Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #59: Pretzel Scheduling (8/2/99)
Arat arranges to encounter Darrel on an apparently random basis in the autoclave room.
Arat tries, for the sake of the next part of the conversation going as well as possible, to not notice what Darrel may, or may not, have inserted into the machine.
Darrel screws the door to the big autoclave closed, punches the "start" button to ensure that it can't be opened again for 45 minutes, and turns with a surprisingly good attempt at an innocent smile.
Darrel: Controller Arat.
Arat nods.
Arat: Hajene Darrel.
Arat: If you have a moment....
Darrel has spent enough time with Pylor recently that he finds Arat's field strength a bit less intimidating than usual.
Darrel: Certainly. I was just taking care of a few things while waiting for Sosu Pylor to arrive for our shift.
Arat: Very well. Part of what I wanted to talk to you about does concern Sosu Pylor, but as the decision is mainly yours, he does not have to be present.
Arat in fact went far out of his way to arrange to run into Darrel without Pylor.
Darrel wonders what sort of decision could put his judgment above Pylor's.
Darrel thinks perhaps Arat is planning to issue a dinner invitation, and wants to make sure Darrel has the appetite.
Arat: I would like you to help me with a patient that has recently come into my care.
Darrel leans against the sink and tries to look as if he's up for anything.
Darrel: A patient?
Darrel wonders what he could do that a Farris First like Arat couldn't.
Arat: Perhaps 'patient' isn't entirely accurate; this is a Donor trainee who has suffered some setbacks and requires some bolstering of confidence.
Darrel: Oh. I think I see.
Darrel is pretty sure that Farris channels don't suffer the sort of regular setbacks that ordinary people do.
Arat: The two of you are well matched nagerically, and I believe your personality would fit what she requires.
Darrel considers.
Darrel: What sort of setbacks has she encountered?
Darrel: And how do you think I can help her overcome them?
Arat: Her training has been interrupted more than once, and she has had difficulty fitting in, in her current situation. When it became evident that she was not succeeding, I had her pulled from training for closer observation.
Arat has personal reasons for believing problem students should not be punished and/or ignored.
Darrel: I see.
Arat: I believe all she requires is one-on-one tutoring and companionship from a well-matched and uncritical channel, perhaps one sensitive to the difficulty of being thrust into a situation in which one cannot fit in.
Arat of course knows that most any Donor student would benefit from one-on-one tutoring and companionship from a well-matched channel, but of course that is not how life in the Tecton generally works.
Darrel: Well, I'm willing to try.
Darrel's confidence has been artificially bolstered by Pylor's attentions lately, so he sounds more confident than perhaps he should.
Arat: This is an assignment of some responsibility, and it would involve working with me occasionally, and working with some of my other patients occasionally.
Arat, being the arrogant Farris that he is, naturally assumes that anybody would consider having the chance to work with him occasionally a great honor.
Arat: However, in order to accept this it will be necessary for you to accept it now, and not have transfer with Pylor as originally planned.
Darrel: ...not have transfer with Pylor?
Darrel: ~~ relief/disappointment ~~
Darrel: With whom, then? This student?
Arat: Yes.
Arat: She is already in phase with you, which is part of why I have chosen you.
Arat: [about 3%]
Arat: [perhaps it'd be more accurate to say, "she is already in phase with you... which is quite a coincidence actually!"]
Arat: [and even more accurate to say, "She is lucky that she was in phase with you, since if I didn't need to get you away from Pylor, she might have struggled onward in school for at least another couple of months..."]
Darrel feels disoriented, as usual when his transfer arrangements are rearranged after his turnover.
Darrel gulps.
Darrel: Ummm.... Who is this student, again?
Arat: Her name is Hero ambrov Naros.
Arat: I believe she had already left Naros by the time you were there.
Arat: Or had you met?
Arat: ~~ somewhat curious ~~
Darrel: No, she was gone by the time I arrived there.
Arat nods.
Darrel: I heard about her, though.
Darrel: She was supposed to be very well-informed.
Arat: Hero has a good deal of potential. She is more than half-sister to Nick, and should be handled carefully if she is to become what she's capable of becoming.
Darrel starts to worry again, which is comforting, since that's his normal state.
Darrel: You think she's capable of being as good as Nick?
