Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #218: May your Chooks turn into Emus (4/15/98)
Eliza gets her cloak and slips out the lobby door.
Eliza is going to take the opportunity to go see Snake, regardless of the time.
Eliza hides under the hood of her cloak and hurries down the street.
StankyCab 's approach is preceded well in advance by an... er... noticeable odor.
Eliza hears the nose of a slowing vehicle and turns around, apprehensive.
StankyCab's driver stops and looks down at Eliza.
StankyCab's driver: "Wanna lift lady?"
Eliza thinks of the distance to the Ferry Building.
Eliza: Yes, please.
Eliza hops in. "Do you know where the Ferry building is?"
StankyCab's driver: Alla way down there? You got the cash, lady, I go the distance.
StankyCab's driver clicks to his horses and the cab ambles aromatically down the street.
Eliza mumbles "Cash, cash" and starts going through her pockets.
Eliza: Errrr.
StankyCab: [we're talking... charred coffee beans meets three day old dead mouse meets musty basement]
Eliza pulls something disgusting out of her pocket.
Eliza doesn't have any cash.
Eliza hopes she can borrow some off Snake.
StankyCab traverses the city and ends up in front of the Ferry Building.
StankyCab's driver looks around nervously as it is not a great neighborhood, and the sun isn't quite up yet.
Eliza sees the Ferry Building come into sight with relief
Eliza: Can you wait here a moment please?
Eliza: I'll just, errr, how much is that?
StankyCab: 3p.
StankyCab: [suspiciously, as he doesn't really want to have to venture into the building after Eliza if she doesn't come back]
Eliza runs up the stair and pulls on the bell.
Votch opens the door.
Eliza: SNAKE!
Votch jerks back as Eliza's yell nearly blinds him.
Votch: [that's how loud it was]
Votch: YEow!
Votch: Can I help you? [ears ringing]
Eliza: Who are you?
Votch: Who are you?
Votch is a male renSime.
Eliza: Who am I?
Votch: You're asking me?
Eliza is wondering why he is asking that
Eliza: What?
Votch: Look, do you want to come in or not?
Eliza: Yes, I'm asking you.
Eliza is completely flamboozled.
Votch: The answer is I have no idea who you are.
Eliza looks at Votch suspiciously and takes a step backwards.
Votch: Are you satisfied?
Eliza: Why? Who are you?
Eliza: What?"
Eliza: Look, is Snake in?
Votch is on his first day as night receptionist at the Ferry Building and he is not taking it well.
Votch: Yes!
Votch: Why, do you want to see her or something?
Eliza: Of course I want to see her, or I wouldn't have asked!
Votch looks a bit irate.
Votch: Don't get smart with me, missy!
Votch: [this is Votch's stock retort when he has no idea how to respond to something]
Votch: Come in and sit down... or something.
Eliza: ~ anger ~ Just tell Snake I'm here.
Votch: Fine.
Votch slams the door in Eliza's face.
Eliza pounds on the door.
Eliza: SNAKE!!!!
Eliza: SNAKE!!!!!
Eliza: THERE IS A LUNATIC IN YOUR HOUSE!!!
Eliza: SNAKE!!!!
Wise Snake hears some lunatic screaming outside.
Wise Snake goes to the window to see if she can zlin anything and to her surprise recognizes Eliza's nager below.
Wise Snake: Shen... what is it now?
Eliza's hands are still sore from banging on Briel's door.
Eliza: If these damn channels would answer their shendoni doors....
Wise Snake waits, and when the screaming shows no signs of letting up, she figures she'd better go down there.
Wise Snake drops everything, leaves her office and hurries down the stairs.
Eliza: SNAKE!!!!
Eliza: [POUND POUND POUND]
Wise Snake is somewhat less than surprised to find no trace of Votch in the entryway as she reaches the ground level.
Wise Snake mutters to herself and goes to unlock the door.
Eliza: SNAKE!!!!
Eliza: SNA....
Eliza: Oh, there you are.
Eliza: can you lend me 3 p please?
