Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #93: (12/7/97)
Linn is busy chopping veggies and throwing them into a large stewpot.
B'cal strides throught the streets, sneering at the people who dare look her way.
B'cal glares her way to snake's house where she signals.
Nick stumbles into the kitchen in search of a morning cup of tea: Showered, dressed, and still yawning from ear to ear.
Wise Snake sits at her desk, scratching on pieces of paper.
Linn: Would you get that, Nick?
B'cal waits impatiently for someone to answer the door.
Linn throws a chopped onion into the pot.
Wise Snake zlins who's at the door and puts down her pen.
Nick reverses course and stumbles towards the front door.
Wise Snake looks up to see if Nick is going to make it.
B'cal signals again.
Wise Snake gets up to answer the door.
Nick opens the door and blinks at B'cal.
B'cal takes in Nick's appearnce and sneers.
B'cal: Good morning boy wonder Gen..excuse me...
B'cal shoves past Nick before he can block her way.
B'cal: Good morning Snake.
Wise Snake looks surprised to see B'cal.
Wise Snake: Hello... [grips papers worriedly]
Nick really doesn't have much patience for B'cal before his first cup of tea, even if her taking night shift has let him have a full night's sleep for the first time in a week.
B'cal: I have today off and thought I'd come see just how much these people have improved your life.
Nick decides that mental lubrication is in order.
B'cal peers around the room suspicously, her gaze taking in every detail of the main room.
Nick closes the door, and resumes his interrupted pilgrimage to the kitchen.
Linn has, of course, been keeping the place spotless.
Wise Snake stands out of B'cal's way, and tries to smooth the rumpled papers against her chest.
Wise Snake: Uh.. well.. as you can see, it's quite pleasant actually...
B'cal eyes light on the papres Snake has in her hands and she makes a bee line for them.
Linn hands Nick a steaming cup of tea as he enters the kitchen.
B'cal: I have about four hours before I have to go home...to the center...what is that you have in your hands, clutching it so protectively?
Wise Snake: OH these? Just some.. contracts and things...
Wise Snake: I was working on before you arrived..
B'cal studies snake, then nods her acceptance.
Nick murmurs an incoherent thanks, slurps a big gulp, and grabs a muffin.
B'cal: Good. Something to keep your mind occuipied too.
Linn: Who's our visitor?
Wise Snake goes to the desk and puts the papers back in the pile.
B'cal turns toward the back rooms.
Nick: B'cal.
B'cal: Still taking illegal medicines?
B'cal heads toward the bathroom to check the medicine cabinet.
Wise Snake: Uh.. [hesitates]
Wise Snake hurries after B'cal, sure that the fact many of these things aren't usually referred to as "medicines" won't endear the Donor to them.
B'cal finds the bathroom and starts rummaging through everything.
Nick heads back to the living room to offer what support he can.
Wise Snake: Uh -- hey, uh, don't make a mess okay?
Linn lays down her knife and follows Nick.
B'cal sneers, muttering as she checkes out all of the bottles...glaring occasionally at Snake as she finds something that shouldn't be there.
Wise Snake squirms in the bathroom doorway.
Wise Snake: Look, everything's been going fine. Don't worry about that...
Wise Snake: ~~worry~~
B'cal finds two that are particuarly on her list of bad and immediately dumps them in the toilit and flushes them.
B'cal: Oh, I'm not worried.
Wise Snake: Hey!!
B'cal: It's obvious that you haven't been taking these.
Wise Snake: ~~outraged worry~~
Linn sees B'cal disappear into the bathroom and joins Snake in the doorway, watching with disapproval as the Donor makes a mess of the cabinet.
B'cal: We just have to get this cabinet cleaned out.
Wise Snake: What?!
B'cal: Yes?
B'cal raises an eyebrow.
Wise Snake: Don't throw my stuff away, B'cal. I might require that later, or maybe for somebody else.
B'cal replaces the others and closes the door.
Wise Snake: It costs a lot of money to get those things. You're just making it so I'll have to go to the trouble of obtaining them again.
B'cal: You've narrowed down your medications, Snake.
B'cal: I see you took my advice.
B'cal nods shortly.
Wise Snake: Well... wisesnake is flustered by the near-compliment.
Wise Snake: Well, I.. yeah, somewhat.
B'cal: Store them away from your own meds then.
Wise Snake: Um.. okay.
Wise Snake darts a glance at the others, helplessly.
B'cal nods and moves back next to snake, staring down at her.
B'cal: So, what is on the agenda for this mornign.
B'cal: Besides giving the wonder Gen time to wake up.
Nick glares at B'cal over Nick's head.
Wise Snake shrinks, intimidated by B'cal's nearness despite herself.
B'cal thinks that's interesting and wonders how he does that.
Wise Snake: Well, uh, well, uh... [doesn't want to say, then realizes B'cal will expect exactly as much honesty as Nick and Linn demand]
Nick: ==OK, the noggin in question is Snake's==
Wise Snake: Well, we have an appointment in Gen Territory actually.
Wise Snake glances at Nick again, looking stressed out.
Wise Snake: At the hospital.
B'cal: Well then...good...I'll be waiting.
Nick: We really should be going soon.
B'cal goes into the living room and seats herself.
Wise Snake is caught off guard, then belatedly follows.
Wise Snake: You're going to stay here?
Wise Snake's tentacles wander about nervously.
B'cal: As soon as your Donor in training is ready, we'll go.
B'cal: Why put myself out whlie waiting on him?
B'cal sits back and reaches for some papers on a side table.
Wise Snake: Ah. Of course. [pushes back hair which is sweaty for some reason]
Wise Snake gestures weakly at Nick and Linn.
