Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #11:Snake Returns (9/7/97)
* wisesnake zlins Drake
* wisesnake smiles
<Wisesnake> Hello
<Drake> Greetings...
<Drake> Where am I tonight?
* wisesnake laughs
<Wisesnake> You're in Bender Cove Township. And you're in a pretty bad neighborhood.
<Drake> Uh oh...
<Darel> Hi All.
<Wisesnake> [zlins Darel]
* wisesnake smiles
* wisesnake zlins Vit
<Vit> Can anybody direct me to the Collectorium?
* wisesnake laughs out loud.
<JonDrake> I don't know. I just got here myself.
<Wisesnake> You guys are off by about a half mile.
<Vit> Well, Gens tend to get lost.
* JonDrake looks askance at Vit...
* wisesnake is a sleazy little channel with a decidedly disreputable look and manner
<Wisesnake> The old Sime Center burned down along with most of Dockside the other day [conversationally]
<Darel> Know where you are doesn't help if you don't know where you are going...
* Vit doesn't look much better: old jeans, tattered shirt, and purple blotches on his hands and face.
<JonDrake> Where do the Simes go?
<Vit> Oh, that explains why we lost lost power. The boss was pretty upset.
<Wisesnake> Veraik and his cohorts have set up shop again in the Merchant's Quarter. I can show you, if you like.
* wisesnake looks less than pleased at the prospect of doing so
<JonDrake> Sounds like there might be plenty of work for a Gen...
* Vit blithely ignores this reluctance.
<Vit> Sure. That way I won't get lost.
<Darel> Bloody unreliable Simes, can't keep the power up.
<JonDrake> Hmm I might give it a try. Make a little pocket money to tide me over.
* Darel starts. ~~guilty~~
<Vit> Sure pays better than shoveling pumice.
<Darel> Present Company excepted, of course.
<Wisesnake> In case you hadn't noticed, half the town burned down last week. Give them a little credit for at least getting a Center of sorts back up and running.
* wisesnake smiles a snake's smile
<Wisesnake> Of course.
* Darel is a middle aged male Gen in a business suit.
<Wisesnake> Veraik is the Controller. I'm sure he will make you feel, uh, needed.
<Darel> ~~shock and near panic~~ Half the town? Which half?
* wisesnake leads you down a really disgusting street
* wisesnake grimaces and tries to get some distance from Darel
* Darel cranes as if to try and see over local buildings
<Wisesnake> Well, let's see. The docks... the porno district... pretty much everything West of the canal.
<Wisesnake> Including the Sime Center.
* Darel ~~high field but not overly so~~
<Wisesnake> Of course when I say "half the town" I mean half the bad side. Naturally the rich folks are still sitting pretty.
<Vit> No wonder I couldn't get a newspaper this morning. I figured it would take something major to stop the presses...
<Darel> ~~relief~~ Ah. Not the important parts of town then.
<JonDrake> Well, might as well get it over with. Lead the way!
* wisesnake leads you all to a building labelled "Sime Center" in rather amateurish block letters.
<Darel> Get what over with?
* wisesnake laughs unpleasantly
<Wisesnake> I suppose "important" depends on whether you lived there or not.
<Vit> "Not important"? Some of my best friends live in the porno district.
<Darel> Maybe I should go help at the hospital....
* wisesnake looks at, and zlins, Vit more closely
<Vit> Not to mention some of my favorite hangouts.
* JonDrake looks around at the makeshift arrangement.
<Vit> Not that I've had a chance to see them over the past few weeks.
<Darel> ~~faint disgust~~
* Vit wrings purple-stained hands.
* Darel draws away from Vit slightly.
<Vit> What's the matter with you?
<Wisesnake> Look, why don't you all step inside the lobby.
[glancing nervously around street]
* JonDrake is starting to get a bit suspicious...
* Vit hasn't a clue.
<Darel> ~~nervous~~ "In there? The De--"
* JonDrake wonders why wisesnake is so nervous...
* JonDrake wonders why Darel is so nervous....
* JonDrake wonders why Vit isn't nervous...
<Wisesnake> [patiently] You all did want to go to the Sime Center, right? Well it's right here.
<JonDrake> Ok, I guess...
* JonDrake looks in the doorway...
<Wisesnake> [you see what appears to be a small lobby]
* JonDrake looks about the room..
<Wisesnake> [you see a receptionist's desk (unoccupied), and a few couches and tables with reading material. The walls are kind of bare.
* JonDrake walks up to the desk and looks about nosily...
* wisesnake watches JonDrake with some amusement
<Darel> ~~uncomfortable~~
<Wisesnake> [to Darel] Out of curiousity, what are you doing down here?
<JonDrake> Yeah, make it so an honest laborer can't compete.
* Darel walks over to overcasually look at the rack of pamphlets.
* JonDrake moves and looks through the interior doorway..
<Wisesnake> [you see a silent row of open doorways. The nearest one is a darkened transfer room, empty]
<Darel> I was trying to take a short cut over to the financial district, but *they* had the roads closed.
* wisesnake frowns. "They?"
* Darel glances quickly at wisesnake's arms. ~~discomfited~~
<Darel> The, uh ... Tecton Marshalls.
