☤ 001

[mintjulep]

This is Leonard McCoy, Chief Medical Officer aboard the USS Enterprise. Bridge, do you copy?

[ There’s a man in science blue standing next to the fountain, looking cold and grumpy as he shakes his device. ]

Damn interference… Enterprise, this is McCoy. I don’t know what the hell happened with those infernal transporters, but I’m damn sure I ain’t where I’m supposed to be. Scott, can you hear me? Jim? Uhura? Sulu? Chekov? Chapel? Anyone?

… Spock?

[ Nothing, not even the hobgoblin. Dammit. ]

Right, well. Looks like I’ll try and blend in. Christmas music and all...

[ Except since his communicator couldn’t reach the Enterprise, it broadcasted his conversation to the entire city instead… ]

Comments

audio:

[charring]

You must be new. And you arrived at such an interesting time, too.

audio:

[mintjulep]

Lucky me.

audio:

[charring]

Anyone told you where you are, yet? Or why there is Christmas music everywhere?

audio:

[mintjulep]

I've heard "the City" and "pan-galactic nexus" for the first, and curses and magic for the second.

[ Whatever disbelief there is for the first, it's nothing compared to the second. ]

audio:

[charring]

Oh, good. By any chance, do you hear a ticking sound?

audio:

[mintjulep]

Ticking?

[ Pause. ]

... Shit. Yeah. Thought it was a side-effect of the transporter.

audio:

[charring]

Nope. Sorry, sir. That's not what it is.

Everyone hears it. It gets louder if you spend too much time by yourself. The only cure is to socialize. Get a job. Get a pet. Get a few friends. It sounds stupid, but trust me.

I'm Charlie.

audio:

[mintjulep]

[ Some sort of psychological experiment? Maybe. It's sick, whatever it is. ]

And it never stops unless you're with someone else?

McCoy.

audio:

[charring]

It just gets quieter if you're around others.

Pleasure to meet you, McCoy. Welcome to the City.

audio:

[mintjulep]

Never stops entirely?

You too. Thanks for the heads up about the ticking.

audio:

[charring]

I've been socializing enough where I hardly notice it. It becomes white noise. Kind of like having the air conditioner or a fan on. Subconsciously, you're aware of it. But it's so trivial and unimportant.

You're welcome. Good luck here.

audio:

[mintjulep]

[ Ugh. ] Right. Well, guess I'll have to [ find people he can tolerate ] figure something out, then.

Thanks. [ He's going to need it. ]

audio:

[charring]

There is still the pet option. And a job. Those also help.

audio:

[mintjulep]

Y'all need another doctor around here?

audio:

[charring]

I don't see why we wouldn't, with how crazy things get around here. I'd ask at the hospital.

audio:

[mintjulep]

A lot of accidents?