Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #104: Outing (11/14/99)
Arat awaits Leta's arrival for their weekly discussion of her assignment with Homer.
Leta signals at the door, prompt as usual.
Arat always appreciates a prompt arrival to an appointment.
Arat: Enter!
Arat places Homer's folder in the center of his desk.
Leta opens the door and enters, smiling as usual.
Arat: Sosu Leta.
Arat indicates that she may have a seat.
Leta: Controller.
Leta seats herself neatly, all her movement precise.
Arat: I have read your report.
Arat: You say you have found taking him down to the riverside park beneficial?
Leta nods helpfully.
Leta: Very beneficial Controller. It helps him to "center" himself.
Arat: The disorientation and panic he displayed before your first visit to the park - have any similar incidents occurred since?
Leta: Well, he hasn't thrown up over me since then.
Leta thinks that is a great improvement.
Arat: Then it's happened, but to a lesser degree?
Leta considers.
Arat studies Leta carefully.
Leta: He is still uncertain and shy, for the want of a better word, of city life. Large buildings certainly seem to throw him, but it is improving.
Leta: Being able to sit on the grass and look at the river at least once a day seems to settle him.
Leta: I'm wondering if some of the bad behavior that was reported was simply a case of him being out of his own environment.
Arat nods thoughtfully.
Leta: He seems to be settling in as well as can be expected in the circumstances, and is certainly trying very hard to fit in.
Arat: I see. I will arrange for it, then.
Leta: ~ surprised ~
Leta is surprised that the Controller agreed so readily.
Arat: He has been pleasant to your coworkers?
Leta: Pleasant might be too strong a term. He is polite, if somewhat withdrawn with some.
Arat: Does he appear to have stopped thinking of this as his punishment?
Leta: No, he still considers it punishment. He seems resigned to it though, and somewhat determined to do the best he can.
Leta: ~ regretful ~
Arat supposes it had been ambitious to hope that would be taken care of so soon.
Arat: That is an improvement nonetheless.
Arat admitting somebody has improved in any area is equivalent to pretty decent praise from anybody else.
Leta accepts it as praise for her work as well as for Homer's own achievements.
Leta looks at her timepiece. Being only a Gen she needs mechanical help to keep track of time.
Arat: Very well. Unless you would like to add anything, I will look forward to your next report.
Leta stands. "Thank you, Controller."
Arat watches Leta leave, thinking she's done well and planning to reward her with another special assignment.
Rosmur takes the steps of the District Controller's Offices gracefully, his well toned legs moving smoothly under his modern, but understated, garments.
Rosmur holds the heavy door open for a departing Gen, smiling charmingly at them and wishing them a nice day.
Rosmur strides smoothly over to the information desk and asks the way to the District Controller's office.
Cheeri: Just go right up those stairs, 5th floor, half way around to your left.
Cheeri: You do have an appointment, I hope?
Cheeri smiles, hoping to catch his interest, because he is cu-ute.
Rosmur smiles in such a way to make her legs wobble.
Rosmur: Oh, he is expecting to see me.
Rosmur doesn't point out that Arat has probably been expecting to see him sometime in the last few days.
Cheeri clutches the desk as she starts to feel all fluttery... but in a good way.
Cheeri: Lucky him. [says to her self]
Rosmur doesn't tickle her under her chin, but leaves her feeling that way.
Rosmur climbs the five flights of stairs, considering it all part of a healthy daily exercise program.
Rosmur swings around to the left and starts looking for an identifying mark.
Vetta walks past, wearing a large purple birthmark.
Vetta notices Rosmur and blushes nearly as purple on the rest of her skin.
Rosmur: Excuse me please, could you tell me which door will lead me to Controller Arat?
Vetta: ~~ damn he's cute ~~
Vetta: ~~ Oh shit he's talking to me! ~~
Rosmur smiles and puts out reassuring vibes.
Vetta: Room 558 [squeaks]
Rosmur: Thank you so very much! I would have been walking around here all day if it hadn't been for your help.
Vetta smiles, melting all over the corridor. [nagerically that is]
Vetta doesn't faint. Fortunately.
