Watch Out For Zombies

Participants:

cardinal_icon.gif simon_icon.gif

Scene Title Watch Out For Zombies
Synopsis Simon calls Cardinal, while the latter's in Tokyo.
Date May 18, 2009

One End: Tokyo

The Other End: New York City


Ring ring ring.
Ring ring ring.

Click. A slightly tired voice answers the phone, the sound of a shower's soft rush in the background. "Hello?"

"Cardinal, did I wake? It's Simon."

The kid's voice sounds rushed on the other line. It's later in the day, or late in the previous day, so he's already been running around.

"Sorry, man, but I've been going crazy wondering what's going on over there."

"No, I was just about to go to bed— hold on— "

The phone's set down, and the sound of the shower ends, following by the phone being picked up again.

"Hey, kid. What's up back Stateside?"

"A lot of shit, that's what's up."

In the background there's the sound of waves crashing against the shore. He must be somewhere on the coast. Probably near the Lighthouse.

"I'll tell you about it when I get back. How's it going over there? Adam hasn't gone postal has he?"

"Depends," replies the shadow-thief, his tone wry, "What do you mean by postal?"

"Well, we already know he's nutso. I'm talking about him shooting., stabbing, bludgeoning, or otherwise seriously killing people over there."

There's some movement on the other line and a splash, like a rock boring a hole into the surface of the ocean water.

"He said things might get messy over there. That's why he didn't want me to go. I don't know why I feel left out."

A faint, and not entirely encouraging chuckle comes from the other end of the phone, from the Land of the Rising Sun.

"That's rather why he's here, I gather. I don't know if he's already doing it — I'm staying way the fuck away from all that shit, myself…"

"Cardinal, you can't let him kill people, okay? That's just not cool."

There's a pause as the kid thinks a moment, and then he speaks again, voice slightly digitized from the overseas reception.

"Why are you there, anyways?"

"I can't stop him, either, Simon. All I can hope to do is… minimize the damage."

There's a lingering pause, before he adds something more quietly.

"I can't tell you too much over the phone, kid. And — honestly, it might be safer if you didn't hear any of it."

"Oh, that's bullshit and you know it. What is it with people trying to protect me these days? I'm not just some kid."

He sounds irritated and very - well, childlike.

"Actually," he notes, dryly, "You are. Because you haven't given me any reason to think you're not.

A pause, then Cardinal adds, "It's not just you, though, kid. I wouldn't want to burden anyone with this shit, and definately not over the phone - too easy to intercept."

There is a heavy sigh heard across the phone, but Simon doesn't argue the subject.

"It's cool. I was just calling to make sure you're fine. To make sure nothing crazy has happened. I've been worried. There's way too much going on."

"Figures. What's going on over in New York, anything that you can discuss over the phone?"

A grunt from Cardinal at that, seemingly annoyed - not at Simon, but at events in general.

"Naw, don't worry about it. Just your typical shit, y'know?"

Of course, for the people of NYC, that likely means a heavy dose of drama. Simon is no stranger to that.

When do you think you'll be getting back?"

"Hopefully within a week or two. The sooner the better, as far as I'm concerned…"

A pause, and then Cardinal asks…

"You talked to Brian lately?"

"I haven't been around honestly. I've been in the city dealing with some family things. Why? He hasn't called me, but should I worry or something?"

From across the world, Simon frowns and starts to pace, because he really doesn't want to have to worry about Brian on top of everything else.

"No, no…"

A negation, Cardinal's breath a faint chuckle.

"I actually wanted you to tell him something."

"Oh." Pause. "Phew. See how on edge I am?"

Simon chuckles a little, too, but it's more forced than Cardinal's. "What's up?"

"I'd say 'relax' but I don't know what's all been going on over there… we'll catch up when I get back."

Cardinal's quiet a moment, then says, "We're thinking of setting up a heliport on the island, maybe near the Lighthouse. Start up some supply shipments and all that aren't being run by the syndicates. Was hoping Brian'd cooperate and help out with setting things up."

"Really? That's actually a pretty great idea."

He has always been the kind of guy to see hope in the mess that is Staten. A helipad would make that hope seem a little brighter.

"I'll let him know, but who exactly is 'we?'"

"Chicago Air," replies Cardinal, "My, uh. My 'official' job. I'm having to push my boss on it, but if I push hard enough he'll roll over."

"Oh yeah? Well push him. I'll lend a hand if you need one, too, and I'm sure Brian will like the idea."

He really does, but in order to tell Brian, he's going to have to actually see him.

"I've got some other stuff going, but… I should probably wait until I'm back over there. Mm. I'll give you a call when I'm home."

"Ok, well be safe, Cardinal."

Simon smiles, though the older man wouldn't know it, since they're on the phone.

"I'll hear from you in about a week. Hopefully by then things around here will have calmed down a little bit."

"Hopefully." Then he pauses, "You're all right, though, right?"

"Yeah, I think so. I will be, at least. I just need to take care of some things." Vague, with a hint of menace. Maybe the kid isn't doing as well as he lets on.

"Mmhm. Well— if you run into anything you can't handle, kid, give me a call. I may not be there, but, I can at least point you towards a few people who are. And who're fairly trustworthy."

"Really? I don't seem to know who to trust these days. It's like everyone has their own agenda, but I guess that's always been the case."

No sense in philosophizing, though. The world is what it is, and Simon is just at the age where he's figuring out exactly what that means..

"I appreciate it, though. If things get hairy over there, let me know. I can probably shoot some help your way, too, believe it or not."

"Everyone's got their own agenda," notes the thief dryly, "All you can do is try'n find people whose agendas don't conflict with yours. Or, miracle've miracles, actually match."

A grin, and a light chuckle.

"Yeah, easier said than done." Pause, and a crash of waves against rocks.

"I should head out, though. Just got back to Staten a couple hours ago and I haven't set foot in the Lighthouse, yet. I need to sleep for, like, a whole day."

"Alright. Get some sleep, kid. Hope you'n your sister're alright. Watch out for zombies."

A faint chuckle, "G'night."


Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License