TEST DRIVE

[calloperators]

> Hello, you have reached the 1-800-HOTLINE Test Drive. We are currently unable to take your call. Whilst we put you on hold, feel free to play around for a while...

***

Waking up
Where the hell were you last night? Maybe waking up in an unfamiliar bed with a blacked-out memory isn't so unusual for you, but that buzzing in your head is. The phone beside you rings with a 7:00 AM wake-up call, and a message left behind:

Go downstairs, to the lobby. Meet the others. Don't get attached, and don't mention this call.

The AC is busted and in this hot summer, you probably won't want to stay in your room forever.

What's new, Pussycat?
Of course, there's much more around here than just the motel. Stepping out and hitting the town will give you plenty to do. There's stores aplenty, but that's nothing to say of the good residents of the stores; your friendly neighborhood bodega cats. They're content to laze around the aisles, though the more playful sorts may swat at your wayward accessories as you pass by.

Don't mind that they seem to disappear - and reappear - with a blink. That's just something cats can do.

Hungry?
Of course you are! There's plenty of places to eat here, but why go to some no-name joint when you can go to McDonalds? They've got burgers, they've got fries, they've got McPizza, and they even have a playplace! ...Though you're probably too old for the ball pit.

Regardless of what you order, if you even order, the cashier presses a small toy into the palm of your hand. Don't you feel a pair of tiny eyes on you?

McMurder
For fuck's sake, someone only went and killed a guy in the McDonald's parking lot. Maybe his head is smashed in under that chicken mask, or maybe you'll want to check? You could do the right thing and work out who did this, or you could make off with his baseball bat. The choice is yours.


Night life
What good's a city that goes to sleep? When the sun goes down, the lights go up. The city becomes aglow with every colour of the neon rainbow, with bowling alleys, nightclubs, karaoke bars, arcades and soon-to-be-extinct roller discos competing for your attention until the sun comes up. You're here, there's no curfew, it's time to make the most of it.

Wildcard
Have something else in mind? Go wild, and party like it's 1989.

Comments

»Waking Up«

[teiaiexecutive]

Hm... I can't recall ever experiencing such an event, myself.

[This answer was of course, complete bullshit. Menacing phonecalls were practically a cornerstone of Tonegawa's average work week. Something he could set his watch to. The only reason this particular menacing call stuck out in his mind is that it didn't come from the chairman of the company, and perhaps because of that, its instructions were concise and definite. He saw no reason to disobey orders from this invisible authority, especially not ones so neatly laid out for him.]

[Which is why he restrained himself from acknowledging his wardrobe. Tonegawa was not particularly blessed in this regard, either (tweed was a material meant not for hot, arid climates), but to acknowledge this shared suffering might lay the foundation of solidarity between the two strangers, which of course, was utterly unpermissable.]

...however, judging by your own attitude, whatever "faux-threat" you received must not have been too severe if the most pressing concern weighing on your mind is your current state of dress. [He gives a wry, condescending smirk.]

[...and begins tugging at his collar, desperately hoping that pure spite and determination will be enough to keep the heatstroke at bay.]

[forgottwin]

Eh, pretty vague. "Blah blah blah don't get attached don't mention this I'm so mysterious and ominous oooooooh." Like, three out of ten for mood, if I'm feeling generous.

[Taako has been threatened by experts, he is not impressed.]

[cw: gore text?]

[teiaiexecutive]

[Tonegawa chuckles under his breath, loosening his tie slightly to free his neck from the prison of sweat developing under his shirt. He knows Taako's summary is inaccurate, but he's not about to give that away now.]

My, my... that truly is lacking impact. You can barely even call it a threat if there's not even a promise of consequence... for example, "It'd be a shame if something happened to it." Cliché of a line though it may be, is still an effective threat. Though of course, I'm more partial to "I've extensively studied your medical records. Are you aware how much a healthy liver sells for on the black market? If you don't repay the full amount by 11:00p.m. Friday-"

[His words trail off as he begins to rifle through his jacket for a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. Maybe its for the best he didn't finish that sentence.]