Wise Snake: Just go on... finish up.
Linn watches with indignation as B'cal picks up her menus for the next week, then reaches out and snatches them back.
B'cal rummages through the papers, waiting impatiently for them to get ready.
Wise Snake sees what B'cal is reaching for and almost stops her, then subsides, hoping the woman will just put them down and -
Wise Snake blinks as Linn snatches the papers.
Linn: I'll thank you to respect the privacy of those who live here.
Wise Snake grimaces, hoping Linn knows she is pulling on the dragon's tail.
Linn: If you're looking for something to do, why don't you go back to the bathroom and clean up the mess you just made?
B'cal: ==didn'dt make a mess...stated she put the medicines back==
Wise Snake decides it would be a great time to esc.. to pop into the kitchen for a moment.
B'cal: You might want to put your papers somewhere else if you don't want them rummaged through.
B'cal turns and picks up some other papers.
Wise Snake retreats into the kitchen and hides behind the refridgerator door, ostensibly looking for something to eat.
B'cal looks through the other papers, local newspapers, studying different sections.
Linn takes these papers as well, before B'cal can read them.
Nick gets into the spirit of the game and collects all reading material and putting it in the master bedroom, then locking it behind him.
B'cal: Fine Linn...you want to be so picky, you take care of Snake and make sure she is doing everythign right.
B'cal stands.
B'cal: You make sure she is on the right medicines and things that aren't going to destroy her chances of making it through first year.
B'cal: Then, when you kill her, you can come apologize.
B'cal turns and goes to the door.
B'cal goes out the door.
Linn looks at Nick and they exchange a shrug.
B'cal geos back to the cetner for some sleep.
Wise Snake leans on the refridgerator door and looks down at the floor.
Nick heads to the kitchen in search of his channel.
Nick: Don't worry, she's gone now.
Nick puts a reassuring arm around Snake, offering support.
Nick: I shouldn't have let her in.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: No, that was okay. But I can't afford to antagonize her. I'll have to apologize tonight.
Linn: Apologize for what?
Linn: You're not under any obligation to let that woman read your private papers--or mine, for that matter.
Wise Snake: It doesn't matter exactly why.. she left here angry, and I can't afford for her to stay that way. Our arrangement is unofficial and not sanctioned by the Tecton.
Wise Snake: .. or enforced by it.
Wise Snake pauses thoughtfully.
Wise Snake: That having been said.. she does seem to have been changed by her experiences.
Wise Snake thinks the old B'cal would have had Nick and Linn for lunch just now.
Linn: Not changed enough.
Linn goes back to her chopping board and begins dismembering an innocent bunch of carrots with more enthusiasm than strictly necessary.
Wise Snake stares at Linn's actions and then backs carefully to a safe distance.
Wise Snake: Um... are you going to come with us to talk to your friend?
Wise Snake jumps back fractionally as a bit of carrot flies off and nearly hits her.
Linn: Just as soon as I get the soup together. It will only be a moment.
Wise Snake zlins Linn.
Linn dumps the dismembered carrots into the soup, adds water, and puts the dirty utensils in the sink.
Linn is obviously upset and angry about B'cal's visit.
Wise Snake was afraid of that.
Wise Snake: Look, ah, working with B'cal is just a.. a necessity right now. It isn't going to last much longer than a few months.
Nick increases his support of Snake, hoping to calm her down before they have to meet Linn's friend.
Wise Snake: And she might actually do some good. She does know things that none of the three of us knows.
Wise Snake can't believe she is defending B'cal.
Linn: Well, if she can't keep herself from snooping, she won't find herself welcome.
Wise Snake's tentacles wander about helplessly.
Wise Snake: Oh dear.
Wise Snake makes herself stop and put her hands down.
Linn rinses her hands and dries them on a towel.
Wise Snake: I'll make it right tonight. I'll talk to her about it.
Linn: Good. I'm ready to go, now.
Wise Snake of course, is planning to suck up to B'cal, rather than try to justify Linn and Nick's actions.
Wise Snake feels guilty for misleading them.
Wise Snake finds this a novel experience.
Wise Snake shakes her head, thinking this business of honesty with her employees is sure making life weird.
Linn gets her heavy winter coat from the closet and puts it on.
Alea slips out the back door, glancing around furtively.
Nick grabs his cloak, and passes Snake's to her.
Wise Snake gets her cloak on.
Wise Snake pauses to check her look in the mirror:
Alea whistles as she crosses the garden in her new leggings, new cloak and borrowed gloves.
Wise Snake: [nervous distraught looking weasel]
Nick retrieves the medical satchel, glad that he had restocked it after his shower, and then dragged it to the bedroom while he dressed.
Alea looks casually about to make sure no one is watching and then ducks up a garden path.
Wise Snake shakes her head and looks away.
Nick doesn't want to think of how much time they'd waste if B'cal had gone through the satchel as well as the medicine cabinet.
Linn: Are you sure you wouldn't like me to do your hair today?
Alea stops just short of the fence and goes around a big bush and pulls out a riding bike.
Wise Snake: No!
Wise Snake: [too quickly]
Wise Snake: I mean, uh,
Wise Snake: No, thank you.
Wise Snake brushes back her hair self consciously and looks away from Linn.
Linn decides not to press the issue, since Snake's hair, bod, and clothing are reasonably clean.
Alea thinks even though it's been years and years since she saw one of these, she should be able to eventually manage it to get her to her appointment.
Wise Snake: ~~relief~~
Alea straddles the vehicle and walks it through the gate.
Nick is amused by the exchange.
Alea finds it very hard to get the bike going in the snow, so she moves it to the street where there's much less obstruction.
Alea wraps the borrowed scarf around her face where only her eyes are showing and tries to get back up on the bike.