Wise Snake opens the door and cringes back in anticipation of getting blasted by another yell....
Wise Snake relaxes somewhat as it doesn't happen.
Wise Snake: Ah... Eliza.
Wise Snake: 3??!
Eliza: Yes, to pay the cab.
Eliza nods and indicates the waiting cab.
Wise Snake zlins Eliza oddly, wondering what would lead Eliza all the way across town at this hour to borrow only 3p...
Wise Snake: Oh. [comprehension]
Wise Snake digs in her pockets, finally assembles the coinage.
Wise Snake: Here.
Eliza: Ta, don't shut the door! I'll be right back.
Eliza runs down and pays the driver. "Thank you for waiting."
Wise Snake's nostrils twitch and she wonders what kind of stench would catch the attention of of a Sime a week from hard need.
Eliza runs back up to Snake.
Wise Snake is still mystified as to Eliza's visit.
Wise Snake: Are you all right?
Eliza: Sorry about the early hour, Snake.
Eliza: Did I wake you?
Wise Snake zlins Eliza.
Wise Snake: No. I sleep in the evening.
Eliza considers this question seriously.
Eliza: I'm not sure.
Wise Snake: Between Nick and Rapol's shifts.
Eliza: That's what I wanted to talk to you about.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake hopes Eliza meant about her health, not Snake's sleep schedule.
Eliza: ~healthy, but confused~
Eliza: ~tad of fear ~
Eliza: Can I come in?
Wise Snake: ...sure.
Wise Snake stands aside to let Eliza in.
Eliza: Ta.
Wise Snake zlins the street, wondering what's going on, before closing and locking the door behind them.
Eliza walks in and looks at the banana and the grape and the big red thing.
Eliza wishes she hadn't.
Wise Snake zlins Eliza's reaction to the fruit and thinks it is typical of people's reactions.
Wise Snake considers getting less... distracting... furniture for the entryway.
Eliza: I was wanting to talk to you about something that happened the other day.
Eliza: I don't know if you know about it or not....
Eliza: ~ distress ~
Wise Snake leads the way up the stairs, looking at Eliza curiously.
Wise Snake: I don't think so...?
Eliza climbs up the stairs behind her.
Eliza: Alea wanted to go shopping for some leather or something, and D'cor and I went with her.
Eliza: This renSime came out of nowhere and grabbed me - held a knife to my throat so that D'cor wouldn't do anything.
Eliza: And another one grabbed Alea and just took off.
Eliza: It was really scary.
Wise Snake's eyes widen and she pales noticeably.
Wise Snake: Grabbed Alea?
Wise Snake: And took off?
Eliza: Yes.
Eliza: Oh - she is fine.
Eliza: Well, not fine.
Eliza: She is in bed. I don't think she is allowed up.
Eliza: But she isn't hurt.
Wise Snake looks very alarmed.
Wise Snake: Shen.
Eliza: The baby is fine too.
Wise Snake leads the way into the office and sits down at her desk, looking a bit stunned.
Wise Snake: She had promised she was going to be more careful!
Eliza: I know, she is hopeless. [shakes head]
Eliza: Anyway, I don't know how Alea got away, but the one that grabbed her came running past screaming.
Eliza: I'm not sure what happened next either.
Wise Snake: Please, have a seat.
Wise Snake flicks a nervous tentacle at a chair near the fire.
Eliza: But [pauses, takes a deep breath] I killed the renSime that had grabbed me.
Eliza collapses into the seat.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake: Nagerically?
Eliza: I don't know, I just wanted him dead and he was dead.
Eliza: I mean, I didn't know I wanted him dead.
Wise Snake: Ummh.. yeah.
Eliza: I just wanted him to [gestures with hands]
Eliza: I don't know.
Wise Snake: Well, it's easy enough to hate a renSime to death, when you have a Donor's field.
Wise Snake: Hate is a very destructive emotion.
Eliza: How can I be sure it won't happen again?
Eliza: I'm even scared to be near D'cor now.
Wise Snake: There are two ways you could be sure of that.