Arat: It's possible. [warily]
Arat hadn't expected Darrel to start demonstrating worry at this stage of his rehabilitation.
Darrel's estimation of the difficulty of the assignment skyrocket, and his artificially bolstered self-confidence is sorely tested.
Arat: However, at the moment she is nearly a child, twelve natal years old and untrained, and has served none but Seconds thus far.
Darrel: Well, I can work with her on her outlook and general morale--give her an adult that she doesn't have to be afraid to talk over her problems with.
Darrel: If she has First Order potential, though, she'll require other tutors with more sensitivity than me.
Arat: Of course.
Arat: You will work with her during your ordinary working hours, and teach her in the context of your ordinary work.
Arat: She will have other coaching as well, which you may participate in or not as you wish.
Darrel is relieved that he's off the hook for teaching to First Order nageric standards.
Darrel: Perhaps we should wait for that decision until the two of us have had a chance to get acquainted and see how we work together?
Darrel is very aware of the click as the autoclave starts exhausting.
Darrel: In fact, I should drop by Records and examine her folder.
Darrel takes a subtle half step towards the door, hoping to ease Arat out of the room before the dropping steam pressure makes it possible to open the door and remove the incriminating evidence.
Darrel is just glad that the autoclave is made of metal, and is well insulated to boot.
Arat automatically backs off by the same amount.
Arat: It's in my office. Then you agree to the switch?
Darrel has been around long enough to know that one always "agrees" to a Controller's reassignments, if one knows what's good for one.
Darrel: Certainly. Pylor isn't matched to me, in any case.
Darrel: ~~ wistful ~~
Darrel tries hard to put his thoughts firmly on this new Donor trainee, where they belong.
Darrel is hampered in this effort by not knowing what this Hero ambrov Naros zlins like.
Darrel: Oh, I suppose Sosu Pylor should be told.
Arat: If you prefer, I could tell him for you.
Arat is well aware that some Donors prefer to hide behind a Controller's asshole reputation rather than take unfairly-placed blame by their channel for a re-assignment that was entirely out of their own control.
Arat accepts the "asshole" role as a matter of duty.
Darrel is, as usual, glad of the opportunity to chicken out of an unpleasant chore.
Darrel: Thank you.
Darrel is just as glad that Arat's offer means that he will never know if the reassignment was Arat's idea, or if Pylor couldn't stand the thought of transfer with a mere Second like Darrel.
Darrel edges further towards the door.
Darrel: I was to meet Pylor in the burn ward's records room.
Darrel's offer of this information, of course, has nothing to do with the distance between the autoclave room and the records room.
Arat: I will look for him there.
Arat: Ask Devera for the file; she knows to give it to you.
Darrel: I will.
Darrel throws one last nervous glance at the autoclave, which has a mere three minutes left to its drying/exhaust cycle, and slips out of the room, hoping that Arat will follow his example.
Arat gives the autoclave a long, curious look.
Arat makes a mental note of Darrel's odd behavior, and then turns and strides from the room.
Arat walks through the hallways, causing some people to scurry here and there, and others to stop and formally greet him.
Arat responds to the greetings somewhat distractedly, and frowns absently at the people who scurry away from the edges of his perceptions.
Arat aims toward the burn ward's records room.
Pylor is reading through the charts for the day's patients, trying to figure out what can be done for them, that's within Darrel's abilities, and what should be passed on to the Firsts.
Pylor is finding it very different to be working within a Second's limitations.
Arat appears in the records room's open doorway.
Arat: Sosu Pylor. [formally]
Pylor looks up, surprised at seeing Arat out of his office when he's not doing functionals.
Pylor: Controller Arat.
Pylor decides that this is as good a time as any to broach his current main concern.
Pylor: Have you had an opportunity to read my comments in Hajene Darrel's file?
Pylor keeps stern control over his nager, so that his feelings about Arat won't prejudice his case.
Arat actually looks somewhat surprised, as he'd not suspected there would have been any problems.
Arat: No, I haven't.
Arat: [this is an invitation for Pylor to elaborate]
Pylor braces himself for what he fears will be an unpleasant interview.
Pylor glances over Arat's shoulder, to make sure Darrel is not coming yet.
Pylor: Then I must offer my professional opinion that it could be harmful for Hajene Darrel to have transfer with a First at this time.
Arat nods.
