Go back into the darkness from whence you came

( dream preamble )

[Action A, locked to household. Barton looks at the news broadcast, her expression skeptical.]

What kinda bullshit is this?

[Action B, around town not much later

This situation is a little weird. Even though she's been here for several months, Barton doesn't know a ton of people, but she'll be looking for any familiar faces and hoping for some kind of explanation. Just hoping to find someone who doesn't think she's some sort of fake or copy.]

[Action C, Makeout Point

Well, if this is how it's got to be, so be it. It's almost like being soulless again. She spent 35 years that way. How long will Mayfield keep this up? Who knows. But she'll persevere.

She'll be building a fire up on the hill, sitting bundled in her large trenchcoat, quiet and stone-faced as always.]

Action A: [My, who is this perky, smiling girl in the candy striper outfit? It's almost hard to recognize Barton when she's wearing a smile and a dress. If you're at the hospital, you better be careful, though. You might get tripped violently when you pass her, even if it looks like she never made a move your way. Telekinesis is fun that way. Or you might have just gotten sliced with a pair of sutures. Hopefully she didn't draw too much blood. Perhaps that door you were about to go through slams shut suddenly as you run into it, as she stands nearby, smiling innocently.]

My my, you should really watch where you're goin', now.

--

Action B: [Meanwhile, Barton slumbers quietly in a pod, tucked away under a dumpster behind the hospital.]

[a): Barton is sitting out in her yard today on Stone Street, enjoying the weather and putting together an Erector set. The drone workers at the department store kept trying to tell her it was a toy for boys, so she ended up stealing it when they weren't looking.

The only thing is, she's not touching any of the parts to assemble it. She sits with the instructions, looking at the diagrams as the pieces float about and come together in front of her. She's using her telekinesis to build it, trying to teach herself fine control over objects that aren't just her own body. She was never fond of using this power, more relying on her own toughness and fighting ability, but it could be useful in this town. The more she has to work with, the better. Plus, if she ever made it home, it's an effective weapon against her enemy there.

Care to check this out/ask questions/bug her/chat? Go for it.]

---

[b) Later, at school, Barton is looking at the posters drones are putting up for homecoming events. She looks confused.]

What the hell is "homecoming"?

( Action: locked to household )


[Later that day - phone call placed to all non-drones:

There's a long silent pause before Barton speaks. She's even quieter than usual. If you listen close enough, you might even be able to tell that she sounds a bit shaken.]

Um.

Does anyone out there... Does anyone in town know how to use telekinesis? Is that something you can teach?

[1. Barton is standing out on the curb near the mail box. She's wary when she gets a package with her name on it - there's a lot of things she doesn't want back. But there's a small box with something obviously tangible in it, and the things she's trying to avoid are most definitely intangible. Risking it, she opens it up to find her trust old military surplus trench coat (sort of like the one seen here.). She holds it up, looking over the worn and tattered coat fondly. To anyone who knows this sort of thing, it's from World War I. It could definitely use a wash and some repairs, and it's way too hot to be wearing it, but Barton doesn't care. She throws it on. It's too big for her, needing the sleeves rolled up, and it almost reaches her ankles. But now she feels a little more like herself again.

2. Later on, she'll be sans coat, working in the yard, with lots of tools and supplies. She manages to gather up enough wood and paint, and is building what is looking to be a dog house. There's a sketch near by with some measurements and needed supplies listed on it nearby. She works diligently, and seems to really know what she's doing. She seems to be enjoying herself too, in her usual understated way though.

3. Open phone call, usual drone filter:]

Hey. Um. So, the town made me admit to that whole communism thing, right? What was the point to that, anyway. [No mention of all the other info she blabbed about. Nope.]

Oh, right. I heard somethin' about a body at the pool, too. What's that about?

Barton is bored. Listless. She has no idea what to do with herself trapped in this town. Today she's decided that she will steal all the money from her drone dad's wallet and hit the town. She's got some things to do.

A) So all that lovely laundry your drone mom (or perhaps industrious non-drone of the household) hung up on the lawn to dry in the summer sun? Barton's taking it. Well, only the boys' clothes that look like they will fit - better than the drone dad's clothes all cuffed and belted as she wears now. She's not wearing the clothes provided for her, and since everyone else in town got these clothes for free, what does it matter? So she's taking yours. If the clothes look strange to her, or like they don't fit the 1950s vibe, she'll look it over before leaving it behind.

B) In boy's clothes and a hat, Barton is hard to recognize as a girl. it's how she's used to dressing. She'll be using this to her advantage to stop in the comic shop to buy comics that aren't romances and the like. She's really digging these superhero comics. She pores over the shelves, looking things over. Anyone have some recommendations for her?

C) Barton's at the roller rink, just watching everyone skate around. Rollerskating was really popular with kids back in her time too, and she's impressed that it still is. She's not sure if she wants to try it yet, though she'd probably be good at it.

D) Barton's watching all the puppies cavort about in the front window of the pet store. She's always really liked dogs. But back home, she was without a soul, and animals run in fear or attack anyone with this affliction. She's counting the cash and heading inside. Care to watch them with her? Or is there anyone working inside who can help her?

E) By late afternoon, she's just sitting on a curb or a park bench, reading comics but ultimately looking lost. She has no objective in Mayfield like back home, no motive. She doesn't really know what she's supposed to be doing.

Oh yeah. If she stumbles across a certain snarky blonde teenager who made her buy a pie, clean his house and plant a garden on Father's Day? He's the grand prize winner of one thousand punches to the face.

You're at Mayfield's hospital today. Why? Maybe you work there, maybe you stubbed your toe or are getting your vaccines up to date. Whatever the case, you are being attended to by the most miserable candystriper in town.

A) Barton's in the gift shop staring into space. This is her trying to contain her rage, without taking it out on all stuffed toys staring at her with their button eyes. She's busying herself with some playing cards, with a game of solitaire. You might even catch her practicing 3-Card Monte when she thinks no one's looking. It was always a good way to pick up some extra cash on the street, but she's rusty.

B) The drone head nurse is arguing with her about what she's wearing. The jumpers are the uniform, not pants. Barton suggests that is she's being forced into an unpaid job, she'll damn well wear what she wants to wear. Care to intervene before she goes and gets herself droned?

C) Barton is wandering about, looking things over. The novelty of being in a futuristic town hasn't worn off yet, and she's checking out all the various equipment and technology she's not used to, being from the 20s. Not that she would have a clue in her own time what any medical equipment would do, it doesn't stop her from poking at things. Oh, is she supposed to be helping you? You might want to speak up. Maybe.

D) She's on a break, sitting on the curb out in front of the hospital, watching people go by. Barton really didn't know what to make of this place. She would think she was going to wake up from this dream any moment now, except she hadn't slept in 35 years. It was hard to accept this whole weird place was her life now.