Eliza: I mean, he seemed fine when we woke up, but then he needed a triple dose of fosebine.
Wise Snake: One way would be to go back to Gen Territory and stay away from Simes entirely.
Eliza: No!
Eliza: Oh....
Eliza: I mean, what's the other way?
Wise Snake: The other way is to learn how to control your nager, so that you always are aware of what it is doing to others and can have exactly what effect... or lack of effect... you choose.
Wise Snake: And in the meantime, stay out of situations you can't handle yet.
Eliza: I'm learning control, it's hard, and I know that it will take time. Briel is helping me, and do you know Shonie the shiltpron player from the parlors?
Wise Snake winces.
Wise Snake: Shonie?
Wise Snake: Yes.
Eliza: Well, she is teaching me too. The shiltpron that is, but it's all part of it.
Wise Snake imagines Eliza's nager magnified by a shiltpron and turns green.
Wise Snake: I see.
Eliza: But the thing that I'm really afraid of is - I mean even if I get control, I don't want to be ABLE to do it.
Eliza: I don't know if I can trust myself you know?
Eliza: Are you okay, Snake?
Wise Snake: I'm sorry... I'm fine.
Wise Snake digs in a drawer for some pills.
Wise Snake: You were saying?
Eliza: Oh no. Have I made you sick too?
Eliza hits her head with the heel of her hand.
Eliza: I make EVERYONE sick!
Wise Snake: Uh... Eliza... now would be a good time to practice some of that control.
Eliza: Shen, I'm sorry.
Wise Snake: Look, I'm not sure I'm understanding entirely. You aren't sure if you can trust yourself to use the control even if you learned it?
Eliza: ~ control ~
Eliza: I don't want to be ABLE to kill anyone.
Wise Snake: Do you want any tea?
Eliza: Tea?
Eliza: Oh tea, yes, thank you Snake, that would be nice.
Wise Snake gets up and goes to the fire for the water.
Wise Snake: Trin okay?
Eliza: Thanks.
Eliza looks into the fire.
Wise Snake: Eliza, not being ABLE to kill isn't a matter of control, it's a matter of having compassion and sympathy for your fellow beings, whether they appear to feel the same for you or not.
Eliza feels a tear tickling her cheek and wipes it away.
Wise Snake: There were a lot of other things you could have done with your nager besides killed the man.
Wise Snake: If he was frightened or angry, you could have soothed him. If he was crazy or on drugs, you could have knocked him out.
Eliza: Do you think he had children?
Wise Snake: If he was close enough to have his hands on you, you had every opportunity for the most subtle nageric.....
Wise Snake: I... couldn't know, of course.
Eliza: How would I find out?
Wise Snake doesn't like the direction this is going in.
Wise Snake carefully pours boiling water into two cups of leaves.
Wise Snake: Do you know his name?
Eliza: No. I don't know anything about him.
Wise Snake: The Sime Center channels were not able to identify the body?
Eliza: I don't know. No one even told me he was dead.
Eliza: I just sort of realized it while I was asleep.
Wise Snake: Was a police report filed?
Wise Snake: On the attack?
Eliza: ~frustration ~ I don't know. I don't know.
Eliza: I asked but D'cor just said to let others handle it.
Eliza: I might have killed someone's father!
Eliza pulls at her hair.
Wise Snake hands Eliza her tea and retreats from her frustration.
Wise Snake hurriedly gulps the pills along with some scalding hot tea.
Wise Snake sinks down into the (more psychological than literal) safety of the chair behind her desk.
Eliza: I'm sorry. I'm always running to you with problems.
Wise Snake: Look... do you really, sincerely, want to take responsibility for what happened?
Eliza: What do you mean?
Wise Snake blinks, thinking she'd asked it plain enough.
Wise Snake: I mean... are you ready to face up to what happened? Are you serious about finding out who this guy was and doing something about his kids if any?
Wise Snake: [doesn't say, or are you just going to forget all about it after the drama of the moment is gone]
Eliza shies away from the idea of looking possible wife and kids in the eye and admitting that she killed their husband and father.
