Searching Far and Wide

[intricate_engineer]

Glen was creating a prototype for a new gate design. It was meant to be affordable and provide quick transport between individual homes. She tests several objects and a rat and everything seems to be working.

She steps through. Instead of finding herself in the room next door, she finds herself standing on a sidewalk in an empty city. The buildings are tall and perfect, colorless with doorways far too tall for any human. The roads have no straight lines and twist in on themselves. There is no life or sound.
Glen tries to stay calm. She begins to walk along the road, randomly opening doors and exploring buildings that are as silent as the rest of the world.

She opens a door that she hopes will lead onto a roof and is instead met with warmth, and soft noise, and color.

Comments

[intricate_engineer]

"What happens if I can't get back?"

[alicornucopia]

You can reside here; some residents are long-term. This will likely require you to either run up a tab, earn resources from other patrons, or accept an establishment job depending on your skills. You can go through someone else's door if they hold it for you.

[intricate_engineer]

"What currencies do you accept?"
Glen gets out her bag, which she never leaves behind, and pulls out a pouch containing a variety of different coins, bills, and other small objects.

[alicornucopia]

All kinds.

[intricate_engineer]

"Does it have to be with me? I don't carry a lot of cash."

[alicornucopia]

I can take credit if you have something demonstrating that you're entitled to a line thereof.

[intricate_engineer]

Glen takes off her bracelet, a thin, flexible grey cord.
"Can you read this? It's linked to my bank account."

[alicornucopia]

Yes.

[intricate_engineer]

"You can take money from my bank account back home?"

[alicornucopia]

I am unsure how it will appear on your bank statement, but yes.

[intricate_engineer]

"Could you take specific amounts of money in small intervals?"

[alicornucopia]

Given access at those intervals to your bracelet, yes.

[intricate_engineer]

"Thank you."
Glen pulls out her computer, and several minutes later asks bar to send a message several times in morse code and with each letter represented as a number.
"I think he should be able to figure it out."

Alex. Stuck. Milliways. New gate broke. No danger. Glen.

[alicornucopia]

I have added the increments to your tab account.

[intricate_engineer]

"I really appreciate it."

[alicornucopia]

You're welcome.

[intricate_engineer]

"How much would it cost to stay here for a week if I bought food and a place to sleep?"

[alicornucopia]

That depends on your tastes. Minimal room price is - She quotes something low, not the literal cheapest you could usually get a room sans coupon for where Glen lives but down there. And food is reasonable currency-depending prices depending on what you'd like to eat.

[intricate_engineer]

Glen smiles and relaxes a bit.
"Thank you. I should be okay for a while. Could I please buy some dinner?"

[alicornucopia]

Would you like to pick something or shall I recommend a spread?

[intricate_engineer]

"Could you recommend a spread please?"

[alicornucopia]

There appears fried chicken, waffles, waffle fixings, a veggie stirfry, and a wedge of peanut butter chocolate cheesecake.

[intricate_engineer]

"Thanks! This looks delicious."
Glen starts to reach for the food then pauses, "Where do you get your food?"

[alicornucopia]

I make it. The meat is indistinguishable from the highest quality conventionally obtained chicken but has never actually lived.

[intricate_engineer]

"Okay!"
Glen begins munching on the chicken and looks around to see who else is in the bar.