[D2 LA] Pop Up: A Convenient Ally

[Steve]

The elemental grunted. Finally he extended a hand, “Steve,” he offered, “just Steve.”

[Marlowe Phillips]

His hand was strong, with a firm grip. "Marlowe Phillip's. Marlowe's fine."

[Steve]

Steve was one of those guys who squeezed too hard when he shook a man’s hand. He probably limp-fish shook woman’s hands, too. It wasn’t exactly painful, but it was uncomfortable. “Where do you hail from, Marlowe?”

[Marlowe Phillips]

"Detroit, originally." I left the Motor City a long time ago, but I still identify with it, we're both old and broken. "Now, I move around a lot."

[Steve]

Nodding, “yeah, I know that. I dunno how to just have a life like I’ve never been away.”

[Marlowe Phillips]

"Yeah, that's hard, especially if someone else is living your life." He's good at it too. "Sometimes, the job is all you have."

[Steve]

A shadow seemed to pass over Steve’s expression, the elemental clenching his fist. “Seems like it used to be easier. Thirty years ago a stranger could blow into town and no one said boo, nowadays they want a credit card and three forms of I.D. to let you take a shit.”

[Marlowe Phillips]

"There's more fear." I nodded. "Maybe people are just more aware of the potential dangers around them these days, but most have definitely become more wary. It's not a bad thing, really. But, it can make conversation awkward."

[Steve]

Again, Steve barked that short, sarcastic laugh, “more aware? no. They still have no idea, they’re the lucky ones.”

[Marlowe Phillips]

"Newspapers. Radio. Television. The internet." I shrugged. "Information circles the globe in the blink of an eye, now. Some of it is hard to avoid, especially the bad things. People hear stories about home invasions and start locking their doors. The read about carjackers and won't stop to help someone change a tire. Watch dramatizations about serial rapists and murderers and stop smiling at strangers. Fear and suspicion have changed a lot of things."

"That's not entirely bad, mind you. There are a lot of things lurking out there that most people still aren't aware of. A little caution might keep some of them safe. But, it does make it harder to find a friendly face."