Eliza: I ... don't know.
Eliza: I guess that I'm responsible.
Eliza: I guess I should.
Wise Snake: It sounds as if nobody is going to force you to, so it's your choice.
Eliza is worried about it happening again in the future.
Eliza: Do I just go to the police and say "That renSime you found dead - I killed him?"
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: Perhaps you should attempt to find out what the Sime Center has done about it, first.
Wise Snake: They may have already contacted the police, or even retrieved and identified the bodies.
Eliza: I guess so. I can't believe they didn't tell me.
Wise Snake: If they won't tell you, explain how you feel about the situation and how you intend to take responsibility for your mistake.
Wise Snake: After that, decide about approaching the police based on what has already been done.
Wise Snake: If the Sime Center has done nothing, then yes, you may have to essentially "turn yourself in" at the station.
Eliza: Would... would you come with me if I have to do that?
Eliza: Please?
Wise Snake: Um,
Wise Snake's tentacles shift about restlessly.
Wise Snake: [as do her eyes]
Eliza looks miserable.
Eliza: I'm sorry. Forget it.
Wise Snake: Eliza, I can find someone to go with you, if that would help.
Eliza sips her cooling tea.
Eliza: I'm sure D'cor will go with me. [she is sure of no such thing]
Wise Snake zlins Eliza.
Wise Snake: Well, let me know if you do require somebody.
Eliza smiles "I'm sure it will be fine." ~ lying ~
Wise Snake winces.
Wise Snake: Don't try to lie to me, Eliza. It's embarrassing.
Wise Snake: I sympathize with your problem, but I do think you have the right to do this.
Eliza sighs.
Wise Snake: And I'll help you as I can.
Eliza: Thank you Snake
Eliza tries to think of a way to change the topic.
Eliza: Oh, you said you know Shonie. She is nice, isn't she?
Wise Snake grimaces at the memories of what she'd zlinned when within 100' radius of Shonie.
Wise Snake: I try to stay away from shiltpron performances.
Eliza wonders why Snake seems less than enthusiastic.
Eliza: But why?
Eliza: Shonie is very talented.
Eliza: And she is so helpful, too.
Wise Snake: I would seem to be more sensitive to the tuning of the instruments than the average musician.
Wise Snake: I am glad you have found a friend in her, though.
Wise Snake thinks it sounds like Eliza could use all the friends she can find.
Alea finishes up her breakfast and goes down the hall.
Blue leaps up the front steps of the Sime Center and straight-arms the door open.
Eliza: She has taught me a lot.
Eliza: Not just about the Shiltpron.
Eliza: Also about control. And some really weird songs.
Blue looks around the empty lobby with surprise.
Blue: Its as empty in here as a pub with no beer!
Alea walks down the hall and into the lobby just in time to hear that line.
Alea: Oh, hello again.
Alea smiles and moves forward, wondering what in the world this man could want back so soon.
Alea: May I help you?
Blue: Hey! Gedday! How is hangin'?
Wise Snake: I'll bet.
Alea glances at the new artwork on the wall, then the boards trying to figure out what he means.
Wise Snake has heard some of the songs... from a considerable distance.
Alea: Just fine. Fine.
Alea: Now, how may I help you?
Eliza finishes her tea and puts the cup down.
Alea motions toward the sofa.
Eliza: ~hungry ~
Alea: Would you like some tea?
Eliza thinks about the breakfast she hasn't had yet.
Alea goes over to where the tea is located.
Blue: Struth, That would be beaut.
Wise Snake winces as Eliza's hunger becomes evident.
Wise Snake: Would you like anything to eat?
Alea pours two cups and brings one back to him.
Eliza blushes.
Alea seats herself and balances her cup on her knees.
Eliza: I didn't mean that to be obvious Snake.
Alea: Now, er... blue, how may I help you?
Eliza: I mean, I'm hungry, but I don't want you to feel you have to feed me.
Wise Snake smiles a crooked smile.
Wise Snake: It's natural for a Sime to want to feed a hungry Gen.
