Work Text:
[Message sent: 08/12/77]
From: KERRY EURODYNE
To: V
Subject: Send backup
K: Boooored.
[11: 52 AM]
K: Boooooooooooooooooored…
[11:53 AM]
K: How much would I have to pay you to kill me before this meeting is over? Or you could shoot the corpo zombies MSM sicced on me, don’t really care either way.
[12:08 PM]
V: I would care a lot, unfortunately.
[12: 24 PM]
K: Gay.
[12:24 PM]
K: Kidding, you’re sweet. My cold dead heart is all aflutter :*
[12:25 PM]
V: First of all, how dare you call me that.
[12:31 PM]
K: Gay? Got bad news for you there, bud.
[12:32 PM]
V: Nah, sweet. I’ve got a reputation to uphold. If word gets out my career is over.
[12:35 PM]
K: Ur secret is safe w me, sweetcheeks :P
[12:37 PM]
-----
[Message sent: 08/12/77]
From: V
To: KERRY EURODYNE
Subject: Din-din
V: Claire just tipped me off to a new Filipino joint in Watson. Want me to grab dinner?
[5:37 PM]
K: You know I have a personal chef, right?
[5:39 PM]
V: Really want me to respond to that?
[5:40 PM]
V: We both know Ari can’t cook for shit. Also he’s never around, idk why you’re even paying him.
[5:40 PM]
K: ….. Fair.
[5:41 PM]
K: Filipino does sound amazing, if they can actually get it right. They’d be the first tho, NC Filipino suuuuuucks!
[5:42 PM]
V: Why don’t we try it, and if it’s terrible we’ll have cereal and leave a scathing review.
[5: 44 PM]
V: What should I get?
[5:45 PM]
K: Deal. Grab some adobo for sure, if they can’t get that right they don’t deserve to live. And some kare-kare too.
[5:49 PM]
K: Think I should open my own restaurant called Kerry-Kerry? My mom’s recipe was amazing.
[5:51 PM]
V: What, not enough money in your account already?
[5:56 PM]
V: Package secured, omw home.
[5:57 PM]
K: Never. Drive safe <3
[5:58 PM]
…
K: You ok in there?
[9:02 PM]
K: ???
[9:07 PM]
V: No. Dying.
[9:18 PM]
K: :'(
[9:18 PM]
K: Can I get you anything?
[9:19 PM]
V: If I pass away on the toilet promise me you’ll pull my pants up before Trauma Team gets here.
[9:27 PM]
K: Anything for you babe. I’ll tell everyone you died taking a bullet for me, way less embarrassing.
[9:28 PM]
K: Might make for a good song too. Then I can cry myself to sleep every night on a pile of eddies $$
[9:29 PM]
V: You’re a beacon of positivity. Toss me a roll of toilet paper, and keep your eyes closed.
[9:41 PM]
-----
[Message sent: 08/14/77]
From: JUDY ÁLVAREZ
To: V
Subject: LOL
J: Ok ok, so you know that crazy Kerry fan forum you asked me to keep tabs on?
[8:41 AM]
V: ?? Yeah?
[8:42 AM]
V: Don’t tell me we’ve got another stalker to deal with.
[8:42 AM]
J: No no no, don’t worry!
[8:43 AM]
J: I mean, they’re all pretty stalker-y. But like a normal amount.
[8:43 AM]
J: Maybe not normal…
[8:44 AM]
J: Like a standard crazy fan amount. Which, by the way, why??
[8:44 AM]
J: You I get, you’re gay and can’t help it. Plus he’s also obsessed with you, so at least it’s mutual. But wtf are these weirdos getting out of it?? Like Kerry’s cool ig, but shit…
[8:45]
V: Ok lesbian.
[8:50 AM]
V: First time on the internet?
[8:50 AM]
J: Fuck off, I’m the queen of the net.
[8:51 AM]
J: Pleb.
[8:51 AM]
J: Anyway, I had a point I was getting at.
[8:52 AM]
V: Shocking.
[8:53 AM]
V: Kerry says hi.
[8:53 AM]
J: Hi to Kerry.
[8:54 AM]
J: ANYWAYYY, my point is that these weirdos are OBSESSED with you. It’s hysterical, they’re all losing their minds trying to figure out why you two are always together…
[8:55 AM]
J: Like…
[8:56 AM]
J: [Downloading file: Screenshot2077-08-14.PNG]
[8:56 AM]
V: Yikes… Don’t love that tbh.