Rosmur smiles goodbye and heads for room 558.
Rosmur signals at the door with "558" on it.
Arat is hunched over his desk, letting his shoulders get knotted up as he tries to finish a very important memo.
Arat throws down the pen in annoyance at the interruption.
Arat looks to see where his Donor is, that should be answering the door, but of course neither Beni or Jeniard is there.
Arat sighs.
Arat: Enter!
Rosmur opens the door and walks in, preceded by his attitude of good humor, self confidence and "neatness".
Rosmur: Hello! Can you help me please, I'm looking for Controller Arat.
Arat stares at Rosmur, then looks down at the memo he just killed himself trying to finish. It is a memo demanding to know where the specialist he requested over a month ago is.
Arat looks back at Rosmur.
Arat: I am Controller Arat Farris.
Rosmur's full attention on everyone he talks to always gives that person the feeling that they are the most important person around. Well, in this case maybe it's justified.
Rosmur's smile lights up his entire being.
Arat notices the respect Rosmur is giving him and thinks that makes up for a lot. It does tend to, with Arat.
Rosmur: I'm so very pleased to meet you at last Controller, I am Rosmur Velantie.
Arat: You're late.
Arat somehow doesn't think that's as important as it seemed about five minutes ago, though.
Rosmur makes a wonderfully expressive gesture that involves face, neck, arms, hands, tentacles, and the rest of him as well.
Arat notices everything.
Rosmur: I'm so dreadfully sorry about that, Controller.
Arat usually notices everything, but in this case there is also plenty to notice.
Rosmur looks at the chair in front of the desk. "May I sit?"
Arat nods his assent.
Rosmur sits down and crosses one long shapely leg over the other.
Rosmur is always at ease, even when he isn't.
Arat catches himself wishing the desk wasn't obscuring the view, and then realizes to his astonishment that he finds Rosmur attractive.
Arat doesn't know what to do, because this is an extremely rare phenomenon.
Rosmur: I must say, Controller, I certainly wasn't expecting you to be in an office like this.
Rosmur: I was expecting something more to equal your reputation!
Arat is too flustered to say anything more than, "And what would that be?"
Rosmur: Why, with your extremely heavy work load you should have at least five secretaries and a bus load of clerics!
Arat notices he just said something stupid and struggles for something more like his usual composure.
Rosmur: The tales we hear about the volume of such high quality work that simply pours out of such a humble office!
Arat realizes he is being flattered, although somehow it isn't as annoying as it should be, coming from the person of Rosmur.
Rosmur: Surely you know the reputation you have gained as being one of the most efficient Controllers ever to be in this, or any other District?
Rosmur looks surprised.
Rosmur: ~ honest ~
Arat looks back at Rosmur, looking somewhat surprised as well.
Arat doesn't have a backup plan for being this tongue tied, because it usually happens only when he's furious and then he doesn't need to say anything, his nager and expression do all the work.
Rosmur: I, Controller, am at your disposal, for the time being at least. Anything I can do to make your load easier, just ask and I'll do my best.
Arat clears his throat.
Arat: Thank you.
Rosmur: I only hope that I can reach your standards.
Arat decides to deal with the flattery by ignoring it, because he can't think of what else to do with it.
Arat: I have every hope that that shall prove no difficulty for you.
Rosmur: ~ flattered ~ Why thank you, Controller. Those are very kind words.
Arat could get used to having somebody around who ass-kissed this much all the time.
Arat wonders if it wears off after the first few hours, though.
Arat: I trust you were forwarded the case file for the channel you will be working with?
Rosmur nods. He doesn't appear to be carrying anything though.
Arat: Your Controller seemed confident that you would be able to do something with her, and your records indicate you do have remarkable success in dealing with personality issues in channels.
Arat of course is known far and wide for being one big personality issue himself, but that is a different story.
Rosmur: Well, I'd hesitate to use the word "remarkable". [gestures again with his hands, tentacles and arms]
Rosmur: But thank you, I do my best.
Rosmur: ~ modest ~
Arat likes humbleness, as long as it doesn't become ridiculous.
Arat: She has been physically ready for work for some time, and I sincerely hope that you will be able to render her fit for public service during the time you're available to us.
