he doesn't see anything, but meanings can be obscured, especially around here. He tries to focus, to listen harder, in case some hint or small detail catches his attention.
But there's nothing that immediately jumps out at him, not even when the Old Gods launch into one of their songs again. Tim, at least, reacts to it, and he turns to look at him again. ]
Yeah. I don't understand how that's supposed to work. I don't understand anything about how Door's show is supposed to work. How did he pull Jesse in, when she's not even near the Dark Place?
[ Can Door reach into people's dreams and pull them out with him? That's a thought I don't want to think about. But how did he do it? ]
What do you think about all this, Tim?
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[ Door is definitely on his not trusting list.
Tim nods along with Alan's explanation. He can see things getting into the man's head and making him forget. Alan has enough memory problems as it is. What does surprise him is how it seems Alan hasn't forgotten this Jesse Faden.
She must mean a hell of a lot to him.
And not just because she's a hero in the manuscript. ]
I'm guessing I'm not in that manuscript if I'm here. Surprise, I guess?
[ How much of this place is tied to Bright Falls? Door. The Old God's of Asgard. Alan. Tim is starting to think he needs a new crazy wall for it all. ]
Well, I was in the morgue under the Sherrif's Station before he pulled me in. I found a page I was going to give to Agent Anderson. We brought a body from Cauldron Lake that fit other murder victims over the last few years. Funny thing? Everyone we I.D.'d disappeared back in 2010.
[ Tim looks up at Alan with his eyebrows raised. He has a feeling Alan may know something about it. ]
Next thing I knew? I was here. So, if Door can pluck us out of reality...? Who the hell knows. I've still got that page I was going to give her if you wanted to see it. We found a lot of them over the years. Almost like they came out of Cauldron Lake.
As for Jesse Faden? I can't say. But, I wouldn't be surprised if Door picked her out like he did me. Why? Did anything she say about either of those manuscripts make sense to you? Does she actually know about either one?
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I don't think that trust is an idea that's popular here, Tim. Not to be bleak about it, but the nature of this place is the exact opposite. [ At least that's one thing he can speak definitively about. Trusting anything down here just brings about trouble, or worse. ] But hey, if it's worth anything, I know I can trust you. It's probably not worth much, given how easily I forget basically everything, but- You kind of got the short end of the stick, didn't you? Sorry. I wish I could do something to get you out of here.
[ But seeing as how he can't even free himself, that probably doesn't mean much either. ]
I guess not, but that's good, in a way. This story kills people. I'm trying to stop it, but I don't think anyone would say my attempts are going well.
[ Alan listens intently to Tim's explanation, because it's all news to him how he got here in the first place. ]
2010, huh? [ Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't that. It doesn't really make sense to him how he remembers what started all of this, but for reasons he doesn't understand, that information's stuck with him when other information hasn't. ] I'm guessing I'd probably know some of those names, then. [ Or maybe he wouldn't. It all depends on how involved they were in the confusion that was everything that happened back then. ]
Where did you find these pages? Just out of curiosity. [ He seems to recall Jesse mentioning a page that was found, or rather, pushed under the door in a certain motel. It's a long shot, but he can't help but wonder if there's a connection. ]
She knows a little about the manuscripts. Well, about Return, at least. She knows that I didn't write it, that I'm trying to change what's been written. [ She was a little forceful about it, but I like that about her. I don't know if I've told her that yet. ]
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[ Not that he wants to sound like the kind of guy that's going to constantly blame someone else for his misfortune. But, Door is sort of the reason he's here and not back at Bright Falls helping Agent Anderson and Agent Casey. ]
Everyone's a critic.
[ He glances over his shoulder at some of the shadows shifting. Then, he looks back at Alan. This time he lowers his voice a bit. ]
Well, there were the rumors going around that the latest victim had a history with you. The name Robert Nightingale mean anything? [ He wonders what happened with that. Hopefully Anderson was able to take care of it on her end. ] Oh, we found them all over the place. Closed off campgrounds, in town, forest near by. I mean, it wasn't often, but let's say the Sheriff Department wasn't surprised to see them when we did find them.
[ Tim nods again. ] And, Return's the one that is screwing with everything back home? In Bright Falls, I mean. It's probably never been home to you.
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[ He knows he'll miss the other man's company, but he doesn't belong here. This place could chew him up and spit him back out, and he doesn't deserve that. ]
I mean, I think I'm pretty critical of myself and my own writing. People called my books bestsellers but they went through a lot of edits, and not just from an editor who was paid to look at them.
[ He's also all too aware that he's critical of himself in general, not just as it relates to writing books. ]
Nightingale... Robert Nightingale. Yeah, that sounds familiar. Vaguely. I know we met, I'm just not sure exactly when. [ Dates, times, people... things Alan should remember have gotten a bit jumbled in his head. ] Victim, though. So he's dead? Let me guess, it has something to do with the story. A manuscript page. Did I write it, or didn't I?
