Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #26: Noblesse Oblige, Part II (5/20/99)
see note 1
Arat nods.
Arat: Now, let us say you are walking down the street, and somebody opens the door of a passing shiltpron parlor.
Darrel winces, having come too close to a shiltpron in the past.
Arat stops, studying Darrel.
Darrel composes himself.
Darrel: I'm sorry. Go on.
Nick returns and distributes tea to all.
Arat: The person is dressed in clothes which might be construed as disreputable, and has not bathed in some time.
Darrel nods a polite thank-you at Nick, while keeping his full attention on Arat.
Arat: She asks if you will come in, because she has a question about her health, which is of a rather personal nature.
Darrel: Just like the man in the coach?
Arat makes a noncommittal gesture.
Arat: She might not ask in the same way, but yes, essentially the same question.
Darrel nods.
Arat: Do you go in?
Darrel hesitates, his conscience warring with his spinelessness.
Arat continues to study him.
Darrel: My oath as a channel would require that I do so, if she refused to come to a Sime Center. But I wouldn't want to.
Darrel: Shiltpron parlors scare me.
Arat: I see.
Arat: Would it be different if it were a gambling parlor?
Darrel: I still wouldn't like it. Particularly if it was a rough place.
Darrel: ~~ shame ~~
Darrel: I'm not the sort of channel I should be, I guess.
Darrel looks down into his tea.
Arat: Is it the places that scare you, or the people? [quietly]
Darrel looks back up at Arat.
Darrel: The people. They scared me even when they came to the Sime Center, back in Bender Cove.
Darrel: And a channel shouldn't be afraid of his clients.
Arat nods.
Arat: What about the rich man?
Arat: You didn't mention fear when you said you'd enter his carriage.
Arat: You said only that you'd zlin him for honesty.
Darrel blushes at having his double standard exposed so blatantly.
Darrel: The wealthy and powerful can be dangerous too, I know. But they're usually more civilized about it, or they wouldn't be rich and powerful for long.
Arat ponders that for a moment.
Darrel: It's true, I wouldn't be nearly as afraid if a man in a fine carriage asked for confidential help.
Arat: So then, is it so farfetched to say that those with power - in this case, money - in regular society are expected to display a stability and responsibility as human beings, much like your superiors in the Tecton?
Darrel: Yes. The rules may be a bit different, but they're there. And most people notice immediately when such people fall short.
Arat notices that Darrel is a lot more eager to answer a straight question now that the topic has veered back to a subject that doesn't incriminate him personally.
Arat will be sure to become suspicious any time Darrel starts answering questions fuzzily in the future.
Arat picks his tea up and sips it for the first time.
Arat glances at Nick.
Nick is sipping thoughtfully at his tea.
Arat returns his attention to Darrel.
Arat's nager is emanating a very subtle approval.
Arat wouldn't go so far as to warp Darrel's answers by nageric manipulation, however, much as Darrel would probably appreciate the guidance.
Darrel notes that Arat doesn't seem particularly distressed at finding out his problem channel is also a coward, and almost manages to take heart.
Arat: When you were a child, [continues on an entirely different tack] did you read fairy tales?
Darrel: Sometimes.
Arat: Did you read the one about the mermaid that became a human woman for a time?
Darrel: Yes. It was sad.
Arat: When she first came upon the shore in search of her prince, she was a human in form only and had never known their culture.
Arat: Their language, their traditions, their laws, were all a mystery to her.
Darrel: Yes. My mother used to say that that was how new Simes from Gen Territory felt, when they crossed the border.
Arat nods.
Arat: It is also how people feel when they attempt to move from one sector of a society to another, even within their own nation.
Arat was made rather profoundly aware of this as a child.
Darrel: I suppose it must be.
Arat looks at Nick.
Arat: Haven't you said much the same thing, when you commented on your relative comfort level in different neighborhoods?
Nick, unlike Darrel, has actually experienced this phenomenon first-hand.
Nick: Yes.
Nick: ~~ thoughtful ~~
Arat: And that is simply walking through. Trying to fit in is orders of magnitude more difficult.
Darrel's mind boggles at the thought.