* wisesnake 's tentacles are neatly sheathed
<Wisesnake> Ucchh. Those. Never liked 'em myself.
<JonDrake> "How's a guy supposed to get some cash around here? I've heard about things like this. I can't get no work 'til they 'field me down' or somesuch."
<Darel> ~~surprised~~ But they are Simes.
* wisesnake glances at JonDrake
<JonDrake> "Said I'd be 'too much of a distraction.'"
<Darel> I should get going.
* Darel quickly walks out.
<Wisesnake> [quickly] This is Veraik, he's the Controller, he'll be glad to help you.
* wisesnake leaves quickly
* Veraik nods to Snake. How are you?
* Tarsh comes out of the back with a stack of papers.
<Veraik> SNAKE!!! Come down. I've fixed it with the Tecton!!!!
<JonDrake> "You work here?"
* Tarsh is a tall rensime in a tecton uniform that should have been changed some time back.
<JonDrake> ~~Impatience~~
* Tarsh puts papers down on Desk.
<Veraik> Are you talking to me JonDrake?
* Tarsh turns and zlins JD.
<Veraik> [zlins Drake]
<JonDrake> "Do you work here, then?"
<Tarsh> Yes, Though don't ask me why.
* Tarsh starts sorting through the papers
<JonDrake> "I figure there'll be a lot of work to do around here, but I don't want'a have no problems with Sime workers."
<Vit> You'd rather have problems with Gen workers?
* Tarsh mutters 'assignment forms, Selyn Transit logs, where are the bloodyshen...'
<JonDrake> "I figure you can 'field me down' and I can work with no problem."
* Tarsh looks up.
<Tarsh> Oh. [ to JD ] were you here to donate?
<Veraik> Don't be rude JonDrake. We have to all work together to make this Center work. Especially after the swift departure of Snake.
* Tarsh pulls himself up.
<JonDrake> "With no dock, there's not likely to be no dock work for a while."
<JonDrake> [to Tarsh] "Yeah, I guess so."
<JonDrake> "What's everbody looking at?"
<Tarsh> <singsong> Welcome to the Bender Cove Township Provisional Sime Center.
* JonDrake involuntarily pulls his field in then puffs it out in a rush of testosterone.
<Veraik> [wipes tentacles across eyes] I miss Snake. She was the only one who knew how to keep the people of the City working together with the Center.
<Tarsh> My name is Tarsh Chutmas and I will be happy to help you today.
<JonDrake> "Ok, Mr. Chutmas. What do I need to do?"
<Veraik> [grabs fields and meshes them together so as not to disturb the ambient]
<Tarsh> "To donate? Uh first fill out this form... right here ...somewhere..."
<Tarsh> "just a moment"
* wisesnake lurks near Sime Center door
<JonDrake> "I don't want this to take too long I got things to do."
<Vit> I should have guessed. Any time you're in a hurry to make a buck, there's one more form they want you to fill out first.
* Tarsh squats down behind the desk and digs around in some boxes.
* wisesnake studies Vit with narrowed eyes
<JonDrake> I may have to leave pretty soon.
* Veraik zlins Snake and walks out the door to find her.
<Wisesnake> Veraik. [backing off somewhat]
<Vit> Me, too. I'm meeting some friends for a beer.
<Vit> That is, if there's still a pub left standing.
<Tarsh> <from behind desk> <singsong> "By Filling Out the Proper Forms, You Insure Prompt and Efficient Service, and insure that your case is treated correctly."
<Veraik> Snake. Please take care of JonDrake then we will talk. I see that you are tied up in knots. Please. I promise. Things will be fine.
<Wisesnake> Fine.
* wisesnake enters the Sime Center
<Tarsh> <two tentacles deposit a clipboard atop a shaky stack of papers while a third adds a pen.
<Wisesnake> Which of you is JonDrake?
<JonDrake> "OK, OK.. Where do I sign?"
* JonDrake is JonDrake
* Veraik nager relaxes in great relief.
<Tarsh> "Ah!"
<Vit> [Vit is a Gen, and not Donor material]
* Tarsh stands up with a paper and pamphlet.
* Tarsh loads the paper in the clipboard.
<Veraik> Tarsh...as soon as Vit has filled out the paperwork, I will handle him
* wisesnake fades back toward the door, trying to get a handle on the confused ambient
* Tarsh hands the pamphlet, clipboard and pen to JD.
* Veraik works the ambient to help with Snake's comfort.
* JonDrake takes the pen in his rough, thick hands and fills out the form.
<Tarsh> "please Read the provided informatio carefully. Fill out the form, especially noting any previous donations or medical treatment in Sime centers.
<Tarsh> "If you have any questions, Any of our staff will be happy to answer them."
* Tarsh ducks down again and the shuffling and muttering resume.
<Vit> It looks like it's you folks who've got the questions. What do you want to know all this stuff for?
* wisesnake laughs
* JonDrake quickly skims over the form, hastily filling it out..
* Vit plods through the form slowly, reading it under his breath in semi-literate fashion.
<Tarsh> <form includes the usual ID info, including Tecton Information Number>
* wisesnake walks over to Vit and takes the form out of his hands
<Wisesnake> [belatedly] Excuse me.