[8:58 AM]
V: They’re tracking my outfits??? Can a guy not just wear the same shirt two days in a row??
[9:00 AM]
J: I mean… ideally no? But you’re a lost cause already.
[9:02 AM]
V: Pretty sure I change more when I stay over at Kerry’s, I’ve got a whole closet here.
[9:04 AM]
J: I should suggest that on the forum, their heads would explode <.<
[9:05 AM]
V: You made an account??
[9:06 AM]
J: Duh. Ker-taker69. I’m out here posting all my wildest theories to the forums. I’ve got people believing Kerry’s got amnesia and you’re the caretaker the label hired to make sure he doesn’t wander into traffic.
[9:09 AM]
J: I mean it’s obvious, really. You’ve got your hand on the small of his back in several recent pics. What ELSE could it possibly be??
[9:10 AM]
V: Oh my God…
[9:12 AM]
J: C’mon, let me have my fun!! I’ll pay you 50 eds if you touch his forehead next time you run into paparazzi…
[9:15 AM]
V: I’m going to kill you.
[9:20 AM]
-----
[Message sent: 08/15/77]
From: KERRY EURODYNE
To: V
Subject: Bad news :(
K: Hey V, just got out of a meeting w the label. Call me when you have a sec.
[12:51 PM]
[Incoming call from V at 1:14 PM – ACCEPTED (Duration 00:16:48)]
…
V: Seriously Ker, it’s ok. I know traveling for shows is part of your schedule, and 2 weeks isn’t even that long. I’ll still be here when you get back, I promise.
[1:34 PM]
K: Yeah, but for how much longer?
[1:38 PM]
K: Sorry.
[1:38 PM]
K: Really sorry. That’s not the kind of thing I should be saying over text, huh?
[1:39 PM]
K: I just don’t want to miss a second with you.
[1:45 PM]
V: It’s ok, I’d rather you say it than keep it bottled up, even if it’s over text. Not like ignoring the truth will change anything.
[1:47 PM]
V: I don’t want to miss a second either, But I know how important this new album is to you. It’s gonna be big, I can feel it. Promotion’s just part of the game. Besides, you’ve been itching to play some stadium shows for months now, you can’t pass this up.
[1:49 PM]
K: Yeah. Yeah… Idk.
[1:50 PM]
K: Like you’re right, but… I dunno. Y’know?
[1:51 PM]
V: Tell you what, I’ll use the two weeks to tackle some bigger jobs I’ve been putting off for a while. Then when you get back we can take a couple days off and just chill.
[1:52 PM]
K: I like the sound of that… Don’t really have a choice anyway. Fuckin’ label won’t release the album at all if I don’t play nice.
[1:53 PM]
K: Miss you already.
[1:53 PM]
----
[Message sent: 08/15/77]
From: DICKWIPE
To: KERRY EURODYNE
Subject: Nailing down some deets
D: Hey my choom, it’s your ol’ buddy Kovachek here! (You know I can see the contact info you give me, right?) Just wanted to touch base with you vis-à-vis this preem mini-tour, while we’ve got the ball rollin’. I know you said two weeks was your hard limit, but what would you say to a quick stop at that music fest in the Badlands on your way back? It’s a who’s-who of the modern music scene, and they’re DYING to have you. Posters are already printed, but they said they’d redo them all to add your name as the headliner. Just say the word, we’re talking bookoo bucks here!
[3:47 PM]
[Contact info for DICKWIPE has been changed to CUMSTAIN]
K: No can do, two weeks is it.
-- Sent from my ThunderArc Holophone Pro.
SUCK MY DICK, KOVACHECK.
[4:48 PM]
C: Very funny! Where would I be without that rockstar attitude -- it’s the magic that makes this whole crazy ride work! Ok, I’ll fight off the concert promoters with a bat, just for my favorite client. But as a compromise, will you at least change my contact info over email? The merch vendors are starting to get confused. Love you man.
[4:50 PM]
K: No.
-- Sent from my ThunderArc Holophone Pro.
SUCK MY DICK, KOVACHECK.
