1st day off • [ well, shake it up baby now ]

[truant]

[video; private]

[The camera is being shuffled around in someone's hand, its focus panning back and forth along the pavement on the City square]

-here, and... did that do it?

[The frame pans up, pointing out into the square at large rather shakily.]

Recording! We are on.

[And, swiftly and for the first time with purpose, the frame shifts again, focusing on the face of a young man who is clearly pointing it at himself from a not-fully-extended arm's length.]

Alright, you with me here? So... interesting new choice of scenery here, don't you think?

[More slowly and steadily, the camera pans around the square, before returning to the young man's face, who greets its return with a smile and a raise of his eyebrows.]

Now, really, a radical move like this one? Well, I almost wish I could take the credit for the executive creative decision, but I'm afraid this one's not on me. Besides, bizarre carousels and creepy ticking? I'd hardly call this befitting my sophisticated sensibilities.
So where is it I've wound up? If I knew, I'd tell you, believe me, but as it is... I have no idea. It's a city-- definitely not Chicago, though; trust me. I know my city. And the odd thing about this-- I mean, aside from the obvious odd choices about wherever I am-- is that I have no idea how I got here. Not a clue.
It's not as if this isn't the kind of thing you'd hear about in movies, or books, right? A man goes to sleep at night, he wakes up, he finds himself in another world, with adventures and opportunities beyond his wildest imaginings? Really, it sounds like the beginning of what could be a pretty impressive adventure, a classic blockbuster that could rivet audiences... or a cliched box office bomb that aimed way too high.
Which means it's up to me to make sure it goes the first way. Well, tell the casting director they've made the right call. Ferris Bueller reporting, and I'm up to the task.

[end private...]

[begin public video feed]

[A young man is focusing intently as he hits a few buttons on the device and confirming that it's now broadcasting. He smiles when he sees that it is.]

Hey... hello out there?

[He pull his hand back from the device, lifting it into the frame as a wave.]

Looks like I'm the new guy in town, so I guess I should say hello. I'm... well, not really sure how I got here, but from poking around I see that's pretty much part of the deal, right? Some pretty advanced stuff you've got going on here, too. I'm impressed.

So anyway, I don't really know what the standard procedure is when you land in an alternate reality, but I'm going exploring. Anyone care to show me the place?


[ooc: Whaaaaaaat who just bought this guy paid time? I LOVE YOU, MY ANONYMOUS BENEFACTOR.]

Comments

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

Hey, friendly resident! Ferris Bueller, pleased to meet you.

That would be very helpful. Though I'm about to head over to this Welcome Center I've heard about, if they have them there.

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

Ferris Bueller? No way.

I'm just as pleased to meet you, Ferris! I'm Penny and I happen to be at the Welcome Center that you've heard about. We do have some maps... and food, and beds if you can't figure out the apartment thing right away, and coats. Since it's winter. Most people don't drop in with winter-wear.

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

Oh, so you're Penny! I was speaking to a Miss Rosella who was telling me about you. I could certainly use a coat, and I would just love to meet someone as kind-hearted as yourself. I'll be right in.

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

Anything nice Rosella said was probably an exaggeration, but that's really sweet. If you came in by the fountain like most people do, you should be able to see the Center from where you are. Big blue sign?

oh snap ferris is all up in your welcome center.

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it can't be much of an exaggeration.

[There are footsteps as he's speaking, which are punctuated by the door to the Welcome Center cracking open and one Ferris Bueller peeking in, a finger pointed at the sign outside.]

That big blue sign?

I had a witty subject line in mind, but that icon's adorableness made it disappear.

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

[That was unexpectedly fast. Penny puts away her network device and hops down from the counter (why sit in chairs when there are countertops?).]

That's the one! [She holds out her hand for a handshake.] It's good to see you in person, Ferris.

They do that. OH GOD LOOK HOW LATE I AM /cries

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

[He puts on one of his most charming grins as he shakes her hand.]

And it is just lovely to meet you. I can assure you that Rosella is guilty of no exaggeration.

I don't believe in time, so you're good. <3

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

[Consider Penny thoroughly charmed (not that charming her is that hard to do).]

Well... thank you.

[Ah, coat! Penny goes to find one that looks more-or-less the right size.]

Here you go. This should work until you can find something snazzier.

pssh it's just a theory. not even a good one.

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

[He takes it with a little grin, shrugging it on over his sweatervest and pulling at the cuffs to test the sizing. Not a bad fit.]

I think it'll do the trick quite nicely, thank you.

[He takes a moment to smooth his hair back, half-posing with a mischievous grin.]

Now, I'm making it a point to ask as many people as I can; what would you call some of the City's must-see destinations?

Here, here! Now if only the rest of the world would accept that. :P

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! It doesn't look bad on you at all.

