Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #117: Expensive Blunder (12/18/99)
Pylor was able to put two and two together: The Powers That Be can see Arat is about to collapse, and are hoping to blame him for it, instead of Beni, who is a Rising Star on the staff.
Pylor is inclined not to oblige the Powers that Be, and so is taking his duties a bit more seriously than on previous occasions.
Pylor knows he can't manage support for much more than their actual work sessions, but is also aware that Gen nagers have influence with Simes even in non-support configuration.
Pylor has therefore ordered his (still bland, alas) breakfast delivered to Arat's office, along with an extra side of toast.
Pylor pushes the toast towards Arat, and digs into his porridge with an enthusiasm that only a Gen who has been involuntarily fasting for three days can manage.
Pylor: ~~ starvation ~~
Arat picks up a piece of toast and inspects it.
Pylor has heard enough rumors about Arat's food-related habits to ignore this, or maybe he's just too hungry to care while there's food in front of him.
Pylor is conscious enough of his duties to force himself to eat a bit slower than he'd like, to prolong his appetite.
Arat makes it his business to not know what somebody may or may not have done on his behalf, for self-protection.
Arat therefore would not be able to say for certain that there was any foul play involved in Pylor's sudden illness, mainly because no investigation was made.
Arat however has his suspicions.
Arat starts inspecting the condiments before that thought can kill his appetite completely.
Pylor had arranged for the delivery of a suitable selection of Farris-safe jams, honey, and so on.
Arat looks at the selection with a sort of distressed impatience.
Pylor takes another large bite of porridge.
Arat finally chooses one and inspects the contents.
Pylor: ~~ Ahhhhh, fooooooood ~~
Arat glares at Pylor.
Arat: Must you?
Pylor looks up from his bowl, with surprisingly well done innocence.
Pylor: I'm hungry.
Pylor has been Gen long enough to ignore the implied contempt from Simes confronted with hungry Gens.
Arat tries to decide whether Pylor is lying, or really has so little control of his nager even now.
Pylor does, however, share the common Gen annoyance of Simes who taunt Gen appetite, then expect Gens to coddle them when need hits.
Arat scowls and picks up a knife, trying to ignore Pylor.
Pylor might or might not have the control to stop broadcasting his hunger; what is sure is that he's not particularly trying to do so.
Pylor is, on the other hand, not attempting to impose his appetite on Arat either, beyond what influence it has just by not being dampened.
Arat examines the knife, the toast, and the jam minutely to make sure there is still nothing wrong with any of them.
Arat puts down the piece of toast and picks up a different one, examines it, and then begins applying the jam.
Pylor ignores Arat in favor of a bit of fruit.
Pylor is just graduating off the completely-bland phase of the convalescent diet, and is therefore in a particularly appreciative mood with regards to fruit.
Pylor: ~~ MMMMmmmmmm ~~
Arat at this point would be ready to consider climbing out the window, if the office had a window.
Pylor takes another bite, just to see if it's as good as the last.
Arat takes one bite of toast, which tastes awful. Nothing could taste as good as the big, hairy deal Pylor is making out of this.
Arat scowls and sips some tea to try to get rid of the taste.
Pylor does not appear to notice Arat's food consumption, being too occupied with his own.
Pylor goes back to his porridge, as the fruit must be rationed.
Pylor has enough of a void in his middle to find it satisfying, if not as interesting as the fruit.
Arat puts down the tea and toast in a fury.
Arat: You are driving me crazy.
Arat gets up and walks out of the office.
see note 1
Arat is back in his office, compiling the District Report for the month based upon the contents of the local reports that had comprised a good part of the mail heap that had previously graced his desk.
Mantia signals at Arat's door, without appointment.
Arat's mood, which has grown increasingly vicious (a sure sign he is recovering from his post-transfer doldrums), is not improved by the interruption.
Arat tries to zlin, but does not recognize the nager.
Arat: Enter!
Mantia does so.
Arat does not recognize this person whatsoever.
Arat looks at, and zlins, Mantia.
Mantia is a very confident middle-aged Gen woman dressed in a very tight skirt and blouse that practically scream "show biz manager type"
Mantia: Thank you for seeing me, Controller Arat. I'm Mantia Morrels, with Lortuen Records.
Arat's expression fades from purely annoyed to annoyed-and-incredulous-distaste-covered-by-impatience.
Mantia obviously expects Arat to know the company.
Mantia helps herself to a seat.
