[Talk - Tiffani and Nikola]

I saw Tiffani poking around behind the TV and decided to ask what was going on. She wasn’t too happy about being interrupted, but she did at least talk to me this time.

Tiffani

No signal or anything. Which makes sense if we’re, like, in space, but it also looks like someone cannibalized the shit outta the back of this thing… Like, it still turns on, but I don’t think we’ll be using any of the “smart” features this particular model comes with.

Tiffani

Not that I care. Samsung and their shit propietary bloatware can go fuck themselves.

Timaeus

So you’re saying… all it can do is play movies?

Tiffani

That’s what I’m about to find out. Whatcha got there, smiley?

“Smiley” was perusing the cabinet of DVDs with a look of mild confusion. He stopped every once in a while to pull out a case and look at the cover, but put each of them back after a few seconds, shaking his head.

Nikola

It’s all kids movies, I think, but I don’t recognize any of them! Are these American flicks?

Tiffani and I squinted at the titles. They all looked pretty… generic and unappealing.

Timaeus

Um… I don’t know them by name?

Tiffani

Hah, they look like Disney rip-off shit. I watch them sometimes to remind myself that there’s people in this world doing worse things with their life than me. Let’s pop one in.

Nikola eagerly plucked the DVD from its case and slid it into the player. A few seconds later, the screen flickered to life… To display some unskippable ads, of course.

Timaeus

Oh man, Pop-Em Knock-Em Robots! I used to have one of those.

Tiffani

I haven’t seen those in ages, how old is… this… Oh my god!

A familiar voice piped up from the TV… Tiffani gawked at the bright-eyed, purple-haired youngster bouncing around on the screen, then whirled around to point an accusatory finger at Nikola.

Tiffani

Holy shit that’s you! You’re the Pop-Em Knock-Em Robots kid!

Nikola

Oh! Yup that’s me!! One of the first commercials I ever worked on–

Tiffani

Oh my god I fucking hated you! Hahahahaha!!

Nikola

Aw.

…To be honest, I’d always thought the commercial was a little obnoxious, too. But Tiffani’s guffawing really seemed to be getting poor Nikola down.

Timaeus

Well, I mean, it’s not like you were involved in writing the script or anything, right?

Nikola

Yeahhh it wasn’t the greatest production but you just kinda gotta work with what they give you, heehee! Especially with toy commercials… And I mean, did it work?

Tiffani

… yeah I bought three of them.

I couldn’t help but giggle as she turned back to the TV, and she flipped me off as I walked away.

It might’ve been fun to stay and watch cartoons with them, but I needed to focus on finding the bandages and stuff for Ishi. The rec room looked like another dead end…