02 | [Written]

[dealsinshipping]

[Christmas has come and gone, leaving Varrick a little disappointed. Sure, the late present he got from Santa was… nice... but it wasn’t at all what he was hoping for. Maybe the mistletoe tally was to blame. Maybe if he’d scored a few more points, he would’ve gotten the thing he’d put at the top of his list to Santa.

So as he sat on the wooden seat of his new canoe (which was actually his old canoe; he’d recognize those scratches anywhere) he made a personal note not to rely on Santa anymore. Of course, without Zhu Li around to put that note on paper, he’d forgotten about it within minutes and it took him a two additional days to remember what it was that he’d wanted to do.

Finally, on the 4th of January, he flips open his journal and starts writing in a loopy, cursive manner.]

Wanted: Personal assistant.

Requirements: Must be by my side at all times. Must know how to write and read. Must not question my authority. Must be able to follow commands at a second’s notice. Must have a good sense of fashion. Must be able to make tea. Must be able to move a canoe from a second floor apartment to the river. Massage skills preferable but not mandatory. Good singing voice preferable but not mandatory.

Payment for services will be delivered in the form of

[For the longest moment, Varrick has to think about how to continue that sentence. In fact, he spends so long pondering about it that he starts to absentmindedly scribble on the paper. Then, finally, he jots down:]

I’ll think of something later. Open to suggestions.


Sincerely,
Varrick

Comments

[musubi]

So what sort of things have you made? Color me curious.

1/3

[dealsinshipping]

Well, there's the simple things like jellocakes and hairdye, and then there's the groundbreaking things! My latest thing is called movers. It's a little hard to explain, but I'll try and make it so you can understand. Basically, imagine pictures that can move and tell a story!

2/3

[dealsinshipping]

...Like uh... Like the video function in these journal things, except with a huge projector to get the pictures on the screen.

3/3

[dealsinshipping]

But back home I was the first! Nobody'd done anything like it before!

[musubi]

You invented cinema and the moving picture? Huh. That's something.

Your world is less technologically advanced than mine, it sounds like, but you're getting there. That sort of thing is big still.

[dealsinshipping]

[This guy has movers in his own world too? Maaan. So much for his idea being original. Apparently there's at least one schmuck in every world who comes up with it. Ah well, at least it proves it's got potential.]

So the moving picture industry is one that's just gonna keep on growing, huh? Better get some more stuff trademarked when I go back home.

What sorta movers would you say are most popular where you're from? Action? Romance? Comedy maybe?

[musubi]

Well there's always the big blockbusters, usually crazy action films. Lots of explosions - always gotta have those. Everyone goes to see those flicks.

You have to cater to all of them, though. Comedies are the next popular, and there will always be a crowd for romance. If you neglect any you're missing out on a huge market.

[dealsinshipping]

[Lots of explosions, huh? No worries about that one. He could always expand on the romance, though. Some sobstory that could get girls in the audience weeping. Now comedy, that's a tricky one to nail.]

Yeah, you're right about that. You've gotta make it interesting for everybody. Which comedy style would you say is most appreciated, slapstick or quips?

[musubi]

Again, I would say to go with a fair amount of both. Comedy is always more difficult, because you have to take current trends into account a little more.

But there were silent films for a while that had nothing but slapstick to work with and they did just fine.

[dealsinshipping]

Silent? So they had no sound at all? Not even effects?

[Bo-ring! Varrick worked that kink out of his own movies within a week.]

[musubi]

Yeah! This was like... a good hundred years ago.

All they had was the actors moving around, then they'd cut to some text and back so you'd know what they were saying.

[dealsinshipping]

Text, huh? Right, I guess that's a good way to solve it. [Even if he's sure the audience doesn't want to waste time reading.]

What's the focus of entertainment here in Luceti? Is the library still raking in the most customers, or are movers already a big thing here?

[musubi]

I think a lot of people are familiar with what you call movers, but not everyone has a TV or whatever to watch things on here. There's no cable and no regular programming, so most don't bother.

Have you checked out the battle dome, yet? That seems like something that would interest you.

[dealsinshipping]

[Half of what Isamu just yet went over Varrick's head, but he's making a note of some keywords: "Teevee, cable, regular programming".]

I stopped by there once, but got distracted by those vending machines. I really should go back soon...

[musubi]

Oh yeah, those are pretty great too. Can't get anything too substantial out of them, but it's nice on the go. Guess they don't have those in your time either.

And you should! Most of the programs are battle oriented, but there's the occasional one that isn't.