Wise Snake is more nervous about this trip than she will admit aloud.
Alea manages to get up on the bike and get three turns of the peddles before she hits a slick spot.
Alea tumbles head over feet off the bike into the street.
Alea lays there, stunned and hurting.
Alea: I'm getting too old for this.
Alea gratefully accepts the help of the Sime who reaches out for her.
Alea notes the unfocused quality of his eyes and jerks her hand back.
Alea notes that doesn't stop the sime, so when he grabs her again, she gives him a sharp nageric slap.
Alea: Ooops.
Alea tries to catch him when he staggers and drops to his knees.
Nick carefully picks up Snake's new, custom-made retainers and inspects them.
Alea: Well you shouldn't go around casually attacking Farris Donors.
Nick: Hmm, Buglumps' friend did a pretty good job.
Wise Snake: Time enough for those when we get to the border.
Alea shrugs, steps back when she sees some people from the Center come running out.
Wise Snake darts a glance at the retainers.
Wise Snake: He better have, considering how much those cost.
Alea: He tried to attack me[by way of explanation]
Alea hands the bike over to one of the people who isn't helping the Sime and limps off down the street.
Nick looks at the non-spec interior, which among other things lacks the bars which would force Snake's laterals to extend.
Nick puts the fake retainers in the satchel.
Wise Snake rubs her arms with trepidation, not anticipating using the retainers for an extended time, trick or no.
Alea limps down the street until she reaches the bad part of town...looks up at the nondescript building and, with one last look both ways, enters.
Wise Snake: Do you have everything? [inspects the two of them] Let's go, then.
Nick takes his place at Snake's elbow, and Linn follows them out the door.
Wise Snake leads the way through the streets toward the border with Eastcove.
Nick is getting quite good at keeping his footing on the icy streets, having had much practice this winter.
Linn slogs along after Snake and Nick, hoping that the snow won't melt though her boots again today as it did yesterday.
Wise Snake: I hope your friend was able to convince that doctor to talk to us. [nervously]
Linn: Don't worry. Andi could sweet-talk anybody into doing anything.
Wise Snake: But can he be trusted?
Wise Snake: What about your supposed kidnapping?
Linn: If you can convince him that it's profitable to be trustworthy, he's completely dependable.
Alea sets mode: +o Tarsh wisesnake turns this thought over in her mind.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Linn: I told him the truth, pretty much--that I'd escaped the Anti-Tectonists but couldn't go back to Eastcove for fear they'll try again.
Wise Snake: I see. And you don't mind if the word is spread?
Linn: I asked him to keep it quiet, so the Anti-Tectonists wouldn't come looking for me. I don't think he'll talk.
Wise Snake: I see.
Wise Snake warily makes certain nobody is watching as they approach the Border.
Nick reaches into the satchel for the fake retainers.
Briel tromps down the stairs, muttering dire threats after her run in with B'cal.
Wise Snake stops and waits for him to produce them.
Nick fishes out the first, and opens it up for Snake.
Wise Snake positions her arm in the restraint.
Agatta: Hi.
Briel tosses her hair back, goes to the front desk and grabs up the charts waiting for her.
Linn watches with interest as Nick closes the thin bracelet around Snake's arm.
Briel examines the charts, wishing for a Donor, then goes toward the donations room, trying to zlin what is going on back in a transfer room. Finally shrugs and goes on into room 2
Linn: ==bracelet=>gauntlet==
Alea changes topic to "Bender Cove: Sime~Gen Roleplaying"
Wise Snake grimaces as the locks snap home.
Wise Snake wriggles her tentacles slightly, then zlins.
Nick makes sure that no tentacles are being pinched, then pulls out the other retainer.
Wise Snake: Ugh. They're still awful, but they beat the real thing hands down.
Linn is unable to see any difference between Snake's retainers and the real thing.
Wise Snake lets Nick retainer her other arm.
Nick snaps the catches home, then looks at Snake for signs of nervous breakdown.
Nick: How do they feel?
Briel quickly sets about her work.
Wise Snake appears as if a nervous breakdown is imminent... that is to say, no worse than she has ever since transfer with Alea.
Wise Snake: Like I say... perfectly awful, but at least my laterals aren't being tortured and I can mostly zlin.
Alea slips out of the nondescript building and starts back toward the Center.
Alea recognizes one of the streets as the one the old witch lived on and considers going down it..but is afraid of getting lost in the bitter cold so continues on toward the center..promising ot remember the street.
Nick: Good. That will help.
Wise Snake looks over her shoulder, acting paranoid.
Nick offers Snake full support, letting her zlin that she's surrounded by friends, not enemies--at least, not yet.
Wise Snake moves closer to Nick.
Wise Snake: Let's go then. wisesnake's voice betrays added stress despite her words.
Rag Muffin is now known as whitewolf.
Linn leads the way to the hospital.
Whitewolf follows Alea.
Whitewolf trots effortlessly, silently, through the snow, its feet leaving no marks.
Alea notices the white wolf and stops dead.
Alea backs up against the wall.
Whitewolf stops a few feet away from Alea, watches her with lowered head and blue eyes.
Wise Snake sticks close to Nick's side.
Alea: Oh shen oh shen oh shen...a wolf that leaves no prints...and of course, no one else is around to see or zlin it.
Nick tries to be confident, hoping that it will rub off on Snake.
Wise Snake zlins Nick's confidence and feels better knowing that the two Gens will be there to hold things together if she freaks out.
Whitewolf's sides move as if it is breathing, but no steam comes from its mouth.
Alea edges along the building, refusing to turn her back on the animal.
Whitewolf watches.
