reality_crossroads | (no subject)

*People have given him worse looks. Far worse. He's rather used to them by now.*

[Doc decides it's probably time for a change of subject] Liking the Nexus so far, Mr. Nancy?

It seems interesting, if nothing else.

[Marty, wiggling his stick a bit] "Interesting" is definitely the word for it.

[Doc nods] But it's been good to us, for the most part. If I hadn't found this place, I likely wouldn't have ever seen Marty again. [he -- doesn't like that thought]

Which would be a shame, yes.

[Doc, with a faint smile] I'd use stronger language than that to describe the idea.

[Marty, mincing no words] It would have sucked. I'm really glad I ran into that one giant robot lady who knew you.

Another good way of putting it.

[Marty, grinning] Not gonna comment on the giant robot lady part?

[Doc, shaking his head] He's already said that our lives are pretty unbelievable.

Plus my own life isn't exactly normal. I doubt this place has normal people.

[Doc, thinking for a second] You're -- absolutely right. I don't think I've met one person who could be called "normal" by the usual standards.

[Marty, smiling] It's a big meeting place between universes with a mind of its own. "Normal" people aren't gonna wander in here -- or, if they do, they're gonna flee the first chance they get.

Run screaming, I imagine.

[Marty nods] I mean, we've met some characters here. The giant robot lady was practically normal. Victor thinks he ran into the devil -- or a version of him, anyway -- once.

[Doc, frowning] When he was first looking for a piano, right? And of course there was that camera. . .

What about the camera?

[Doc, making a few appropriate hand gestures] There was a camera here a couple of times that offered free automatic pictures. What it didn't tell you on the sign is that the pictures had a chance of transforming you temporarily in some way.

[Marty, smiling at the memory] Yeah -- Doc got turned invisible, Victor got deaged down to a kid, and Alice got aged up to mid-30s or so. Weird couple of days!

And yourself? Or did you miss out on it?

[Marty nods] Yeah, that one I didn't stumble across. There was the vending machine, though -- got some awesome soda that lets you walk on walls! And later met the lady who helped keep it stocked and scored some extra cans.

[Doc, laughing softly] I worry about your enthusiasm for that soda sometimes.

[Marty, pointing] Walking on walls is cool and I won't hear any different.

It can be a fun trick, I agree.

[Doc, with a sideways glance] I suspect there's some natural bias in your answer.

[Marty, going back to his fishing] Nah, he just knows what's up. And what's down, sideways. . .

Oh, there may be a bit of bias in old Mr. Nancy.

[Doc chuckles] At least you're willing to admit it. [then, suddenly, his pole jerks in his hand] Oh! Great Scott, I think I've got something!

Well don't just stand there, then. *Not the most helpful, but then he rarely is.*

[Doc, holding on tightly to the rod] What should I be doing? I'm not used to this!

[Marty, watching] I think -- aren't you supposed to pull in the opposite direction of the fish? Tire it out or something as you pull in the line?

*Mr. Nancy just watches. It's funnier that way.*

[Doc, struggling with the fish] I'm pulling in every direction possible, and it doesn't seem to be making much difference!

[Marty, a bit frustrated] Well, what do you want from me? I'm new to this too!

*Eventually Mr. Nancy takes pity on them and takes the pole himself. Although it's even odds if he'll pretend it was his catch from the start, because he's like that.*