[7:12 PM]
---
[Message sent: 08/17/77]
From: KERRY EURODYNE
To: V
Subject: Love you
K: Hey V, tour bus is pulling out now. Just wanted to text you before I chickened out or something gonk like that. Reception is shit outside of the city, so I’m not even sure if you’ll get this… Anyway, I love you, and I’m going to miss you. A lot, to both things. Ugh, lame! My next album is gonna be saccharine scop-pop bullshit, you’ve turned me all CORNY ;)
[6:03 AM]
K: Also, here’s a puzzle to keep you busy while I’m gone…
[6:04 AM]
K: K + V = 69
[6:04 AM]
V: Ugh, can’t believe I slept through this, I even turned my alerts on just in case you messaged. My phone’s such a piece of shit… Anyway, I love you too, and I’m gonna miss you a ton, but it’ll be over before you know it. Call me whenever you want, I’ll be here. I know you’re gonna kill it up there, the fans aren’t gonna know what hit ‘em. Me + U = <3.
[MESSAGE DELIVERY FAILED 8:16 AM]
[MESSAGE DELIVERY FAILED 8:17 AM]
[MESSAGE DELIVERY FAILED 10:03 AM]
[MESSAGE DELIVERED 4:15 PM]
----
[Message sent: 08/17/77]
From: PANAM PALMER
To: V
Subject: I know I can trust you
P: V, thanks for having my back during that shouting match between me and Saul. I was so livid I don’t even remember what I said. I just hope you didn’t catch any stray venom because of me.
[1:44 PM]
P: And nothing about what I told you made you a little… uncomfortable? You know what I mean.
[1:45 PM]
V: Not actually sure what you mean, tbh. But everything’s fine, I’m glad you guys got that out of your system.
[1:51 PM]
P: Uh… hard to explain then. Thought I was a little too obvious, if anything.
[1:52 PM]
P: I’ll clear things up sometime soon, I’m just waiting for the right moment.
[1:53 PM]
V: Ok, well whenever you’re ready I’m here for you. Btw, I’ll be a little harder to reach for the next couple of weeks, boyfriend is out of town so I’m really doubling down on the search for a solution to this relic BS. But if you or the fam need anything just hmu.
[1:55 PM]
P: Boyfriend?
[2:17 PM]
V: Yeah, have I not mentioned him before? Giant gonk, but I love him anyway. You guys should meet.
[2:19 PM]
P: k
[2:23 PM]
---
[Message sent: 08/17/77]
From: JUDY ÁLVAREZ
To: V
Subject: Dumbest man alive
J: You’ve got to be the most oblivious man on the planet, choomba.
[2:48 PM]
J: Not that she’s much better… But you should know by now that twinks are the only gays straight people know how to clock.
[2:49 PM]
V: … Hello to you too, Judy.
[2:51 PM]
V: Literally what are you talking about?
[2:51 PM]
J: (=_=;)
[2:52 PM]
---
[Message sent: 08/18/77]
From: V
To: KERRY EURODYNE
Subject: Hey
V: Hey Ker, hope you’ve been traveling safe. Just wanted to reach out and say miss you, love you, hope you’ve been having fun so far.
[7:31 PM]
V: According to your tour schedule you’ll be onstage in a couple hours, so no sweat if it takes a while to get back to me either.
[7:36 PM]
V: Stuff here is pretty much the same, always changing. I did something to piss off those 6th Street morons so I’m avoiding Santo Domingo like the plague. Sucks, cause Rancho has some solid clothes stores. Gotta look my best if the paps are gonna keep photographing me with you ;)
[7:44 PM]
V: Think I might visit Mamá Welles tonight. It’s been too long.
[8:03 PM]
K: FUCK, I didn’t see any of these texts until just now! Getting prepped for a show is always crazy, and I don’t even have to worry about choreography like the Us Cracks chicks.
[11:46 PM]
K: Show was fuckin’ PREEM though!! Played two encores, smashed my guitar at the end, crowd went batshit :P
[11:48 PM]
K: Debuted your song too… or one of them, the boat song. Whole album kinda has you all over it. Can’t wait for the media to try and pry into that… Anyway, the crowd loved it. You’re my muse, V.
[11:51 PM]
V: Just got home, about ready to collapse, but I’m really glad the first show went so well. Never doubted it for a second.