Alea: I don't suppose you'd care to tell me why you're following me[mutters]
Whitewolf does not blink... only stares.
Whitewolf's jaws are parted in a wolf's smile, tongue lolling.
Linn actually is reasonably confident that the evening won't end in disaster, mostly because she has no idea how much Snake depends on the work stolen from the hospital.
Alea: It's not as if anyone will believe me about you...they already are certain I'm crazy and incompetent. I try to tell anyone a white wolf is following me and I'll be kicked out of the tecton...I swear...I think you're bad luck.
Wise Snake keeps between the two Gens as they begin to pass into more populated areas, and see Gens walking.
Whitewolf looks back the way they came, then back at Alea.
Alea: Go on..go back...I'm certainly not going with you.
Alea: I learned my lesson.
Alea: I only told a couple of people..but they now think I'm crazy. Go on. Shoo!
Nick is a little surprised at the reactions of those of the passersby who notice Snake's retainers.
Whitewolf pads slowly around to stand farther up the street toward the Sime Center.
Whitewolf stands in the midddle of the road and watches Alea.
Alea edges on up the street her hands pressed to the wall.
Wise Snake attempts to appear dignified, rather than skulking - not an easy deception.
Alea: You know, maybe you're not really here.
Alea nods.
Alea: IT's those meds...I didn't check something right and took something that was switched again.
Whitewolf bares its teeth as Alea gets closer.
Alea: If that's the case....[alea freezes]
Alea: Shen...those look real enough.
Alea: Why can't you catch me in the nice part of town where there are nice people willing to help? Huh? Why is it always down here that you corner me?
Whitewolf watches Alea intently.
Wise Snake continues on to the hospital.
Alea finds a handle to a door of the building she's been sliding along and opens it, slipping inside.
Alea: Please please please do not have another witch in here[whispers]
Alea slams the door closed.
Whitewolf is now known as rats.
Rats scatter at the intrusion of light and a living thing.
Alea whimpers lifting first one foot and then the other.
Alea: Rats.
Linn leads the way up the steps to a side door not far from the main emergency room entrance.
You are now known as passedout.
Rats is now known as Dr.
Dr is now known as DrSawsall.
Tarsh is now known as Andi.
Andi speaks to the parnets of the kid with the broken leg.
Andi: I know you'fve been here an hour already. The doctor will be with you very soon.
Wise Snake follows Linn, making sure Nick is nearby.
Linn enters as instructed, and leads Nick and Snake down a short hall to a deserted "ready room", where the staff could hypothetically rest if there were ever a shortage of patients.
Wise Snake is actually practically glued to Nick.
Linn: Andi said you could wait here.
Linn: I'll see if I can find him.
Wise Snake: Where will you be? [nervously]
Wise Snake: Oh.. right...
Wise Snake jumpy.
Andi goes to see how the doctor is doing on the winner of that knife fight.
Dr Sawsall speaks cheerfully to the groaning boy.
Nick urges Snake into the room, and leads her over to a cot which has obviously not been slept on in weeks, judgeing from the dust on the covers.
Dr Sawsall: And of course, you must never, ever, grab the knife by the blade... wisesnake lets Nick lead her, glad to be relieved of responsibility for the moment.
Linn wanders down the hall to the emergency waiting room, looking for Andi.
Dr Sawsall is sewing up a large gash as he speaks.
Dr Sawsall is a bit punchy as he is going on about 3 hours of sleep.
Andi checks to be sure that DrSawsall has enough sutures.
Linn passes the treatment rooms, and looks into them, hoping to spot her friend.
Dr Sawsall: There you are, Andi. Did you get that woman with twins out the door?
Andi: Yes, Dr. I made sure they got into the cab.
Andi: We have the possible broken leg, the woman with abdominal pain, and some some reperitory infection waiting.
Linn hears Andi's voice coming from a treatment room, and stops just outside the room.
Dr Sawsall: I'll be with this for another half hour at least.
Dr Sawsall: Haven't McGreckor and Jabooti shown up yet?
Andi: Jabooti called to say he'll be here in another hour.
Wise Snake lies down on the dusty cot and tries to relax.
Dr Sawsall shakes his head.
Dr Sawsall: What's the man doing, sleeping in again?
Andi: Something about stopping at an accident.
Dr Sawsall briskly snips off the thread and turns the knife fight winner over, studying his other wound.
Dr Sawsall: And McGreckor?
Andi: I haven't seen her yet. Shall I see if McGreckor is here yet?
Linn waits outside the treatment room, unwilling to let herself be noticed by any doctor but Andi's boss.
Wise Snake: Oh, forget it. Go make sure we have enough antibiotics.
Wise Snake: === that was SawsAll ===
Andi: Yes Dr.
Andi comes out and turns toward the supply room.
Linn: Andi!
Wise Snake: Nick... are you with me?
Andi stops. "Hi Linn."
Linn hurries to close the distance between them, so they won't be overheard.
Linn: Did you boss agree to the meeting?
Andi looks either way and whispers "is it safe for you to be here?"
Nick places a hand on Snake's wrist, just beyond the fake retainer.
Nick tries to think calm, confident thoughts.
Wise Snake closes her eyes.
Andi: Yes, but on the QT.
Wise Snake: Yes....
Wise Snake: That's better. Keep doing that.
Linn: Last time I checked, the Anti-Tectonists didn't hold their meetings in the emergency ward.
Linn: And I have my two friends with me.
Nick: You're going to have to put on a good act with this Eastcove doctor: Calm, collected, confident, competent--all the things he thinks a physician should be.
Andi: Ok. In the ready room?
Linn: Yes.
Wise Snake's breath snorts out at the implication that competence will be an act... but she cannot deny that calmness would have to be faked.
