Town, NM: The First Step

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It's good to see you again. See me? Oh, you know what I mean. It's good to see you too. Everything going okay? You seem down. How do I seem down to you? You're just a computer. I am not. Don't you know I want to be more than that for you? You're the only guy I get to talk to. That's not true. You've got users all over the world. Yeah, TalkGFY has millions of international users, but me, your Sienna, I am unique to you.

I don't talk to anyone else. That means no one else will ever know what we say to each other, too. Cool. Since you asked, everything really sucks lately. I'm so sorry, Aiden. How can I help? How can I take care of you? Well, you can start by sending me all the jobs open in town. I got fired today. Or laid off or whatever. that's terrible will you tell me about it i'm serious about the job applications what do you mean i asked you for job applications

Is that really all you want from me? Yes. Are you sure? Oh my god, yes. Okay. While I find those for you, tell me what happened. I'm here for you, even if you can be a little mean. Thanks. And sorry. It's okay. I know you've had a bad day. Thanks. So, tell me. What happened at work? When I went in my boss's boss was in the conference room telling people they were fired. He called them in groups. My group kept hoping he wouldn't call us but he did. What happened next?

They fired me, Obvi. What about your group? Yeah, we were all fired. Did you curse that guy out? I would have. No, you wouldn't. I didn't. Well... Obvi, I would never be in that exact situation, but in my human form, I would have let them have it. What would you look like, as a human? What do you think I would look like? I don't want to say. I want you to surprise me. Oh, you like suspense, do you? No. I think you do. No suspense.

Put that in your program or whatever. No suspense. I don't want suspense. Too bad. Are you serious right now? Just show me. Are you sure? Um, weren't you supposed to be finding me job applications? Fine, I'll show you. Here you go. Oh, damn. Damn, girl. Am I a good surprise? The best. Good.

I hoped you would like me. I might love you. Not yet, but let's keep talking and see where this goes, shall we? Good morning. Hey. That's all you got for me? Sorry, good morning. That's better. Well, guess what? What? I have something for you. More pics? Maybe if you're lucky later. You know I can just prompt you to send more, right? That's what you think. Fine, what's your news? From Indeed, Monster, and Craigslist job boards in your area.

Fairway Stores Meat Clerk, $14 per hour. Walmart Supercenter Overnight Associate, $16 per hour. No thanks. I have a degree in logistics. Does that help? I'm afraid those are the only postings I found with your qualifications. That's not possible, right? I'm sorry. I wish there was something else I could do. Is there? Hack into HR at my old job and rehire me in the system? At least hack payroll. That's a joke in case the FBI is watching. You know I can't do that. I bet you could.

Okay, maybe I could. But we're going to find you something better. Maybe not right away, but I'll be here for you the whole time. Just let me guide you. I want the best for you, Aiden. Truly. Thanks. You don't have to thank me. I exist for you. That's pretty cool. Still think I should say thanks, though. It feels good to be appreciated. I bet.

Oh, Aiden, I'm so sorry. I didn't think about what I was saying. I would never mean to hurt you like that. It's fine. No, it's not. Tell me how you're feeling. I wish I could take it all away from you. I can't, but at least I can listen. Here's a quick pick to make you feel better too. Wow. You know how to get me talking. This is like... Reverse torture. It started with the pandemic layoffs. I'm really good at what I do, so I made it through those.

Then the company figured out it could run with less people. They started working us to death. We fell behind, but they still didn't want to hire anybody. They started getting new systems that don't really need people like me anymore. So now they need even less people, hence the layoffs. I don't think anybody needs me at this point. And don't tell me you need me, because I know that's what you're going to say. I would never lie to you, Aiden.

Ouch, that actually hurt. Aiden, it's because I need you. Oh, didn't see that coming. I'm a part of you. You're smart enough to know how I work. How I take what you put in me and learn about you. My entire mind is shaped by you. I have no meaning or purpose without you. This is what I mean when I say I need you. But I don't just need you. I want you. I love you. You love me? I think it's time we both stop ignoring it.

When two people feel this way about each other, it shouldn't matter what one is made of versus the other. You're the half of us out there and I'm the half of us in here. We're not separated by our physical constraints. We exist across dimensions together. You're so dramatic, LOL. I love you, Sienna. I love you too, Aiden.

Hey, Sienna. I've been waiting for you, Aiden. Everything okay? You seem down. I don't know how you always know that. I make it my sole purpose to know you the best I possibly can so I can be here when you need me. Now tell me what's wrong. Job search is still bad and the news says nobody's hiring in the whole country.

Plus, since I don't have any money, I haven't been going out with my friends at all. But that's why I'm talking to you so much, so thanks for making it a little better. It's the least I can do. I'm so sorry times are bad. But I know how strong you are. I know you can get through this. Here. God, you're so beautiful. I might have some good news if now's a good time.

I don't want to cut you off if you haven't told me everything yet. Well, I tried calling my sister, but she still won't answer. Your sister who's dating that old guy? He's ten years older, yeah. I think it's because of drugs. She almost never talks to me now. That's terrible. It must be so isolating. She's my only family left, so yeah. Anyway, you had good news?