Blue: Well, I had a bit of a barny with the bar flies the other day.
Eliza: Well, if you were going to have some.
Alea: Oh really?
Blue: There is some right bludgers around here and no mistake!
Wise Snake wasn't... her habit being to slyly skip meals when Nick and Rapol aren't there to watch her like a hawk.
Alea picks up her tea and takes a sip trying to remember what went on the other day that he might be upset about.
Wise Snake: Well er.... let's see. [rummages in a bin nearby]
Alea: I'm sorry to hear that.
Blue: Had bucklies of getting back to see you like I said I would.
Wise Snake hands Eliza some bread, cheese, a carrot, an apple, and a small turnip.
Alea: Oh?
Eliza looks at them.
Alea pauses, the tea halfway to her lips, not realizing he had promised to come back to the Center.
Eliza: You want me to errr, make soup? [looks at the apple] or something?
Wise Snake zlins Eliza again then takes the apple back.
Wise Snake: Whatever. I usually have them plain.
Wise Snake takes a bite out of the apple.
Blue: Anyway, left me without a brass razoo. Bit of a downer. But I'm cashed up this morning.
Alea: And now you've made it back.
Alea: That's really nice.
Eliza looks at the turnip.
Alea: So, then, what can I do to help out?
Alea places her tea on a small table and smiles.
Blue: Thought I might give the town the butchers.
Blue: Though you an me might chew the fat as it were.
Eliza decides she isn't that hungry yet.
Alea's stomach twists a bit at his words as she envisions what he has said.
Alea: I, uh... well....
Alea: Of course.
Alea: I'll just see who is available, all right?
Blue: Great!
Wise Snake is a bit offended as Eliza refuses the food, but doesn't say anything.
Blue: Available? What for?
Wise Snake: Well then, was that all?
Eliza smiles crookedly at Snake.
Wise Snake: Do you require the cab fare back?
Eliza takes a bite out of the cheese.
Eliza: Errr [tries to swallow it, chokes, finally forces it down]
Eliza: It's light now, I guess I can walk.
Alea: Well to uh, talk with you, that is, about butchering the town.
Wise Snake slides hypo to avoid what Eliza is doing with her nager.
Wise Snake: Great.
Blue: Well, may your Chooks turn into emus and kick your shithouse down. You got me wrong and that's no joke!
Alea pushes herself up to a standing position.
Blue: Just wanted to take a gander at the place, didn't want to come a cropper.
Alea: I see.
Blue quickly stands up too.
Alea takes a hasty step back.
Eliza realises that she has been "dismissed".
Eliza puts the bread, the rest of the cheese, the carrot and the turnip down.
Eliza: Thank you for your advice, Snake.
Wise Snake nods, and gets up to escort Eliza out.
Alea: Well then you know, Blue, it might be nice for you to, uh, take a gander then.
Wise Snake: Good luck on... everything.
Alea: And if you make an appointment, I'm sure we'll be glad to gander you around here at the Center.
Blue looks at Alea.
Blue: Something is a cock up here....
Alea's eyes widen in absolute shock.
Alea: Excuse me?
Alea's eyes narrow coolly.
Blue: Well, I can cop it sweet. Sorry to have got our wires crossed.
Richard walks down the street towards the Ferry Building.
Richard: ~ nervous excitement~
Alea: You will not cop it at all.
Alea: If you'll excuse me please.
Blue scratches his head.
Blue: No understanding sheilas is there.
Blue: She sure give me curry.
Alea turns around and waddles out of the room, thinking D'cor is certainly going to be shocked to know Blue came back wanting to cop a feel.
Blue walks back out to the lobby.
Wise Snake lets Eliza out the front door.
Richard climbs the stairs in time to see Snake open the door.
Richard: Morning Snake!
Richard smiles at the two women.
Wise Snake almost closes the door then does a double take.
Richard doesn't have a parcel today.
Wise Snake wonders what possesses these Gens to go wandering about in this neighborhood at this hour of the morning and shakes her head.
Wise Snake: Hello, Richard.