Arat: The mermaid, were she to have walked onto shore able to speak their tongue and know their laws, would still have been missing the subtlest details of behavior and belief that can only be learned by being immersed in a culture.
Nick: Yes. And everyone she met would notice the lack.
Arat: Our mermaid was surely inhibited in her attempts to gain her prince, by this handicap.
Nick nods.
Nick: He couldn't have afforded to marry such a woman, even if he'd loved her.
Nick: Not if he wanted to keep the respect of his peers.
Arat: The only way he would even have considered it would be if she had somehow managed to not only overcome her basic lack of knowledge, but also impressed upon him that she was capable of matching that nation's social standards for members of the nobility.
Nick sips his tea thoughtfully.
Nick: He would still have had some trouble from the families of disappointed candidates, but most would accept his choice, if she were otherwise appropriate.
Arat: The same can be said of our culture as well. Consider the politician who raises himself up from the local level to national politics.
Arat: He may start out crude and rough-hewn, impressing the people with his open progressiveness. Yet, can he go on for long on a national level, without cultivating in himself the traits of the upper echelon of society?
Nick: There are a few who manage, but most blend in quite well, after a few years.
Arat: Those few who manage, what sort of relationship do you suppose they have with the people they must work with on a day to day basis?
Arat: Do you suppose those with whom he must ally himself do so with joy, or with strained tolerance?
Nick: Most of them seem to work on the outskirts, never really accepted by their colleagues.
Arat sips his tea once again.
Nick: Except when their support is urgently required, of course.
Arat: Do you imagine such people can easily effect changes in the districts belonging to their peers?
Nick: No. Not if there is any sort of opposition.
Arat: What of others, those who have played more by the rules. How do you suppose one of them would ordinarily go about effecting a change in a neighboring constituency?
Nick: She'd talk to the representative from that district, and to any other representatives who might have an interest in the problem. Or be willing to support her in exchange for support on some other issue of importance to them.
Arat: By sending a letter, perhaps arranging for a meeting in person?
Arat: Making use of professional contact?
Nick: Yes, I suppose so.
Nick hasn't followed politics all that closely, particularly since he signed on with Snake.
Arat zlins his uncertainty.
Nick: I haven't met very many politicians.
Nick supposes that Mayor Fountaine was probably not a particularly sterling example of the species.
Arat: You're right, she would use her professional contacts. However, there is another, very important aspect to her quest, one which cannot be overlooked.
Nick: Oh? What is it?
Arat: She would use her social contacts.
Arat: Much of what happens in terms of the inter-relations between politics, money and business happens not in the assembly chamber or the courtroom, but at exclusive parties.
Nick: Parties?
Arat: Yes, of course. The social bond is at least as important in the upper classes as it is in the lower.
Arat: If some workers have a barbecue every week, and one of the employees refuses to attend them, he or she will be thought of less well at the workplace, even though it has nothing to do with welding or whatever form of trade they ply.
Arat: That is a crude example, but do you see my point?
Nick nods, having seen such events.
Arat: Human beings require such regular social interactions. They promote bonding, and allow each person to understand where he or she fits into the social structure within their group.
Nick: And people are much more likely to do things for their friends than a stranger.
Arat: Exactly. People who are part of the same social group will always be "us" to each other, when presented with opposition from outside.
Arat: Even if the "opposition" is simply a problem brought up by one of the members to another.
Nick finishes his tea and sets the cup aside.
Arat: You will perceive that while a professional attitude is extremely important at the workplace, a different sort of "gear" must be shifted into for the social scene.
Arat: Even if it is the same people involved in most.
Nick nods.
Arat: If you will permit me to return to the mermaid analogy one last time, it might be said that being able to move in the social circle would be the most difficult hurdle to overcome.
Nick: Once she learned to breathe air, yes.
Arat stops, disconcerted by Nick's impertinence.
Arat quickly grows irritated as it becomes clear Nick is simply bored of the conversation and would rather make jokes.
Arat: Yes, I suppose so. [unamused]
Arat turns back from Nick to Darrel.
Nick reminds himself again that the Farris mutation contains a deletion of the humor gene.
Arat: Darrel, in your opinion, are the two examples I've raised the only reasons a person might aspire to a social status higher than that they were raised with? Or might there, perhaps, be other constructive reasons?