[11:53 PM]
K: Ok, maybe we can call tomorrow while I’m on the bus? I should have service now, we travelled through the worst of it already.
[11:54 PM]
V: Sure thing, Ker-bear.
[11:54 PM]
K: Sweet dreams, Vin. Love you :***
[11:55 PM]
V: Love you too <3
[11:55 PM]
---
[Message sent: 08/19/77]
From: GORO TAKEMURA
To: V
Subject: Imminent crisis
T: When the badger hunts on the seventh night, the lonely woodcock calls. When the moon is at its brightest you may see one, but not the other.
[9:17 AM]
V: That’s sweet of you Goro, but I’m already in a relationship.
[9:19 AM]
T: Foolish merc. I cannot fathom how you’ve survived so long without any understanding of codes.
[9:21 AM]
T: Unless you are playing with me?
[9:23 AM]
V: I guess we’ll never know.
[9:27 AM]
T: Unhelpful.
[9:30 AM]
T: Please take this seriously. I am writing because I have stumbled upon a matter of utmost urgency.
[9:32 AM]
T: A man’s life is at stake.
[9:35 AM]
V: Oh?
[9:35 AM]
T: He messaged me privately. There is little time to explain.
[9:37 AM]
T: One moment.
[9:38 AM]
T: [Downloading file: IMG_236342.JPG]
[9:40 AM]
V: Nice selfie. Up the nose is really your angle.
[9:40 AM]
V: If you press the little button with an arrow on it in the corner of your screen, you can take a picture of the email too.
[9:41 AM]
T: Damn these Night City burners, infested with viruses. I will never know peace.
[9:43 AM]
T: [Downloading file: IMG_8243240.JPG]
[9:47 AM]
T: There. As you can see, this man is a Mongolian technoshaman, kidnapped by Arasaka’s rivals at SovOil. He has messaged me personally for assistance, as his family cannot afford his ransom. Surely there is something we can do?
[9:52 AM]
V: Yeah, that’s a scam, Goro.
[9:53 AM]
T: A scam?
[9:55 AM]
T: Is everyone in this cursed wasteland simply waiting for an opportunity to deceive?
[9:57 AM]
V: Pretty much. Fraid there aren’t any sexy single cybersluts in your area either.
[9:57 AM]
T: Ah.
[10:02 AM]
---
[Message sent: 08/19/77]
From: KERRY EURODYNE
To: V
Subject: Call me back
[Missed call from KERRY EURODYNE at 2:29 PM]
K: Sorry, a little later in the day than I’d hoped. Call me back when you can, please. I miss you.
[2:30 PM]
…
[Missed call from KERRY EURODYNE at 5:43 PM]
K: Everything ok? Haven’t heard from you…
[5:44 PM]
…
K: If you’re mad at me, please just tell me you’re alive. Your location isn’t even pinging. I just need to know you’re safe.
[7:31 PM]
…
[Missed call from KERRY EURODYNE at 7:37 PM]
[Missed call from KERRY EURODYNE at 8:24 PM]
…
K: I swear to god, if you don’t respond by midnight tonight I’m hijacking this bus and driving home.
[9:18 PM]
----
[Message sent: 08/19/77]
From: JUDY ÁLVAREZ
To: V
Subject: Bruh
J: Dude, where are you?? Kerry’s freaking out.
[8:55 PM]
J: He made me promise if you didn’t respond soon I’d hack your holophone and turn your location back on
[8:56 PM]
…
J: Don’t think I won’t.
[9:49 PM]
----
[Message sent: 08/19/77]
From: V
To: KERRY EURODYNE
Subject: SORRY
V: SORRY KER
[11:14 PM]
V: AM ALIVE.
[11:14 PM]
K: You asshole.
[11:14 PM]
V: Dogtown has dogshit service, ironically.
[11:15 PM]
V: I didn’t get a single one of those messages until I passed the border again, and I pulled over immediately to reply when I saw them come in. Seriously, so sorry. And no, I’m not mad at you. What would I even have to be mad about?
[11:16 PM]
K: Doesn’t matter, I’m mad at YOU now. DOGTOWN??? Seriously?! Do you have a death wish???
[11:17 PM]
V: No more than usual.
[11:17 PM]
V: Sorry, I take it now isn’t the time for jokes?
[11:18 PM]
K: No the fuck it isn’t.