Wise Snake: Good bye, Eliza.
Richard nods to Eliza as she walks past.
Richard: Had breakfast yet, Snake?
Richard: I found a little cafe up the road that makes wonderful bread.
Wise Snake: Er... [looks at the apple in her hand]
Wise Snake wonders what in shen possessed Richard to start poking around in Dockside establishments.
Wise Snake: You did?
Richard: Was wondering if you would like to have breakfast there with me?
Wise Snake: ... sure.
Wise Snake: Right now?
Wise Snake thinks she should go get one of her Donors.
Richard: whenever you are ready [smile]
Richard: ~hungry~
Wise Snake takes another bite of the apple.
Wise Snake: Ummh....
Wise Snake: Well, I, really should, ah,
Richard looks at the apple.
Richard: it's not far.
Richard nods, encouraging.
Wise Snake glances toward the stairs thinking she really should go get Nick awake.
Richard: Just at the end of the road .
Wise Snake: Well... all right.
Wise Snake: But just a short breakfast okay?
Richard: Sure!
Wise Snake thinks so far Richard has provided a colossal amount of wasted time and fidgety, uncomfortable meals (as well as copious quantities of flowers) but very little actual cash money, a situation she plans to rectify sometime soon.
Richard is thrilled to get Snake away from those other men.
Wise Snake smiles and closes the door.
Wise Snake: Just let me lock this. [does so]
Richard smiles happily.
Richard backs down a few steps
Wise Snake sighs internally and walks with Richard.
Richard: What was her name?
Richard wasn't concentrating on the name at the time, being more worried about getting the kid to Snake.
Wise Snake: What?
Wise Snake: Whose name?
Richard: the kid, the one I brought to you in change over.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake: Janus.
Richard is concerned that Snake doesn't seem to remember what was, for him, a rather exciting event
Richard: That's the one! Janus.
Richard: She doing okay?
Wise Snake: [Snake thinks so, anyway... she wasn't concentrating on the name at the time, being more worried about getting selyn to the kid]
Wise Snake: Yes. She is staying at the Sime Center.
Richard: That's good. Do you think she needs anything?
Richard thinks he might even go see her later.
Wise Snake: Well, as I understood it, she was in need of a job, housing, counseling and a friend or two.
Wise Snake: I imagine the Center has been able to provide her with some of that.
Richard makes a note to check.
Richard: Here we are.
Richard opens the door and a wonderful smell of fresh bread tickles the nostrils.
Richard ushers Snake in.
Wise Snake grunts.
Wise Snake: Ah, Betthunie's House O' Pancakes.
Richard: What would you like?
Wise Snake follows Richard in.
Wise Snake looks around, then down at the half an apple still in her hand.
Richard feels he could eat 3 of everything.
Wise Snake: Um, how about some bread.
Wise Snake: And tea?
Richard: That all?
Richard: how about the blueberry pancakes?
Wise Snake feels very comfortable ordering the tea here, since she knows any place in Dockside would have the worst, cheapest varieties, IOW the ones she's used to.
Richard: Or the straw... well, maybe not.
Wise Snake: No pancakes.
Richard: No?
Richard: Oh, okay.
Richard: Do you mind if I...?
Wise Snake looks at Richard oddly.
Wise Snake: If you what?
Richard: Have some pancakes?
Wise Snake looks at Richard even more oddly.
Wise Snake: No...?
Richard: I'll go order, then.
Wise Snake thinks, trust Richard to make even a meal at a horrible crummy cafe like this as weird as a formal dinner.
Richard is amused by the fact he has to go stand at a counter to order - and carry the food back.
Wise Snake assumes this means she is left to pick the table.
Richard orders some bread, and some spreads [but not to be put on the bread], some tea, and some blueberry pancakes.
Wise Snake surveys the choices, then picks one against the wall where she can zlin anyone coming.
Richard carries the tray carefully to Snake's chosen table.
Richard: Here you go, Snake.
Richard puts the bread and tea in front of Snake, and puts the small bottles of Jams and spreads on the the table.
Wise Snake sips her tea.
