Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #156: Behavior around Friends (2/10/98)
JonDrake heads out for an early morning jog in the crisp air.
Callin is in the park, clenching a notebook and pencil, shivering in the cold.
JonDrake jogs away from the Center, down the street, toward the park.
Callin looks around for someone who isn't too busy, who might be willing to give a brief interview.
Callin decides that the drunk by the trash bin is not a good possibility, and the businessman with the briefcase is obviously in a hurry.
Serrin scuffs through the leaves.
Callin sees someone over by the tree-lined sidewalk.
Serrin is a Gen about 20 or so.
Callin thinks that someone so old will know a lot about how Faith Day is celebrated here.
Serrin has red hair that sticks out in all directions despite his best efforts.
Callin also notices that the stranger is Gen, to her relief.
Callin goes over to the man.
<Callin> Hello.
Serrin watches the leaves scatter before him, shedding their coverings of snow.
Serrin looks up.
<Callin> I'm writing a feature article for the Eastcove High paper. Would you be willing to answer a few questions?
<Serrin> Sure.
<Serrin> About what?
<Callin> It's an article on how Faith Day is celebrated on this side of the Border.
<Callin> You know, traditions and that kind of thing.
<Serrin> Faith Day?
<Serrin> Hmmmm....
<Callin> Yeah. You know, like when the wars ended.
<Serrin> Well, on Faith Day, the Simes all have their Gen friends over for dinner. If they have any, that is...
Callin looks interested; this she hadn't heard at the Sime Center.
<Callin> Will you be going to a Sime's for dinner?
<Serrin> They try and cook out-territory foods, though they may not do it very well.
<Callin> What sorts of out-Territory dishes?
Serrin looks distant. "I hope so."
<Serrin> Well, no meat, of course.
<Callin> No meat?
<Serrin> But they have a lot of fried food, which Simes usually don't eat much...
Callin doesn't see how it can be an out-T meal without meat.
<Serrin> Simes can't abide meat. Get nauseous at the thought.
Callin decides that Simes are even weirder than she thought.
<Callin> So they cook a meal for their Gen friends. What happens then? You just eat?
<Serrin> And the spices are different.
<Serrin> Traditionally the Gens are supposed to come from the Sime Center, having donated.
<Serrin> They often bring gifts they bought with the donation money.
<Callin> So all the Gens in Bender Cove will donate that day?
Callin tries to imagine the logistics of that.
<Serrin> Not really.
JonDrake reaches the park and begins to jog up the trail.
<Serrin> That wouldn't really work, because there wouldn't be enough channels.
<Callin> So the Gens just pretend that they've donated?
<Serrin> And a lot of Gens donate regularly anyway.
<Callin> So they wouldn't be ready to donate at Faith Day?
<Serrin> Yeah. They wear short sleeved clothes and draw red lines on their arms...
<Callin> What are the red lines for?
<Serrin> Yeah they aren't high field. The lines are supposed to be from the channels tentacles.
<Serrin> Which doesn't really make sense, because donating doesn't leave marks...
<Callin> It doesn't?
<Serrin> No, just a little fluid that you can wipe right off.
<Callin> Slime?
Callin has heard that tentacles are slimy.
<Serrin> donating doesn't seem like anything at all.
<Serrin> not slime. A little oily, but not bad.
<Serrin> You can't tell if the channel is really doing anything.
<Callin> That's not what I've heard.
<Serrin> Really? What have you heard?
<Callin> Well, my best friend's older brother was in the Army for a while, and his unit was sent on a joint mission so he had to donate.
<Callin> He said it was real yucky.
<Callin> He said he was never going to let a Sime have him for lunch again.
<Serrin> never was that way for me. Just dull.
Callin decides that Serrin must be an exception, and decides to find a more representative Gen to interview.
Serrin shrugs. You can do that if you live out-T
<Callin> They make you donate if you live here?
<Serrin> Not exactly, but there is pressure to.
JonDrake continues to jog deeper into the park.
<Callin> What sort of pressure?
<Serrin> Better jobs all require you to be low field....
