Chapter Twenty-One

[thebestseller]

Well, how about that, looks like I've managed to make it an entire year here in Paradisa. Can't say my stay has been entirely pleasant, but what sort of life is always agreeable?

Though I am disappoint at the way it never takes any of our fine suggestions for wackiness. One of these days, though, someone will have to win the betting pool. Or the castle will fill our shoes with pudding, one.

Cheers and here's to all of us finally getting the hell out of here within the next year.

Comments

dictated;

[keelahs]

Please don't tell me I have an entire year to look forward to here. I was hoping it was only temporary. I hope for everyone's sake we're all let go of sooner.

I'm new here, so forgive my ignorance, but I'd like to know more about this "betting pool" you mentioned.

dictated;

[thebestseller]

Well, I might as well get the bad news out of the way, then- people have been here for years, plural. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind who stays and who goes, and how long they're here.

Ah, the betting pool- a fine tradition started by my since departed friend Gary. At the start of every month, I collect bets from anyone willing to participate. We all try to guess what kind of wacky fun happens to us during the month, and whoever gets closest wins the pot.

dictated;

[keelahs]

Keelah, I had no idea. Months, sure... That's not so bad. But years. Isn't that a little much? [ It's not really a question she expects an answer to. ]

"Wacky fun things" doesn't sound as fun as it sounds, but that doesn't sound like a bad way to past the time. Maybe if I'm around a few months I'll start participating. What exactly do you bet? From what I understood, we're not really expected to work, or was I misinformed?

dictated;

[thebestseller]

I had the same reaction, believe me. I guess I thought when I arrived here, it'd just be... a few months, at most.

Well, surprisingly enough... or maybe not so much... there is an economy of sorts here. A lot of people do choose to work even though they don't have to so they can pass the time, and we have a currency called caisos. I guess it helps people feel a bit more normal, if they have money and services they can exchange rather than wishing for everything.

dictated;

[keelahs]

I suppose I should start preparing for the potential of a long haul myself then.

It's nice to know there are some willing to work for what they want. [ It puts her mind at ease at least a little. ] Why not barter instead of money exchange? I would imagine enough of the residents could offer something in exchange for necessities.

dictated;

[thebestseller]

Yeah... you really never know.

Some folks work out of boredom, and some of us just don't like feeling like we're giving nothing back for all the stuff we wish up. Me, I like to consider myself square with the castle providing everything.

You know, that's a good question. I guess money is more familiar to a lot of us.

dictated;

[keelahs]

I like your way of thinking. I don't like the idea of wishing much myself, I was always taught you had to earn something to get it. It'd put my mind at ease if I could offer something back in return... Now the question is what. This place is very different than where I come from.

I suppose that makes sense, my own people prefer to barter, but we're rather insular compared to most races.

dictated;

[thebestseller]

Me, too. I had a lot of success and wealth back home, but I did and still do put a lot of work into getting where I was. Makes my skin crawl a little to feel indebted to the magic castle.

Might be worth it to ask around on the journals, or even try your hand at something new. I'm a writer, but also bartend part-time, since fine alcohol has always been a passion of mine.

Written

[deadlybanker]

You have been here for an entire year and the thing you wish for is pudding in your shoes. It is a strange thing to ever consider might happen, messer.

Does this castle only seek to annoy its residents with, as you called it, wackiness?

Written

[thebestseller]

My prediction has to come true one of these days. I figure that's a lot more likely to happen than "send me home" or "bring my daughter here", but I'll keep pushing for those.

For the most part, yeah. We get whisked off to other places every now and then, too.

Written

[deadlybanker]

Perhaps so. It does seem difficult to leave once you have been chosen by this place. I am sorry to hear you have been pulled away from your family. That does have to be the most trying part of it all.

What sort of other places?

Written

[thebestseller]

I am, too- my girlfriend is here with me, but my daughter and my mom are still back home. I just wish I knew what was happening to them, more than anything. And you're right, once you're here, you're pretty much stuck. Suppose there'd be no point in yanking us here if we could just choose to walk right back out.

Well, there was that time we were chased around an island filled with dinosaurs.

Written

[deadlybanker]

I have been told that time freezes at home while we are here. Perhaps you can take comfort from that.

[He did not.]

I must admit I do not know what a dinosaur is, but to be chased by anything sounds less than idea. Have you found anything of value while you were here? Maybe something that makes your stay seem like less of a punishment?

Written

[thebestseller]

I've heard that, too. I'll take that idea, since I do try my hardest to be an optimist.

Dinosaurs... they're huge lizards, pretty much. Much, much bigger than humans. Some of them were peaceful and left us alone, but others smelled a delicious snack instead.

Well, my girlfriend and I worked out our longstanding unresolved sexual tension and became an official couple. I also help run a bar and have met a lot of interesting people.

Written

[deadlybanker]

Usually I attempt optimism as well. It is much better to hope for something better than dwell on the terrible, but some times this is difficult to manage.

There are a few lizards I have met that were more than a little aggressive, snapping at any finger they came near, but none were large enough to eat anyone. That must have been horrible.

[At the last part he has to stop writing, smile and shake his head. That was more than he was expecting to find out.]

You are very open. Most would not have been so quick to speak about their relationships with a total stranger.

Written

[thebestseller]

Yeah, I hear you there.

It was. I think I like the dinosaurs where they're supposed to be- extinct for millions of years. I'm not exactly in shape at the best of times, either, so there were some close calls.

[Castle laughs softly.]

What can I say? I'm a writer and rather well known back home, so I'm kinda used to talking about myself to everyone. Force of habit and all.

Dictated

[onlyanapple]

I really thought it would be the handcuffs again this year, I'll admit, I'm a touch disappointed.

And some of us would much rather stay here, FYI.

Dictated

[thebestseller]

You and me both. I suppose the place has gotta keep us on our toes.

... hmmm, that's an angle I'd never considered before, to be perfectly honest.

Dictated

[onlyanapple]

By throwing us into themed hotel rooms, it seems. You get anyone interesting in yours?

Well, some lives are exceptionally shitty, or are due to get exceptionally shitty or in some cases have ended altogether. This is last chance junction. Food for thought, and all that.

[thebestseller]

Surprisingly, no. My girlfriend and I fell asleep in our normal room and woke up in a fantastic one. Kinda wish I could've kept it.

Hunh. Lots of it, indeed. Don't know why I didn't realize it before, considering how many different worlds and times and places each of us comes from. Some of them are bound to be awful.

[onlyanapple]

What did you do to make the castle like you so much?

I've heard of plenty of worlds during my time here which sound like something right out of a nightmare. They make Paradisa sound like a health spa.

[thebestseller]

Must be the ol' charm. Or maybe it likes me because my last name is Castle.

If some of the creatures that have shown up here are from some of those worlds? Yeah, you've got an excellent point.

[onlyanapple]

That could be it. Perhaps she has a vanity complex.

Plus, you know, it's better than Hell.

By a lot.

You can get a decent drink here, for a start.

(Dictated)

[tylendel]

A whole year? That is quite a feat. (There really should be a party or something.) Pudding should be in stomachs - not shoes.

[thebestseller]

It is, but I know there are some residents who have me beat by a long shot.

I agree, but I wouldn't put it past the castle do something like that.