Mantia: I'm here to ask your assistance in locating the lead singer to one of our more successful acts.
Mantia: Buggfa Lube appears to have run off with a rogue you were trying to rehabilitate.
Arat: I see.
Mantia: They are supposedly traveling with a channel from your District, one Riyyh ambrov Nariff or some such.
Arat: Naros.
Arat: He is not assigned to me, he is a Householder.
Mantia: If you say so. It's impossible to keep all those names straight.
Arat tries to decide how much support he would be expected to provide in this situation. At least some support would be required, of course.
Mantia: Still, he lives in your District, and he's a channel. Surely you have at least some idea where he might be headed?
Arat: I do.
Mantia: Good. Then you can help us locate him?
Mantia: He's due to perform in another two weeks, and he can't do that if he's wrapped up in some "rehabilitation" nonsense.
Arat: I have their location as of two weeks ago and some general itinerary information. Nothing preci... [pauses at what Mantia says]
Mantia feels very strongly that Buggfa is a more profitable act in his current condition.
Arat's opinion of Mantia, already somewhere on the level of invertebrate mud dweller, sinks further.
Mantia: He has obligations, a contract, and that has to take precedence.
Arat nods.
Mantia: Besides, his... condition... is an intrinsic part of the act.
Arat: Well, I can provide you with what information I have, which will narrow down the possible l... locations of....
Arat is having a hard time handling Mantia's attitude toward her employee's condition.
Arat: Do you have any idea what you're saying!
Mantia: I'm saying we've got a new tour lined up, out West, and if Buggfa can't perform, we'll sue him for every penny he's got.
Arat's expression twitches at the mention of lawsuits, a difficult topic for him lately.
Mantia: He can get all the "rehabilitation" he thinks he requires when his obligation to Lortuen Records is over.
Mantia: It's not as if there's anything really wrong with him.
Mantia defines "really wrong" as "interfering with a profitable performance".
Mantia: So he can't donate. Lots of Gens don't.
Mantia: The Tecton isn't going to collapse for want of one general-class donor.
Mantia says this with the blithe confidence of a Gen.
Arat: I see.
Mantia: If that's what it takes for him to do the show--well, art requires sacrifice.
Mantia is perhaps being less concerned than she might be, if the sacrifice in question was her own.
Arat appears to have nothing but contempt for Mantia at this point.
Mantia: There's nothing really wrong with Buggfa. Nothing that's worth canceling the tour, anyway.
Mantia appears to genuinely believe that Buggfa is in decent condition.
Mantia's out-T counterparts were assured of this by the out-T doctors when Buggfa left the hospital, after all.
Arat: And upon whose expert examination are you basing that assumption?
Mantia: The only time he's been sick enough to cancel was when he got burned by that rogue. Stupid thing to do, but the song was great.
Mantia appears to think the two balance out.
Mantia: The doctors said he was OK when they let him out of the hospital, and he's been performing regularly since then.
Mantia: So why does he suddenly think he has to have this additional "rehabilitation"?
Arat: Miz Morrels, are you aware that I am obligated by law to act on your employee's behalf when I am given information of this nature?
Mantia looks genuinely surprised.
Mantia: Of what nature? The kid recovered; the doctors said so.
Mantia: Buggfa has a contract with us, and he can't fulfill it while he's running around with a couple of rogues.
Arat: Has he been examined by a channel? Is it on record?
Mantia: A channel? There weren't any channels that far out-Territory.
Arat: When did this happen?
Mantia: Two and half years ago.
Arat: And he has never been examined by a channel?
Arat is starting to think this all sounds terribly familiar.
Arat remembers something about a transfer burned rock star in a trade journal a couple of years ago.
Mantia: I think he went to see one a while back, during a tour.
Mantia: Nothing came of it.
Mantia: If it were some kind of emergency, wouldn't he have gone back then?
Mantia: If it can wait, it can wait until after the tour.
Arat thinks it is time this Buggfa Lube got into the Tecton system.
Arat opens a filing cabinet, flicks his tentacles about, then selects a form.
Arat proceeds to fill out most of the form based upon his memory of the details in Nick's letter and what he recalls of the article.
Arat: It will be necessary to have him formally evaluated by an accredited channel before the border authorities will be able to release him.
Mantia: Border authorities!
Mantia: You mean, he was picked up trying to cross the Border?
Arat plans, of course, to alert said authorities to the situation. The different arms of the Tecton, while not actually in control of one another, do tend to cooperate.