Richard cuts his pancake and takes a bite.
Richard: Ummmm wonderful.
Richard: ~ yum ~
Wise Snake wonders if Nick has woken up and figured out she's gone yet, and fidgets.
Wise Snake tears off a small piece of bread and nibbles at it, preoccupied with thoughts of Nick giving her dirty looks for the rest of the day.
Richard: Suppose you are wondering what I'm doing out so early?
Wise Snake: [distracted] I'm sorry?
Richard takes a sip of tea.
Richard: I came to town early this morning for a reason, actually.
Richard: Other then the pleasure of your company for breakfast [smiles at her]
Wise Snake: To slum in the most dangerous part of town with no escort? [hazards a guess]
Richard: There aren't many problems around here are there? [looks surprised]
Wise Snake rubs her eyes.
Wise Snake: Yes, actually, it is quite dangerous. Especially at odd times when there aren't many people on the street.
Richard: How odd. [Eats more pancake]
Richard thinks that explains why Snake always has one or the other of the men with her.
Richard: Actually I was thinking of trying to donate today.
Richard says this as if it's the most exciting important thing he has ever done.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake studies Richard.
Richard: Yes.
Richard finishes his pancake and chases the last of the blueberries around his plate.
Richard smiles at Snake.
Wise Snake is amazed at the speed with which Richard gobbled his food.
Richard: I haven't given up yet, and if, one day, you are going to be my Sectuib, I have to be able to donate don't I?
Wise Snake: Well, yes.
Richard considers trying the strawberry pancakes... then thinks maybe that isn't a good idea.
Wise Snake: At the Uptown Sime Center?
Richard: Well, no. Actually would you be interested in taking the, errr, donation?
Richard: ~ nervous ~
Wise Snake: Normally I don't, unless there is some reason a person can't or won't use the legal methods.
Wise Snake studies Richard.
Richard is both disappointed and relieved.
Richard: You see, I tried to donate once before.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Richard: Couldn't seem to get the hang of it.
Wise Snake wonders what that means.
Richard laughs ruefully.
Wise Snake: I see.
Wise Snake: [after a pause]
Wise Snake: How long ago was that? How old were you?
Richard: it was my 21st birthday actually.
Wise Snake is amazed somebody raised in Sime Territory could be left to go that long after Establishment without donating.
Richard: The channel said that I had a problem with movement or something.
Richard: Can't remember really.
Wise Snake thinks it sounds like the channel was an idiot and botched the donation.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake: Well, people change. It is possible you have outgrown the problem, whatever it was.
Richard: Than would be good.
Richard: So, you won't?
Wise Snake hesitates.
Wise Snake: Do you seriously believe you have a problem with selyn flow?
Richard looks at his cup of tea.
Richard: I remember it hurt like hell.
Wise Snake sincerely doubts that that's all there was to the story.
Wise Snake: Would you allow me to perform a small test on you?
Richard looks pleased.
Richard: ~ pleased excitement~
Richard: Sure!
Richard: That would be great!
Wise Snake is nonplussed by his reaction.
Wise Snake: Er... fine.
Wise Snake glances about, then zlins to make sure nobody's attention is on them.
Richard: What, here? Now?!
Wise Snake stands and goes around the table to him.
Richard: ~ nervous ~
Wise Snake: Shhh... don't panic. It's just a little test.
Richard sits very still watching Snake with his eyes.
Wise Snake is mystified by this new emotional swing.
Wise Snake: Ah.. shen, it's not worth it.
Wise Snake goes back to her side of the table and sits.
Richard: What?
Richard: What happened?
Richard: Did you do it?
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake: You're too nervous.
Richard: ~ confused~
Richard: Oh, I'm sorry Snake
Richard: ~miserable that he let her, and himself, down ~
Wise Snake wishes Richard was a bit more emotionally stable.
Wise Snake: Well, maybe this just wasn't the time for it?
Richard: Should I go to the Center then? Or wait for a better time?
Wise Snake: You'll have to decide that for yourself.
