Twenty-fifth Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[After putting in an obligatory appearance at the baseball game, Donatello is up to some business of his own.

At a certain point during the afternoon, you may find him wheeling a motorcycle from C6 to House 55.

A bit later, you might catch him dragging forty-gallon garbage cans filled with a strange assortment of objects along the same route.

And sometime after that, you may come upon him near the bridge on this path, surrounded by those same garbage cans. Except that they are up-ended now, their contents strewn across the ground. In the center of the mess a bizarre contraption is taking shape.

Question this strange behavior? Watch in silent bafflement? Or maybe just back away slowly.]

((Please indicate at which point you encounter him!))

Comments

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I do, actually. Seven months, and I have not seen a single fuel injector. Or computer chip. I'm beginning to suspect the Malnosso have a junk-filtration system.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

I have heard that they're generally reluctant to allow anything useful to cross over.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Tell me about it. Strange that they have no problem blocking out useful books, but they can't seem to control who shows up here.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[Wait a second] Where have you found useful books?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

There are some useful books in the library, but there's a conspicuous absence of anything specific to this world. It makes me wonder whether someone wrote something - something more than the Guide - and the Malnosso made it disappear.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Ah. Yes, I had noticed that. I was actually warned about that. You're probably right, to be honest. With just the one library, censorship certainly wouldn't be too much trouble for the Organization.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Censorship is one thing they are good at. They monitor the journals, too. Even locked entries.

And then, of course, there's these. [He taps the barcode on the back of his neck.] I wouldn't be surprised if they keep track of where we go. Who we talk to.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles tries not to shudder. The wings he's learned to live with, but the bar codes give hm the creeps]

I'd accuse you of paranoia, but it's only being paranoid if you're wrong.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Being paranoid is another one of my habits. Or not, since I'm usually right.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Mine, as well. You never know when something simple might actually turn out to be the end of the world.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

... It's not really the end of the world I worry about. Most days I just try not to get killed.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

That time, I was actually speaking metaphorically. [More or less]

What do you do that involves not getting killed?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Still, you do seem to use the phrase "end of the world" a lot.]

[Don quirks a smile.] I invent things.

[A moment later -] And I'm a ninja.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[Force of habit, Don, don't mind him. He's way more interested in you]

A ninja?

[Then, taking another look at Don] A ninja...turtle?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Knowledgeable about herpetology, too. You're gaining points, Giles.]

Yes, though being a turtle is why so many people are trying to kill me in the first place.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Ninja turtles aren't common where you're from, then?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Well, to my knowledge, all the mutant turtles in my world are ninjas... so I guess in that sense they are common.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Just ninjas?

[Then, because Don's reply was a bit specific, Giles adds] Let me rephrase that. Are mutant turtles common in your world?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don laughs. Maybe he should answer the question the way a normal person would.]

No, not common. There's only four of us.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Ah, I see. [Giles takes this news well enough in stride] So, I know you, Raphael...are the other two here, as well?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don slumps visibly.] No. They were, but they've been sent back.

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles looks guilty] I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

It's all right.

This way. [He indicates that they should turn here.]

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles turns where indicated. It's getting a bit hard to move the trash cans now, and so he can't quite stop himself from asking]

Are we almost there?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Yes, it's right at the end. [Sideways glance.] I'll take that, if you want.