@cjk [ audio ]

[signifies]

Hello everyone. My name is Clark. I'll try and keep this brief.

Firstly, I've drawn up a blank list and placed one on the bulletin board on each housing floor. If those with medical expertise feel comfortable, they can put their name, residence here, and — if they have one — specialisation, in case of an emergency. We have several residents who aren't from the same point in time, so if you'd like to volunteer to update someone's medical knowledge, please mark your name with an asterisk.

Secondly, ah-- [ a bit of a laugh. ] I'm from Kansas, which some of you might recognise as being host to some pretty bad weather. Now, I'm not going to say I'm paranoid, but-- I like to think ahead. So, I've made up some kits with some of the usual survival paraphernalia back home and distributed them between floors. Feel free to help yourselves if you need them.

[ No one has to use them, but he’d rather everyone knows they're available. ]

Thank you for your time.

( all replies in audio unless otherwise stated )

Comments

{ voice }

[inthemoonlight]

Hello, sir. My name is Cecelia Wynn.

[ Because she seriously thinks it's weird to not have introductions up front. He at least knew to do it in his message, unlike others so far. ]

I am afraid I am not familiar with Kansas. What sort of weather are you expecting?

{ voice }

[signifies]

Just Clark is fine, ma'am. It's nice to meet you.

We have tornadoes.

[inthemoonlight]

Oh.

[ That's something she isn't really sure she can do. It's his Christian name. ]

Might I not call you Mister...?

[ As in she needs a last name here, sir. ]

And what are tornadoes?

[ Not a lot of twisters in Lancashire, England. Or any. ]

[signifies]

Mr. Kent, if you'd like, Miss Wynn.

[ It's not a bother. ]

I've sent you a picture of one.

[ Ding ding ]

[inthemoonlight]

Mrs Wynn, actually, though I am a widow.

[ She's sure people will wonder why she suddenly turned up here and start casting aspersions on her late husband, so she wants to nip that in the bud. ]

Oh? If you will excuse me -- I am not used to these machines. I just need a moment...

[ It's not that hard; she just needs to touch the link, but she's afraid she'll lose her connection or something. Her eyes widen at the image, and when she closes it, she tries to collect herself. ]

Goodness! And you think such a thing could happen here?

[signifies]

I'm sorry [ about her husband, too. She didn't invite pity. ]. Mrs. Wynn.

[ Clark waits for her to finish looking at the photograph. ]

It's possible. We don't know much about the weather here.

[inthemoonlight]

It is quite all right, Mr Kent. I am learning that there is a great deal of difference in social manners here. For now, I feel I must hold fast to my own.

[ There is a pause as she thinks, but only for a moment. ]

Do you not think those who came before might have written reports on such a topic? Is there a library here? That is where I would store such information for those who come after me.

[signifies]

[ Another displacee who might find it difficult to adjust, but would do it. She might be English, he'll ask later. ]

There is. It's near where we've been assigned to stay.

[inthemoonlight]

Oh, good! I shall have to locate it in any case, and I can search for weather reports while there.

[signifies]

If you find anything unusual, would you mind sharing?

[inthemoonlight]

I would be happy to do so. After all, you have taken the time to put together items to help us. It's the very least I could do. Oh, and out of curiosity, what do these kits contain?

[signifies]

Flashlights, radios, food, and water. A small first aid kit. There's some extra room if you'd like to add something to it.

[inthemoonlight]

[ Her voice in return sounds polite and curious. ]

And what are flashlights and radios, for a person who does not know what they are?

to video.

[signifies]

Hold on, I'll show you.

[ He switches the feed. Clark's wearing dark red plaid and his usual pair of black glasses, and smiles at her. He draws the flashlight and radio out of the box. ]

Here, this is for light.

[ He switches it on and off, facing the beam at the wall. ]

This is a radio receiver. Someone somewhere else will be able to tell you where the tornado is, and whether it's safe to go out or not.

[ He puts it down. ]

What year are you from, Mrs. Wynn?

[inthemoonlight]

[ A chime indicates the video call and Cecelia touches the screen to accept it. She likes doing things like this; it's so fancy! As for her, she's dressed in a long sleeved white muslin dress, hair pulled back into a bun and pinned into place. ]

Oh, how clever! It is like a captured sunbeam.

[ She'd probably be more surprised if her tablet didn't produce moving images. A flashlight is like a step down from that on the Surprised Scale. ]

Ah, thank you. I am from eighteen hundred and fifteen A.D., Mr. Kent. And yourself?

[signifies]

Two thousand and thirteen, Mrs. Wynn.

[ He's going to let that sink in. Somehow, he thinks she'll be all right. ]

[inthemoonlight]

Two thousand? Goodness gracious!

[ But a smile spreads across her face. ]

Do you have an England in your world? If so, is there still a monarchy?

[signifies]

[ The second English person who's asked about a monarchy. Clark nods. ]

It's called the United Kingdom now. Queen Elizabeth II is the current monarch.

[inthemoonlight]

Oh, yes. It is in my time too, but I am not Scottish, or Welsh, or Irish. I am English. And I am glad to hear the monarchy lives on. A Queen Regent! That is what Mrs Regis said as well; that they had a Queen. How lovely!

[signifies]

[ He can't help but smile at her enthusiasm. ]

I should warn you: I'm an American. We're not so keen on them.

[inthemoonlight]

Ah, is that what that accent is? Well, I suppose I shall forgive you your shortcomings.

[ Kidding! ]

[signifies]

I wouldn't be so sure. I might feel the sudden inclination to throw some tea in the harbour.

[inthemoonlight]

[ She fake gasps. ]

Sir, I must protest! I could never forgive someone who throws away perfectly good tea!

[signifies]

I'm afraid I can't help myself. It's your accent. I can't resist.

[ He's doing a good job keeping a straight face, but his shoulders are shaking with silent laughter. ]

[inthemoonlight]

Oh, you wound me, Mr Kent!

[ She's smiling openly, not able to hide it. It's been far too long since she's had the opportunity to banter, and she has no reason to think she's doing something inappropriate now that her husband is gone. ]

How will you make amends?