Arat: I agree.
Pylor: ~~ cautious relief under strict formality ~~
Arat: However, it was never my intention to put him through such a transfer, or its consequences.
Arat: He will transfer with a Second; I have more pressing matters for you to attend to.
Pylor: Has Hajene Darrel been informed of this yet? I understand that he doesn't take well to last-minute reassignments.
Arat: Yes, he has.
Pylor isn't sure he wants to know what Arat has in mind for him, just yet.
Arat produces a small green transfer-assignment card.
Pylor accepts the card, bracing himself as he looks at it.
Pylor: ~~ confusion ~~
Pylor: Is this Brendalee newly arrived in the District?
Arat: Yes. She has come from quite far away; it was not easy to find a channel to her specifications.
Pylor: What is unusual about her?
Pylor wipes his forehead, wondering who closed the window.
Arat: She is supposed to have great potential, in fact she is currently rated as a Second but is expected to Qualify as a First, transfer after next.
Arat: The transfer she will have with you. [points out]
Pylor: I see.
Pylor is glad of the apparent chance to redeem himself, but wonders what the catch is.
Pylor is very sure that anything Arat has to say about his career will have a catch--the nastier, the better.
Arat: However, she is very young and there are still some rough spots in her training, with which you will be expected to help her make progress while you are assigned together.
Pylor: What problems has she been encountering?
Arat has given quite a bit of thought as to how to describe Brendalee's precise problem without "letting the cat out of the bag" too soon, as it were.
Arat: She had some preconceived notions before entering into training, which in certain circumstances tend to operate as a handicap to her channeling abilities.
Pylor isn't quite sure he does, but figures he'll find out before too long.
Pylor: That leaves me without a transfer assignment this month, if she is to have transfer with one of the staff Seconds?
Pylor hasn't missed a transfer since shortly after his Establishment.
Arat: You may transfer with me, if you would prefer not to have your field taken down.
Arat says this dispassionately.
Arat in fact has been exerting quite a bit of Farris self-control ever since getting within range of the person he's considered all month he'd end up taking transfer with.
Pylor would much rather not miss one this month, either.
Arat has found that Jeniard and Beni have been wearing very thin, support-wise, as he nears hard need.
Pylor is, on the other hand, very sure that a transfer with Arat is not likely to be an optimum experience.
Pylor is too much of a Donor to let his good sense get the better of him, however.
Pylor: Very well.
Pylor consoles himself with the knowledge that it's not likely to be any better for Arat than for Pylor.
Pylor: That's probably the best solution, under the circumstances.
Arat nods.
Pylor tries to find some optimism in knowing that Darrel, at least, will not suffer because Pylor is out of favor.
Arat zlins Pylor's attempts and thinks this is going to be very difficult.
Arat: You will work with Brendalee until then.
Arat: If you will come to my office now, I will introduce you to Brendalee and you can begin your new schedule with her.
Arat had estimated the time required to speak to both Darrel and Pylor, and scheduled Brendalee's appearance at the office in advance.
Arat, like many Farrises, is into elaborate plans that are more amazing for the fact that they work out than anything else.
Pylor's Donor instincts, which have been squashed all month in anticipation of a totally inadequate transfer, and which had started to stir as the news sank in that he was going to get a better match, subside at this reminder that he will not be working with a First for the next week.
Pylor's intellect, however, sees this as the best for all concerned.
Arat frowns as he follows Pylor's internal conflict nagerically.
Arat: Unless you would rather work with me instead?
Arat had planned on stringing Pylor along a little more before offering that.
Pylor's mouth works, as his frustrated desire fights with his dislike of Arat, while what passes for his good sense tries to referee.
Pylor: I'm not sure that would be a good idea, but if you want to try it....
Pylor realizes that this is not a particularly coherent response, but it's the best he can manage.
Pylor really wishes that someone would open a window.
Arat: If you are prepared to try your hardest, and treat me at least as well as you would another channel, then I am willing to give you a chance.
Pylor's Donor instincts are so encouraged by this that they redouble their efforts, thus overruling personal dislike and common sense both.
Pylor: I will try.
Pylor just hopes that this isn't a worse mistake than talking to that reporter was.
Arat decides that now would be a good time to reveal some of his growing ~~ need ~~.
