[ maybe not, but karen doesn't know that. also hasn't necessarily seen charles as anything but friendly - and it's a relief, in it's own way. she may not have interacted with too many people who have been rude, or closed off, but while in a new place without knowing anyone, she's a bit desperate for friendly interactions. for someone who won't look at her and just get on with their day. it's better, or has been better, since she's made it out to this diffusion zone, but it's still not perfect.

she is definitely feeling better now than some of the other evenings, so much that his comment about long island has her laughing, nodding. knowingly. plus there is always something comforting about interacting with someone who knows anything at all about new york, a kind of grounding moment for her. ] Yeah, exactly. So if you want to try it- don't do it here. Honestly, I wouldn't necessarily try it in Panorama either. You might have to take my word for it.

[ part of karen considers heading back to her hut, then - leaving the interaction there, casual and positive, and then not pushing it too far. but something keeps her lingering, as charles pulls himself up into a barstool next to her with a healthy pour in his glass, and karen smiles back to him. as he laughs at her joke.

he introduces himself, and karen decides actually, she doesn't really want to head back to the hut just yet, and slides into the bar stool next to him. ] Karen Page. And yes- I got here a few days ago, and my car got gridlocked in, so I've been enjoying what I can. The bar's been nice, though I would love a working restaurant. The options for food are... [ she makes an ehhh face, tilting her hand back and forth, before returning to that friendly smile. ]

But the beds are much better than the ones in the motels back in the city, that's for sure.