* wisesnake scans form
<Vit> I mean, look at all this stuff. What's the state of my liver got to do with donating?
<JonDrake> "All done. Lead the way. I'm outta here."
<Wisesnake> "Eh... if mother is deceased age of death... age of first appearance of secondary sexual characteristics..."
* wisesnake sets form on counter
<Veraik> [takes JonDrake's paperwork, scans it] Please follow me.
<Tarsh> <from behind desk> "Liver function is a good indication of GENeral health."
<Wisesnake> [to Tarsh] Look, I think I'd better handle this. Is that all right with you?
<Vit> Yeah, but what's that got to do with whether my mother had cancer?
<Veraik> oops I mean....Please follow Snake.
* Tarsh sits back and looks and zlins at wisesnake.
<Wisesnake> Not so fast. I have to talk to Vit, here.
<Wisesnake> And who is this guy who is zlinning me like some common employee.
* wisesnake gives Tarsh a cold look
<Vit> Hey, you got something against workers?
* wisesnake smiles a snake's smile "Not at all."
* Vit displays the zeal of a wannabe union member in an unorganized profession.
<Tarsh> "Epidemiological survey information Which Will Be Kept Confidential. Markab Farris is doing a research project on a possible relationship between cancer and selyn production levels."
* wisesnake stiffens at the sound of the "F" word
* Tarsh zlins wise more carefully.
<Vit> Yeah, but what's that to me? All I want is a little extra cash, 'cause my paycheck came up a little short.
<Tarsh> ~~surprised and worried~~ <leaps to his feet>
<Vit> I mean, some of this stuff I wouldn't be telling my doctor, idiot that he is.
<Wisesnake> Oh shen not this again.
<Wisesnake> I can see it coming.
* Vit holds out stained hands.
<Tarsh> "Oh! I'm sorry Hajene .... Hajene ... I'm sorry, your name was?"
<Vit> I mean, he hasn't found a way to get rid of this.
<Wisesnake> [to Vit] Look, would you like to donate or not? If so, please come with me now.
* wisesnake is trying her very best to ignore Tarsh, with little success
<Tarsh> ~~sneer~~ Doctors? Those butchers?
<Wisesnake> You don't have to fill out the form.
<Vit> It's about time. Lead the way.
<Tarsh> ~~shock~~ "Hajene! YOU should know how important proper administration is!"
* wisesnake looks at Tarsh "We'll discuss it later."
<Wisesnake> [to Vit] "This way, please."
* wisesnake leads Vit to a transfer room.
* wisesnake closes the door
<Vit> Good. Waste of good drinking time.
<Vit> The fellows will be wondering where I got to by now.
<Tarsh> <hurriedly, to Vit> "Have you had lateral contact in the last six months with
any ... Where are you going?!"
<Veraik> [Veriak returns from donation room, takes Vit's paperwork] Go on Snake. Take
care of Vit.
* wisesnake seems a lot less tense, how that the door is closed.
<Wisesnake> I'm sorry about all the hassle. If I'd realized what they put new Donors through, I never would have brought you here.
<Tarsh> ~~relief~~ Hajene Veraik! Thank goodness
you're here."
* wisesnake examines Vit
<Veraik> [turns to Tarsh] We just got Snake back. And that form was NOT approved by me so do not add it to the other forms until I've given my approval.
* Vit follows Snake into the donation room.
<Wisesnake> Now, I do have one question for you, what condition were you referring to when you said your Doctor could not help you?
<outside> ~~indignant~~
<Vit> That's OK. What a bunch of losers.
<Vit> It's these stains. They won't come off.
* wisesnake zlins the stains
<Veraik> [follows Tarsh outside]
<Vit> [the stain don't appear to be connected with any cell damage or infection]
<Wisesnake> How did they get there in the first place?
<Veraik> Tarsh: Where did you get that extra form?
*** outside is now known as Tarsh
<Vit> It was a chemical I was exposed to at work.
<Tarsh> "It came in from the Zelerod Memorial Institute last month. A Epidemonlogical survey."
<Wisesnake> I see. Well, how long has it been since that happened?
<Vit> The company's hotshot science type called it something like "antho-cyanin".
* wisesnake 's lips twist in an expressive grimace
<Wisesnake> Oh.
<Tarsh> "They are investigating a possible relationship between Gen degenerative diseases and selyn production characteristics."
<Veraik> I'm trying to get Snake to stay at the Center. Before the fire, she had a shock so we all should encourage her to stay or we may not be able to keep up with the anticipated volume of the Center.
<Wisesnake> So what you're saying is, you have come in contact with the chemical that makes red fruits red.
<Vit> Well, of course, that's my job, but it's especially bad since I tripped and fell in the pumice.
<Veraik> I see....Well I can see that it is a very important survey.
<Wisesnake> Look, if you really want to get rid of the red stains it might actually be necessary to obtain a different job that doesn't put you into constant contact with red dye.
<Vit> Well, why do you think I'm here? I figure I can live two or three weeks on a donation payment, and that will give me some time to look around and find something else I can do.
<Veraik> Please continue to give it out but try not to disturb Snake with it. We have a lot of rebuild of trust to do with her and it is very important to me and to the Center that we are able to keep her.
