If everyone got to escape the computer for one (1) day, what would everyone want to do with their time? Together, or individual?
Optional if you put Gordon in the game or keep him irl lol
I feel like that's a conversation that they would have together. Something hypothetical that comes up when they're just hanging out, you know? Maybe on a rainy day, where Gordon's not feeling up to any games, and they're all just chilling together in voice chat.
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"I think... I would want to have lunch."
Bubby snorted. "Lunch."
"Hey, it's achievable!" Gordon defended Tommy's choice. "I like it better than Benrey's plan to test if he can clip through my walls. But, uh. You do have lunch in there."
"But it's not your lunch," Tommy returned. "I don't have food from your-- from where you are! I want to see if it tastes different."
Gordon's eyebrows raised. "Huh. I never really thought about that."
"Now that's a fine idea!" Coomer lit up. "Gordon, isn't there a soda museum one state over from here? I think we could all make fine use of that, comparing flavors."
Tommy shook his head. "The World of Coca-Cola museum in Las Vegas was only open for a few years. We'd have to go all the way to... to the Atlanta one if we wanted to see the tasting room."
"Not that the trip from New Mexico to Nevada is a quick little jaunt," Gordon added. "If we only had a day to spend together, I'd hate to spend ten hours in the car."
Bubby huffed, crossing his arms. "Fine. I guess we'd have to rob a casino somewhere in this state instead."
"Oh, Atlanta's where they got the puppet museum, right?" Benrey joined in. "That's cool."
"If you want-- actually, y'know what? Air travel would be a new experience for at least a couple of you. We could take a plane to the east coast."
Bubby pointed to Coomer. "Good luck getting this one through the TSA. Metal detectors fear him."
The bionic boxer puffed up with pride, pleased with this description. "Now Gordon, I think there would be no better way to spend our time together than fistfighting airport security."
"Alright. So on our list, we've got: rob a casino, spend all of Gordon's money on cross-country plane tickets, get Gordon on the no-fly list, and potentially lose my security deposit," Gordon gave a dry review. "Anyone have any ideas that don't involve the neat getaway plan of going back into the computer? Because some of us don't have that option."
There was a moment of quiet thought.
"You know that scene with the mall from the movie with the sunglasses brothers? I think Bubby should--"
"Benrey, that is the opposite of what we should do."
"Come onnnn, it's not like anyone goes to malls anymore."
"...I've got something."
Darnold's voice was quiet, but it caught the attention of the group.
"Yeah?" Bubby prompted. "Alright, what've you got?"
"There's, um." Darnold hesitated. "I've looked into this before, actually. I've looked up the coordinates of the Black Mesa research facility... well, where it would have been, if it was real. Gordon, did you know it's only about an hour's drive away?"
Gordon blinked. "I did not. Figured it would be deeper into the desert."
"What's there now?" Tommy asked. "Is it, um, an old government site? For missile testing?"
"I bet it's a quirky and mysterious ghost town!" Coomer contributed. "Full of intrigue and quirky locals!"
Darnold shrugged. "Actually, it's... nothing. Not nothing nothing, Doctor Coomer. Just a lot of, y'know. Dirt. Plants. Bad cell service. And a nice view of the mountains."
There was no right way to respond to that information, really. Darnold seemed increasingly uncomfortable as their friends and companions couldn't find a reply.
After a minute, Tommy spoke.
"That sounds really nice," he said.
"Thanks."
"I know that's... I mean, I'm the one who said I wanted to eat lunch, but..."
"No, I agree," Coomer nodded. "I think I'd like that very much, Darnold."
"I wanna see it too," Benrey agreed. "S'like, closure or something. Bubby?"
The older scientist seemed to be lost in his own head. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I'm not sure."
"...There's also a nicely reviewed winery on the way," Darnold added coyly. "I wouldn't mind checking that out, either."
Bubby gave a light smile. "Well, I wouldn't mind that. If Gordon didn't mind the gas money and all."
"Wouldn't mind a bit."
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Might go a bit like that, I think! Oh and when they got back from standing in the desert and sampling wine, Gordon would take them to the coolest damn art installation in Santa Fe. They'd all love it.
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