<Serrin> High field Gens can upset Simes.
<Serrin> So if you don't donate you got to work in a Gen-only shop, where the pay isn't very good.
Callin thinks this over.
<Callin> So why don't you move to Eastcove, where you wouldn't have to donate to get a good job?
JonDrake jogs a bit closer to the two who are talking.
<Serrin> Grew up in-T. Different world out there.
<Serrin> Tried it, but people look at you funny.
Callin proves the point by looking at Serrin funny, for expressing the opinion that out-T culture is not the norm.
<Callin> Well, thank you for your time. I hope you have a nice Faith Day.
<Serrin> You too.
Serrin scuffs off.
JonDrake approaches the reporter in his jog...
Callin sees a jogger going by and waves.
<Callin> Excuse me, sir.
JonDrake smiles and waves.
JonDrake slows down.
<JonDrake> Yes?
<Callin> I'm doing an article for the Eastcove High paper, on the meaning of Faith Day. Would you have time to answer a few questions?
<Serrin> Don't fit anywhere....
JonDrake stops, moving in place to gradually ease down.
<JonDrake> Sure, I think I can.
Serrin looks around at the trees.
<Callin> What do people here do to celebrate Faith Day?
<JonDrake> Faith Day?
<JonDrake> Well...
wisesnake is feeling pretty good, although a bit distracted, after a brisk morning of rescuing bumped-up skaters
<JonDrake> I really haven't done much with Faith Day, on either side of the border.
<wisesnake> Nothing like a little bit of augmenting to drive off entran.
<JonDrake> My family didn't celebrate it.
NickR nods, still panting.
<JonDrake> This will be my first Faith Day at the Center.
<Callin> You didn't?
<Callin> I thought all families celebrated Faith Day.
<JonDrake> Not my family. It wasn't a big thing in Farfall.
<NickR> Could we slow down just a moment?
Serrin goes over to the Unity monument.
mangymutt raises his leg to the Unity monument
<wisesnake> Sorry.
wisesnake slows down
<Callin> Farfall? Isn't that in Gen Territory?
Serrin runs a finger through the snow piled up on the base.
Serrin sees mangymutt.
NickR catches his breath, looking around at the people.
Serrin idly grabs up a handful of snow and mashes it into a snowball.
<JonDrake> Yep. Southeast of here.
mangymutt relieves himself, then sniffs around the base
<JonDrake> I grew up there.
NickR sees Jon talking to a young girl.
<NickR> Isn't that Jon Drake over there?
<JonDrake> Though I did a lot of my growing up here.
Serrin tosses the snowball to land behind mangymutt.
<Callin> So you live here in Bender Cove now?
mangymutt jumps, looks around with hair in its eyes
wisesnake zlins
<wisesnake> Yeah
<JonDrake> Yes, I do.
<wisesnake> That's the girl that was in Alea's shower!
<NickR> They must not be keeping him busy enough chasing his channel, if he has to go jogging to stay in shape.
Serrin grins and makes another snow ball.
<NickR> Alea's shower?
wisesnake shrugs
<Callin> How will you be celebrating Faith Day this year?
<wisesnake> Don't look at me... I have no idea
<JonDrake> Yes, I suppose so. This will be the first time I really have something to celebrate.
Serrin fake throws the snowball at mangymutt without releasing it.
mangymutt dodges back, then pauses, confused
mangymutt cocks its head in comical befuddlement
NickR takes a closer look at Callin, and recognizes her.
Serrin throws the snowball off in another direction.
<NickR> Oh, she's the kid who wanted to know how to get to the Sime Center. I found her near the Post Office, yesterday, and showed her the way.
<NickR> What the shen is she doing back here?
mangymutt sniffs in Serrin's direction
<Callin> So what will you do on Faith Day?
<wisesnake> The Post Office? [Snake's estimation of who Callin is goes through several revisions]
<wisesnake> Was that before or after I found her in Alea's bedroom?
Serrin squats down. "Hi fella. How you doing?"
mangymutt eyes Serrin, or at least tries to through all the fur on its face
mangymutt steps forward and sniffs closer
Serrin looks through his pockets for something to feed mm.
