Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #129: Musical Chair (1/6/00)
Mantia paces her office, which is decorated in a nice combination of "trendy executive" and "show biz".
Mantia is not at all happy about the way the Big Cheeses reacted when she told them that the Tecton was picking up Buggfa.
Mantia: ...so you see, as long as Buggfa Lube is in the Tecton's hands, not only isn't he on tour, but he can be used to force an investigation of Lortuen Records.
Dorsh is seated in an uncomfortable contemporary chair, his legal pad open in front of him.
Mantia: The first priority, then, must be to get him out of their clutches.
Mantia: Then we can get on with fighting this ridiculous allegation of abuse.
Dorsh is a tall, elegant Sime with impeccably styled clothes and hair.
Dorsh listens to this stupid Gen with thinly veiled impatience.
Dorsh: Mantia, my dear, you really should brush up a bit on in-Territory law and customs if you hope to do business here.
Mantia snorts in a ladylike (but artistic) fashion.
Dorsh: I have already gathered statements from Buggfa, Sectuib Riyyh and Controller Arat.
Dorsh: The situation was manageable until you indulged in your sweet little rant to the Controller.
Mantia: He's impossible.
Mantia is still ~~ fuming ~~ even so long after the fact.
Dorsh: And you, my dear, put Lortuen in jeopardy for more than one singer and one tour.
Mantia: In any case, the Big Cheeses want Buggfa out of the Tecton's tender mercies, and if you want to earn your overly generous retainer, you'll produce for them.
Dorsh: If the Tecton decides to play hardball, Lortuen could lose its license to do business in-T at all.
Dorsh: And you gave Arat the ammunition yourself.
Dorsh: Now I need some answers
Mantia snorts again, but flounces to her desk and sits.
Dorsh: When he was originally burned, did Buggfa ask to be treated by a channel?
Mantia: I wasn't in charge of Torn By Tentacles at the time, but I'm told that he was unconscious for several days after the burn.
Mantia: I somehow doubt he expressed any opinion about his physicians during that time.
Mantia: It was three months before the doctors decided he was fit to leave.
Dorsh: At what point did you become involved in TBT's management?
Mantia: I've been managing them for the past year and half.
Dorsh: Are you solely responsible for their work schedule and conditions?
Mantia: Of course not. I book tours.
Dorsh: Who takes care of the band's living conditions while on the road?
Mantia: The actual travel arrangements are made by Logistics.
Mantia: And there's on on-site manager with a few assistants to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Dorsh nods, taking many notes.
Mantia: There are also experts in charge of sound, ambient design, lighting, sets, and security.
Mantia: Most of them have assistants or staff, also.
Mantia: Then we have the costumes, and backstage....
Dorsh: What did Buggfa say to you on the subject of rehabilitation for his injury?
Mantia: Rehabilitation? He's never mentioned it where I could hear.
Dorsh: Did you, or the on-site manager, ever tell him that he was forbidden to get treatment for his injury?
Mantia: I certainly didn't. What our acts do in their own time is their business, so long as they honor their contracts.
Mantia states a company policy trotted out frequently when Lortuen Records acts are accused of immoral recreations.
Mantia's company finds that as long as they can deny responsibility, their acts' exploits are good publicity.
Dorsh: Controller Arat is claiming you said that Buggfa's injury is essential to his act and that Lortuen is deliberately maintaining him in ill health to increase profits.
Dorsh: What exactly did you tell the Controller?
Mantia: I said that Buggfa's injury was part of his performance.
Mantia: And it's ridiculous to say that we want him in ill health. How could he perform if he was ill?
Mantia: He's not had so much as cold in months.
Dorsh: Channels consider the selyn system when evaluating the health of a Gen.
Mantia: Channels consider that Gens' sole purpose in existing at all is to donate.
Mantia: Personally, I think that I am more than a portable selyn source.
Dorsh grins.
Dorsh: You are absolutely right, my dear, but I wouldn't express that point of view in the Controller's presence.
Mantia: Buggfa isn't able to donate, but that hardly means that he is unhealthy.
Mantia: Now, the Big Cheeses assure me that your legal talents almost equal your retainer.
Mantia: They want Buggfa out of the Tecton's clutches.
Dorsh: I will get him back for you.
Mantia: Good. Since he isn't a citizen of this Territory, and is not accused of any crime, it shouldn't be overly difficult.
Dorsh: We may have to cut a deal, however, or Lortuen could be fined severely.
Mantia: They've been holding Buggfa for two days now. That's two days when he isn't rehearsing.
Dorsh: How important is Buggfa's disability to the act, really?
Dorsh: How much would you lose if he is treated?
Mantia: It depends on whether he can still do his signature piece.