Wise Snake opens her eyes and sits up.
Wise Snake: I know.
Wise Snake: You do your part and I won't have any trouble doing mine.
Andi: Dr. McGreckor should be here in a moment. I'll see if he can come talk to you first.
Linn: All right.
Dr Sawsall is now known as busy.
Linn: And Andi... Thanks for arrangeing this.
You are now known as Alea.
Andi: Hey, I owe you. And we could use the help...
Busy is now known as busyDr.
Linn goes back to the ready room, leaving Andi to find Dr. McGreckor.
Nick looks up as Linn reenters the room.
Nick: Did you find your friend?
Wise Snake tries not to look nervous, succeeds in looking wary instead.
Linn: Yes. He'll be bringing in a Dr. McGrekor in a few minutes.
Wise Snake fidgets.
Nick intensifies his projection of calm, trying to gage what will curb Snake's nervousness without sedating her into uselessness.
Andi goes to check the doctor's locker room.
Wise Snake drops her hands to her sides.
Wise Snake edges even closer to Nick.
Nick reflects that at this rate, Snake will be sitting on his lap when this Dr. McGrekor arrives.
Andi sees that Dr. McGreckor is changing, and tells him that the person they talked about is waiting in the nurses ready room.
Busy Dr is now known as McGreckor.
Wise Snake bumps into Nick and realizes she is standing too close, backs off about 1/2 inch.
Andi goes back to see Linn.
Andi slips in the door.
Wise Snake looks up and tenses as somebody enters.
Linn: Andi!
Andi: Dr. McGreckor says he'll be right here, but I just saw a bad accident coming in, so he will probably be diverted to that.
Wise Snake notes Linn's apparent relief to see the man.
Linn: Well, we'll have to wait, then.
Linn: Andi, these are my friends, Nick Reckage and Snake Farris.
Wise Snake studies Andi, and zlins him as best as possible through the fake retainers without being obvious about it.
Wise Snake: Hello.
Andi: == he'll -> she'll, he -> she ==
Nick adjusts his support to let Snake zlin the nurse more clearly.
Wise Snake looks to Linn for a lead.
Andi: ~~ Is tired and frazzled. a bit nervous at being in the room with a Sme ~~
Wise Snake lets Andi see that she is retainered.
Andi: ~~ relaxes a bit.
Wise Snake wonders if Linn has told these people anything at all yet.
Andi: She was asking if you could treat partial kills. I mena, Gns who are attacked but survive for some reason.
Wise Snake: Sure. Of course.
Linn: Snake has a lot of experience with transfer burns.
Wise Snake manages to cover up a wince.
Wise Snake lets Linn speak.
Wise Snake tries also to curb her eagerness to get her hands on some interesting transfer burn victims.
Andi: We get one every week or so, but we lose a lot of them. And many of the survivors have permanent motor deficits.
Andi thinks.
Linn: She's also pretty good with the less exotic problems, like cuts, beatings, and sniffles.
Linn smiles wryle.
Linn: ==wryle=>wryly==
Andi: There's one up in Ward B who who can't seem to use his hands properly.
Linn: As I can testify from personal experience.
Andi: I could use help on that myself sometimes...
Wise Snake feels much lust for work, hearing about all of these cuts, beatings, etc.
Andi: One thing... Did you want to get some official status here, or just work on the sly?
Wise Snake glances at Lin.
Wise Snake: N.
Linn decides to let Snake field this question, since she isn't sure of the answer.
Wise Snake: I would feel more comfortable if there were an official arrangement.
Wise Snake trying to appear cool, calm and collected, mature, competent, etc.
Wise Snake thinks this is the understatement of the century.
Andi purses his lips.
Wise Snake tries not to fidget.
Andi: There has been talk of having a room for a channel here. Just for changeover victims.
Wise Snake: Oh? [interested]
Wise Snake: For those who are too advanced to be brought to the Sime Center, you mean?
Andi: The drivers don't like driving changeovers over to the center. They worry that they won't make it.
Wise Snake looks appalled.
Wise Snake: You mean you haven't been bringing any over?
Andi: We've had kids we thought weren't very far along breakout before we thought they could have a few times.
Andi: We lost one of the orderlies that way a year ago.
Wise Snake frets.
Andi: [ afterthought ] "And all of those kids, too, of course."
Wise Snake: How many per day do you get come in here for changeover?
Andi looks uncomfortable.
Andi: Well, soem are obviously in the very early stages. They get sent over no problem.
Andi: The ones whose parents have money, mostly.
Andi: Poorer families wait, hoping it's the flu and the kid will ride it out.
Linn: And then they dump the child on your doorstep. Surely you can see how useful it would be to have Snake working here to deal with these cases.
Andi: Yeah.
Linn: And I'm sure you also understand why she must have official permission. She can't work with retainers on, any more than the Tecton channels can.
Andi: Another idea: What are the signs you look for in changeover? We have a hard time being sure...
Mc Greckor is now known as babaloo.
Wise Snake: Well, common symptoms are fever, nausea, and weakness, as well as tenderness around the throat and arms.
Wise Snake: Of course, I can tell by zlinning how far advanced it is.
Briel is now known as McGreckor.
Andi: Zlinning?
Andi: I think the record is ten in one day.
Andi: But 1 or 2 is more usual.
Wise Snake: That is also true of Establishments, of course.
Andi: Sometimes none for a few days at a time. It uh depends on ... uh...
Wise Snake lets Linn explain zlinning, figuring another Gen would have a better chance of making sense of it.
Wise Snake studies Andi curiously.
Linn struggles to find a description for a concept she comprehends vaguely, if at all.