Pylor's nager latches onto Arat's, hungry for the feel, with a bit more precision than Pylor usually manages.
Pylor's precision is still not up to Farris-optimal standards, however.
Arat tries to decide whether low-grade support is worse than, or better than, no support at all, and then decides that is irrelevant so long as he can make it to the end of the month intact.
Arat of course is more interested in pulling off a coup regarding Pylor's attitude and training than he is in having a perfect ending to a less than perfect month.
Arat: In that case, go ahead and clean up here, and meet me at my office in... 20 minutes. I will make other arrangements for Brendalee for this week.
Pylor nods.
Pylor hopes that he hasn't just cut his own throat, career-wise.
Pylor has been doing far too much of that, lately.
Arat turns and leaves the records room.
Pylor is able to find one bright part of the picture: Nick will be returning about the time Arat will be writing his report on Pylor's performance, so Arat is likely to be in a comparatively mellow mood.
Pylor manages to present himself in front of Arat's office in exactly 20 minutes, in a fresh uniform with creases in the pants legs, that happened to have just been delivered from the laundry.
Arat meanwhile has utterly failed to get Brendalee rescheduled and out of his office in time to miss Pylor, as had been his intention.
Pylor hesitates outside the door as he hears voices inside.
Pylor checks his watch, shrugs, and exercises Donor's privilege by walking in.
Pylor did pick up how much Arat hates answering the door, during their previous assignments, and doesn't want to irritate his channel immediately.
Arat looks up at Pylor's entry, and gestures for Pylor to come on over near him.
Brendalee: And another thing... hey!! This the one?
Brendalee zlins Pylor in amazement.
Pylor tries to keep his nager unobtrusive as he makes his way across the office, so he won't interrupt Arat's work.
Brendalee is a young, brash, loudmouthed channel with two pigtails.
Brendalee: Hey, he ain't half handsome, for a city boy.
Pylor frowns in concentration as he tries to keep his nager and the ambient steady; a lesser rated channel might mistake the expression for disapproval.
Arat of course is all for concentration, and has no objection whatsoever.
Arat has worse problems, in trying to control Brendalee's mouth in order that she won't start to offend Pylor too soon.
Arat: [there's plenty of time for that after next week!]
Pylor decides that he's working too hard to enjoy tea, and settles into the chair beside Arat's.
Arat: Brendalee, this is Sosu Pylor.
Arat: Pylor, this is Brendalee. The two of you will be working together next month.
Arat hopes it will be a profound experience for both of them.
Pylor finally feels confident enough of his control (now that he is sitting in one place) to spare attention for the visitor.
Brendalee meanwhile is studying Pylor with growing mystification and fascination.
Pylor: Pleased to meet you, Brendalee.
Pylor sounds a bit more distracted than pleased, actually, which is understandable, in such circumstances.
Pylor: Controller Arat tells me that you hope to Qualify as a First next month.
Brendalee: Hope is for mama's boys. What I say I'm going to do, I do it, no question about it.
Brendalee: You Donor enough for me, boy?
Brendalee assesses him frankly.
Arat laces his fingers and tentacles together on his desktop and tries to be philosophical about the too-early meeting of this carefully arranged pair.
Pylor is about twice Brendalee's age, and does not look overwhelmed with Brendalee's prowess, being rather distracted.
Brendalee looks dismayed as Pylor says nothing.
Pylor does spare enough attention for a brief, but thorough, assessment of Brendalee.
Pylor: I don't anticipate any particular problem.
Pylor thinks it's likely to be a very restful assignment, after a week's worth of Arat.
Brendalee's daddy always said only cream puffs use them big words when little words will do.
Brendalee takes a closer look at Pylor: Neatly groomed, uniform impeccably clean and pressed, skin pasty, no muscles to speak of.
Brendalee's lip curls.
Brendalee: We'll see about that!
Brendalee puffs up like a small, tentacled rooster.
Arat applies some spin control to the ambient.
Arat: Brendalee, I will require some time alone with my Donor now. Thank you for stopping by, and I will see you tomorrow in the pediatric ward.
Pylor finally pays enough attention to gather that Brendalee seems to have some objection to something or other.
Arat is not often this polite with people who are making fools of themselves, a sure sign he is struggling mightily to make something in particular occur.
Brendalee: Humph!