<Wisesnake> Fair enough.
<Vit> Do you know anyone who's hiring?
<Wisesnake> I know a lot of people. I might be able to find you something.
<Tarsh> "Markab Farris thinks that high production gens may be prone to cancer. He also wants to know if donating decreases the risks."
<Wisesnake> I've seen you around town. I know some of your friends. They'll do as references.
<Veraik> And thank you for pointing out the survery to me but please...check with me first before we start something like that. I am required to log everything which occurs at the Center.
<Vit> Great. But I've got to pay the rent in the meantime. [holds out hands]
<Veraik> Sounds like a good thing to know.
* Vit 's hands are slightly sticky.
<Tarsh> "All right Hajene. Forms and Publications should have cc'd a copy to your secretary."
<Veraik> Let's go to my office. I'll log in the extra form and we can have some tea.
* wisesnake takes Vit in transfer position, flinching a bit at the Gen's sticky touch.
<Tarsh> "What is the problem with Hajene Snake? She a housholder or something?"
<Tarsh> "yes Hajene" <ducks down and grabs up a bunch of papers>
<Veraik> [hands tea to Tarsh] That's a tricky question. She will tell you no and to be honest, at this point I don't know the answer to that question myself.
* wisesnake draws selyn
* Vit is about as unresponsive as one would expect from a GN-3
* wisesnake releases Vit
<Wisesnake> There. Now, if you think you can stomach facing those forms again, go fill them out and they'll pay you.
<Vit> You mean I have to answer all those questions to get a few measly bucks?
* wisesnake considers
<Wisesnake> No, I suppose not.
<Veraik> OK. Now that we have that settled [adjust field to make the ambient more comfortable] I'd like to thank you for taking charge of the front desk.
<Wisesnake> Just write in a bunch of lies and they will never know.
<Vit> Oh, like filling in a timesheet?
<Wisesnake> Yeah. [smiles a snakish smile]
<Wisesnake> And I'll be in contact with you about a job.
* wisesnake opens transfer room door and shows Vit back out to the lobby
<Vit> Great!
* Vit takes up the clipboard again, and begins to scribble.
<Tarsh> ~~Much more friendly~~ "Hello! Did that go well? How are we feeling?"
<Vit> [mutters] Let's see, I'll say my grandfather died of ovarian cancer...
* wisesnake smiles a snake's smile
* wisesnake leans against Tarsh's desk and looks dreamily off into the distance
* Tarsh takes to Collection reciept from Snake and starts digging again. "Disbursement forms, where are the Ah!"
* Vit hands back the clipboard with the completed forms.
<Vit> Here.
* wisesnake takes the clipboard smoothly. "Thank you."
<Wisesnake> Please come back again. [smiles]
* Tarsh brings up another clipboard and form, and start filling it out from both ends at once, using tentacles at the top and fingers at the bottom.
* wisesnake watches in apparently genuine astonishment
* Vit waits impatiently.
* wisesnake fidgets
<Tarsh> "Did you want your Donation Honorarium in Cash or Direct deposit to your account?"
<Vit> Cash. You think I want the bank to know I've got some cash? They'd tell the debt collectors.
* wisesnake 's snake smile comes back with a vengeance
* Tarsh scribbles some more ant then tears off the top two copies.
<Wisesnake> I'm sure we will see each other again, Vit.
<Wisesnake> And soon.
<Tarsh> "The Green copy goes to the disbursment officer, and you may retain the pink copy for your records."
<Wisesnake> Wait a minute.
* wisesnake takes the forms
* wisesnake reads the amount
<Wisesnake> "This seems awfully low."
<Tarsh> "We hope you will come again in 30 or more days to Donate again. Just follow the signs .... Oh yeah."
<Veraik> [goes to the changeover room to verify that it is ready in case of an emergency]
<Tarsh> Uh, the new signs aren't up yet. Walk this way please"
<Vit> What!! Are you guys trying to cheat me?
* wisesnake shows forms to tarsh "Is this going to be enough to live on?"
<Veraik> [after poking in all the corners to satisfaction, goes back to the lobby]
* wisesnake shows them to Vit "what do you think, guy, is this adequate?"
<Vit> That's ALL?
<Wisesnake> It seems kind of low to me.
<Wisesnake> A person can't even buy off the cops much less pay any rent for this.
<Tarsh> "That is the standard GN-3 fe-" <to snake> "or was this a *GN-2* donation Hajene?" ~~wink~~
* wisesnake pauses
* wisesnake 's eyes narrow
<Veraik> [zlins something strange as enters lobby]
* wisesnake thinks somebody is playing a game she doesn't know all the rules to
* wisesnake slowly hands the papers back to Vit.
> "Just go and get this. I'll help you find a job."
<Veraik> [turns to Tarsh] Is there a problem?
<Tarsh> "I can't quite make out your tentaclewriting here, Hajene. Was this a GN-3 donation, or Should The Payment Be At the *higher* GN-2 Rate?" ~~wink wink~~
<Vit> [sullenly] All right. Where's this disbursment office?
<Wisesnake> [stiffly] It was a GN-3 donation.