Linn: Zlinning is how Simes locate Gens, and know what we're feeling. It's been described as being a lot like reading minds, but more useful.
Wise Snake thinks it figures.. let somebody else describe it and they use her words anyway.
Andi looks surprised. "there are symptons for establishment?"
Wise Snake: I can zlin establishment.
Andi: ~~ nervous guilt at what snake may be seeing in his mind ~~
Wise Snake: Zlinning allows study of the human body in all its operations... an excellent diagnostic tool.
Wise Snake finds Andi's emotions interesting and hopes he is feeling nervous and guilty about how changeovers have been handled in the hospital thus far.
Andi: Reading minds? That would be good for mental conditions, of course, but what does it do for physical ailments?
Wise Snake hesitates.
Wise Snake: It is primarily useful, as I say, as diagnostic tool.
Wise Snake: Determining the causes of illnesses, the locations of bullets and damage to internal organs, and so forth.
Andi: Really?
Andi is intrigued.
Mc Greckor comes sailing into the ready room, lab coat billowing, chart at her side and stethscope around her neck. Seeing the SIme, she slows before tossing the chart on the desk and leaning against it.
Wise Snake looks up quickly as McGreckor enters.
Mc Greckor: Andi.
Mc Greckor nods to Andi, keeping her eye on the Sime as she does.
Wise Snake is frankly impressed by the Doctor, who reminds her of B'cal in her aura of importance.
Andi: Dr. McGreckor. This is my friend I told you about, and her friend.
Linn: I'm Linn Haskins, Doctor.
Mc Greckor nods to the others in the room, still keeping her eye on the one wearing retainers.
Wise Snake nods respectfully.
Mc Greckor: So, how can I help you?
Linn: This is Snake Farries, and her Donor, Nick Reckage.
Mc Greckor checks her watch then looks back to Snake.
Nick feels a totally unwarrented surge of pride and confidence at being introduced as Snake's Donor, instead of just a trainee.
Mc Greckor: Donor...people who work with SImes. Yes, yes. I've heard of them.
Andi: I was telling her about that idea that keeps being kicked around. About the room down in the basement.
Wise Snake feels more confident at Nick's surge.
Mc Greckor glances at Andi.
Wise Snake listens, trying to project competence and intelligence.
Mc Greckor: Has she seen it yet? Does she think it'll work?
Mc Greckor: YOu understand Miz Snake that we'd have to keep you away from the other people..problems could blossom with kids going through changeover up here.
Andi: The old secure storage room. That was used before the new one in Wing B.
Andi: No, not yet.
Wise Snake looks disappointed.
Mc Greckor slips her hands into her pocket and studies snake closely.
Wise Snake: I had hoped to help out with some of the injuries and illnesses as well.
Wise Snake: You know, channel's science can cure many conditions that are impossible using your methods.
Mc Greckor: O dpm.
Mc Greckor: Oops.
Mc Greckor: I don't think that'd be possible. No, not at all. Too much fear and pain up here to let someone like you loose in the midst. People would end up hurt...stampedes of terror...
Mc Greckor shakes her head.
Mc Greckor: However...
Wise Snake: Any channel can do changeovers. You don't require somebody of my calibre for that.
Mc Greckor thinks for a moment.
Wise Snake listens.
Nick: Perhaps it would be possible for Snake to see other patients in the basement room?
Mc Greckor: There are a few people in Eastcove who have relatives over in Bender Cove...they might be more aminable to allowing you to work on them. But your main duty would be to the possible changeover victims only.
Nick smiles charmingly.
Mc Greckor: We can't have you running around the hospital disrupting everything.
Mc Greckor looks at Nick blankly then shakes her head wisesnake looks seriously disappointed.
Nick: I couldn't help but notice how crowded your waiting room is. I suspect that if your patients were offered a chance to shorten their stay here, there would be volunteers.
Mc Greckor: As I said[narrowing her eyes on Nick]There might be some who would allow it.
Mc Greckor looks at Nick wondering if he is listening at all, then turns back to the one obviously in charge.
Wise Snake wonders if she should take the gig doing changeovers just to get a foot in the door, or stick to sneaking in and stealing people from the waiting room for nighttime healing episodes.
Mc Greckor: Miz Snake...I can't offer you better than the room in the basement...
Nick: It would give you and your staff a break, too. They might actually get a chance to use these beds once in a while.
Mc Greckor: However, we can send you any patients we'suspect' might be going through changeover.
Wise Snake's interests perks up as she detects the change in McGreckor's nager during the word'suspect'
Wise Snake: Oh? Really?
Mc Greckor: If they aren't...well then....[shrugs]
Mc Greckor: Yeah.
Wise Snake: Well, that's only reasonable and safe.. Andi was just telling me how you don't have a reliable method of detecting changeover here.
Wise Snake: I can also detect if a child has Established [adds helpfully]
Mc Greckor: No, we don't. I've read a bit about your types abilities.
Andi: Well there * are a lot of other condidtions that it can be mistaken for...
Mc Greckor: You can supposedly look inside and see...
Wise Snake wonders which "type" McGreckor has her pegged as.
Wise Snake: Of course. With no difficulty whatsoever.
Mc Greckor: Of course, I'd want to observe for awhile if you decide to help over here.
Wise Snake zlins McGreckor serrupticiously.
Andi: A security issue. If we know who has established, we don't have to worry about them berserking.
Wise Snake: That seems... reasonable [cautiously]
Mc Greckor: Good.
Andi suddenly looks at snake and looks ~~embarassed~~
Wise Snake opens her mouth to tell McGreckor those uppers will kill her one day, then prudently decides not to.
Mc Greckor nods to wisesnake to come with her.
Wise Snake gestures to Linn and Nick to accompany, then follows the doctor.
