#anyway i figure. he thinks this is szilard's house but its belos' and the collector probably just hears elmer walking around or calling out

[empiriical]

@collectalong / semi-plotted starter but also starter call.

"helloooooooo?" a fist pounds on the door, with no response. elmer jiggles the handle, but it remains locked. with a furrowed brow but an otherwise unfaltering smile, he jogs down the steps of the porch && paces around the house. hands on his hips, he tips his head back, squinting against the sun.

zeroing in on a window propped slightly ajar, elmer grunts as he pushes it open && hauls himself up && inside. "sorry, old man szilard," he murmurs, dusting himself off && straightening his clothes, "when you get home, we can try to talk things out, but i know for a fact that a lot of people will be happier this way. maybe i can still make you smile, too."

he walks through the house. it's clear that its inhabitant has been here recently, though the interior looks like it could be an exhibit in a museum.

"wooooow. talk about not keeping up with the times." whistling, elmer shoves his hands in his pockets. he turns on his heel, && walks to another door. peering into the darkness, it appears to lead to a cellar of sorts. "huh." the steps creak as he walks down slowly. "hmm, where's the light..." feeling against the wall for a light switch, his hand knocks... somethng, which falls to the ground && shatters. "whoopsie!"