<Tarsh> ~~zlins Veraik and becomes nervous~~
<Veraik> [quirks eyebrow]
<Tarsh> ~~surprised~~ All right. Please walk this way."
<Veraik> [zlins Tarsh and decides to ask Snake later]
* Tarsh leads down a corrdor away from the changeover ward.
<Veraik> Snake. Are you ready for that talk now?
* wisesnake stares after them, disturbed
<Wisesnake> What?
<Wisesnake> Oh.
* Vit follows Tarsh, still grumbling.
<Wisesnake> I suppose I must be, or I wouldn't have come here.
<Tarsh> <over shoulder> "Of course, if you commit to donating next month and make your appointment now, there is a Scheduling bonus payable today."
* Veraik bristles uncomfortly from Snake's agitation.
<Vit> How much of a bonus? And how do I know you guys won't cheat me again next time?
* Tarsh comes to a heavy door with a newly installed formidable lock.
* wisesnake doesn't meet Veraik's eyes
* Veraik hestitates, then has Snake follow him to his office.
<Tarsh> "Thirty, i think. Forty if you will come in between midnight and six."
* wisesnake follows Veraik
<Veraik> [closes door]
<Wisesnake> It's not as impressive as your old office.
<Tarsh> "Donation increases production and capacity, Tuib. You payment will likely increase by up to 10% next month."
<Vit> I reserve the night shift for playing.
* Tarsh knock on the door.
<Veraik> Look. I'm sorry about what happened. I had no clue that the Sectuib was going to pulled the "I get what I want" attitude on you.
<Tarsh> "DONATION PAYMENT"
* wisesnake seems ill at ease
<Wisesnake> Yeah
<Tarsh> ~~surprise~~ "playing? are you in a band?"
<Vit> [scoffs] "Likely" "up to". You guys don't believe in making real promises, do you?
<Vit> Naw, musicians work nights. I have fun.
<Veraik> I know. And but still it is an office and we have the Center going again.
<Tarsh> ~~ irritated ~~ "look we aren't shuven Householder Farris Four pluses here. We can't give you everything out to 16 decimal places."
* wisesnake seems reserved
<Tarsh> "Oh. Do you get at least eight hours sleep a night? Sufficient Sleep Is Essential to Good Health."
<Vit> At the moment, I'm going to be very upset if you don't get me my miserable donation payment to two decimal places.
<Tarsh> "All right, All right, keep your tentacles in."
<Vit> I'm a Gen, if you haven't noticed. I don't have tentacles.
* Tarsh is about to knock again when the door is jerked open.
<Veraik> Just to make things clear. The Sectuib rescinded his decree. [goes to file cabinet]
<Tarsh> "It's just an expression. I may not have translated it properly."
<Veraik> [hands papers to Snake] You are free.
* wisesnake looks at Veraik, then takes papers
<Tarsh> < A short Gen woman looks out> "what is it?"
<Tarsh> "Donation payment"
* wisesnake reads papers
<Veraik> Free from the clutches of the Sectuib...free to remain here as long as you want...
* Vit hands the Gen woman the receipt.
<Veraik> free to get all your training here.
<Tarsh> <to Vit> "This is Tuib Semla. She will pay you."
<Vit> It's about time.
<Tarsh> "Good Day and come again."
<Wisesnake> [reading] "if I should desire to return to Zeor??? IN his dreams!" [suddenly bitter - throws down papers]
* Tarsh walks back toward the lobby.
<Vit> [mutters] Not bloody likely. Bunch of paper pushers.
<Veraik> Look Snake...even that statement is a freedom in itself. It only means that you choose.
<Wisesnake> It means I'll have THAT looming over my shoulder every way I turn.
<Semla> "Hello I am Semla ambrov Taglar. May I see your invoice please?"
<Veraik> Isn't that what you have wanted all this time? Wasn't that your goal? To have the freedom to choose?
<Vit> You've got it right there in your hand.
<Veraik> What will you have looming over your shoulder?
* wisesnake seems upset and angry but looks aside, saying nothing
<Wisesnake> I don't even know what to think anymore.
* Semla peers at the form.
<Semla> "Ok. I see you are a first time donor. Welcome!"
* Veraik adjust the ambient to comfort Snake as best as he can. [doesn't over do it...just adjust a little]
* Semla turns and goes to a table full of boxes and put the form down in the sole bare spot.
<Veraik> I know Snake but at least you are back and personally I am very happy to have you. I know this Center is important to you.
<Vit> Some welcome. First you guys want to know all about my grandparents' diseases, and now I've spent twice the time trying to get paid as the donation took in the first place!
<Wisesnake> [reluctantly] yeah
<Wisesnake> Look, who is that guy at the front desk? He really rubs me the wrong way.
* Semla pulls (with difficulty) a strong box out from behind the table. She pats around at her pockets until she finds a key.
* Vit taps his toe impatiently.
<Veraik> [smiles] I know it is hard. Just promise to come to me if you have other concerns. I will do as much as I can.
* Semla unlocks the strongbox. "I apologize for any inconvience. We are a bit disorganized here, what with the fire and all."
<Wisesnake> Actually, I do have a concern. I brought several new Donors here and look what happened. One of them walked right out the door without hearing word one, because nobody was here.