<NickR> Yeah. She'd been wandering all night, from the look of her, totally lost.
<wisesnake> Oh.
Serrin holds out a hand with some peanuts on it.
wisesnake wonders what Nick was doing near the Post Office, alone
mangymutt smells organic matter and approaches close enough to snarf the peanuts sloppily off Serrin's hand
mangymutt cocks its head and peers at several tiny holes in the snow where a peanut or two fell in and disappeared
<NickR> Or at least, that's what she said.
<Serrin> You hungry, puppy?
<wisesnake> I hope she isn't being taken advantage of by one of those places. She's too young to be in that business.
wisesnake realizes that's just her opinion, but...
mangymutt pants enthusiastically, dribbling off the end of its lolling tongue
<JonDrake> Well, I will most likely be very busy working the collectorium with my channel.
<NickR> She said something about having a friend at the Sime Center.
wisesnake thinks it would appear she has at least two
<NickR> I figured they'd get her home. Apparently, either they didn't, or she came back.
Serrin reaches out to ruffle mangymutt's ears...
<wisesnake> I wonder if I should go over there and talk to her....
<Callin> What's a collectorium?
mangymutt applies its wet tongue to Serrin's face
<mangymutt> [peanut breath]
<NickR> She doesn't appear to have the usual tastes, although she looks and talks like innocence personified.
wisesnake hesitates to be THAT much of a busybody
<wisesnake> Well, it's probably nothing.
<NickR> Although I wouldn't have thought she'd be Alea's type.
wisesnake opens her mouth, then decides she'd just rather not speculate on that particular subject
<JonDrake> That's where the channels collect selyn from the Gens.
<wisesnake> Who knows?
<NickR> Though if she's got exotic taste in entertainment, she might be willing to... experiment.
Serrin ruffles mangymutt's fur.
<wisesnake> Alea's idea of entertainment tends more to toboggans and chain saws.
<wisesnake> Not together, yet... [adds after a thoughtful pause]... fortunately.
<Serrin> C'mon, I'll get you something.
mangymutt follows Serrin eagerly, sensing a good person to have as a friend
<Callin> You collect selyn from Gens? I thought only Simes did that.
Serrin reflects that after that talk about faith day, it only makes sense for him to feed the only one who seems to care about him at all.
NickR looks at Snake more closely.
<NickR> You're worried about Alea, aren't you?
wisesnake glances at Nick
<wisesnake> Er... I... is it visible? [appalled]
<JonDrake> No, the Channel collects the selyn. I support.
<NickR> Only to someone who knows you well.
<wisesnake> Ah.
<NickR> If you're worried, why not check things out? It wouldn't take long, and we're not due at the orphanage for another hour.
Serrin buys some hot biscuits with honey from a cart.
wisesnake flinches at the word "orphanage" in conjunction with the previous thoughts
<Callin> How do you support a channel?
Serrin sits down a bench and starts breaking off chunks, alternately eating them and feeding them to mangymutt.
mangymutt gobbles up his share with great excitement
mangymutt 's feather duster of a tail is wagging a mile a minute
NickR is beginning to be concerned about Snake's reaction to what seemed to him to be a pretty dull, uninteresting acquaintance. Although the shower story does cast a somewhat different light on the subject.
Serrin watches mangymutt eat when he isn't staring off into space.
<JonDrake> I hold the ambient nager steady, I watch for any potential instabilities.
<JonDrake> I make sure that the channel is at her best.
<wisesnake> I'm not worried about who she hangs out with, so much as the future of her and her child.
<wisesnake> ~~nervously~~
<Callin> Potential instabilities? What sort of instabilities?
<JonDrake> Field fluctuations from nervous donors, mainly.
NickR starts walking slowly towards Callin, letting his nager draw Snake along.
<JonDrake> Stuff like that can make a channel's job that much harder.
<Callin> Really?
wisesnake sees that it would be ridiculous for her to stand back while Nick walks over there, so follows reluctantly
<Callin> So you'll be at the Sime Center on Faith Day, working?