Honestly, Tim, I don't really know where home is for me anymore. I'd like to get back to our reality; that's all I've really been thinking about. [ That's why he half-seriously contemplated living in a small town like Bright Falls. It probably wouldn't work out, but a thought's a thought. ] But yeah, Return seems to be causing all this trouble. Except, it wouldn't exist if someone hadn't written it.
[ Alan's mouth twists to the side when he says the word "someone", as if it's leaving a bad taste in his mouth. ]
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Alan responds to what buttons you push--at least, that's how Tim sees it. If you smack those buttons that drive him into a corner? He'll lash out like a wounded animal. Give him space, time, offer some help? He'll be like everyone else.
Minus the fact they're stuck in nightmare dream land. ]
Well, I'm not leaving until I find out more about Door. He's been in my head and dreams for years. I'm not going back home until I find out why. So, you got me here as long as you want to keep working together. Or, forget again, I guess.
[ So, Alan knew of Nightingale. It seems like trying to get answers about thirteen years ago isn't going to work. Not while they're in the Dark Place at least. ]
We found him tied to a picnic table outside the closed up Cauldron Lake General Store. Bloated. Wrists and ankles tied up for some sort of ritual killing. But, yeah, his heart had been cut out. Agent Anderson said it was left on the table next to him. There... [ Tim pauses, having to focus to remember these details. It was right before he was pulled here. ] She was doing an autopsy. Found a page stuffed inside him like a Thanksgiving turkey. Pulled out, started to read it. That's when I went to show her the pages we had been finding around town, the woods.
I tried to give her one specific page. That's when Door got me. Brought me here.
[ He nods to himself as if finally confirming it all in his head. ]
You know the old saying, Alan. "Home is where the heart is." [ He just has the feeling it'll help somehow. A simple saying, an old one. A little cliche. But, something about it just feels like what Alan needs. ] And this "someone" is your doppleganger. The one you warned me about that looks like you, wandering around the not New York. Right?
[ Tim goes to say something else, but something catches his attention. He turns his head, rain bouncing off the rim of his hat as he looks down the street. The TV goes static as the transmission falls off. He sees a dark street, but it seems to be... more. But he can't see what it really is.
He can't see the talk show building. He can't make it manifest. Alan can, though. He'll need the Writer to lead him to it. Maybe then they can find out more about this Jesse Faden. ]
We should get moving.
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He might not ever say it in so many words, but he appreciates Tim still trying to help. ]
You know, I never asked, just heard you mention it on and off. How long has that been going on? Also, for what it's worth, if I see anything about Door while I'm... you know. I'll write it down and get it to you as soon as I can. [ He shrugs and offers a half-smile. ] You scratch my back, I scratch yours, I guess?
[ Except the things at stake here are much bigger than simply repaying favors. ]
"As long as you want to keep working together". I don't see many people besides you offering to help. So as long as you want to help- You're stuck with me, and vice versa.
[ All of that to say, Alan doesn't want to lose this friendship he has with Tim. ]
I... that sounds familiar. Maybe it's something I wrote and forgot about, or... or someone wrote it and I left it in. [ He shakes his head. ] I've written so much, made so many edits, I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or two. Or a hundred.
If it was up to me, Tim, I'd find a way to get you back home. I'm grateful that you're here, that you're helping, but- you should be back home where you belong. I mean that. [ He hopes his sincerity is obvious, because regardless of his own personal wants, Tim should get to go home. ]
'Cause, you know. Home is where the heart is, right? [ This time, he actually does smile. It's only there for a minute before it fades again as the conversation turns back to discussing his doppelganger, but it still was a genuine smile. ]
Yeah, that's him. Unfortunately. [ Alan lets out a long sigh because he really hates even thinking about his double. ]
But yeah, you're right, we have places to be.
[ He's just noticed the same thing that Tim has, and that usually means one thing. He needs to change the scene to get them to where they need to go, and so he pulls out the angel lamp and activates it, forcing the scene to switch and the building, their destination, to appear. ]
And that's how I've been getting around. If you wanted to know.
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Thanks, man. I appreciate it. And, uh, I'll keep doing what I've been doing. Let you know if I find anything that sticks out. Or, more about our science guy.
[ A smile forms on his face at the fact they've made it official--being partners. On a case. Different cases, but both seem to be tied into the over all thing of this weird dream reality. It's a complicated web that he's not sure he can unwind. So, he keeps to his own thread for now. Door. Red headed woman. Once he has those two things? They'll branch from there.
He chuckles. ] Yeah, home is where the heart is. I'm guessing that means Door is messing with something you consider home. Or, part of your home, anyways.
[ Tim gives him a look that says he's figuring things out. That doesn't mean he'll demand answers from Alan. If Alan decides to tell him about this ... thing going on with this Jesse? He'll listen. Otherwise, he'll just take the notes, and keep it at that.
He raises an eyebrow at the lamp. Nifty. ]
Maybe I need to get myself one of those.
[ Tim cautiously moves forward and checks all the doors. They seem to be locked. He moves around to the side and finds what looks like a basement entrance opened. He turns his head to look at Alan and gives a small tilt to it, asking if that's a way in. ]
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