[network] Night 378 | @Ecks | I am two and what is this | video [open]

[ecks]

[Many people here will recognize the inside of the sports shed on the campus of the elementary school. Newer people may not have seen Ecks's face before; she's a patchwork woman with a perpetually blank expression, and when she speaks (turning the tablet around as she does so, so that she's only visible for a moment at the start of the video) her voice is flat and inexpressive.

The new subject for viewing is a conical hat with the word 'DUNCE' written on it in big, red letters, which she has set on the floor of the building.]

What is this? What is a dunce? This hat is not comfortable or warm. What is its purpose?

Comments

[devoutish]

And would he do it out of duty, out of lack of caring for his own life, or out of love?

[ecks]

...Yes. I think mostly the first and third ones.

[devoutish]

Mm.

You're lucky, you know. Friends like that aren't found on trees.

[And then, because this is Ecks, he clarifies:]

They're not common.

[ecks]

I know they --

Oh.

[She thinks that over for a moment, and decides to make a joke.]

If they did grow on trees they would still not be common here because there are no trees in Norfinbury.

[She smiles so he'll know it's a joke.]

[devoutish]

[Ecks, you're adorable. Unfortunately, he doesn't laugh - he gets that it's a joke, but doesn't know that she'll likely be expecting it.]

That's true, they'd have to grow on something else. Lightposts?

[ecks]

[oh, he didn't laugh]

...What is a lightpost?

[devoutish]

It's where light comes from on streets in towns that work properly.

[ecks]

Is it a machine?

[devoutish]

It runs on electricity; I suppose it's a sort of machine.

It was a joke, Ecks.

[ecks]

I knew it wasn't a real thing. But you didn't laugh at the joke.

Also I did not know what a lightpost was.

[devoutish]

I didn't laugh at your joke or at my own?

[ecks]

You did not laugh at either joke.

[devoutish]

Was I meant to?

[ecks]

Yes. That is what jokes are for.

[devoutish]

Ah, well, of course, then; if that's what jokes are for--

[He gives her a weak little chuckle.]

How was that?

[ecks]

...It was acceptable but not entirely convincing.

[devoutish]

Mm, yeah; well, I don't laugh often.

[ecks]

Mm, yeah; you should practice.

[It's a decent impression.]

I got better at laughing and making my face do things when I practiced.

[devoutish]

It's not a matter of not knowing how, I'm afraid. I used to be very good at it.

[ecks]

...Did you forget?

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[He sighs.]

Yeah, I forgot.

[ecks]

You could practice....

[This does not sound promising.]

[devoutish]

I find it very difficult to practice in Norfinbury. Better to save my energy for other things, eh?

[ecks]

Things like getting up in the morning?

[devoutish]

Exactly that.