I. ( closed to dahlia ) [ Wayne, for all his traveling, has never actually been as far North as New York. Christmas might have just passed him by without a thought -- the timing was all wrong for him, after all, and it wasn't as if the kids were here -- but when he heard about this, there was no way he wanted to let the opportunity pass. He and Dahlia may never see the place, otherwise. He might have stuff to pick up, too, but that comes second to just enjoying a day out with his wife. Whether that involves simply marveling at the lights and sights of a city far bigger than what they're used to, finding a place to be alone together, or celebrating their own kind of Christmas with a couple of easy cons now that they're surrounded by marks. ]
So -- [ He's got a hand on her arm, looking from her to their environment and back. ] Where should we start?
II. ( ota ) [ Shopping. Well, he does have a list, even if it's not long or directed toward "friends and family" in particular; Wayne's been waiting for a good chance to pick up the things he said he would (or would try to) when he addressed the general public not that long ago. Fabric. Jewels (or jewelry -- he wouldn't buy it but in such a busy, crowded city there would be no difficulty lifting something). Cigarettes or cigars. Snacks. A chess board. Then, some warmer clothes for himself and Dahlia and maybe something nice for the friends ("friends") he has made, but that's something he actually has to think about.
He's not a very big guy, though, and it's easy to get jostled around among the crowds even for someone used to fighting for a place or a share; he grabs what he can and shrinks back when he can afford to, but it's not long before he collapses a little weightlessly against a bench clutching a bag of goods protectively to his chest. He thinks -- or maybe even mutters aloud -- "Buffers," with some exasperation. May he never have to shop amongst them again. ]
❝doug❞ | open!
[ Wayne, for all his traveling, has never actually been as far North as New York. Christmas might have just passed him by without a thought -- the timing was all wrong for him, after all, and it wasn't as if the kids were here -- but when he heard about this, there was no way he wanted to let the opportunity pass. He and Dahlia may never see the place, otherwise. He might have stuff to pick up, too, but that comes second to just enjoying a day out with his wife. Whether that involves simply marveling at the lights and sights of a city far bigger than what they're used to, finding a place to be alone together, or celebrating their own kind of Christmas with a couple of easy cons now that they're surrounded by marks. ]
So -- [ He's got a hand on her arm, looking from her to their environment and back. ] Where should we start?
II. ( ota )
[ Shopping. Well, he does have a list, even if it's not long or directed toward "friends and family" in particular; Wayne's been waiting for a good chance to pick up the things he said he would (or would try to) when he addressed the general public not that long ago. Fabric. Jewels (or jewelry -- he wouldn't buy it but in such a busy, crowded city there would be no difficulty lifting something). Cigarettes or cigars. Snacks. A chess board. Then, some warmer clothes for himself and Dahlia and maybe something nice for the friends ("friends") he has made, but that's something he actually has to think about.
He's not a very big guy, though, and it's easy to get jostled around among the crowds even for someone used to fighting for a place or a share; he grabs what he can and shrinks back when he can afford to, but it's not long before he collapses a little weightlessly against a bench clutching a bag of goods protectively to his chest. He thinks -- or maybe even mutters aloud -- "Buffers," with some exasperation. May he never have to shop amongst them again. ]