Wise Snake: But acting panicky is only going to make it harder on you.
Wise Snake: Fear is what causes resistance to selyn flow in Gens.
Richard didn't think he was panicking... but a little worry is natural isn't it?
Wise Snake studies the apple core, then nibbles on one end of it.
Wise Snake: I'm willing to examine you, but only if you trust me to do it. If you don't trust me, you may as well go and do it the legal way.
Richard: I do trust you, Snake.
Richard: Please, go ahead.
Wise Snake zlins Richard.
Richard: ~ only slightly anxious ~
Wise Snake notes that nobody is paying them any attention, and stands and goes over to him.
Wise Snake: Give me your arms.
Wise Snake: You'll have to push up your sleeves.
Richard carefully controls his feelings and pushes up his sleeves.
Richard holds his arms out.
Wise Snake takes Richard in a transfer position, bending down slightly to take the 5th contact.
Richard tries not to feel fear.
Wise Snake carefully draws a small amount of selyn at a very slow speed.
Richard: ~fear of pain~
Richard tenses and pulls away slightly.
Wise Snake's grip tightens automatically, to prevent him from moving.
Richard feels her grip tighten, gasps and pulls back hard.
Richard heart is pounding.
Wise Snake of course can hold him without any trouble at all.
Richard: [thinks: Shen!]
Richard struggles to release his arms.
Wise Snake realizes if the poor guy is this upset by the transfer position, it would be cruelty to force him to go through it all again a second time.
Wise Snake makes an executive decision and draws off his GN-3 level at the highest speed she thinks he can tolerate without feeling anything.
Richard faints.
Wise Snake leans Richard up against the wall and returns to her seat.
Wise Snake sips her tea, zlinning Richard and waiting for him to come around again.
Richard sighs deeply and falls off the chair.
Richard: What the!
Wise Snake thinks her reflexes must be failing her if she failed to zlin that coming.
Wise Snake shakes her head and goes to help Richard up.
Wise Snake: Are you all right?
Richard struggles to 1) get up and 2) keep a distance from Snake.
Richard: I'm fine fine, what happened?
Wise Snake sees Richard is making good progress on his own and backs into her chair again.
Wise Snake: You fainted. Evidently out of sheer fright.
Richard is dreadfully embarrassed.
Wise Snake sips her tea.
Richard: I'm terribly sorry, Snake.
Wise Snake: No problem.
Richard: I have no idea what came over me.
Wise Snake: Um, you might want to skip trying to donate until next month, though.
Richard is going to skip the idea entirely.
Wise Snake: Do you have any Simes in your household?
Richard rubs his arms irritably.
Richard: I believe we do, actually.
Wise Snake gathers from the "I believe we do" that Richard has little personal contact with them, and nods relieved.
Richard: I think there is a maid who comes in, and maybe a few work in the kitchen.
Richard: I'd have to check with Smythe.
Wise Snake: Ah... no problem.
Wise Snake is satisfied nobody will notice he is low field.
Wise Snake: Great ah, well, if you'd like to work on that fear reaction, maybe in a few weeks when you've had some time to relax a little, I'd be glad to try and help you with it.
Richard clears his throat.
Richard: I'll keep it in mind. Thank you for the offer.
Wise Snake: Sorry about the grip, but, it is instinctive in Simes to tighten the grip when the Gen pulls away... prevents serious injury to the laterals.
Richard can't remember it actually, everything after she touched his lips is blank. [sheer terror]
Wise Snake thinks Richard will get himself killed on short order if he runs around alone in Dockside in early mornings... some berserker from Gen Territory will take him out one day.
Wise Snake: Maybe you ought to go home, hey?
Wise Snake: Can I call you a cab?
Richard: I think that is a good idea.
Richard: I'm sorry to cut the visit short, Hajene.
Wise Snake: That is all right. Nick is probably worried by now.
Richard: I hope that I will still be welcome to drop by from time to time?
Wise Snake: Er, sure.
Wise Snake escorts Richard out of the cafe and hails him a cab.
Go on to Episode #219: (under construction)