<Veraik> He just started here.
<Vit> Yeah, yeah, I know. It's the only thing that could possibly have stopped the presses. Why do you think I got the day off? No power.
<Wisesnake> One of them is still here, getting hassled with forms I never even heard of.
* Semla counts out several bills and coins and carefully (and slowly) counts them into Vit's hands.
<Veraik> I've handled the forms problem.
<Vit> Wait a minute. That 20 short.
<Semla> "Please sign here that you recieved your payment."
<Veraik> The form will be given out but it is an option for the Gen to fill it out.
<Wisesnake> And what in shen happened to the pay scales? My cashprice used to be twice yours, and now it's three times.
<Vit> I'm not signing that until I receive ALL of my payment.
<Wisesnake> Do you realize how hard it's going to be to convince Gens to come down here if they feel like it's less profitable than doing it the illegal way?
<Semla> "Tuib? 78.38" <looks at form> "could you count it back to me please?"
* Vit does so, and the total comes to 58.38.
<Veraik> [rubs tentacles over eyes] So how do you suggest that we pay them when we are only authorize to pay Tecton standard rates?
<Wisesnake> I just want to know what kind of games the Tecton is playing with you. With us. The rates have gone down from two weeks ago.
<Semla> ~~shocked~~ "I'm so sorry, Tuib." <gets 2 tens from the box. 68 .. 78." My apologies again."
<Veraik> {looks concerned] They have?
* Vit snatches up the cash.
<Vit> [grumbles] Bunch of cheaters. I'm out of here.
<Wisesnake> Believe you me, I keep very close track.
* Vit storms out of the Sime Center.
<Semla> "uh, tuib, your form!"
<Veraik> Ok..ok I'll investigate it. In the meantime.....
<Semla> "HEY! You have to SIGN for That!"
* wisesnake raises eyebrows
* Vit is already halfway down the block, and shows no signs of stopping.
<Veraik> Look...one of the courses you are missing by being here and not at a channel's school is law. See if you can come up with a fancy way to pay higher rates. I have faith in you that you'll find a way.
<Wisesnake> You mean... legally? [doubtfully]
<Veraik> [smiles wisely but says nothing]
<Wisesnake> ucch.. well, I suppose it's possible.
<Wisesnake> [mild distaste]
<Veraik> And as for Tarsh...you are the one with the underground connections, use them. There's something about him that disturbs me as well.
* wisesnake looks more enthusiastic
<Wisesnake> I can do that.
<Wisesnake> Hold on a second...
<Veraik> Well! I think it's time that we both took her more donations. My tentacles itch.
* wisesnake jumps up and runs out door
<Veraik> yes?
<Wisesnake> Is Vit still here?
* wisesnake zlins for Vit
* Veraik runs after Snake.
<Tarsh> he just left with his payment, Hajene.
* wisesnake goes out the front door to zlin for Vit
* Vit pauses three blocks from the Sime Center, when he is sure he has eluded any pursuit. He puts the change in his pocket, folds the bills carefully, adds the two palmed tens to the stack, puts them in his shirt pocket, and goes off to have a beer with his friends.
* wisesnake goes back inside wearing a thoughtful expression
<Veraik> What is it, Snake?
<Tarsh> "I can find his address, Hajene."
<Wisesnake> That guy may come in handy.
<Wisesnake> And I do mean "handy"... [laughs to herself]
<Vit> [the address on Vit's form is as fake as the medical data]
<Tarsh> <rustles> "111 Kissoff Lane, NunYerBiz. These Genlan names..."
* wisesnake laughs
<Veraik> Oh really?
<Veraik> [shakes head]
<Wisesnake> I know where he lives.
<Veraik> Do you feel up to going after him now or do you want to take a few donations first?
<Tarsh> "Is that address in the region that burned yesterday?"
* wisesnake turns and fixes Tarsh with a snakes-eye gaze.
<Tarsh> ~~quails a bit~~ "Uh ... may I halp you hajene?"
<Veraik> [looks sternly at Tarsh] Kissoff Lane is an address? [sarcastic]
<Wisesnake> Get real. He left a fake address.
<Wisesnake> Don't they teach Genlan in these Tecton schools anymore?
<Tarsh> ~~shocked~~ "But, Then he won't get his thank you form with his next eligibility date!"
<Tarsh> "they do, but I wasn't that good at it."
<Wisesnake> Anyway, I've seen him before. He hangs out the same places all the time, and one of his pals owes me money big time. Getting in contact should not be a problem.
<Veraik> [zlins a lie in what Tarsh is saying but is not completely sure of the content]
<Tarsh> "Uh can a person like that be trusted." <rustles>
<Wisesnake> Well, a person like that can be trusted within certain limits.
<Veraik> [looks at Snake for verification]
<Tarsh> "he didn't answer the shaking plague required questions! I'm gonna get attritted for this!"
<Wisesnake> Those limits being his own fear and greed.
<Tarsh> ~~horror~~
<Wisesnake> [under her breath] We could only wish!
* Tarsh dives under the desk and the rustling gets louder.
* wisesnake notices Veraik's glance. "What?"