[11:19 PM]
V: Noted. I promise I wasn’t there for shits and giggles tho. I’ve got a lead on a long shot that might change things for Johnny and me.
[11:20 PM]
V: Give me a couple minutes to drive back to civilization so I can get decent coverage, then I’ll give you a call and explain everything.
[11:21 PM]
[Incoming call from V at 11:36 PM – ACCEPTED (Duration 01:43:11)]
…
K: After careful consideration I have decided to forgive you.
[2:14 AM]
K: Even though your story sounds insane. If anyone else told me any of that, I wouldn’t believe them.
[2:15 AM]
K: Just promise me the next time you fall off the face of the earth you’ll have the decency to text me first?
[2:15 AM]
V: I promise. Your faith in me will not go unrewarded.
[2:16 AM]
K: That so?
[2:16 AM]
V: All in due time… love you.
[2:17 AM]
K: Night, love you too <3
[2:17 AM]
----
[Message sent: 08/20/77]
From: V
To: KERRY EURODYNE
Subject: Reward
V: [Downloading file: IMG_1234234.JPG]
[9:15 AM]
V: Hope this helps make up for almost giving you a heart attack yesterday :***
[9:15 AM]
K: It’s a good start ;)
[9:17 AM]
…
K: Actually, you’ve got me all hot and bothered while I’m trying to do a press junket… In tight pants… So you’re back to square one, and now my publicist might kill me.
[10:23 AM]
V: Damn, if only I’d known your tour schedule so I could’ve avoided this. Like if it was posted on your website or something.
[10:25 AM]
K: Asshole.
[10:32 AM]
V: Sorry, I don't take requests :(
[10:33 AM]
---
[Message sent: 08/20/77]
From: V
To: KERRY EURODYNE
Subject: Heads up
V: Hey Ker, just wanted to warn you I’ll be working out of Dogtown this afternoon, so I might not reply if you text. I’ll be back by early evening.
[12:19 PM]
K: Thanks for the warning. Be safe, love you :*
[12:26 PM]
V: <3
[12:27 PM]
…
[Incoming call from V at 5:03 PM – ACCEPTED (Duration 01:57:08)]
…
K: Thanks again for calling, I’m stuck talking to roadies and journalists all day. Makes me appreciate our conversations even more.
[8:12 PM]
V: No surprise, my mouth always gets great reviews ;) knock ‘em dead at the show tonight, Ker
[8:14 PM]
K: V, I swear to god….
[8:14 PM]
---
[Message sent: 08/21/77]
From: KERRY EURODYNE
To: V
Subject: Miss you
K: You’re supposed to be asleep, so you’d better not respond.
[1:18 AM]
K: Anyway
[1:18 AM]
K: This bed’s too big without you in it
[1:18 AM]
K: I can’t sleep without the sound of you snoring
[1:19 AM]
K: I miss you :( Pretty sure everyone has picked up on it by now. Kovachek’s been hiding from me, but I think he’s the one who keeps sending roadies up to my room.
[1:19 AM]
K: I don’t let them in, obviously
[1:19 AM]
K: But Jesus… what a creep
[1:20 AM]
K: We should burn something else of his when I get back in town. Or maybe I’ll buy his dream car and drive it off a pier >:D
[1:21 AM]
K: Herrera Riptide, if you were curious. Moron doesn’t even know enough about cars to realize they handle like shit.
[1:22 AM]
K: Sorta wish you were holding me right now.
[1:28 AM]
K: Lame. I might delete this thread before you get a chance to see it.
[1:28 AM]
K: Fuckin’ embarrassing. This is so stupid. I guess while I’m saying things I’ll just erase later, though…
[1:29 AM]
K: I love you. You already know that, but like. I love you so much it hurts. So much I can’t even write about it sometimes, which is crazy. The music can’t always capture how much I feel, and that’s new for me. Real fuckin’ weird.
[1:30 AM]
K: Like I want to scream it, but you deserve something tender. And whenever I write you a tender love song it doesn’t capture enough intensity. Idk how to translate it all to just one piece. This whole album is about that, honestly. I’ve been saying it’s about me, which it is. But I have a hard time seeing myself without you now.
[1:32 AM]
K: It’s way too early on to be saying stuff like that, probably. But I feel it. We’ve only been together a few months, and I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I’ve been in love obviously, but not like this.