Rosmur: I'm looking forward to meeting her. She sounds like an extremely talented but misused person from the reports.
Arat approves of Rosmur's reaction.
Arat in fact has approved of everything about Rosmur so far, something which so unnerves him that he can't even describe the feeling.
Arat nods.
Rosmur: When will we be able to meet?
Arat: Whenever you have gotten settled in.
Arat ordinarily would put a new slave to work immediately, but for some reason is feeling extra permissive towards Rosmur.
Arat: Will you be staying here, or have you arranged for outside accommodations?
Arat finds himself wondering, quite out of the blue, whether he might get a chance to see those accommodations, wherever they are.
Arat is quite perplexed by this apparently randomly occurring thought and doesn't know what to do with it either.
Rosmur: I have accommodations. But I would be happy to move here if you think it best. I travel light.
Arat nods. "Whichever you prefer."
Arat: Would you like to meet her now, then?
Rosmur: ~ surprise ~
Rosmur: Why, certainly!
Rosmur: ~ impressed with Arat's organization ~
Rosmur: You really don't miss a beat do you?
Arat decides not to mention that he's been waiting for days and days and has been trying to think of things to do with Snake in the meantime, so Snake's schedule is actually pretty clear.
Arat locks his special drawer, then rises.
Rosmur notes the special drawer and rises also.
Arat would probably be fairly handsome himself - in the beaky Farris sort of way - if he wasn't always half starved, stressed out and a workaholic.
Arat has never been seen in anything but that state, however, so people will just have to speculate.
Arat leads the way out the door and down a corridor.
Rosmur follows Arat down the corridor, catching peoples' glances whenever anyone happens to pass, and capturing them with a smile.
Arat: Wise Snake is a very good channel, when she applies herself.
Arat: However, she has been apathetic for some time, dating back well before her capture.
Rosmur nods. He had read all that, and, as usual, committed it automatically to memory.
Arat: The transition of Nick leaving was cushioned somewhat by her assignment to Alea Farris, but now that that's over, there have been serious difficulties.
Rosmur: Who is she assigned to now?
Arat: Sosu Beni. He is not strictly speaking Farris grade, but he is trainable and has been working with both Snake and myself.
Rosmur: I'm sure that you provide wonderfully for everyone under your care. ~ admiration ~
Arat is becoming accustomed to the high level of constant admiration and if it goes on much longer, everybody else will suffer for not being up to that standard.
Arat: [even more than usual, that is]
Arat takes Rosmur down a flight of stairs, then through several corridors, making his way eventually to the security area where Snake is housed.
Arat pauses.
Rosmur keeps a respectful silence.
Arat has to think of the right way to phrase this.
Arat finally turns to Rosmur.
Arat: Do not be too disappointed if things do not go well the first time.
Arat: I will be satisfied with any kind of regular progress.
Rosmur: I understand.
Rosmur has nothing but respect for Arat's fair treatment in allowing him time.
Arat nods, and then turns and signals at the door.
Arat has a few words with Beni when he answers, and after a few moments Beni slips past them and leaves.
Rosmur zlins the departing Gen clinically.
Wise Snake is lounging on a cot in the otherwise bare room.
Wise Snake has pushed herself up on one elbow to see this big deal channel people have been talking about for days now.
Rosmur is dismayed by the severity of the room.
Arat enters the room after Rosmur and lets the door close and lock behind them.
Wise Snake: Hello... Dad.
Wise Snake always makes it the worst of insults.
Wise Snake then proceeds to ignore Arat and give all her scrutiny to Rosmur.
Wise Snake: What's the matter, haven't you ever hung out with a rogue prisoner before?
Rosmur: I'm pleased to finally meet you in person, Hajene Wise Snake.
Wise Snake wonders what other kind of meeting there is.
Rosmur gives the impression of bowing without moving a millimeter.
Wise Snake: Neat trick.
Rosmur grins from ear to ear.
Rosmur: Thank you, took me ages to get it right.
Wise Snake: Now if somebody could only train Pylor to genuflect like that, his ass might be worth something.
