[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: …It’s not really mine to share, I think.
POLKA DOT: Sorry.
TIMOTHY: That’s okay!
TIMOTHY: If it’s private to someone, you’re doing good by keeping it that way.
VINE: Agreed with Tim, I just want to make sure you’re hanging in there.
POLKA DOT: Yeah, I’ll be good…
 

You rustle through your bag and pull out the phone, which got loosely boxed up with what looks like an instruction manual.

POLKA DOT: What kinda stuff can this thing do?
VINE: Let’s take a seat and find out.
 

The three of you sit down at a bar booth, getting comfortable as you take the phone out of its box. 

VINE: Hand me the manual.
 

You do so, and your friendly mentor starts nodding as she looks it over.

VINE: Newer model than mine, anyhow. Nice.
VINE: So, with a lot of plastic “electronics”- this model of phone included- you’re going to have to “activate” them first.
VINE: It’s not universal, so always check a manual 
VINE: See how the screen sticker’s black and dull?
 

You check, and sure enough, the screen’s a plain, matte black.

VINE: It’ll look like this when it’s off too, but it’ll have a shine to it.
VINE: I’m guessing it got…wiped or whatever it is, when it got pawned off.
VINE: No more traces of ownership.
POLKA DOT: Okay, so…how’s this work?
VINE: Hard to explain, but…hold it in your hands.
 

You do so.

POLKA DOT: And?
VINE: Press the on button…with feeling.
POLKA DOT: …feeling.
VINE: Yes, with feeling!
VINE: It is your phone, after all. 
VINE: Consider it sort of a reset button.
VINE: Other people will be able to use it if you let them, but if someone you don’t know tries to make a call, they won’t.
POLKA DOT: Huh. Neat.
VINE: So, press the button with feeling. It’ll turn on and be fresh and new.
 

You go ahead and press the button, and the sticker screen changes color, turning bright blue with a sunshine-y logo. It even makes a little chime.

POLKA DOT: And…it’s mine now?
VINE: It’ll only shine for you or the people you allow.
POLKA DOT: How can I allow people to use it?
VINE: You just kind of carry it in your mind. Hard to explain.
VINE: It’s all “pretend”, after all, playing into the narrative.
VINE: Your phone will know whether it’s in the right hands.
VINE: Any questions before we do some customization?