[Aww... he's kind of like a less annoying and tinier Captain Hammer. Penny turns on the stove to boil water for hot chocolate.]

There's the zoo. I know it sounds boring, but you wouldn't believe the kinds of animals they have here. There's a unicorn, and a dragon... and a bunch of things that I don't know the names of that're awesome. The garden's neat, too, if you don't get lost.

[She tries to think of exciting places that normal people would like. It occurs to her that she has absolutely no idea what the clubs and restaurants in the City are like. Social fail, Penny.]

And there're... other things. Plenty of them.

Tell me about it. PEOPLE. TAKE OFF YOUR WATCHES FOR THEY ARE THE SHACKLES OF OPRESSION

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

You think?

[He only preens a moment longer, before relaxing with a smirk and letting the act dissipate. Not that he's any less confident without it, just less showy.]

A dragon, really? I heard about the unicorns and that was impressive enough on its own. Really, though, I don't think most things are boring unless you let them be. It's all in how you approach things.

[He smiles easily as he helps himself to a seat.]

You know, I think I may really enjoy this place.

\m/

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't think it.

[So much cuter than Hammer. Penny retrieves two mugs and cocoa mix.]

Really! I haven't seen it do anything dragon-y like breathing fire, but it's still neat. [She smiles, quite pleased by his outlook on life. It's about time a little more optimism came to the City.] With an attitude like that, I don't think you'll have any problems. The curses can get scary, but it's not bad here if you just take everything as it comes and try to make the best of things.

Hot chocolate?

<3 VIVA LA REVOLUTION

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

Well, that's very kind of you.

[He smiles broadly as she comments on his attitude.]

I can't say that it hasn't served me well. Though life just about anywhere can always hurl surprises at you, don't you think? Being able to catch whatever it tosses your way is always a valuable skill.

Why yes, I would just love some.

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

Completely agreed, but life in the City? It hurls much bigger surprises.

[She puts a mug of cocoa in front of Ferris and sits across from him with one of her own.]

So... Ferris. Tell me a little about you? Where you're from, maybe?

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

I don't doubt it. I guess it'll just push my limits.

[He gives a little smile as a thank you, raising the mug and nodding at her before taking a sip of it. Cheers? He sets it back down after sipping, taking a thoughtful pause before he goes on.]

Well, I live with my fantastic parents and occasionally tolerable sister in Illinois, just outside of Chicago, where I am currently hurtling towards the end of my high school career. Which is strange - I mean, I can't wait to get out of that place, but at the same time, it means I have to leave a lot of other things behind. But that's just life, too, huh? And really, I'm all about that. Not just being alive, I mean, but living, actually getting out and seeing life instead of sitting back and letting it rush by.

[He pauses again, reflecting.]

I think that's a pretty decent overview.

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

Not too hard, I hope.

[She listens, sipping cocoa. It's a more thorough overview than she was expecting--well done!]

Five stars! And if you like living, you're in the right place. It's easy to get homesick here, but it's never boring if you get out there and meet people.

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

I think I'll manage alright.

[That's a confident smile for you there. He's full of them.]

Well, don't get me wrong, I know I'll miss people from home, but... really, there seems to be too much to do here for me to worry about that. Besides, it's not as if I'll be gone from their point of view, right? So they'll be fine.

[He sips at his cocoa again, before shifting back to that charming grin.]

And what about yourself, Penny? Any Cliff Notes to offer?

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you there.

[If only everyone who came here was that confident. It's nice to see.]

Did you already read the guide? That's exactly how it works. Time freezes or something--or it doesn't freeze and time here doesn't count--so, if you go back, it's like no time passed at all. Very nifty.

Cliff Notes version? [Penny thinks for a moment before providing a rather cheerful reply.] Well. I grew up in LA, stayed busy, and then accidentally died. So now I'm here, staying busy... and not dying. I hope.

[tenthsickday.livejournal.com]

Glad for the vote of confidence.

I've been talking to people. Really, I prefer to learn things that way if I can, but I'll give the guide a look later.

[He listens, frowning slightly when she gets to the part about dying. This may be the first point at which he hasn't had at least a slight smile on his face.]

Wow, I'm sorry. But- [heartened by her cheerful attitude...] well, I guess that makes this a second chance then, right? And... all the more reason to live it up?

[horrible-penny.livejournal.com]

I mean it, too. You're one of the first people I've met here who really seemed like he'd be able to get by okay.

[Penny gets up, retrieves a small stack of papers, and sits back down, offering them to Ferris. It's essentially just a print-out of everything guide-y out on the network.] Talking's the quickest way to learn, but these're pretty interesting to go through if you have time.

Don't be sorry! [Penny is, if nothing else, very accepting of her demise. She smiles reassuringly.] Everything happens... even exploding death rays. And you're completely right. Being dead here doesn't mean that much, so it doesn't get in the way of living.