Ensign Richard Matthews - What a Twist!
Matthew Gough
(( Deck 5, Holodeck 2, USS Khitomer ))
Morda: Someone should send a film crew to the Alpha Isles. Heck, this ship seems busy enough to keep the theaters filled for a year.
No, just no. Richard couldn’t deal with strangers watching him. Not his day to day life/working on the ship anyway. That would be . . . Oh god imagining a setup where he’d have to go into a confessional booth. People not only see him reacting in real time to things. But then having a glimpse into what he was thinking at the moment?
To be known might be nice. But to be known was for sure terrifying.
Matthews: Oh hey, what are your thoughts on that? Theater goer? Or do you prefer watching from the comfort of home? I go either way - some days you just can’t with people. But dang there’s something special about going to the theater. For movies or plays.
Morda: Most folks don’t know this about me, even-keel as I tend to be, but I have a real weak spot for sentiment -- I’ll cry at the drop of a hat. For that, if it’s an audience I trust, I’m happier to share the experience and openness -- because openness doesn’t always come easy for me. A good show kind of oils the track no that front.
And he was a little opposite in that he liked the movies that gave you something to talk about. Like a mystery! Going over the clues after, or making a game of trying to solve the crime before the story was done. That was the ticket for Richard.
Who, honestly, didn’t need any help in getting comfortable enough to talk to strangers. Case in point, here and now, as he nattered Morda’s ear off.
Matthews: Okay now they’re just being mean!
He could however use a hand keeping on track. But that was neither here nor there.
Erika: Welcome to the latest edition of New Rocket Stars! As you can probably tell from the full panel, we have exciting new for our audience.
Matthews: No, never even crossed my mind. I am shook. Shookith I say.
Johnathan: That’s right, Erika. And as we see in the comments, there is a lot of enthusiasm for our main item -- any update many of you have anticipated as we’ve seen clues drop these last two weeks.
He caught the other man looking at him, and shook his head. He’d been busy being kidnapped and dodging, of all things, bug impregnation. He didn’t know what was going on either.
Morda: Looks like you were right -- big news. Have a prediction?
Matthews: Like I said, franchise reboot. That or there’s a book series I didn’t realize had gotten big. That’s being adapted. There’s also that.
Morda: Response
He glanced back at the hosts. Who were all doing that annoying thing people did when they knew something that no one else did. Grinning at each other, chuckling as they each made eye contact with the person sitting nearest them. Then looking away right quick. Acting coy, as if they didn’t have a secret they were just dying to share with their audience stretching out across the galaxy.
Matthews: I wonder if it’s something that they all genuinely like. The excitement feels real enough. They’re not actors. Trust me, it gets cringy when they try to do skits.
The lights over the hosts dimmed and Johnathan started talking. Or maybe it was a pre-recording? Richard squinted into the darkness. The man wasn’t moving. None of them were.
They faded out and logos started running through their little animations. Signifying different studios and publishing houses. The studios made sense for a theatrical release. The publishing house had Richard perking up. That could only mean holonovels and that was rather exciting. Interactive media that you didn’t have to program yourself? Richard wondered at the possibilities. Would this just be a follow along the script sort of thing? Or would there be a choose your own adventure option.
There were so many possibilities for what could be being released.
Johnathan: From award winning writers -
Matthes: Yes, yes, get on with it.
Jonathan: - comes the biggest event yet.
Matthews: They’re really milking this now.
Morda: Response
Erika: The undertaking of a life time as writers, producers, and acclaimed directors team up with retired Starfleet officer to bring you -
Richard felt all the excitement drain out of him at those words. At the Starfleet logo that flashed in front of them before the black was replaced with a star field. Then a flashy looking star ship zoomed by and music started to swell.
Morda: Response
Jonathan: A major undertaking between multiple studios spanning the federation. We’re excited to report a new series based on the exciting real life missions of intrepid Starfleet officers.
Morda: Response
Erika: It’s worth noting that this isn’t just the records of one ship being used. Or a series following one specific real crew. Writers and directors are partnering with current and retired officers to help write a new authentic series that will allow anyone the chance to experience the life of a Starfleet officer.
Matthews: Booo.
Morda: Response
Jonathan: So sit back and watch our sneak peak. As more info becomes available we will be here to bring you the details on the cast, the characters, and our theories on what our intrepid crew will be facing.
Matthews: ::Leaning in to whisper to Morda, even though they were the only ones in the audience from their perspective:: Do you think the star ship is going to be the USS intrepid? I think that’s going to be the name. See they don’t do skits well.
Morda: Response
Voice Over Guy: These are the voyages of the star ship -
TAGS/TBC
_________
Science Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A238908RM0