Mantia: If that goes, we might as well cancel the act.
Dorsh: Well, I'm no musician.
Mantia checks her watch.
Dorsh: Okay, we better go.
Mantia nods shortly.
Dorsh: When we get there, just don't volunteer any opinions unless I ask you for them.
Mantia: I know the drill.
Mantia has, in fact, worked long enough for Lortuen Records to have run into lawyer-type situations on several occasions, if not ones with such severe consequences.
see note 1
Neptude is still trying to tie up the loose ends he found on Arat's desk.
Neptude is most troubled by the account of Gen abuse, always a political hot potato.
Neptude tries to give the Gen in question his most fatherly smile.
Neptude: I really don't see why you feel it necessary to get your employer's permission to be examined.
Neptude: Particularly when Sectuib Riyyh here has already done so.
Riyyh, who is there as moral support for Buggfa due to a poorly thought out promise, smiles and tries to look fatherly and protective without appearing to either contradict Neptude or fail to support Buggfa.
Neptude zlins Buggfa discreetly to see if the argument is having any effect.
Riyyh has a considerable bit more experience looking, and for that matter being, fatherly than Neptude.
Buggfa's arms are still crossed and his lip is still sticking out in a stubborn fashion.
Dorsh walks briskly down the halls of the 53rd District Building, his briefcase on one arm, Mantia on his other.
Buggfa no longer feels required to repeat that he wants to see his lawyer, since he already has, and now knows what is expected of him.
Buggfa therefore keeps his lips zipped.
Neptude sighs.
Dorsh enjoys the bustle of the passers-by and anticipates the challenge to come.
Riyyh sends an apologetic glance to Neptude.
Neptude had really hoped that it was one of those situations where Arat was overreacting.
Dorsh has a feral glint in his eyes as he approaches Controller Arat's office.
Dorsh gives Mantia a little pinch for good measure and signals at the door.
Neptude: Well, here are your boss and her lawyer. Perhaps they will be able to clarify matters.
Neptude: Enter!
Riyyh has met the lawyer, but not Mantia.
Mantia slaps at Dorsh's pinching hand, wishing her bosses had hired someone more pleasant.
Dorsh strides boldly into the room, making eye contact and zlinning all present.
Mantia then reflects that lawyers aren't hired for their niceness.
Mantia follows.
Dorsh: Dino Dorsh, here, from the law firm Dorsh, Bakadian, and Cherik, representing Lortuen Records.
Dorsh is a renSime with styled, curling hair, a handsome jutting chin and unusually broad shoulders for a Sime.
Dorsh dresses expensively and in excellent taste.
Riyyh sighs and wishes Dorsh's taste in behavior was as excellent.
Dorsh grins at Neptude.
Neptude: Ah, pleased to meet you. How is Chulu, anyway?
Neptude thus makes it plain that he's on a first-name basis with the senior partner, Chulu Cherik.
Buggfa sits there and tries to be as invisible and forgotten as one of the chairs. Fortunately, he has a lot of practice at it, and the Powers that Be are inclined to think of him as an object to begin with.
Mantia certainly does, from the way she is inspecting the merchandise.
Dorsh: Ah, very well; busy with that case involving land rights for the railroad over in Valzor.
Dorsh knows how to name drop too; that is a high profile case involving cross-Territorial treaty concessions.
Neptude: So I understand.
Dorsh: And I know you are a busy man as well.
Dorsh: I would surely like to take this young fellow off your hands and bring him home where he belongs.
Neptude: Ah, that is the difficulty.
Neptude: Until Mr. Lube has been properly examined, we can not release him, for his own safety and that of those around him.
Neptude: He appears to feel that he must have permission from Lortuen Records before he can be examined.
Neptude: If you would be so kind as to give him your blessing, the examination should not take long.
Dorsh: Ah, Mr. Lube is a gracious young Gen, and perhaps he was trying to be polite.
Neptude: There. It was all a misunderstanding.
Dorsh: In consultation with me, Mr. Lube said that he really did not want to be examined at all.
Buggfa does not know why Dorsh claims this, however it is not his place to contradict the lawyer.
Buggfa simply sits there looking at Neptude's, that is to say Arat's, desk.
Neptude smiles at Dorsh in a patronizing fashion.
Dorsh: Now he is an out-Territory citizen, and by out-Territory law no Gen can be forced to undergo a lateral examination.
Neptude: Mr. Dorsh, may I remind you that we are not in Gen Territory at the moment?
Dorsh: That is very true.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. [to himself]
Dorsh: Nevertheless, Mr. Lube tells me that he was here on vacation, quietly traveling, bothering no one
Neptude: My dear sir, no one has accused Mr. Lube of any misconduct.