Wise Snake makes a mental note of it in case she ever does manage to get her hands on that Donor.
Wise Snake can't imagine that even Arat is enough of a masochist to keep trying with him forever.
Rosmur turns to Arat.
Arat has been looking on with a rather strained expression.
Rosmur: I must thank you again, Controller. I hope that we may be able to talk again soon? Maybe, are you free for dinner tonight?
Arat's expression turns somewhat incredulous as he realizes he is being dismissed.
Rosmur eyes light up as if he hopes against hope that Arat might be able to actually dine with him.
Rosmur: ~ please please ~
Arat becomes flat out dumbfounded as he realizes that the personality specialist actually wants to spend time with him on a social basis, and of course he has no idea 1) if it's for business or pleasure or 2) why he wants it so badly to be pleasure.
Arat: If you wish.
Arat turns and walks out, looking disturbed.
Rosmur turns his smile onto the reclining Snake.
Wise Snake is watching him calculatingly.
Rosmur: Not much furniture in here, is there?
Wise Snake: How long have you been pulling his tentacles?
Wise Snake: Is that how you got this job?
Wise Snake pushes herself up and gets off the cot, leaving it free in case Rosmur wants to sit down.
Rosmur: Hmmm? Oh, I hadn't met your father until 1/2 an hour ago.
Wise Snake: No wonder you still act like you like him.
Wise Snake leans idly against the wall.
Rosmur: I'm sure that the Controller has his good points, as does everyone.
Rosmur honestly believes that in his own way.
Rosmur: Would you like to get out of here for awhile?
Rosmur looks around the rather boring room.
Wise Snake smiles cynically.
Rosmur: There isn't much stimulation in here is there?
Wise Snake: Do you have clearance?
Rosmur: Oh, I'm sure we will have no problems.
Rosmur opens the door and looks back at Snake. "You will promise to stay with me and not to try to run away, won't you?"
Wise Snake considers.
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake wonders how Rosmur was able to unlock the door, and makes a mental note to watch more carefully next time.
Rosmur: Well, I guess I'll just have to trust you anyway.
Wise Snake moves past him and out into the hallway, smirking at a nearby guard's disquiet.
Rosmur walks behind her, making sure to keep a fair distance away so that she doesn't feel like he might grab her.
Wise Snake walks away a few steps, then stops and looks at him.
Wise Snake: Where are we going?
Rosmur: Where would you like to go?
Wise Snake doesn't have a good answer to that question, which is the main reason the Tecton has been able to keep their hands on her for so long.
Wise Snake: For a walk.
Rosmur: How about we go down to the river and throw things at the ducks?
Rosmur means bread of course.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: What's this all about?
Rosmur: Your father is worried about you. He feels that I might be able to help.
Wise Snake: You mean his bosses are putting the pressure on because I haven't conformed.
Wise Snake: You think I haven't noticed? Not one of his rehabilitation programs are going right these days. At least, none of the Firsts.
Rosmur: I'm not really sure of his motives. I only met him 1/2 an hour ago.
Rosmur: Why do you think that is?
Wise Snake: Well, Pylor hates his guts and he's never going to improve as long as it's Arat trying to rehabilitate him. Nick just plain doesn't want to work for the Tecton and never will.
Rosmur nods.
Rosmur: And you?
Wise Snake snorts, but says nothing.
Rosmur walks in silence beside her until they get to the lobby.
Rosmur continues through the grand lobby, ignoring the "sign out" book (which probably doesn't relate to him anyway as he is a casual guest) and opens the door for her.
Wise Snake squints as she enters the open air for the first time in several months.
Wise Snake: Ah, that's better.
Wise Snake starts to look more interested in her surroundings.
Rosmur: Are you such a danger to society that they have to keep you confined that way?
Wise Snake: Let's skip the river, I have a better idea.
Wise Snake angles across the broad concrete square toward the heart of downtown.
Rosmur: Fine by me. What is it?
Rosmur follows along beside her.
Wise Snake: Oh I don't know, I mean, danger to society, that's such a vague term.
Wise Snake: Insofar as rogue channels are dangers to society, I suppose I am.
