unfringed | File #003 :audio

[The audio file follows exactly as it is written, save for a few places where Walter stutters or mumbles.]

Greetings fellow inmates of Luceti, my name is Walter Bishop and I am constructing a laboratory in my living space. If anyone should come across any equipment that may be of use in doing so, I would be most obliged if you could tell me.

Now, onto the important matters. I was told there are others who are experts or at least versed in transdimensional world travelling and I should very much like to speak to them. Particularly the one named "Tony Stark" if he is available. A young girl named Harlem said I should say hello to you.

I have also heard there were others involved in a failed attempt at returning home. I should very much like to speak to these individuals if they are still present. I believe we may be able to help each other.

Also, if anyone has seen a set of tuning forks, I seem to have misplaced them.

Please check your microwave ovens and other such devices before turning them on. It would be most unfortunate if you should end up with one in your neck.

Thank you for your time.

Oh, and residents of Building 1. Flame Building - what an unfortunate name - if you see sugar cubes lying on the counters, please return them to me. But do not touch them with your bare hands. Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Finally! A response from one of the actual people he was searching for!

Not the one he named, and now there is apparently a third person with whom he must speak. That is more information in one encounter than he's received so far.]

Wonderful! Ms. Foster, my name is Walter Bishop. I'm a scientist studying primarily what would be called fringe science - and your work on an attempt home is of utmost interest to me now that I am here. I've successfully crossed worlds before, but never in a place where so many worlds collide. I was hoping to speak with you about what you did - and what went wrong.

Perhaps over pancakes? Unless you prefer crepes. I used to make them in the shapes of whales. Pancakes, I mean. Crepes can't be made into whales.

... right. [ There's some humor in her voice. ] Okay. Sure, I'd be fine with that. I can even let you see my notebooks. I still have everything from back then. We were exceptionally thorough.

[ The comment about whale-shaped crepes makes her laugh. ] Whale pancakes it is. Where should I meet you?

Today is Monday, is it not? Then I should be able to be dressed in ten minutes, if you aren't adverse to meeting me at my lodgings. Building 1, Floor 3, Room 11 -- prime numbers, until they were renamed. Flame now, I think. I dislike the name.

Oh, but the pancakes will be exceptional, I promise! In return for your notes, it is the least I can do. I can even make them blueberry or otherwise, if you are willing to submit to a tissue and hair test.

Not adverse at all. And I agree, honestly. I preferred the numbering system. Who knows what the Malnosso are ever thinking.

[ Oh god, what. A hair and tissue test. This guy sounds like a gem. ] Um. You know what, why don't we discuss pancake varieties when I get there, okay? Take your time getting dressed, there's no rush. I'll be walking over from Ground, so it's going to take me a little bit.

Numbering system was more efficient, far easier to understand, less likely to bring up bad memories.

[His voice gets quieter as he moves around the bedroom, getting dressed.]

My lab isn't fully ready yet - they say it takes time to construct one. I don't like it - it's too quiet here. I wish Gene was here, although having a cow on the third floor would be a bit more problematic than in the basement. Did you have a lab, Ms. Foster?

[ God. He's a bit -- off, isn't he. It actually reminds Jane of her own troubled mentor, so she tries not to let it bother her overmuch. She doesn't respond right away, and he'll be able to hear shuffling papers and moving fabric in the background as she gets ready to leave. ]

--yes! Yes I did. It used to be kind of, you know, homespun. I build most of my own equipment. After I, um ... received government sponsorship, I was able to update my hardware and my lab, which was great until I had to leave the country really suddenly-- it's a long story. But yeah, my lab was -- my home. Sometimes literally. Oh! Wait, uh. I mean back on Earth is where I had a lab. Here, I just shared my working space with Tony and never really set up my own facility.

A lab can be much like a home, yes - both literally and figuratively. [He stops, staring off into space. White walls. How he hates the white walls here. After an unnecessarily long pause, he continues.] I had government funding back home, but here I am being forced to recreate all my equipment.

I've...heard that one can earn points akin to money by going on errands for our captors. Did-- Tony. Tony Stark, the other man I'm meant to speak with, did he do such a thing to construct his lab?

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