5th Smile

[keep_smiling]

[Action A: Maybe you work at the used car lot, or maybe you're just passing by. Either way, something is very noticeable about it: it's empty. Or rather, there's one car left, and standing in front of it is a drone couple, and a blonde man with a name tag - obviously an employee. The men shake hands and then the smiling couple get in the car and drive off in their beautiful new 195X Nash Rambler. The employee waves them off, a huge grin on his face.]

Enjoy! That car is guaranteed to put a smile on your face for a long time!

[Seems like the Smile Junkie speaks the drones' language. Elmer has managed to sell every car in the damned lot. He looks at the empty lot, satisfied. Of course, Mayfield will restock it in a day or so, but he doesn't know that.]

Okay then, I guess I'm done for the day.

--

[Action B: Time to share the wealth. Elmer walks into the diner and announces to everyone:]

Oi! Lunch is on me! Order whatever you like, I've got it covered. So smile, okay?

Comments

[grumpiest_tree]

That is quite amazing. Are you trying anything out of the ordinary to communicate with them, or is it just something that comes to you naturally?

[keep_smiling]

Smiles a re a universal language! I guess I charmed them right into it.

[grumpiest_tree]

Hrm, that type of charisma might be handy. I, for one, find the drones to be highly annoying, but at the same time know it is through no fault of their own.

[keep_smiling]

They're pretty disturbing, actually. Those fake smiles... You can tell the real them is trapped under there. Is there really nothing you can do to help them?

[grumpiest_tree]

I...do not know. I haven't actually heard of anyone trying to reverse a droning themselves. One of the reasons it seems to be so scary is that it's capricious of when it happens, when it wears off, and when it's permanent...

Is that true for all the drones you've met? Some people seem to suggest that some drones have always been liked that. That there isn't a 'real them' that the personality is supplanting.

[keep_smiling]

I suppose I wouldn't have been here long enough to do. I suppose they had to start somewhere with the town, so maybe it was populated by drones at first. Or maybe with normal people, and they got droned when whoever started this took over.

[grumpiest_tree]

I'm honestly not sure which of those scenarios would be more disturbing...