Vroom Vroom

[dee_lorean81]

[There is a DeLorean, heavily modified, doing laps in an empty, paved part of the Nexus. One might wonder what the driver is doing -- practicing for a race? Working on their turning? Just burning rubber because they're bored?

And then one might get a little closer -- and see that there IS no driver.

. . .perhaps it might be fairer to say that the car is bored.]

Comments

[dee_lorean81]

[Dee raises an eyebrow] . . .you really have been tense for a long time, haven't you?

[palmerthing]

Oh fuck yes. Having to focus on what I'm touching all the time is a hassle.

[dee_lorean81]

[Dee nods] Well, with this, you should be able to just -- you know, go about your business.

[Octopus Cashier] It has a twenty-year warranty, too.

[palmerthing]

Oh good! Thanks. *He's definitely remembering this place.*

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus cashier, apparently smiling but it's a little hard to tell] You're welcome! We try to make sure everyone fully understands their product purchases here.

[Dee nods] Yeah, I imagine it gets complicated given all the different universes and such.

[Octopus Cashier] Honestly, we just don't want to process constant returns.

[palmerthing]

I can only imagine . . . *Sounds awful.*

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier, knowingly] Retail in the multiverse is retail "hard mode," if I may say so.

[Dee grimaces] Yeah, I can bet. Hopefully you get paid well!

[Octopus Cashier, with a smirk and waggly tentacles] Still here, aren't I?

[palmerthing]

That's good. It would suck if a job that hard paid shit, I mean.

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier, facial tentacles tangling] Mmm. I wouldn't go back and do retail in my own universe, that's for sure.

[Dee, sympathetically] Too much crap for not enough pay?

[Octopus Cashier] Here at least I'm allowed to tell customers to leave if they start screaming, and back it up however necessary.

[palmerthing]

People will actually start screaming over this? *Palmer raises an eyebrow. His old self was never the shopping-for-fun type and thus has been mostly oblivious to insane shopping behavior.*

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier, world-weary] People will start screaming over anything. Not all people, of course, but the entitled ones. . .well, they still show up here.

[Dee pulls a face] Hope you don't have to deal with them too often.

[Octopus Cashier] This store has a very solid banning system, so no.

[palmerthing]

*Dryly* Aww, I was hoping idiots weren't allowed in.

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier, with a tentacley grin] They're not allowed in more than once.

[Dee] You are aware that sounds vaguely ominous, right?

[Octopus Cashier] I swear that we do not kill or maim customers.

[palmerthing]

*Palmer laughs.* But do shouty idiots count?

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus cashier] They are customers in pontentia, so. . .

[Dee] Also, being known for murdering people would probably stop ANYONE from walking in the door.

[palmerthing]

Yeah, I know. Just a bit of a mindset clash, never mind me. *Which probably means nothing to the cashier, who has no idea about what Palmer is, but hey.* So, Dee, anything else you wanna do? Or should you be getting home?

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier, who has at least figured out that Palmer is someone or something infectious, even if they're not sure exactly how] It's fine -- we're very used that here in the Nexus.

[Dee, nodding] Yeah, lots of different mindsets for lots of different universes. . . And I wanna at least see you put the thing to good use! Like, is there anything you wanted to do that you were too nervous to do before because of your thing? [pun not actually intended]

[palmerthing]

Sometimes you can even clash with yourself. *A smile at the request.* Oh, a few things. You want a hug?

[dee_lorean81]

[Dee nods] Yeah, really. Not that I've had the chance yet, but. . .

[she does have to take a moment to consider it, simply because 'do not touch' has been the rule to follow for him for so long, but -- the field is working the way it's supposed to, so. . .] Sure. [and she'll scoot over, arms open]

[palmerthing]

*He hugs her. The field between them tingles slightly, but otherwise it feels like a normal hug.* That's actually really nice, man.

[dee_lorean81]

[it's a little like a static shock hug on Dee's end, but she's gonna consider that a good sign, all things considered] Yeah, I bet it's been -- a while.

[palmerthing]

Yeah. Technically since I was born, I think. *A grin.* Wanna go say hi to your family, now that I can shake hands and all that?

[dee_lorean81]

[Dee nods] Yeah, why not? They should know the good news. [waves to the Octopus Cashier] Thanks for all your help!

[Octopus Cashier waves back with a tentacle] Have a good day!

[palmerthing]

You too! *Palmer waves back. With a tentacle of his own, because no one cares here and it's nice to be able to be himself.

*Once they get back to the general area where Dee's family might be found, Palmer sits down to await their arrival.*

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier might not really care, per say, but he does look a bit surprised by that. Not enough to actually say anything, though]

[Dee, by contrast, decides to be more proactive and actually fetch them, going DeLorean to make the task easier] Hang tight -- I'll be back in just a minute!