rule #1

[scaler]

[Molly has found the journal.

'Calm' is not a good word for it. Neither is 'relaxed,' or 'adjusted,' or 'accepting,' but she is very good at putting on all four. Keeping her head is what keeps her alive.

She's gotten acquainted with the important bits: the magic, the wishes, the losses, the indefinite stay, the familiar faces. Also the really important bit: walkers. That is, lack thereof. Allegedly.

None of it seems real -- but then, options are limited.

She presses a crease into the corner of the journal's page with her thumbnail. The first thing it picks up is a mutter half to herself.]

Feet first, I guess.

[Then, louder:]

So, hey. Ain't I supposed to get a gift basket? That's what luxury places like this do, right? What kind of welcome wagon is this?

Comments

[willrememberthat]

You could ask for one!

[scaler]

Yeah, I guess I can. But it's the thought that counts, you know?

[willrememberthat]

But then you could have whatever you want in it. When my parents got gift baskets, we never ate the pretzels because none of us really liked them.

[scaler]

Can't argue with that logic. Got any recommendations?

[willrememberthat]

Mmm... candy apples?

[scaler]

Yeah? You think they match up here to the ones we had back in Georgia?

[willrememberthat]

I haven't had any here yet, so we'll have to see.

[scaler]

Guess we will. You wanna make a list?

[willrememberthat]

Of what, what tastes good?

[scaler]

Of what goes in the basket.

But you better not be giving me duds.

[willrememberthat]

Like celery?

[scaler]

Ants on a log are okay, but only a couple. Don't wanna get too healthy, right?

[willrememberthat]

Ants on a log? That doesn't sound good.

[scaler]

[a beat]

Oh, kid. You're missing out, we gotta fix that.

[willrememberthat]

But what is it?

[scaler]

Just trust me. It'll hit the sweet spot of stuff that's good to eat, but Lee will let you have before dinner.

[willrememberthat]

He doesn't have to know if it's junk food.

[scaler]

That's what I like to hear.

[She knew you had sneakiness in you, Clem.]

But it isn't this time. You want me to show you what I mean?

[willrememberthat]

Yeah. Right now?

[scaler]

Sure. Kitchen's on the first floor, right?

[willrememberthat]

Right. I'll be there soon.

[scaler]

[So is Molly, given that it's one of the few places that she's already navigated to on her own.

She gets down the things she needs (celery, peanut butter, raisins), all unnervingly easy to find given the size and diversity of this kitchen.

But, well. Gift horses and all that.]

[willrememberthat]

[Clem shows up soon after, peeking in before entering.]

What's all that, Molly?

[scaler]

[Molly doesn't answer right away; she takes a couple seconds to finish making one, and then turns to offer it to Clem.]

Ants on a log.

[willrememberthat]

[Clem stares, then laughs--it looks more like hamster poop on a log, but she won't say that.]

Oooh, I get it! Thanks.