<Tarsh> <laterals stick up, zlinning>
<Veraik> [nager changes slightly to agree with Snake's opinion but the change isn't large enough for a renSime]
* wisesnake smiles
<Veraik> Get up, Tarsh. What is your problem?
* Tarsh stands up.
<Tarsh> ~~ trying to exercise tight control of severe apprehension, not doing very well ~~
* wisesnake considers Tarsh
<Veraik> Now tell me what is wrong and why you are acting the way that you are? What happened with Vit?
<Tarsh> "I'm sorry Hajene. What can I do you for, err for you?"
* wisesnake 's eyes narrow
<Veraik> I want to know what happened while Vit was here?
<Tarsh> ~~Fear~~ "Nothing! uh, nothing happened with Tuib Vit, Hajene. He was just a bit irked by all the paperwork just lik* I am a bit disorganized what with the fire and all, Hajene."
<Veraik> [waits for Snake accessment of Tarsh's story]
<Tarsh> ~~close zlinning of tarsh's system shows that is a bit more energized in some regions that is normal for a rensime only 5 days into need.~~
* wisesnake says nothing, zlinning Tarsh's system in some fascination
<Tarsh> ~~it zlinns a bit like a disjunct rensime you knew, but the lateral torso transfer link is too narrow for that to be it~~
<Wisesnake> uhmmm, aha, hmmm.... [zlinning]
<Tarsh> ~~And tarsh's ronaplin glands are slightly more active than they should be~~
* wisesnake finishes zlinning
<Tarsh> ~~ nervous at all the zlinning ~~
<Wisesnake> [casually] So, when did you have direct Gen transfer?
<Tarsh> "Uh, Hajene Veraik, while your here, there is the daily report you could zlin, err look at."
* Veraik zlins to verify Snake's statement.
<Tarsh> ~~Shock and FEAR~~
<Tarsh> ~~They Know!~~
* Tarsh draws himself up.
<Veraik> Answer the question.
<Tarsh> "Tuib, What are you talking about. I'm a rensime."
* wisesnake waits, still studying Tarsh keenly.
* Veraik zlins the renSime as deep as he can.
<Tarsh> ~~attention despartely darting in all directions~~
* wisesnake smiles a lazy smile
<Tarsh> "Uh, I changed over on a camping trip, and they couldn't get an SC van out in time. One of the Councellor was A Donor, and he..."
<Wisesnake> "Let's see Tarsh's file, Veraik."
<Tarsh> ~~the nager zlins more like the Direct transfers were *after* First year~~
<Tarsh> ~~Uh, I'll get it for you hajene!"
<Veraik> [Goes to office, retrieves file, gives it to Snake]
* Tarsh rushes off down the corridor.
<Veraik> Are you trying to tell us that you changed over last month?
<Tarsh> "Oh, you ... have it already Hajene. Good." ~~sick sinking feeling~~
<Tarsh> "Of course not, I'm 6."
* wisesnake opens file, reads.
* wisesnake laughs at what she's reading
<Veraik> But you zlin like you had direct Gen transfer last month.
<Tarsh> <Changeover: Valkor Auxilary Sime Center, no complications>
<Wisesnake> "Oh yeah, right."
* wisesnake closes folder
* wisesnake zlins Tarsh again
<Wisesnake> Veraik, do you mind if I have a word with Tarsh?
<Tarsh> ~~relief of a sort~~ "No, i can assure you I didn't have .... that last month. I was assigned Hajene Fellows."
<Veraik> Go ahead. I have to check the wards anyway.
<Tarsh> ~~severe nervousness~~
* wisesnake smiles at Tarsh
<Veraik> [exits down corridor]
<Tarsh> "I DO have a lot of Work to Do Hajene..."
* wisesnake smile disappears to be replaced by a cold snake's stare
* Tarsh looks away.
<Wisesnake> You will have no work to do if we can't come to an agreement and come to it with a minimum of fuss.
* Tarsh industriously studies a form he is holding upside down.
<Tarsh> "Agreement? About What?" ~~feigned indifference~~
<Wisesnake> Now, you and I both know you have been getting Gen transfers on a semi-regular basis. It would be quite easy for me to turn you in. My word carries a fair amount of weight in certain circles.
<Tarsh> "You needn't worry about that Hajene. That is over with a long time ago." ~~panic~~
<Wisesnake> No need to panic. Not so long as you are cooperative.
<Tarsh> "Please Hajene! I ne* have to have a job around Gens!"
* wisesnake grimaces
<Wisesnake> Please.
<Tarsh> "I'd never touch one, though, after that lorsh..."
* wisesnake waits impatiently
<Tarsh> "Some things don't work out."
<Wisesnake> Yes.
<Tarsh> ~~resigned~~ <small voice> "what do you want to know?"
<Wisesnake> It's very simple.
<Wisesnake> I will ask you favors. You will do them. No matter what they are, no matter what you think about them.
<Wisesnake> In return, nobody at this Sime Center or at the Dockside Area Marshall Station will be made aware of your... condition.
<Tarsh> ~~distrust and suspiscion~~ "What sort of favors?"
* wisesnake smiles grimly. That isn't important.
<Tarsh> <smaller voice> "yes hajene"
<Wisesnake> Now, as for your transfers themselves.
