Puzzle 002 - A Bad Idea

[tapshoetomove]

[Dictated.]

You know, I think I've had enough of this place's nonsense already. I got sick, started acting ridiculous for no reason, got my map stolen, and...I think I may have made a wild lion very angry with me.

The point is, I'm leaving! I'm uh, not sure where yet, but that's what I'm going to do! If the Professor's not around, then there's no reason for me to stay here.

...I'm taking the magic talking journal with me though.

[Action.]

[And sure enough, Luke will be wandering through the castle - mostly to areas like the kitchen, to find supplies for his trip. It's been a pretty rough week for this kid, getting thrown into the middle of things before having time to get adjusted. But it's a big world outside the castle, and Luke doesn't see any problem with wandering off to find the Professor.]

Comments

[tapshoetomove]

Y-years?!

[If that's the case, that means he could be trapped here without being able to see the Professor or his family for a very long time. What is he gonna do?]

...I see. Thank you, sir.

[whichwayyoulean]

Yeah, I know some people who've been here for over five years.

You're welcome. [There's a pause. He should probably confirm to social conventions here] I'm the Once-ler.

[tapshoetomove]

Five years...that's a really long time.

I'd tell you my name, but this place took it.

[whichwayyoulean]

It is, I've only been here for about seven months. It's pretty freaky, thinking about being trapped here for that long. [But it's still admittedly better than what he has waiting for him back home, so]

Your loss is your name?

...Tough break.

[tapshoetomove]

Mhm. I hope it doesn't take that long.

Yeah, I don't know how they did it, but they made me forget my name.

[whichwayyoulean]

You might be lucky. Who knows.

The castle can do all kinds of things. Anyway, I can't just call you 'nameless boy', so I guess you're going to have to pick a new one.

[tapshoetomove]

I haven't had much of a chance to decide on a new name.

[He pauses, "hmmm"ing loudly.]

...Maybe I should go with Clark!

[whichwayyoulean]

Huh. I guess Clark works.

Any reasoning behind that?

[tapshoetomove]

It's my dad's name! ...Now if only I could remember what his last name was.

[whichwayyoulean]

Wellll do you remember your mom's last name? You know, before she married your dad.

Assuming she actually did that.

[tapshoetomove]

...Not that I can remember, I'm afraid. But I guess coming up with one name is better then no name at all.

[whichwayyoulean]

Suppose so. It's better than being called Boy anyway.

[tapshoetomove]

Uh-huh! That'd be a terrible name.

So you said your name was Once-ler, right? Is that a title of some sort?

[whichwayyoulean]

Nope, it's my actual name.

See? So Clark, in the grand scheme of names everywhere, really isn't all that bad.

[tapshoetomove]

Huh, I guess so. I like the name Clark, I'd just rather know what my real name is.

Although, the Once-ler does sound like it'd make a cool title for something!

[whichwayyoulean]

You might never learn, unless someone from your own world is here, or shows up to tell you.

You're one of the few people to think that.

[tapshoetomove]

I hope it doesn't take that long...

Eh, really? Why's that?

[whichwayyoulean]

It's all down to the luck of the draw. Hope you're prepared for possibly a long time of crushed hope and disappointment, kiddo.

Most people think it's weird. [Which, even he has to admit, it kind of is]

[tapshoetomove]

...That's awful cheerful of you.

[Talk about a downer. Luke will just focus on his name instead.]

Well it is weird but...weird in a neat way, I suppose.

[whichwayyoulean]

For me? That's cheerful.

[The Once-ler is the king of the Debbie Downers]

Well, thanks. I can put that on my card. 'Weird, in a neat way'.

[tapshoetomove]

Wow, I'd hate to see you on a bad day then.

I'd go with mysterious. It's sort of a mysterious-sounding name.

[whichwayyoulean]

No one wants to see me on a bad day, trust me.

[That gets a laugh, maybe it's a touch bitter, but it's still a laugh] I guess it will be. One day.

[tapshoetomove]

Yeah, you could be a character in a mystery novel!

So, Mr. Once-ler, do you like puzzles?

[whichwayyoulean]

That depends on if we're talking crossword puzzles or horrible mazes of screaming torture puzzles.

Both could happen here, really.

[tapshoetomove]

I was thinking more along the lines of crosswords and logic puzzles. Of the non-torture variety.

...

Are there screaming torture puzzles here?