first ♢ voice

[versusnurture]

[Abigail's voice quavers, as though she's uncertain of the connection, like someone making their first long-distance call. She starts out firm and then peters out into uncertainty, the tail end of her first sentence almost a question.]

My name is Abigail . . . Hobbs.

I'm not sure how I got here, but I'm here now. [A pause; who to ask for?] I'm looking for Dr. Alana Bloom. She's tall with dark hair. She was supposed to check in with me this morning, but instead I'm here.

Are there - [And here she inserts a little more tremor than necessary into her voice, because she doesn't know what else to do right now - ] Are there letters home? That kind of thing? How does this work? Because I need to talk to my dad.

Comments

[intelligently]

If I were stuck. [ But Lydia chose to come here, so it's not so applicable ] Maybe you can go home.

[versusnurture]

By clicking my heels together and saying there's no place like home?

[intelligently]

By figuring out why you're here.

[versusnurture]

And if I know already?

[intelligently]

Then you work on it.

[versusnurture]

And if working doesn't help?

[intelligently]

Are you going to give up that easily and just fail? You'll be stuck here, if you do.

[versusnurture]

I might.

[intelligently]

Then I'm not going to say 'enjoy it'. Or that you're in good company, because you're not.