Mc Greckor moves a bit ahead of the others, gesturing to snake.
Nick stays very close to Snake.
Wise Snake joins McGreckor.
Mc Greckor sighs and decides she'll have to tell Snake some other time when she doesn't have some male hanging on her sleeve.
Mc Greckor: This is the room here.
Wise Snake zlins McGreckor's attention turn away from her at Nick's approach.
Mc Greckor motions for Andi to show it to the would be helper.
Wise Snake: Huh [to self]
Wise Snake looks at the room.
Andi fumbels at his keys before opening the room.
Mc Greckor reaches up and absently adjusts the stethescope around her neck before slipping her hands into her coat pockets.
Andi: We had to keep the valuable drugs here onece.
Wise Snake peers in cautiously.
Wise Snake: I see it only has the one door. [uncomfortably]
Andi: And now windows, yes.
Andi: We'd have to see if we can get a ventalation duct run in...
Wise Snake's imagination runs wild as she realizes she might be able to get her hands on all kinds of rare Out-T manufactured prescription drugs here.
Andi: == now -> no ==
Wise Snake realizes one of the first steps she'd take would be to disable the lock so it doesn't work from the outside.
Wise Snake: Well, it's awfully small, but so long as there weren't any more than 2 or 3 patients at a time it would do.
Mc Greckor: As you can see, it's not much...but it'd come equipped.
Wise Snake looks at Nick to see his opinion.
Mc Greckor: The door also has locks.
Nick nods cautious approval, noting that the isolation and stone walls will at least provide Farris-level insulation.
Wise Snake: You know, if this works out, I may be able to provide you also with another channel to make use of during the hours I am not here.
Mc Greckor: I was going to ask you....perhaps....you would be on call....just in.........case.
Mc Greckor is very uncomfortable talking in front of the others.
Wise Snake is fluent in not-in-front-of-the-others-speak.
Nick catches Snake's signal and withdraws a few steps to engange Linn and Andi in conversation.
Wise Snake: Of course. I am quite interested in working with you to make sure both parties are completely served.
Wise Snake pauses until Nick has the others distracted.
Mc Greckor nods.
Mc Greckor notes how the others have pulled away.
Mc Greckor: Look, Miz Snake...I don't know that I agree with the way your people do medicine. I don't know enough...but if you can stop all the death...give some of them hope and get them across the border alive, I'm willing to give you a chance.
Wise Snake: I assure you, Doctor, that is what we channels do best. I think you will be very encouraged by the results of this change,
Mc Greckor: If you want a few more...people I know aren't scared of you and I can swing it, I'll send a few your way. But it has to be low key.
Wise Snake: .
Wise Snake: I understand.
Mc Greckor: Good. We're talking heads roll if things get out of control here.
Andi is lost in this conversation.
Wise Snake figures she and Nick can always steal patients during off hours, as they did before, if necessary.
Mc Greckor: We'll work you on paper as offical bender cove representative for change overs.
Mc Greckor: You can set up an offical Sign on the door so you can remove those...retainers[~~wary~~]...and then any other patients we can, we'll send your way. WE'll take it one day at a time...Is that satisfactory?
Wise Snake: I hope it will still be permissible to send those who can safely be sent to the Sime Center.
Wise Snake: Yes. I can agree to that.
Mc Greckor: Good. that way you'll be on the payroll.
Wise Snake: When do you think you can have this room ready?
Mc Greckor: Andi...can you get the rest taken care of? I'm on duty and gotta run.
Mc Greckor: Two days...three max.
Wise Snake hadn't considered they might actually PAY her to do this.
Wise Snake: That's great. Thank you for your time.
Andi: Certainly Dr.
Mc Greckor turns and strides out the door.
Nick drifts back to Snake's side.
Wise Snake: Thanks, Nick.
Andi: So what furniture and equipment would you need?
Andi wonders what snake is thanking nick for.
Wise Snake: I brought this list. [retrieves much folded square of paper from the pocket of her cloak, and offers it to Andi]
Wise Snake: If there's anything you can't get, let me know.
Nick tries not to chuckle at the unintentional obscenity--since it isn't one in English.
Andi takes the list and unfolds it.
Andi: ~~ surge of distaste and surprise at realizing she jsut touched a Sme without thinking of it ~~
Wise Snake backs away from Andi.
Andi looks up.
Andi: Oh ... I'mm uh....
Whitewolf sniffs around the base of the door.
Andi goes back to the list.
Wise Snake stands close to Nick.
Andi: Ok ... Ok ... Ok ... trin? what's that? What does 'Farris-Safe' mean?
Wise Snake: Trin tea? You should be able to buy that at a specialty tea shop.
Wise Snake: Or anywhere in Bender Cove.
Wise Snake: Farris-safe is a rating for various chemicals and materials. You can order Farris-safe items from an In-Territory medical catalog.
Alea blinks, opening her eyes, wondering where she is.
Andi: Uh... do they publish those catalogs in English?
Wise Snake: Or you can ask your usual vendors which of their products are safe for Farrises... the large suppliers usually know.
Wise Snake: You'll have to ask. I don't know right off hand.
Nick: It is extremely important that all the medications be Farris-safe.
Whitewolf's ears prick up at the sound of motion within.
Andi: I'll need to look a lot of these up. they may be things I know under another name.
Andi: What is this Fizbin?
Wise Snake: It's an all purpose pain killer.
Wise Snake: It's safe for both Simes and Gens.
Alea sits up, then remembers...RATS.
Wise Snake has a thought.
Alea jumps up onto one foot, banging into the door as she looks around.
Wise Snake: You are aware, aren't you, that many of your usual medicines will be poisonous to young Simes?
