[39: video]

[paper_knight]

Today Mark is walking up and down a snowy New York street, circa 1935 or so, knocking on doors. He's already heard from other transmissions that all of the worlds are empty, but he wants to verify it for himself. "This is the neighborhood where I grew up," he says, panning the camera over the unmarked sidewalk. "I've never seen it so empty."

Later in the day he'll make his way through the rifts to a somewhat more rural area, marked by the silhouette of a lighthouse and the sound of crashing waves. The emptiness is less eerie here--most of the homes would be locked up for the off-season anyway. Mark is poking around in the only lit building, riffling through his own filing cabinet in an attempt to determine the timeline in which this place exists. "None of this makes any sense..."

Comments

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

Good idea, Mark. Evelyn's teeth are starting to chatter from standing still for so long.

"Um, there's a- a cafe (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqXIF9MH3lk/S_nJeT8rcXI/AAAAAAAAKCM/VCqOwJQ3PQU/s1600/screen-capture-2.jpg), or a s-soda fountain on the corner. I think it's called Sam's. I can wait in there for you."

And maybe see if there are any scarves lying around inside. She sets off towards the diner.

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

And Mark does the same, with a good-natured "Roger that," over the radio.

His arrival is marked some time later by the chiming of a bell hung over the door.

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

And look who figured out how the coffee maker works in the meantime!

Evelyn pushes a cup, some cream, and a bowl of sugar cubes across the counter towards Mark, moving around the other side.

"I thought you might want some after your walk before you show me around," Evelyn smiles, taking a sip from her own drink and tucking the scarf she found into her coat. "If you're all right with that, that is."

everything is shmoo and nothing hurts

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

Evelyn, you are an angel. We hope Mark's smile conveys this sentiment.

"Of course. I was going to offer."

all the shmoooooooooooo

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," Evelyn beams, stirring her coffee.

"I've never been to America, I'd like to see it from your perspective. I believe we're near a park, but I'm not exactly familiar with the area, so I'll leave directions in your capable hands."

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he counters, lifting his own mug.
"That's Central Park, across the way."

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"So this is really the center of New York City, then?"

Leaning to one side, she glances out the diner window towards the grey trees, coated in a thick layer of white. It's desolate, but not without its charms.

"What was it like growing up here?"

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

"Pretty ordinary. I was a happy kid. Lucky that way, I think"

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

He must have been born sometime in the early 1920s, if she's placing his age correctly. From her recollection, 1920s America was a pretty swinging time. Everything England got was made popular in the United States before making the jump across the pond.

"That's good," Evelyn replies, and she's serious about it. Mark hadn't had the easiest of times before arriving here. It's only fair he was happy at some point in his life.

"What was your favorite thing to do here over the holidays?"

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

It's his turn to look out the window, thinking. Most of the things he'd do in town have been ruled out by the lack of people.

"When I was a young man, I used to go walking. By myself, first, then with my wife. A little sentimental, I know."

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"No, it's not!" Evie assures him quickly, because Mark is talking to someone who most certainly and steadfastly believes in true love, who really can't help but see things with rose-coloured glasses most of the time.

"It's lovely and very romantic."

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

He's still embarrassed, despite himself. Look what had happened to that romance, Mark.

"It's been some time. We moved out of the city when our daughter was born."

The rest he'll leave unsaid. He doesn't want to bring Evelyn down.

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

She remembers that his daughter is a sore spot, and his wife probably is too. Setting her cup back on the counter, Evelyn moves to Mark's side and loops her arm around one of his.

"Why don't we go for a walk, then?"

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

He looks worried for a moment--deep down he still feels he has no right to any of this--but masters it quickly enough.

"It would be a pleasure, Miss Carnahan."

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"Miss Carnahan is so formal, I hardly think it's appropriate given that I've known you this long. Evie will do nicely."

So Evelyn guides Mark up until they're outside of the diner, mostly because she doesn't know exactly where they're going.

"So...ah...why don't you pick someplace? This is your home, after all."

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

"Evie."

He tests it out once, almost shyly, and nods.

"Would you like to see the library? We can cut through the park."

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"I'd love to!"

There's no need to feign sincerity, either, because Mark really does know her well enough by now to be aware of the fact that she adores libraries in any form.

They set off in the snow.

"How large is Central Park, anyway? I've read that it's quite tremendous."

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

"Oh, acres. You've read right." He leads her along a relatively clear path, through the bare trees.

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"How do you keep from getting lost here?"

Because everything looks the same right now. Woe.

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

He shrugs.

"There are landmarks, I guess. Statues. Ponds. At this time of year there are skating rinks."

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"Skating rinks, really," Evelyn replies a little more quietly, the subject of sliding over ice on ponds not being one of her favourites.

"Do you- Um. Skate?"

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

"I used to, yes."

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

"Were you any good?"

She nudges his side teasingly.

[paper-knight.livejournal.com]

"Terrible, actually."

But he'd been young. Falls hadn't bothered him.

"There's a rink up ahead, see?"

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

Evelyn actually makes a face this time around.

"...I used to be fairly good, but this- There was a pond near our house where my brother and I would skate, and I fell through it one winter."

The fact that she almost didn't survive should be implied by the tone of her voice.

"My brother fished me out, but I've always been sort of...sort of wary of them since then."