Day 2, continued

[kentucky_mcgiygas]

[ Around lunchtime, the tablets and screens located all around the studio turn on, in the way that they always do when the mascots have something to announce. Unusually, however, there is no music, no fanfare; the camera is out of focus, and Ronald doesn’t even seem to be looking at it. Instead, he's turned to King, ]

—supposed to be 40! What the McFuck are you doing? Can you even count?

[ The King stares. ]

You gave out 41! The Colonel would never screw up like that!

[ The King stares. ]

And what's this, "Quarter Pounder or Whopper" garbage? Those aren't equivalent burgers, you fake-grill-line-adding piece of shit! I'd better not see this referencing this in your next ad campaign!

[ The King offers a Whopper. Ronald McDonald smacks it out of his hand. He starts to yell again, but cuts himself off, turning his head toward the camera. ]

—Are we rolling!? Grimace, kill the feed!

[ The screens switch off. ]

((lol I goofed, there are actually 41 votes to go around.

Vote here!
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Comments

[jinglebros]

[ No tricks! He lets go after she shakes. ]

Yep. Exactly like.

[rowboats]

Do your parents really like Christmas?

[ that is the only way someone could be named santa, in her mind ]

[jinglebros]

I'll tell you a secret? But you can't tell anyone.

[rowboats]

[ She looks suspicious. ]

...okay. What is it?

[jinglebros]

[ He leans in close and whispers into her ear. ]

That's not my real name.

[rowboats]

[ Well, that makes much more sense. Her eyes widen. ]

Really? What is it?

[jinglebros]

I could tell you that, but I'd need you to make me a promise.

[rowboats]

[ She thinks about that for a minute. ]

What kind of promise?

[jinglebros]

You'll have to promise me you'll do everything you can do to survive. And that you'll do everything you can to take care of another little girl here too. Her name is Mary.

[ He has no clue they know each other. ]

1/2

[rowboats]

Oh, did you talk to Mary? [ nodding ] I know her, I met her before we came here.

[rowboats]

[ And then she smiles. ]

I've got to go back and see mother and father again, and make sure Garry gets to go home, so...I'm going to try my very best.

[jinglebros]

Good, then I'll tell you. Or I'll give you another secret if my name isn't juicy enough.

[rowboats]

What is it, what is it?

[ She's a little excited, despite herself. A secret. ]

[jinglebros]

[ He looks around and then leans in to whisper it. His name really is that important to him. ]

Aoi Kurashiki.

[rowboats]

[ She mouths the name a little, trying to make sure she has it right.

And then claps her hands over her mouth and nods. Secret! ]

[jinglebros]

[ He smiles at her, and holds up crossed fingers, intending for her to mimic the action. ]

[rowboats]

[ Promise! Ib crosses her fingers in return. ]

So, why is your name Santa, here? Is it a nickname?

[jinglebros]

It's a codename. [ Santa isn't going to tell her about the Nonary Game though holy shit. ] Let's just say I'm kind of a secret agent.

[rowboats]

[ That would be for the best.

She looks slightly awestruck at that, though. ]

Like a spy?

[jinglebros]

Exactly like a spy! All my friends from home are spies, but we have to pretend otherwise.

[rowboats]

Cool...

[ Are those stars in her eyes? Her opinion of him sure did a complete 180, there. ]

[jinglebros]

Except my sister, you know. We're protecting her because she's important.

[rowboats]

Your sister?

[ maybe if theY ACTUALLY LOOKED ALIKE SHE WOULD HAVE MADE THE CONNECTION BUT NOOOOO ]

[jinglebros]

[ HEY THEY HAVE SIMILAR... FACIAL SHAPES... MAYBE ]

June? You met her yet?

[rowboats]

[ thinking ]

The lady in the purple dress?