[1:34 AM]
K: I want to grow old with you. Or older, I guess. Whatever. I just can’t stand the idea of outliving you… You haven’t been super specific, but I get the sense that your time is running out a lot faster than you want me to know.
[1:37 AM]
K: I’m so scared.
[1:42 AM]
K: I’ll live without you, don’t worry. Honestly, I’ll live much better than I did before we met, just for having known you. But when you go you’ll take a piece of me with you.
[1:44 AM]
K: Fuck, I wish you were here.
[1:44 AM]
…
V: Since when do you know anything about cars?
[2:07 AM]
K: Oh god.
[2:08 AM]
K: You’re supposed to be asleep.
[2:08 AM]
V: This is Johnny.
[2:08 AM]
K: Ah.
[2:09 AM]
K: Is V ok? Why are you taking over?
[2:09 AM]
V: You can unclench, loverboy, I’m not staging a coup on your input. I just woke up with my hand on the wheel. It’ll pass.
[2:10 AM]
K: Oh. That happen often?
[2:10 AM]
V: More and more, lately.
[2:11 AM]
K: How bad is it? How long does he have?
[2:11 AM]
V: Not sure if it’s my place to say. He doesn’t want to worry you.
[2:12 AM]
K: Fuck off, Johnny. Don’t stop being a bastard right when I need one. I’m already worried, I just need the truth.
[2:13 AM]
V: Fair.
[2:13 AM]
V: I don’t know for certain, but I know the pain is getting worse and worse. I’m starting to feel it myself, which isn’t a good sign. Sometimes he collapses, right out of the blue. Couple times I’ve had to pilot him out of a bad situation. Couple times I’ve been worried he wouldn’t wake up. I’m not a doctor, I can’t give an actual prognosis. I just know it’s turning bad, and not slowly.
[2:15 AM]
V: There’s your bastard answer.
[2:16 AM]
K: Thank you Johnny.
[2:16 AM]
K: For the answer, and for those times you saved him.
[2:16 AM]
V: No prob. Just wish I wasn’t the thing that was killing your input.
[2:17 AM]
V: This is worse than the time I fucked that groupie you had the hots for.
[2:18 AM]
K: Which time?
[2:19 AM]
V: Take your pick.
[2:20 AM]
V: Want me to delete this thread so he doesn’t see it?
[2:24 AM]
K: Yes please.
[2:24 AM]
V: Will do. You should tell him what you said before, though.
[2:25 AM]
V: I’d polish it up a bit first, obviously. You’re no Jane Austen.
[2:26 AM]
K: Eat shit, Johnny.
[2:27 AM]
[This thread has been deleted by its recipient. For more information, please contact your service provider.]
---
[Message sent: 08/21/77]
From: KERRY EURODYNE
To: V
Subject: Missed you
K: Tour’s canceled, on my way back :D
[10:15 AM]
V: What?! Why???
[10:15 AM]
V: You ok? Did something happen??
[10:16 AM]
K: I’m fine. I just don’t need to be here with all these people I can’t stand, when there’s someone I love waiting back home.
[10:17 AM]
K: Talking about my bed, obviously ;) Hotel mattresses are like a sack of rocks.
[10:18 AM]
V: What about the label?
[10:19 AM]
K: Fuck the label. If they don’t like it I’ll just self-release. Awards shows will blackball me, but the real fans will always find a way to listen.
[10:20 AM]
V: I wish I could do the right thing and tell you not to do anything rash… But damn, have I missed you.
[10:22 AM]
K: Not for long. I’ll be there by dinner.
[10:24 AM]
V: Can’t wait. Thai?
[10:25 AM]
K: Yes please.
[10:26 AM]
----
[Message sent: 08/22/77]
From: TEAM EURODYNE
To: Wójcik & Sons Fine Jewelry
Subject: Purchase inquiry
TE: Hello, I’m writing on behalf of your established client, Mr. Kerry Eurodyne. Kerry has bought several pieces of yours over the years, and has always been thrilled with their quality. He has therefore personally requested your services in designing a piece of jewelry, the specifics of which may require a guarantee of non-disclosure on your end. If you are amenable, please contact the offices of Watanabe & Mackenzie, PLLC, for further discussion. Regards, Team Eurodyne.
[9:05 AM]