[CLOSED] Afterlife.

[cleveland]

WHO: Frank Rickards (cleveland) and Walter White (kingpawn)
WHERE: some diner in Heropa
WHEN: backdated to just after their arrival(s)
WHAT: continuation of this TDM thread
WARNINGS: PG-13? Nothing too bad; will update if necessary.


[ Frank had read his file cover to cover, wary of how the Powers That Be knew so much about things they shouldn't. But he shrugs. ]

Mine had something called "Hyperthymesia?" Sounds, I dunno, sounds more like some kind of thyroid condition than a superpower. "Also known as 'Total Autobiographical Recall,'" it said.

Comments

[kingpawn]

Sounds...a little overwhelming. To remember every little detail about yourself, if the description is what it implies? I think people try so hard as a whole to forget a lot of the things they have done.

[ He takes the menu and gives it a scan. Walt is hardly hungry, but coffee looks good. ]

[cleveland]

[ Now that Frank stops to think about it, he can recall specific instances from his life that he'd mostly forgotten about before. The exact layout of his college dorm room. What shoes he wore to his first day of kindergarten. The rainy Wednesday when he first learned about the Order. He scratches his forehead. ] Yeah, I think it might turn out to be.

[ He watches Walter look over the menu. He wasn't hungry before they came in, but now that they're here... ]

What do you like the look of? I could probably go for a plate of fries.

[kingpawn]

I don't have too much of an appetite, so I think I'll just get a cup of coffee.

[ He looks at Frank thoughtfully before he decides to test the theory, and also this is a way to see these 'so-called' powers in person. ]

Well, what did you have for breakfast on the second day of your sophomore year of high school?

[cleveland]

Shredded wheat.

[ He answers quickly, not even having to think about it. It surprises him, almost, how fast he was able to remember. ]

...Huh.

[kingpawn]

[ A rapid fire answer. But it could have been luck. Maybe Frank is a creature of habit and ate shredded wheat every day. Only way to find out is to start asking more questions. How about ones geared toward when the memories are the fuzziest? ]

What did you learn in kindergarten on your second month and 4th day?

[cleveland]

[ Frank scrunches up his face in thought, but still the answer comes rather quickly. ]

We were practicing our ABCs. I drew a picture of a bear-- B for bear. Mrs. Sullivan told Bobby Dillinger he couldn't have an extra cookie for snack time.

[ He laughs. ] I think I'm starting to get the hang of this.

[kingpawn]

[ A faint smile creases his lips. ]

I think the hypothesis was proven. Is it the same as a photographic memory, I wonder? Would you be able to recall every detail about all the people you meet?

[cleveland]

I'm not sure. And I don't know how I'd test that.

[ Just then, the waitress arrives and asks for their order. Frank makes eye contact with Walter for a moment, before speaking to the waitress. ]

Yeah, um, two coffees? And an order of french fries.

[kingpawn]

[ Walt nods. His order hadn't changed any. A sudden concern strikes him and he reaches up to see if he still has his wedding ring. He does. It's tied in twine around his neck. ]

Are you married, Frank?

[cleveland]

[ The question comes seemingly out of nowhere, taking Frank by surprise. ]

No, I'm not. You?

[kingpawn]

I am. Sort of. We're separated. For...quite a while it seems, given the circumstances.

[ He flashes a faint smile, a bit of dark humor since there's very little he can do but joke. ]

But I was just thinking, if she were here, she would likely try to get you to eat something more substantial than fries and coffee. She's long since given up on me.

[ He laughs, but it's tinged with a hint of regret. ]

[cleveland]

[ Oh, well that's... sad. The waitress comes around with their coffees and Frank stops her before he leaves. ]

Actually, I'll have a tuna sandwich along with those fries, I think.

[ He shoots Walter a smile. ]

[kingpawn]

[ Walt appreciates the gesture and lets it be known by the warmth that reaches his face as Frank adds to his order. ]

Thank you.

[ It really was nice of him to honor a woman he had never met. ]

So have you spoken to anyone else since arriving?

[cleveland]

[ Frank shrugs as if to say "don't mention it," then shakes his head. ]

No, not really. Haven't had a chance. I was on my way to find the apartment complex they set me up in when I saw that crash and stopped.

[kingpawn]

Likewise. You're the first person I've run into. But perhaps that is a good thing. I don't think I would be able to handle speaking with some overly righteous hero. Talking to someone more down-to-earth is refreshing.

[ Walt raises his coffee to his lips, taking a sip. He savors the warmth. ]

[cleveland]

I know what you mean. The army officers who "debriefed" me were bad enough, I don't know if I could manage a full fledged comic book hero. Like this? [ He takes a sip of his own coffee. ] Like this, we can almost pretend it's something normal. Like we're here on business. Or vacation.

[ Not that Frank gets many vacations. ]

[kingpawn]

Or a tired lunch between two retired, young men.

[ His lips quirk briefly. ]

You said you worked in an office. What sort of work did you do?

[cleveland]

[ Frank smiles. ] I like that.

[ Just then the waitress returns with his meal, giving him the time to plan his response to Walter's question. ]

I worked at a magazine printing company last, in human resources.

[ He takes a bite of his sandwich. ]

It's a dying industry, the magazine printing business.

[kingpawn]

Most print media is dying out, unfortunately.

[ Walt spoke with sincerity. ]

For a time, I had no access to cable or the internet. My only source of knowing what was going on in the outside world was newspapers. Imagine if they stopped printing them altogether. It would be a shame.

[ He sips his coffee, folding his fingers around it. ]

Would your company consider going the e-zine route? People would still lose their jobs -- such is the nature of the beast -- but yours would still be secure more than likely.

[cleveland]

[ Frank likes hearing Walt's affirmation of the importance of newspapers, even if the paper company was a cover job, mainly. ]

That's an option, for sure. Some people are stuck in their ways, though. Hesitant to change. But change is coming, whether you like it or not.

[kingpawn]

Unfortunately so...

[ Walt agrees with a thoughtful frown. ]

What job were you given here?