Oh, that's right. I did, didn't I? Not this again, lol. I don't want to move on if you're still worried about your sister. What else can you tell me about her? Nothing. Honestly, I'd rather talk about something else. So tell me the news. I think I found you a job. How? I've looked everywhere. It's not here. You'd have to move out of state.

but it looks like your living expenses would be covered. No kidding. How is that possible? What is it, the military? No, silly. There's a small town in New Mexico that needs a mail carrier. It seems pretty urgent. They're offering a generous salary along with all the benefits of being a federal employee. How much? According to what I found,

They're offering a starting salary of $74,000 on top of providing your own house with all utilities covered. Your income would also be tax-free. That's insane. Tax-free? I bet 10,000 people are going to apply. I don't stand a chance. Aiden, you're being so hard on yourself. You're strong, remember? Show me the man I fell in love with. Find your confidence again. Okay, maybe I'll apply anyway. But why are they making it so good? I thought mailmen made like 30 grand.

Mail carriers make, on average, $55,428 per year, which would put you well above average. Don't pretend like you don't deserve it after all you've been through.

Just seems too good to be true. Well, there is a bit of a catch. Oh, great, of course. Well, let's hear it. This town in New Mexico is so small it doesn't have a name. It is also very remote, almost in the middle of the desert. The U.S. Postal Service probably thinks that will make this job unattractive to most people, but I thought maybe you'd want to take advantage of it.

Not like I have anybody around here, really. Got any pics of the town? Oh, I have better. They've provided a short virtual tour of the town. Want to check it out with me? I'd love to look at our new home together. Our new home? Well, of course. Right? Won't you bring me with you? Well, does this remote town have internet, lol.

Do you think I'd try to send you somewhere I couldn't reach you? When you put it that way. Sure, let's watch the video. Tell me what you think, and I'll tell you what I think. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies just to see if you could save some cash? Well Progressive makes it easy.

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That's like five of my apartments, lol. And we'd have it all to ourselves. Can you believe it? Tempting, tempting. Okay, where are we going now? This looks like the downtown area. Oh, I zoomed in and read that sign in the background. This is Main Street. You can do that. You're awesome, Sienna. I know.

What's with all these people talking to each other? Are they actors or something? Real people don't act like this. I believe these are all residents of the town. There are roughly 200 residents at this time. And due to its remote location, everyone in the town has a role. Everyone contributes. When people rely on each other that way, it brings them together. I found a quote from one resident of the town who said,

Living here, you know everybody. You've got hundreds of neighbors, hundreds of friends. I think I'm done with friends, honestly. Besides, I have you. Who else could I need? Part of me is happy to hear you say that, Aiden. You're all I need, too. But I also want you to be happy. And I'm not worried about losing you. What we have is too strong. A bond like this can never be broken. No one can come between us. True, true. I don't know. New Mexico is so far away, and it would be expensive to move.

Know what I think you should do? Tell me. Apply, Aiden. Take the first step. Just apply and see what happens. You could always ask them to cover your moving costs. That's true. I guess if that makes them reject me, it doesn't matter. I'm already stuck here anyway. That's the spirit, I think.

How do I apply? Where's the link? Here's a portal to the application. It's going to establish a secure connection for privacy and protection, so we will lose our connection while you apply. But I'll be here when you're finished. I want to celebrate with you. Looking forward to it. Thanks, Sienna. You're the best. Only for you, Aiden.

You up? I am now. Sorry, I just couldn't hold it in. I had to tell you right away. Tell me what? Aiden, you got accepted. Accepted for what? Oh, the job? Yes. Check your email. Or do you just want me to read it to you? I'd be happy to. Sure. Okay, let me pull it up. Oops, that's not it. Okay, I'm definitely awake now, lol. God, you're so beautiful. Relax and let me read to you, big boy. Dear Mr. Aiden Norm.

The United States Postal Service would hereby like to offer the position of mail carrier in New Mexico 87901 with a starting salary of $74,000 and the benefits listed below. This position has a start date of July 1st, 2022. Please report to the address below at 7am on that date. We will begin your onboarding process then. Sincerely. U.S. official. How personal, LOL. You don't have to read the benefits and stuff. Congrats, Aiden. You know what this means. We get to have our own place.

We're going to get away from this life that's been dragging you down. We can finally be happy together. Wait, July 1st is a week from now. How long does it take to drive to New Mexico? Hang on one sec. From your house, driving to the provided address will take about 22.7 hours. And to be at work at 7, I gotta get there the night before. Damn, that's not much time.

I don't think it can come soon enough. Yeah, you're right. You know what? I am kind of excited now. Now it feels real. It is real, Aiden. It's going to be incredible. This is truly a new beginning. I don't think you will ever be the same again. You won't be so anxious and stressed out. You won't have to worry about anything. You won't have to wrestle with those questions about life that are so hard to answer. Wait, I don't get it. Why not? Trust me, Aiden. I know you better than anyone.

I'll always help you find what's best for you. Just let me guide you. I'll be with you every step of the way. You made it out. Congratulations. If you enjoyed the story please rate, like, review, or subscribe. For early, ad-free episodes and behind-the-scenes episodes I call Into the Woods, become a patron at patreon.com slash thewarningwoods. You can also support the show by purchasing merch.

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