Entry One: Video Entry

[themountie]

[The camera turns on to show what appears to be an actual cabin in the woods, quite small, but complete with a roaring fire blazing in the hearth. The man holding the camera is wearing full Mountie regalia, including a Stetson hat, and looks pleased as punch.]

My thanks for the accommodations, Admiral. It's rather more space than I need, but I'm sure I'll finds ways to fill it.

[There's a bark from offscreen, and the man raises an eyebrow and says, quite pointedly:] No. Not with Krispy Kremes. We don't even have a Krispy Kreme on board, as far as I know.

[He turns his attention back to the camera, clearing his throat.] I beg your pardon, everyone. My name is Constable Benton Fraser, RCMP. I first came to the Barge-- well, that's not important right now, but I'll be here as a warden for the time being. I'm very much looking forward to it. [Horrifyingly, this appears to be genuine.]

Comments

[thinkb4ublink]

It's Cockney rhymin' slang, I'm from South London.

[maybebatman]

[ Boyd seems to be enjoying the lecture, use of props and all. ]

Oh, the United States Marshals Service doesn't require a Stetson. I think Raylan -- that's my hat-wielding friend -- he just enjoys the callback to the Old West, when law enforcement was simpler and involved more shootin' and less paperwork. Besides, a Marshal looking like Clint Eastwood in his prime is a good way of keeping wrongdoers on their toes.

I suppose my next question is why you're in full uniform? I don't imagine the RCMP assigned you here.

[themountie]

Oh! [He brightens, keenly interested.] Really? What's the rhyme? I haven't had much opportunity to hear rhyming slang. Although I was once assigned to a case in which a man, a recent alien, was accused of making several of what both you and he would call "backhanders"... but that's neither here nor there.

[thinkb4ublink]

[Slater rubs his hand over his face.] No, look, there's no rhyme, ok, you just say it. It's an exclamation of surprise.

And careful how you use the word 'alien', some people here are the type that are from outer space.

[themountie]

I'm afraid you did, yes. That's Diefenbaker. Dief-- come here, please.

[There's a noticeable pause, but Fraser reacts as if there's been a reply in the silence.] Yes, I think you should come and meet our neighbors instead of preening in the mirror.

No, I don't know how many are--

No, I'm not going to ask, for God's sake. Just come here. [He sighs, shooting Simone a long-suffering look.] I'm sorry. He's very obstinate. Thank you.

[This is said to the cabin's other occupant, who pads into view a moment later -- Fraser tilts the screen down to catch him: a big white dog, possibly even a wolf.]

[made_a_choice]

[Simone has never had a dog but she's never met one she didn't really like]

Oh, he's a handsome one.

[themountie]

[Similarly, Fraser seems quite interested in the brief character portrait, and makes a mental note to return to it. It's sure to be, he thinks, a story that any or all of the various Rays would enjoy upon his return home.]

Not... precisely officially, no. [He fingers his collar, looking slightly uncomfortable to admit that.] But I'm choosing to view it as something of a very extended foreign posting, similar to my last position in Chicago.

[themountie]

I beg you, don't encourage him.

[themountie]

That's a fair point, Mr. Slater... Although I suppose we all are, now, aren't we?

[made_a_choice]

[She laughs] Sorry. I'm glad you got to bring a friend along.

[thinkb4ublink]

That thrills you, does it?

[themountie]

A little, yes. I've never been in space before. Although-- [He smiles wistfully, already a little bit homesick.] You know, where I come from, there are places where the stars very nearly do seem to come closer to the Earth. If you lie on your back out on the ice fields and look up at them...

[For a second, his eyes grow distant with memory; but then he winces a bit.] Well, of course, you can't do it for very long, or there's a chance you'll freeze to the glacier. [GOD, CANADA IS GREAT.]

[themountie]

Oh, yes. Me, too. I don't think I could have come if they'd asked him to remain behind.

[made_a_choice]

The way you talk it sounds like he wouldn't have taken 'no' for an answer.

[thinkb4ublink]

Yeah, well, you'll get over it. [He's a glass half full kind of guy, can't you tell?

Dryly:] Wouldn't want that to happen.

[They don't get glaciers in London. Though if you lie down for too long, you'll probably will get stuck anyway. Just. For entirely different reasons.]

[themountie]

[He chuckles at that, rubbing a thumb over his brow.] He probably wouldn't, at that.

[made_a_choice]

Any other questions I can answer for you or your friend there?

[maybebatman]

Very extended and very foreign. But as long as you consider yourself on duty, I suppose it's fitting.

You didn't bring a horse on board, did you?

[batmanschmatman]

Nice to meet you, Constable. What part of Canada are you from?

[19centconstable]

Hello Constable! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Constable George Crabtree, Toronto Constabulary. I know the NWMP, but what is the RCMP?

...You have a dog?

[George tries to sound caz but fails. His excitement will never be contained by human means.]

[buildindreemz]

Welcome back, I guess?

I'm Ariadne.

[ Video ]

[surfaceshine]

...are you talking to a dog?

[Dean has priorities. First, establish the crazy level; second, make fun of hat; third, petition for Krispy Kreme on board.]

[themountie]

[Nope, Fraser is pretty sure he's absolutely never going to get over it, and he's going to go up on deck later and stare at everything for ages. Space!]

Well, no, it's very unpleasant. The temperature here seems to be much milder, I notice.

[themountie]

[Dief answers with a bark; Fraser's expression makes it clear this is going ignored.]

I don't believe so, no. Is there anything you think I would need to know?

[themountie]

[He nods, relieved -- Boyd gets it! The question, meanwhile, he takes entirely seriously.]

Not at the present time, no. I got a little bit out of the habit in Chicago.