<Wisesnake> I am going to arrange for you to always be assigned to me. If you need a Gen, and I am sure that time will come again, you will get it through me. If you fail to do so...
<Tarsh> "I only massaged the paper work to get a First a few times."
<Tarsh> ~~anger~~ "I don't *Want* any more traitorous Gens!"
* wisesnake smiles thin-lipped
<Wisesnake> Yes. Well. Then there should be no problem.
<Veraik> [checks patients, scribbles notes on charts, goes to room, changes from Tecton tunic to Household Liorie tunic, rest]
<Wisesnake> But if you ever fail to make a transfer appointment with me, the consequences will be... unfortunate.
<Tarsh> ~~stiif~~ "Of course not Hajene. What do I have to do first?"
<Tarsh> ~~sinking~~ 'yes hajene"
<Wisesnake> Nothing for now. I will tell you when the time comes.
<Tarsh> "yes Hajene"
<Wisesnake> Now, do I have your word you will abide by these rules?
<Wisesnake> [zlinning for truth]
<Tarsh> "yes hajene"
<Tarsh> ~~sincere through fear~~
<Wisesnake> hmmm
* wisesnake reopens Tarsh folder, makes a couple of notations in it
<Wisesnake> "Well then, it's all settled then. Return to your duties. I will inform Veraik that it will not be necessary to alert the authorities."
<Tarsh> "yes hajene"
* wisesnake , wearing a snake's smile, exits the room and goes to return the folder to its cabinet.
* Tarsh gratefully goes back behind the desk and starts rustling again.
* Veraik goes to the dinning room.
* Veraik looks at vegetable stew, curling lip, and leaves.
* wisesnake bounces back out into the lobby, feeling much better
* wisesnake leaves the Sime Center in high spirits
* Tarsh bangs boxes together angrily.
* Zethraim the janitor shuffles slowly across the room toward Tarsh's trash can.
* Tarsh stands up. ~~irritated~~ "What do you want!"
* Zethraim is a crusty old geezer of a Gen
* Zethraim rubs his bristled chin
* Zethraim fixes you with a kindly eye
<Zethraim> Well,
<Zethraim> You see,
<Zethraim> I'm the jan-ee-tor in these here parts.
<Zethraim> And I'm fixin to empty out yer trash.
<Tarsh> "Yes, Yes, well get on with it."
<Tarsh> "Not that we have been here long enough to generate much trash yet.
* Zethraim begins once again to shuffle across the floor. His gray eyes are fixed on the distant receptacle.
<Zethraim> "I reckon yer right. I jes try to go through the motions of the thing, so's I ken stay in practice."
<Tarsh> ~~starts to zlin the gen, but draws himself up short~~
* Zethraim laughs wheezily: hee, hee hee!
* Zethraim finally manages to arrive at the trash can and pick it up.
<Tarsh> "Glad to see someone takes their job seriously around here."
<Zethraim> "Boy, I tell you, each day it seems to get harder."
<Zethraim> "Why, I remember back when this town was all Gen."
<Tarsh> "How did they get it moved in-t anyway? I never heard of such a thing."
* Zethraim laughs wheezily.
<Zethraim> "My dear boy. They didn't move the town, they moved the Border! It's Progress, my boy, Progress."
<Zethraim> hee, hee, hee
* Zethraim starts the long, long, painful shuffle across the floor toward the waiting trash bin
<Tarsh> "How did they get the gen Congress to buy *that*?"
<Zethraim> "Heck, son, I wouldn't know ennyfin about that. Fars I'm concerned, them there congress folks is a bunch of crooks anyhow."
<Zethraim> Why, it wasn't but just last year... well mebbe it were more like ten fifteen year ago,"
<Tarsh> "Well the Nivet Board of Govenors is no better, you'll find."
<Zethraim> "they tried to pass a law abolishin' protection rackets. Why, that woulda left us wide open to all sorts eh police bru-tality en sechlike..."
<Zethraim> "Eh? Nivet Board of Govners? Never heard of 'em."
* Zethraim laboriously approaches the waste bin
<Zethraim> "Them must be part o' that new-fangled Sime Territry arrangement they put in a while back."
<Tarsh> ~~confused~~
<Zethraim> "Ah never paid much attention to thet myself."
<Zethraim> "Hoo boy! Ain't it hot tonight."
* Zethraim dumps trash
<Tarsh> "they take a back seat to the Nivet Controller's office, so they make up for it by passing lots of petty trade laws."
<Zethraim> "Ah" [wisely] "so you's one of them politickal types are yuh now?"
* Zethraim is in the process of coming back across the floor with the emptied wastepaper basket [very slowly]
<Tarsh> "No, just someone who zlins the papers.'
<Tarsh> "Goverment is like the weather. It's there and no one likes it, but it can't be helped."
<Zethraim> "Well I'se hopin' you like them politickal menuverings, because there's more'n a belly full of 'em around heres."
* Zethraim spits into the trash can
* Zethraim replaces the can where it was
* Zethraim mumbles on, oblivious
<Zethraim> "wheelings, dealings, the tecton in the middle of it all... shameful."
"I tell ya now." [mumbled]