Wise Snake's pale eyes dart busily here and there, watching for drug dealers, pimps, etc automatically.
Rosmur sees an ice cream shop ahead.
Rosmur: Would you like an ice cream? My treat.
Wise Snake: Sure.
Wise Snake hands him his wallet, which she had just been thumbing through.
Rosmur: Thank you.
Wise Snake likes to make sure she's still in practice.
Rosmur: What flavor?
Wise Snake: I'll have the plain sherbet.
Wise Snake: Hey, I'll be right back, I just spotted an old friend.
Rosmur grabs her upper arm firmly.
Rosmur: No, I don't think that would be a good idea.
Wise Snake's lips tighten at the restraint, but she doesn't say anything.
Rosmur: Who did you want to see? I'll be happy to go with you, but I really can't allow you to go without me.
Rosmur: ~ reasonable as possible ~
Wise Snake: Forget it.
Rosmur ushers her into the ice cream shop.
Rosmur: Sherbet was it? I'll have one Sherbet and one Chocolate, thank you.
Wise Snake's manner is much different, more negative and brooding.
Rosmur hands Snake the sherbet ice cream and leads her across the road to a small park.
Rosmur: Let's sit here while we eat these.
Wise Snake obeys.
Rosmur sits next to her.
Rosmur: I'm sorry, Wise Snake, I can't let you go.
Wise Snake eats the ice cream while staring darkly at some children playing across the way.
Rosmur: It's not because I'm being paid not to, or that I'll lose my job if I do.
Rosmur: But if I let you go, you would probably be dead or junct, or both, before too much longer.
Rosmur: I'm here to help you, not to hinder you in any way.
Wise Snake: Know where I can get some good tranquilizers?
Wise Snake figures after this long they wouldn't even have to be that good.
Rosmur nods. "If you want drugs, then yes, I can help you."
Rosmur looks up the street for a pharmacy.
Wise Snake looks disgusted.
Wise Snake: Never mind.
Rosmur: Snake, I can't help you if you don't help me. I agree to what you want, and you change your mind.
Wise Snake: Look, I know what's going on here. Arat's just grasping at straws because one more screw up and he'll be busted back to Channel, Ordinary, 1st Class.
Rosmur: I don't care about that.
Wise Snake: I'm not interested in fueling his ego and you may as well stay out of it too.
Rosmur: I don't care about any of that.
Rosmur: ~ sincere ~
Rosmur: I don't want to see you junct, or worse, living off the streets.
Rosmur: There are other ways to live, Snake.
Rosmur: You just haven't been given the chance.
Wise Snake looks at Rosmur with a pale, indecipherable gaze.
Rosmur's ice cream drips over his hand.
Wise Snake's white eyes drift downward to the running mess.
Rosmur: Oops!
Rosmur drops the ice cream in a bin next to the bench and pulls out a handkerchief with his so far unsullied tentacles.
Wise Snake: I could have escaped before this, if I'd tried.
Rosmur: Why didn't you?
Wise Snake: It didn't seem worth the trouble.
Rosmur nods.
Wise Snake: Also, I wanted to be around to see how crazy Arat got when he found out I'd nearly done it again.
Wise Snake: Like this time.
Wise Snake: When he finds out I've been out of the building, he'll have a stroke.
Wise Snake laughs.
Rosmur smiles.
Wise Snake: And he'll be furious with you, I hope you know.
Rosmur: Would you like it if we found other accommodation for you? I'm sure I could arrange it so that you stayed with me during my stay.
Rosmur: If you like, you can join us at dinner tonight.
Wise Snake looks at him in amazement.
Rosmur: We could ask him then.
Wise Snake: I'll be truly stunned if you're even allowed to spend time with me after we get back.
Rosmur finishes cleaning off his hand and looks at the soiled cloth for a second before discarding it in the bin.
Wise Snake: You don't understand, Arat will be so mad he won't be able to see straight.
Rosmur: Wouldn't you enjoy seeing that?
Rosmur: But you know, he might surprise you.
Wise Snake: Yeah?
Rosmur: Well, stranger things have happened.
Wise Snake doesn't see how; in matters of pride, security and control over others, Arat is drearily predictable.