Brendalee thinks Arat is an inbred, nutless pansy with no spark to speak of, and even less color... and Pylor is just a wannabe.
Pylor might have had a better chance of figuring out what, if he wasn't distracted by Arat's need.
Pylor: Are you anticipating any particular difficulties as you attempt to Qualify First?
Pylor wonders if this accounts for her strange responses.
Arat groans inwardly as Pylor interrupts what had promised to be a quick exit by Brendalee.
Brendalee: No. [belligerently]
Brendalee: I do what I say, and I say what I mean.
Brendalee: And I mean to Qualify First with no problems, no problems at all.
Pylor: I'm sure you do, but it's perfectly normal to have some misgivings about taking on such a large responsibility.
Pylor: There's no shame in that.
Brendalee thinks, and definitely not any problems that would require any help from sissified city boys with their slick hair and fussy clothes.
Brendalee tries to parse Pylor's words.
Brendalee: You trying to start something? [demands at last]
Brendalee: I don't got nothing to be ashamed of, and you better believe it!
Brendalee: Unless you want a fat lip....
Arat raises a cautionary hand.
Pylor blinks, trying to figure out why Brendalee seems to think they are fighting.
Arat: That won't be necessary.
Brendalee: You think just because you went to a fancy school and sit your fat ass in the Controller's office, that you know more than me?? [to Pylor]
Brendalee: My daddy could whup your butt in two seconds flat with one hand tied behind his back.
Arat massages his forehead gently.
Pylor is starting to catch on, now that he's paying attention.
Brendalee pauses to see if Pylor has anything to say for himself.
Pylor: I think I know more than you because I've been working as a First for over ten years, while you're barely past changeover.
Brendalee is young, confused and still hasn't quite figured out that she can't reshape the world to match the backwater town she was born in.
Pylor: And all your daddy's skill at whupping won't help you Qualify to clean the stables.
Pylor: What counts here is who you are, and what you care to make of yourself.
Brendalee: I'm just as good as any of you are.
Pylor: Not when it comes to channeling skills. Not yet. And if you want to improve, you'll have to learn the necessary skills from those who already know them.
Brendalee wishes she could learn something from a real man, or a real woman... somebody who knows how to steal a horse, repair a cultivator with baling wire and fish hooks, and milk a cow in a minute flat.
Pylor: Do you have what it takes to work for what you want, or do you prefer to sit around and come up with excuses for why you shouldn't have to?
Brendalee: What are you talking about? [scowls]
Brendalee: I ain't makin' no excuses for nothing. I don't need no excuses for nothing either.
Pylor: In that case, I'm sure you'll work hard with me to master the skills you'll require, and Qualify on schedule.
Brendalee looks doubtful, mainly about Pylor's seaworthiness as a teacher.
Arat gives a meaningful look at the door, reminding Brendalee she was dismissed about 25 sentences ago.
Pylor: Next week, we'll have a chance to get better acquainted, but just now, I believe Controller Arat could use my assistance.
Pylor has not been completely blind to Arat's growing impatience.
Brendalee looks between the two of them, makes a fortunate decision to forbear commenting on certain types requiring help with everything up to and including toilet paper, nods, and leaves.
Pylor moves his chair slightly closer to Arat.
Arat removes his fingers from his forehead.
Pylor: Does her ability justify her confidence?
Pylor wishes he had had a chance to read over Brendalee's file before meeting her; he hates to improvise in front of a highly critical audience like Arat.
Pylor remembers his promise to treat Arat as he would any channel, and reaches for Arat's hands.
Arat: She is probably capable of Qualifying then, with the proper preparation.
Pylor: I see.
Pylor dismisses Brendalee as next month's problem, and goes to work on Arat.
Pylor: Headache?
Arat allows Pylor to take his hands.
Arat: Somewhat, yes.
Arat in fact has had a head ache since their transfer, not something it seems prudent to mention now.
Arat finds Pylor's nager a difficult match, but then again he's been without ongoing Donor support for three weeks and is in worse shape than he'll admit.
Pylor manages to almost forget that it's Arat he's working with, in the absence of a stream of complaints and instructions, and there is able to give Arat's headache the same sort of treatment he'd provide a non-Farris channel.
Arat therefore finds himself sagging onto Pylor's imperfect support with the relief an exhausted marathon runner finds in a bed of prickly-pear pads.