savetheearth | ♥ [ audio: voice recorder ]

[ Audio cuts in to a man speaking into a personal voice recorder just as he finishes reciting the number that's been bothering him since earlier today, the latest part of a ramble he's been doing for several minutes now. His is a mid-range voice, easygoing in tone and brand new to the network. He's going to need the guide, though he doesn't know it yet. ]

–and I have no idea what it goes to! Hmm... it must be important or else it wouldn't have come back to me all of a sudden, right? It's too short to be a phone number, so maybe it's the new combination to the gun safe? Sure would be bad if someone got into all the rifles when they weren't supposed to, right? Haha!

[ The little spurt of laughter settles quickly into another thoughtful hum. ] But I really can't remember what it's for and it's not written on any of my notes. I'll have to ask Raymond, I guess. It's like he keeps saying, I'd lose my head if it weren't screwed on! And then sometimes I still lose it anyway. Hopefully it's not super important and he won't be too mad. Wouldn't it be worse if I remembered what it was for, but not the number itself? At least this way if I remember what it's for on my own, I'll have the number already handy!

Better write it down again in case I forget again and forget I said it on here, too. Let's see... [ Here there's some paper shuffling sounds, the scribbling of a pen, and... silence, as his previously-blank notepad suddenly fills up with network posts that his in-use recorder couldn't recite back to him. Horace's reaction? Nothing more than a short, puzzled: ]

...huh.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'd imagine you've received replies by now.

You're not the only one who suddenly "recalled" a number, not knowing what it was for.

[ Nothing the least bit awkward about talking to your notepad, right? Besides, he writes slowly. ]

So I'm seeing! Just how big is this tinfoil hat... group... thingie?

[In his case, he opts to maintain his privacy, if only because he finds the circumstances rather unsettling]

My access has only been recent, but having perused back posts, I'd say at least a hundred people.

It all seems strange, but I wouldn't call anyone here deluded. None I have conversed with, at least.

Alex says it's like tinfoil hats. But not actual tinfoil hats. And aliens. I mean, hey, if you guys need supplies obviously you know where my shop is... though I don't think I'll sell you any more guns if you think you're actually shooting aliens with them.

[ He's been having an interesting conversation elsewhere, yes he has. ]

People have been buying guns for that purpose? I wasn't aware. But since I have no license for firearms, it's a nonissue for me.

I admit that's the first I've heard of aliens being involved. It appears to me that we all lack solid information. But I'm sure everyone appreciates supplies.

As long as you're not shooting anybody with them. But if you ever need, you know, tents and hiking gear and things like that, I don't mind. Don't think you could hurt anybody with a tent.

[ Unless... they stab somebody with tent spikes.... ]

I would certainly hope no one was that sort of creative. Actually, I don't believe I've visited your store before, when I think about it.

So Alex was your scout, huh? [ Totally making up things in his head to fill in the blanks between the little he's been told so far. ] Well it's Knight's Outdoors—that's 'knight' like a guy with a sword—Sporting Goods. It's my brother's shop but I help him manage it.

I'm not acquainted with an Alex, but thank you for confirming the name for me. I'll have to stop by sometime.

If you don't mind my asking, is it nice working with your brother?

Is it! It's the best! [ Distracted from the alien conversation just like that. Not a lot of caution or tight-lipped-ness in this one. ] Ray's the greatest guy, even if he's not the best with people. That's why I'm the one on the floor most of the time. He's like my best friend, though.

That does sound very nice. I feel that way about my brother too, although we don't have jobs together like you two do.

Is yours at least local? Even if he hadn't started the shop and hired me, I can't imagine not being in the same city as Ray. He's kept me in line since we were little! [ A laugh. ]

Yes, we don't live very far from one another, so we try to spend time together often. From what you're saying, are you the younger brother?

By five years! And he never lets me forget it, either, but it's not like I mind. I take care of him in my own way, too, you know?

I think I understand. My little brother does the same for me. I'm sure your brother feels as fortunate as I do.

[ Another laugh. ] Not that he'd admit it so easily! But that's just part of what makes Ray, Ray. Besides, I get bonus points on the age thing because I'm a dad and he's not. But he's just as good an uncle as he is a big brother.

...Say, did you tell your brother about this number club thing?

I'm sure my brother wishes I didn't say it so plainly, but it's just how I feel.

I haven't told him about this though. It seems like it's potentially dangerous. If I dragged him into something like that, and he got hurt, I couldn't forgive myself.

What if he gets hurt because you don't tell him? [ There's a reflective tone to Horace's voice—he's obviously thinking of his own brother as much as... this... anonymous writer's. ] As serious as this all sounds I don't see how keeping it a secret helps anyone.

[ He doesn't sound like he's actually about to run off and tell anybody, though. He's just thinking. ]

Although he's very smart, and I'm quite proud of that, he would want to investigate. And I'm not sure he'd take the kinds of precautions you or I would consider.

I'm afraid of not being there, if that did happen.

♥ [ audio: voice recorder ]

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