Arat is not interested in reasons pertaining to getting rich quick and/or being popular.
Darrel considers.
Darrel: It would be a great help to any person whose profession requires having the confidence of others.
Darrel: Trust is an important part of leadership.
Arat nods.
Nick wonders if Snake would have developed the skill to win trust quickly from strangers, if she had survived.
Arat: I daresay we needn't confine it to professional goals. Missionary or altruistic goals might also be included.
Nick ~~ agrees ~~
Arat: If, as you say, a rich or famous person is viewed in the public mind as more trustworthy, would it not help one's altruistic goals to be viewed as a member of that class?
Nick: Certainly.
Arat's tea is ice cold at this point, but of course he is used to that.
Arat therefore drinks it anyway.
Arat: Nick, I do not feel that there is anything wrong with you feeling comfortable walking through a working-class neighborhood.
Arat: However, I do feel, and strongly, that a high-First of either larity, who is working for the Tecton in a respectable position and is likely to be associated with many very influential Simes and Gens of all occupations, should learn to move in the social circles we have described.
Nick finds the idea ~~ uncomfortable ~~
Arat: As Darrel has so eloquently stated, Firsts who behave in unpredictable ways are terrifying to their lessers.
Arat: Those who do not, are comforting and able leaders.
Arat: Even if you made the mistake of avoiding the Tecton permanently, can you really say that you would be satisfied for long in the role of a common worker?
Arat: Has your work as a Donor given you no taste for working for the public betterment?
Nick looks at Arat.
Arat looks his usual intense, unreadable self.
Arat zlins somewhat like a pouncing cat.
Nick: I've known quite a few "common workers" who did a lot of good for the public betterment. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Arat: If you refuse, you are severely limiting the scope of what you will be able to do.
Arat: Remember, it is not what a person does for a living that determines their influence, it's who they have influence with.
Arat: Darrel, you may go back to work now. [adds]
Arat hopes Darrel hasn't become convinced, by Nick's words, that a new Bender Cove administrator is in the making.
Arat doesn't need any more bumps in the road as far as Darrel's recovery goes.
Darrel gets to his feet with badly concealed ~~ relief ~~
Darrel: Yes, Controller Arat.
Darrel departs just a tad too quickly for dignity.
Arat looks after him thoughtfully, then turns back to Nick.
Arat: He has recovered somewhat from his traumas.
Arat stresses the "somewhat".
Nick: I heard he'd suffered a nervous breakdown of some sort?
Arat: Yes, while he was working at the Bender Cove Lower Sime Center. He went AWOL, showed up at Naros, and was turned in.
Nick thinks it was just as well; Darrel doesn't strike him as the sort who could survive as a rogue.
Arat: He arrived here in a curious state.
Arat: Terrified of authority yet unable to cooperate with it; unable to tolerate the presence of First Order Donors in any capacity, and with an obsession on Bender Cove and the various rooms and fixtures of the building.
Nick: If he was that badly off, he really has made quite a bit of progress.
Nick: Although I noticed that he didn't seem very comfortable with some of your questions.
Arat: Yes, he was trying not to incriminate himself.
Arat: The concept of a conversation with a superior, which is not about his own faults, is still beyond him.
Arat was not unaware of this facet of Darrel's difficulties when he chose Darrel for this conversation.
Nick: He might calm down, with more experience of it.
Nick isn't exactly eager to volunteer Arat for the duty.
Arat nods.
Arat himself cannot spare much time for it, but of course Darrel's direct superiors will have had more contact with him.
Arat zlins Nick, not sure he likes what he's zlinning.
Nick starts to apply the day's lesson.
Nick: Perhaps it might help if he was invited to some informal social events among the staff Firsts?
Arat: Yes, perhaps. Nick, you are avoiding the subject supposed to be at hand.
Arat: Do you have some specific reason for not wanting to learn this, or are you simply obeying a gut reaction?
Arat nurses a private theory that Nick, who after all had been conceived at such a social occasion, was perhaps dragged to too many of them as a child.
Arat pulls this possibility from his own personal experience.
Nick: The idea of hobnobbing with the Territory elite does make me uncomfortable. From what I've heard, they're as unforgiving as any street gang, when someone who doesn't belong tries to claim the privilege they feel should be theirs alone.