Whitewolf jumps back, lightly, watches door with head cocked.
Alea is relieved to see no rats. She brushes her hair and clothes for good measure, shivering in disgust.
Alea finds a few holes in her clothes and shudders again, unwilling to think how they got there.
Wise Snake: Re linn.
Wise Snake: ==scratch that===
Tarsh: They are?
Tarsh: Oh my... would Fellisin be one?
Alea turns and eases open the door.
Alea sets mode: +oooo LinnH McGreckor Tarsh whitewolf
Wise Snake: If you'll let me see the chemical descriptions, I ought to be able to evaluate them for you.
Wise Snake thinks at least she learned something valuable during her work with the dreaded Tramila.
Alea decides between facing the wolf or more rats, the wolf, at least is out in the open.
Whitewolf is there waiting.
Alea hesistates, then slips out the door.
Alea: Still here, are you?
Alea: Well fine...you can just come home with me. That'll prove to those people I haven't totally lost it.
Alea takes a deep breath and turns away from the wolf and starts up the street toward the center.
Nick thinks he remembers his pharmacology text mentioning the drug, but he can't recall whether it was supposed to be good for Simes as well as Gens.
Whitewolf follows Alea.
Tarsh: I'll try to get you that information. we've had some strange reactions to it in teenagers...
Alea's heart is beating double time with the thought of a wolf follwoing her. She only wishes Snake was around.
Wise Snake: Sure.
Tarsh is now known as Andi.
Andi: == All Tarsh above should be Andi ==
Andi: I can manage most of this. I should have it ready in about two weeks, and it'll take at east that long to get the board to approve....
Wise Snake: Ah.. of course. Thank you.
Wise Snake disappointed the doctor's estimate of a couple of days was incorrect, but realizes she shouldn't be surprised.
Alea hurries down the street and sees the Center in the distance.
Linn: We will stay in touch, then, and be ready to begin in two weeks.
Whitewolf flits in Alea's wake, like a pale shadow.
Andi: Ok Linn. I hope this works out.
Alea sets mode: +o CptButton
Alea arrives at the Center's gates.
Linn: So do we all.
Whitewolf stops.
Alea: Come on, wolf..right this way....
Whitewolf meets Alea's eyes.
Alea pushes open the gate and motions for the wolf to come in with her.
Whitewolf winks at Alea.
Andi: Where can I contact you?
Whitewolf disappears.
Alea blinks.
Alea: Oh SHEN..why me.
Wise Snake: Ah. Linn?
Alea: No...I did not see it. I did not.
Alea: Don't say a word to anyone, Alea. Just keep your mouth shut for once[muttered]
Alea turns and goes up the steps to the center, still limping from the bicycle accident, thinking herself going crazy.
Linn: If you send a message, addressed to me, to a seaman named Verile on the Blue Lady in Bender Cove, it will reach me quickly.
Linn: I realize that sounds dramatic, but you can understand that I'm concerned about having my exact whereabouts known on this side of the border.
Alea slips into the center.
Alea takes off her brand new cloak, dismayed to see chew marks on it. She almost tosses the thing at the cloak stand.
Andi: Yes .. yes of course.
Linn smiles at Andi.
Andi: All right. Nice to meet you Nick and Miz Snake. ~~ very ambivalent about the last ~~
Nick: Likewise.
Wise Snake looks noticeably disheartened by that last.
Wise Snake schools her expression.
Nick is proud of the ease with which he utters the proper meaningless social phrase, and reflects that his English has certainly improved since Linn moved in.
Andi: Good day then.
Andi walks off down the hall, studying the list.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Linn looks at Nick and Snake.
Wise Snake: We'd better plan on finding most of that stuff ourselves.
Wise Snake looks at Linn and Nick.
Wise Snake: Well, it appears we have an in.
Linn: I think it went rather well, actually.
Alea goes in to the lobby to check and see what's been going on.
Linn: I wasn't sure Andi would take meeting you so calmly.
Wise Snake: You couldn't zlin how uncomfortable he was.
Wise Snake: He was actually disgusted at having to take that piece of paper from me.
Linn: Uncomfortable, yes--he sees almost as many changeovers as a teacher.
Linn: However, he's willing to work with you, and that's what counts.
Nick considers the items on the list.
Wise Snake: It's downright criminal the way they've been handling changeovers. No wonder the general populace is so undereducated, when the hospital still can't recognise a changeover.
Nick: With the exception of a transfer lounge, we could have this place equipped in a few days.
Linn grimaces at the mention of the dreaded "tentacle chair".
Linn: I'm sure you could get a small couch somewhere.
Wise Snake: Don't you worry about that. I know someone who deals in transfer lounges who owes me a favor.
Wise Snake: But we'll give the hospital a couple of weeks and see how well they do.
Wise Snake: I'd be surprised if they don't have at least one Simelan speaking individual on staff, who can read the catalogs for them.
Nick: It will be important to determine just how much the hospital staff is willing to cooperate.
Wise Snake thinks of McGreckor.
Nick: Particularly if we must stay down here and depend on them to send our patients in.
Wise Snake: I think they'll cooperate, if they can do so without compromising themselves.
Wise Snake looks at the door again.
Wise Snake: We have to disable this lock. It would be too easy to be trapped in here...with these stone walls.
Wise Snake remembers being trapped in another room like this once, and shudders.
Wise Snake studies the lock.
Wise Snake: Well. We ought to get to work, Nick. Linn, would you like us to drop you off back at the house?
Mc Greckor is now known as Briel.
Linn: That would be marvelous. I admit I don't want to be walking around on this side of the border alone.
Linn: And with you to gawk at, nobody will notice me.
Linn leads the way up the basement stairs.