Arat: No, but he will be, if my team doesn't get to him first.
Mantia: ...What?
Arat: In order to examine him it will be necessary to have him in physical custody.
Mantia: He's not sick!
Mantia says this with the assurance of someone who can't zlin.
Arat: If everything is in order, he will be free to go at once.
Mantia: And if whoever gives him this "examination" decides that not being able to donate is a disease?
Mantia: What happens to the tour?
Arat gives her a look of utter disdain.
Arat: Do not play stupid with me, Miz Morrels.
Arat: You are talking about a Gen who was transfer burned and has not been treated.
Mantia: He got treated just fine in the Cago hospital.
Arat refuses to believe Mantia is literally that ignorant.
Arat therefore can only assume she is trying to jerk his chain, and he cannot tolerate that.
Arat: If you are personally involved in the act of negligence which has led to his being forced to work in such a condition, then you are in serious legal jeopardy and I would recommend that you educate yourself as necessary to understand the situation you are now in.
Mantia: He can't be too badly off, if he's been performing with this "crippling condition" for over two years.
Mantia makes a mental note to ask the home office some tough questions, though, just in case.
Arat recalls that a few minutes ago, Mantia was threatening Buggfa if he did not perform for her. He wonders where she got the idea he's been doing this willingly, if she thinks he has to be forced.
Arat: We will see.
Arat has already mentally rearranged Tiarala's schedule.
Arat has already proven the efficacy of Tiarala as an add-on to any collection team sent to a Riyyh-infested area.
Arat: In the meantime, it will also be necessary to track your whereabouts.
Arat: I am afraid you will not be able to leave the Territory until this has been resolved.
Mantia: My whereabouts? Whatever for?
Mantia: I'm not the one who's breaking contract.
Arat: You may travel with the collection team when they go to detain Buggfa, if you wish, but you will not be permitted to interfere until the investigation is complete.
Mantia: ...Interfere? Investigation?
Mantia doesn't appreciate the sound of this.
Arat: Miz Morrels, this is a very serious situation. A Gen in Buggfa Lube's condition could cause an accident or provoke a kill without even being afraid.
Arat suspects anybody who has been burned in that way would probably be afraid as well.
Mantia: We hire an extensive security staff to prevent just that sort of occurrence.
Arat: As an alternative to having him treated?
Arat: Do not forget, you said earlier that you prefer him in his current condition. Rest assured, I will not.
Arat in fact is going to be writing down this entire conversation in detail as soon as they are finished.
Mantia: Controller Arat, perhaps you are unaware of the realities of show business, and what is required to prevent a successful act from being mobbed by its fans.
Mantia: I assure you, Rocky and Tarzan are guarded by our security staff every bit as much as Buggfa, and they've never been burned.
Mantia is aware that it was probably Buggfa's unfortunate accident that nipped any experimentation on their part in the bud, but that's irrelevant, in her opinion.
Arat: I believe your exact words were, "Besides, his condition is an intrinsic part of the act."
Arat looks at Mantia pointedly.
Mantia: It's part of what makes him a successful artist, true, just as all good artists put their own experiences into their art.
Mantia is aware that few do it as literally as Buggfa, but that's neither here nor there.
Arat is perfectly aware that Mantia's statement was originally made in the context of why she thought rehabilitation was undesirable, and he is not going to forget that either.
Arat does not like people who try to play games, particularly people who don't pay them well and perhaps aren't that much smarter than the stupidity they pretend.
Arat has a particular loathing for people who misuse employees who perform well.
Arat: [and people who misuse possessions as well; he comes from a long line of peasant-farming landowners]
Mantia is starting to regret ever consulting Arat on this matter.
Mantia is used to being able to make decisions on the acts she manages without extraneous interference in the employment process.
Mantia decides that she really requires a consultation with the higher-ups in the company.
Arat finishes filling out the border stop order to be transmitted to the appropriate parties.
Mantia looks at the order, and considers the destruction it could wreak for her schedule.
Mantia: Well, we won't settle the artistic issues today. I will be in touch regarding this... examination order of yours.
Arat plans to have Tiarala and crew out on the road this afternoon, if not sooner.
Arat nods.
Mantia gets up, in a hurry to leave before Arat can start questioning her about the other Lortuen Records acts.
Arat fills out the rest of the papers after she's gone. He feels somewhat better at having something to sink his teeth into that's less unsatisfying than the monthly District report.
Notes:
1) Some time passes between these two scenes. [return]