<JonDrake> Imagine working in a factory, where one piece of machinery is giving off a distracting whine. After a while, it could become unbearable.
<Callin> That seems like a hard way to spend a holiday.
<Callin> You'd think they'd give you at least one day off, since it's really their holiday and all.
<JonDrake> Well, with all the holiday donors, we can't rest on that day. Not until later in the evening at least.
<Callin> So you get the night off?
<JonDrake> Well, I live there, they're the only family I really have around, so I guess you could consider it a night off.
Callin remembers some rumors she's heard about the kinds of things that happen after hours at a Sime Center.
<Callin> So you'll be celebrating with your Sime Center friends?
<Callin> After the Center closes for the night?
<JonDrake> Of course.
<Callin> What will you be doing?
<Callin> I heard there were special holiday foods and stuff, but nobody seems to know what they are.
NickR has drawn close enough to hear Callin inquire about extracurricular activities at the Sime Center.
NickR looks at Snake to see how she is taking this subject of conversation.
<JonDrake> It's true that the main areas of the Center close down for the night, but we're always on call for emergencies.
<Callin> So you could be interrupted at any time?
<JonDrake> I know that I won't be having one of my favorites, garlic steak sandwiches.
JonDrake smiles.
<JonDrake> Yes. I think one night we were busy for hours with a couple of cases, but most nights are pretty quiet.
wisesnake studies Callin
<Serrin> You got name pup-pup? A home?
Serrin looks mangymutt over for a collar.
Callin looks a little relieved.
<Callin> So you have plenty of time to sleep and all that.
mangymutt has a chain collar, ensnarled with hair, with a thin rope (or what's left of it) tied to it. No tags.
<Serrin> Haven't been at home for a long time, have you? Something we have in common.
Serrin tries to take the collar off with out pulling too much hair...
mangymutt thinks Serrin wants to wrestle and gets excited
NickR keeps up a steady support, heavy enough to keep Snake calm while light enough to allow Callin to be easily zlinned.
<Serrin> Now, Now. Just let me get this off you... almost like a retainer, isn't it?
Callin sees Nick and Snake approaching.
<JonDrake> Well, I really should be getting back to the Center.
<Callin> Oh! Mr. Reckage!
JonDrake turns
<Callin> Thank you for talking to me.
<JonDrake> Hi Snake, Hi Nick.
<wisesnake> Hello, Jon.
<JonDrake> Not at all. I probably have a busy day at the Center.
NickR nods a casual greeting.
wisesnake thinks Jon seems fairly well adjusted to his job now
<NickR> What are you doing on this side of the border again, Callin?
JonDrake nods to Callin and then turns and jogs back to the Center, already thinking about the day ahead.
Callin 's expression is a mixture of eager beaver and frustration.
<Callin> I'm doing interviews for my article. You know, the one on Faith Day that my friend was going to help with.
wisesnake moves closer in compensation for Jon's absence
NickR nods, having heard about this masterpiece-in-the-making before.
wisesnake wonders what Callin is talking about
NickR places a hand on Snake's arm for further protection.
Serrin tosses the collar aside. "You can stay with me if you like. Got a warm stove."
<Callin> I got some interviews at the Sime Center yesterday, but those were all of people who worked there.
Serrin walks back towards town.
<Callin> I wanted to get a wider variety of responses.
mangymutt bounces after him
Callin looks hopefully at Nick.
<wisesnake> Do you live in Gen Territory? [asks suddenly]
Callin looks at Snake a bit nervously.
<Callin> Yes.
<Callin> I go to Eastcove High.
<wisesnake> Why were you in Alea's shower? [suspiciously]
<Callin> I was filthy after saying out all night. She offered to let me clean up, and loaned me some clothes.
<wisesnake> What were you doing out all night?
<Callin> I was lost.
<Callin> Nemip had the map.
<wisesnake> After you refused to let me escort you home?
Callin shuffles her feet.
<Callin> Well, I didn't know I'd get lost.
<wisesnake> You're not sleeping with Alea, are you?