Nick: The closest I've every gotten is eating lunch in the dining hall at Naros.
Nick: ~~ self-doubt ~~
Arat: Do you doubt my ability as a mentor, then?
Nick: Do you really think you can teach me enough to let me fit in?
Arat: Over time.
Nick: Will there be enough time?
Nick is well aware that he will have to go to another channel after their next transfer.
Arat: You have the field, and you almost have the professional position. With those, the worst you can do is make a fool of yourself. You cannot be seen as not belonging, only as inexperienced.
Arat: And as for the amount of time, well, the strictures of professional relationships to not apply at the social level.
Arat: When I attend social functions, I go with Jeniard, not a Donor.
Nick is still young enough to find the idea of making a fool of himself very non-trivial indeed.
Arat is not in the habit of allowing anybody he is hanging out with to make a fool out of themselves, at least while he is actually present.
Nick: Oh. Why do you leave your Donor behind?
Nick is well aware of Arat's need for good support, and can't imagine that he'd want to be subjected to the nagers of a crowd without it.
Arat frowns.
Arat: I do not find most Donors suitable or enjoyable company.
Nick: But you're willing to make an exception for me?
Arat hesitates.
Arat: Yes.
Nick considers.
Nick: Well, I'm willing to give it a try, then.
Arat nods.
Nick's nager is lacking some of its usual self-confidence.
Arat: Good.
Arat picks up his tea again, notes that it is (still) cold, and puts it down again.
Nick: Would you like me to warm that for you?
Arat hands it to Nick.
Nick takes both cups to the tea table and doses them with hot water.
Nick: There's something I've been meaning to ask you.
Arat, who had started to look at his "In" box, looks up at Nick.
Nick returns to the desk and hands Arat's rewarmed cup back to him.
Nick: There have been several people who have suggested that I could be of more assistance to you if I read your file.
Nick sits down in his seat and sips his tea before it can cool off again.
Arat: Have they? [sourly]
Arat finds he has no appetite for tea anymore and sets his aside.
Nick is more at ease now that the conversation has turned to Donoring, not hobnobbing.
Nick takes in Arat's reaction.
Nick: You disagree?
Arat: I have no say in the matter.
Nick lets the ~~ gentle satisfaction ~~ associated with sipping a cup of really good tea permeate his nager.
Nick: You don't?
Arat: It is your right to see it. Most Donors read a channel's file before arriving for their assignment.
Nick: That explains why they thought I'd been terribly negligent.
Arat: I don't think that's why they wanted you to read it.
Nick: Oh?
Arat looks impatient.
Arat: They were toying with you.
Arat: They know the information in the file would shock you, so they were egging you into reading it.
Arat: You have done a better job than most other Donors I've had recently precisely because you weren't influenced by its contents beforehand.
Nick: I see.
Nick ~~ savors ~~ another leisurely sip of tea.
Nick: They were baiting an outsider, then. Although perhaps I'm not quite as easy to shock as they suppose.
Arat's stomach is in a knot over the unpleasant subject matter, so he reaches for the tea more grouchily than thirstily.
Arat: Yes. They are afraid of me, and they perceive you as being both close to me and yet unprotected.
Arat: You aren't one of them, yet you aren't untouchable.
Arat sips carefully.
Arat is feeling a bit exposed himself, actually.
Nick is not deceived by Arat's attempt at normal behavior.
Nick: You're really uncomfortable at the idea of my reading your file, aren't you?
Arat looks displeased.
Nick tries to moderate Arat's tension with ~~ soothing calm ~~
Arat: Yes, if you must know.
Arat: But I can't ask you not to read it.
Arat: Nor should you fail to, since you know of its existence.
Nick nods.
Nick: Where is it kept?
Arat puts down his teacup and gets up, goes to a secure cabinet.
Arat unlocks the cabinet's top drawer and withdraws a fat folder with a black stripe on it.
Arat carefully relocks the cabinet, then walks over and hands it to Nick, a guarded expression on his face.
Nick accepts the folder with ~~ gentle reassurance ~~
Nick: Thank you.
Notes:
1) This is the second half of a two-part episode. [return]