Lights of Labor Tagil, 1986

Ellie Carter

"Hmmm, that's the thing! I had already been on the run for weeks for other shit. What I did with my free time was plan a murder."

And that's something the wardens have promised to share more details on, so she won't bore Akemi with the details. She answers the question before going back to Akemi's answer.

"Now, what sorta art does a gal like you not get to see everyday? Seems like your life woulda been filled with beautiful things."

Emmy | Akemi

"Sounds busy." She said dryly.

Another pause. Ellie was asking the tough questions today, it seemed. A life filled with beautiful things…

"My uncle kept a private collection. I was not given access to that collection, so I would have started there."

Ellie Carter

She whistles at the idea of having a private collection. Imagine that. She thinks about that pharma bro who had the Wu-Tang album. Yeah, her uncle probably deserved it.

"Damn. Do ya know what he had? You know, in terms an uncultured gal like me can get."

Emmy | Akemi

"I'm familiar with several of the pieces, but they are from a lesser-known artist. Flowery, figurative pieces by someone he felt was his charge to 'preserve.' He had always said he would reveal those paintings to the world someday, as if he was going to be the one to 'discover' them."

She glances back at the stickers, then to Ellie, "But, this place is enough like Hell without me having to talk about that fool. Now that I'm here, I suppose I will not have an opportunity to see those works after all."

Ellie Carter

Ellie glances back at the stickers too, at the one with the flowers and bluebirds. Then she asks, just a hunch,

"Did ya know that artist personally?"

Emmy | Akemi

Akemi frowns. She had already opened up a fair amount to this near-stranger, more than she had expected to. To be fair, Ellie had actually taken the time to ask, but…how much was too much?

"I did." She said simply.

Ellie Carter

Okay, this all makes sense. Maybe it's like that video game with the phantom thief guy who's mom made a painting or whatever. It was sort of a forgettable plotline. It didn't feel very realistic, but now there's a girl in front of her who might be a walking example. Life is crazy. Ellie can take a hint that this line of questioning is being cut short so she moves right along after a pause.

"Hey, wait, do you make art? I read doing art is supposed to be good for inmates. Maybe we should start an art club. I'm actually not being facetious. We are two bitches who have given up hope anyway. We should have some fun. We should be at the cluuuub."

She rattles the bars of Akemi's cell.

Emmy | Akemi

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately for Akemi, she had never paid any attention to games or shows or movies enough to know if any of them paralleled her own life. She'd likely be offended at the suggestion.

She stares at Ellie in utter disbelief. Up until a few minutes ago she had assumed the two of them were quite opposites- and they of course were in most ways- why did it seem like she wanted to be friends? It hardly made sense to her.

The whole situation is simply so ridiculous that all Akemi can do is chuckle.

"I…have not been formally trained in most art forms, beyond the level of formal critique. Most anything I could make, I would almost surely find trash-worthy."

Even more likely, some other prospective members would relish in making the most heinous things imaginable.

"You sound as though you have other invitees in mind."

Ellie Carter

Ellie's beef with people is rarely that serious. Ignore the guy she killed. That's different. She grins as Akemi laughs.

"That's cool, girl, I'm ass at art! The worse you are the better it is for me! Other invitees, hmmm. Okay, I didn't have any others yet. I kinda just came up with the idea, but I'll think of some right now."

She starts counting on her fingers immediately without even skipping a beat. Apparently 'thinking of some right now' really meant right now.

☝️

"One! Andrew seems like he'd have a gentlemanly painting hobby or something. He could be our Bob Ross. Our wizened guide to the arts. You know, besides you."

✌️

"Two! Vincent. He's a tortured poetic soul for suuuure. Them goth boys are artsy. And he just seems like a kicked puppy who needs to paint some big creepy dark circles to get it out of his system."

👌

"Three! Kaoru. Sweet as Snickers, plus I already invited him to my crew. He'll probably draw something funny or he'll be a secret hidden genius type."

🖐️

"Four! … Aaaand five! Those two sisters. I just feel like those girls need to be at the club too. They look like they're twenty-four or something!"

She doesn't realize Akemi is also twenty-four.

Emmy | Akemi

Akemi listens to the suggestions with a neutral expression. Most of these are people she hadn't yet met, and one was certainly someone she was reluctant to appoach.

Then she thinks about actually making something, and hesitates. "…it has the potential to be among the most irritating things I have ever had to participate in. I…am doubtful it is the sort of thing I could participate in regularly, but…"

She hesitates again.

"…perhaps it is an option, at some point."

Ellie Carter

"Most irritating thing you ever participate in means you participate in it. So I take that. We got nothin' else to do except wait for judgement, right? Never gave art a fair shot when I was younger."

She didn't give a lot of things a fair shot. A bit of a bummer now that she's good as dead.

"You gotta be nice to my garbage art though."

Emmy | Akemi

"…you make a fair point. I will have to consider if I prefer it to rotting in my cell."

She gives a brief smirk to Ellie. At least it seemed she had the will to be a little sharp.

"And I suppose you will need to improve your art if you wish to earn my 'niceness'."

Ellie Carter

She laughs anyway, possibly immune to sharp looks.

"Watch out, or I'll only be drawing portraits of you. And they will noooot be good. I'll make a gallery too. Post 'em around the cell walls. Get everyone to thoughtfully sip cups of water and comment about my modern interpretation of you as a colorful shrimp."

Emmy | Akemi

"Good. It means your art will have a thesis." She says firnly. "Not that anyone will be able to identify my visage among your frantic scribbling, anyway."

She's practically daring her to prove her wrong.

Ellie Carter

"Well, I oughta find some supplies! I'll use only the finest paints for my frantic scribbles. You might have to make do with the Crayolas though. See you there, girl!"

She leaves Akemi with one final sticker from her sheet before walking off in a brisk stride.

Emmy | Akemi

"Given the state of this place, I'm doubtful you will even get your hands on something as low-end as Crayola" she panned.

She watched Ellie leave, surprised that her mood had somehow ever so slightly improved. Akemi stared at the last sticker, a slight pout still on her face at the defacement of her wall. She supposed it at least added a little color…

Just who the hell was this woman, anyway?

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