<Callin> ~~offended and astonished~~
<wisesnake> Or Jon Drake?
<Callin> Of course not!
<wisesnake> Do your parents know where you are?
<Callin> Well, I told them I was doing interviews for my Faith Day article today. They didn't ask me where.
<wisesnake> You ought to be more careful.
<wisesnake> A young Gen can get in trouble.
<Callin> Oh, I brought a map this time. [pats pocket]
<Callin> And this isn't a bad part of town.
wisesnake hopes Nick is satisfied now
<Callin> There are lots of people around, so I don't have to worry about muggers.
wisesnake thinks Callin is naive, but can also tell Callin is not interested in her advice
<wisesnake> I see. Very well then.
Callin looks slightly wistful.
<Callin> I don't suppose you'd be willing to give me a Sime perspective on Faith Day?
<wisesnake> Faith Day?
Callin thinks that Snake must be reasonably safe, if she's a friend of both Nick and Alea.
<Callin> Yes. My article is on how the holiday is celebrated on this side of the border.
<wisesnake> I see.
<Callin> I'm asking people how they celebrate the holiday, and what it means to them.
<wisesnake> I remember Faith Day as being a time of plenty when I was a child. People are more generous then.
Callin nods encouragement, scribbling rapidly.
wisesnake doesn't have much more to add
<Callin> Has that changed since [glances at Snake's tentacles] ...since you grew up?
<wisesnake> Oh.
<wisesnake> Well... there has only been the one Faith Day since then, and... [subtle change in mood] ... that day is not something I would care to discuss.
<Callin> Oh.
<Callin> How are you planning to celebrate Faith Day this year?
<wisesnake> I hadn't considered it, actually.
NickR is kind of curious himself.
<wisesnake> How would you recommend?
Callin consults her notes.
<Callin> Well, Mr. Serrin said he was going to paint red marks on his arms, wear short sleeves, and go eat fried food at a Sime's house.
wisesnake looks incredulous
<wisesnake> I don't think I'll do that.
<Callin> Mr. Drake said he was going to let a channel stand on him until the Sime Center closes, and then have a night off with the staff, except if there were emergencies.
wisesnake winces
<wisesnake> Is that what he said?
Callin points to the relevant page in her notebook to provide confirmation.
<wisesnake> I think I will spend it answering emergency calls to deal with chokings, shiltpron poisonings, and broken limbs.
<wisesnake> And follow it up with a solid day of treating hangover victims.
<wisesnake> Then, I imagine there will be a few weeks of flare-up of contagious diseases...
Callin is scribbling busily.
<Callin> That's a really different way to celebrate the holiday.
<wisesnake> I wouldn't consider it "celebrating" so much as just dealing with it.
<Callin> That's sad. Holidays should be celebrated.
<wisesnake> Well... perhaps I will have something to celebrate after my next transfer instead.
wisesnake basically has other things to worry about besides Faith Day
Callin doesn't really see transfers as something to celebrate.
wisesnake zlins Callin's reaction, then nods
<wisesnake> Well, I'm sorry I wasn't much help.
wisesnake thinks she must have used up her helpfulness to Callin when she saved Nemip
<Callin> Thanks for talking to me. It was really interesting to get a Sime view of things.
<wisesnake> My view isn't stereotypical [warns hastily]
<wisesnake> I'd ask a few more Simes if I were you. And please, try to ask nice safe looking people.
<Callin> I will.
<wisesnake> If anybody you're talking to looks worried, excuse yourself and leave. Okay? Can you remember that?
<Callin> All right. I wouldn't want to bother anybody.
wisesnake is obviously worried about Callin's safety
<wisesnake> Good.
<wisesnake> Nick... the orphanage?
NickR sees Snake's concern and shares it, but figures that explaining why Snake offered the advice wouldn't help.
NickR nods.
<NickR> We've got to go, Callin. Good luck with your article.
<Callin> Thanks.
<wisesnake> Good bye.
wisesnake turns away from Callin
NickR accompanies Snake in the direction of the orphanage.
Callin waves after Nick and Snake, then starts looking for her next interview.