[004]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting in the middle of the Plane's theatre, his feet propped up on the seat in front of him, munching popcorn and clearly enjoying himself immensely. he's laughing, he's cheering, and at this particular moment he's just gasped at the turning point of the film]

What? No way! This is sci-fi. Anything's possible! You have to...hah! Now you've got it! Yeah, give that a go!

[puts a handful of popcorn in his mouth, then makes some sort of angry noise around the food. swallows and draws back a hand, clearly planning to chuck some popcorn at the screen]

Not you again! You'd think after all these years they would've learned to make the villains more-

[and then, for no clear reason, he stops. for anyone watching, it appears that for a moment he is frozen mid-motion. someone with a discerning eye would notice his expression slackening. finally, very slowly and calmly, he lowers his hand, dropping the popcorn back in the bucket. and he stares at the screen before him--a screen currently rocked by an explosion--with an utterly blank expression. when he speaks next, there is no hint of emotion in his voice--no concern, worry, or shock. he's just making an observation]

...the colour's gone.

[ooc: Oliver is now experiencing his second experiment. Everything has gone black and white--his sight, his thought processes, and even his emotions.]

Comments

[oliverplus]

[the excitement fades as suddenly as it came] No. I can't.

[bit_impossible]

[begins rummaging around in his pockets for something, then pulls out a pair of red and blue 3-D specs]

What if you put these on? [holds them out]

[oliverplus]

[puts them on, then shakes his head, the specs still on his face] There's no colour anywhere.

[bit_impossible]

Shame too. This film would look great in 3-D. Well, if we gave it the mid-21st century version of 3-D anyway. Early 21st is absolute rubbish.

[oliverplus]

[there's no excitement or emotion in his voice--the topic doesn't mean enough to him to trigger it--but he does have an opinion to share] 3-D's just for kids' films. Is it popular later?

[bit_impossible]

You've got no idea... You left maybe, ohhh, a couple years before they started to dabble in the technology? Soon after, everything exploded with it, but it didn't exactly work for many films.

[oliverplus]

Then that is rubbish. [sorry, Doctor, he's a bit too linear to be a good conversationalist at the moment]

[bit_impossible]

Look, Oliver, maybe I should get you out of here. At least get you into some proper lighting. [takes out his sonic and aims it up at the projector, pausing the film] Come on, the film will still be here. [holds his hand out]

[oliverplus]

[takes his hand. his voice remains flat, though he at least has the presence of mind to ask a question] Where are we going?

[bit_impossible]

Just out to the lobby. Better lighting and all, you know? Besides, I wanted to pick up a few sweets while we were out here. Would you like any? [yes, he is testing him for this too]

[oliverplus]

[looks at him for a moment. he likes sweets, so...] Yeah, I would.

[bit_impossible]

...That's it? Well, it could've been "Please sir, can I have some more?" in a young, simpering sort of voice. Don't you have a preference or something?

[oliverplus]

I wouldn't do that.

I like lots of sweets. But if there are Mars bars, I want one of those.

[bit_impossible]

No? Well, that's all for the best, I suppose, even if that character is your namesake. That'd probably make me the Artful Dodger! [he smiles, amused at the notion] You know I met him once! [a quick beat] Well, sort of. It's a bit complicated and has nothing to do with Mars bars, so! Let's see what we can find, huh?

[dives behind the concession stand]

[oliverplus]

You'd be a good pickpocket. [take that as you will, Doctor. but it seems the rest of your speech has gained some interest--and excitement--from Oliver]

You met the Artful Dodger? He's a fictional character! How did you do that?

[bit_impossible]

Actually, I'm not too bad. [though he was better in his eighth incarnation] Helps when you're mates with Houdini.

But yes, and no. Like I said, it was complicated. [pauses for a quick moment to think of a lie] You see, he only thought he was the Artful Dodger. You know, like the ultimate fanboy--he'd become the thing he obsessed over the most. Even had a mate named Oliver! Awfully convenient.

[oliverplus]

[really, Doctor, you can't even tell Oliver about the World of Fiction? but Oliver, of course, believes your lie completely]

Did he try to pick your pockets?

[bit_impossible]

Luckily, no. I'm far too quick for him.

[stands back up, holding out a couple Mars bars for Oliver and stuffing a few into his pockets for later.] Go and have a seat on that bench there.

[oliverplus]

[grins] 'Course you are!

[but the excitement fades back into a blank expression as he accepts the Mars bars] Okay. [turns and walks over to have a seat on the bench. idly unwraps one of the bars once he's there]

[bit_impossible]

[mulls over that change while he hops back over the counter and takes a seat next to Oliver]

How are they? Still filled with Mars-y bar goodness? [puts on his glasses while he talks, his screwdriver in hand]

[oliverplus]

[his mouth is a bit full with his first bite when he replies, but there's still no feeling in his words] Yeah.

[bit_impossible]

So...what do you think about them? Do you love them? Or is there something else that really can satisfy your sweet tooth?

[oliverplus]

[his response is very mechanical. sorry, Doctor, he's not hungry enough for food to be terribly exciting] Mars bars are my favourites. [takes another bite]

[bit_impossible]

[yeah, definitely not the reaction he's looking for. he sighs] All right, how about...oh, what was that vegetable you absolutely refused to--ah! Broccoli!

[oliverplus]

[pauses in eating his Mars bar, screwing his face up with disgust] I hate broccoli! I don't want any.