Neptude leaves open the situation with respect to Lortuen Records.
Dorsh: When a team of Tecton representatives seized him, forcibly diverting him many miles from his planned route, and have been holding him against his will for several days...
Dorsh: And will not let him go unless he submits to a deep zlin exam...
Neptude: Which is hardly the imposition you are trying to make it out to be.
Dorsh: While you may be within your rights, Hajene, I must protest this treatment of my client.
Riyyh lifts a tentacle, hesitates, and then thinks the better of saying anything.
Neptude: I wouldn't dream of trying to stop you.
Neptude nods at Riyyh.
Neptude: You had something to add?
Riyyh: Pardon me, [apologetically] I just wanted to say that I am certain Controller Arat said that Mantia had requested his aid in bringing Buggfa off the road.
Mantia: If I had known that you intended to hold him prisoner here....
Mantia then remembers Dorsh's order to shut up, and does so.
Riyyh looks quite surprised at the use of the word "you".
Dorsh shoots Mantia a warning glance.
Neptude: An excellent point.
Neptude: It was Lortuen Records which first brought Mr. Lube to our attention.
Dorsh: In any case, Mr. Lube is now ready to return home, and we could leave with him immediately.
Neptude does not, of course, know about Nick's letter on the subject to Arat.
Neptude: Of course. I wouldn't dream of inconveniencing such a fine young man.
Buggfa thinks, why should you hold back? Nobody else does.
Buggfa: [without much energy]
Neptude: As soon as we have determined that he is physically and mentally in condition to travel, we will be more than happy to release him.
Dorsh: Buggfa, would you like to come home now? Do you feel well enough to travel?
Buggfa glances at Mantia.
Buggfa: Yes, sir.
Mantia nods.
Neptude has, of course, figured out that Buggfa will say anything he thinks the bosses want to hear.
Dorsh [to Neptude] You see? He wants to leave -- now.
Neptude: Well, then, young man, I am sure we can fit you in for an examination immediately.
Neptude: If you are, in fact, as fit as Mr. Dorsh believes, you can be on your way immediately afterwards.
Mantia notes the qualifying "if" in that statement.
Dorsh: Buggfa, when Hajene Tiarala asked to examine you out in the countryside, you refused, did you not?
Dorsh: You asked for a lawyer to see if indeed she had the right to force you to do that?
Buggfa: I asked for a lawyer.
Dorsh: You came all the way back to Capitol to request legal protection, isn't that right?
Buggfa wasn't asking for a specific reason, he's just been well trained to keep his mouth shut and demand his lawyer no matter what he's been arrested for.
Buggfa: I didn't want to jump into anything until I talked to somebody who knew what was going on.
Buggfa means, Mantia or an equivalent.
Mantia is at least glad that Buggfa had that much sense.
Dorsh: [to Neptude] Sure sounds to me like Mr. Lube was not willing to undergo lateral examination.
Mantia wishes he'd had the initiative to slip loose of Tiarala's custody during the journey, however.
Buggfa is, of course, not psychologically suited to the task of escaping scott free from entanglements with oppressive authority figures. If he was, he wouldn't be working for Lortuen.
Dorsh: Mr Lube, do you want Controller Neptude here to grip you with his tentacles and make lateral contact in order to see if you are healthy?
Dorsh is betting that any Gen who has been burned the way Buggfa will not find the thought of a contact zlin appealing.
Buggfa wants them to decide what to do with him and just do it.
Buggfa: It isn't up to me.
Dorsh turns to Buggfa.
Dorsh: In this case, it is.
Neptude: No one will force you to be examined against you will, Mr. Lube.
Neptude smiles in a kindly fashion.
Dorsh: The Controllers here are saying that Lortuen Records didn't take good care of you, didn't keep you fit and healthy.
Dorsh: They say they are trying to protect you.
Dorsh: Do you feel you require their protection from Lortuen Records?
Mantia is actually out to protect Lortuen Records' profits, which means that Buggfa must be healthy enough to tour.
Dorsh: Do you feel you are not able to make decisions about your own life and health, but require Simes to do it for you?
Dorsh knows self-reliance is a point of honor among most out-T Gens.
Buggfa is starting to get very confused and unsure, because he wasn't expecting Dorsh to start asking him questions like this in front of Neptude and Riyyh, and Mantia is not giving him any hints as to how to answer without incurring her displeasure.
Dorsh zlins the confusion.
Mantia feels limited in how much she can cue Buggfa before witnesses.
Buggfa doesn't like being stuck on the front line with no instructions but all the consequences of answering wrong.
Mantia sees that Buggfa is clueless, and hopes he doesn't say anything too damaging.
Dorsh: Wouldn't you just like to leave here and come home with Mantia?
Buggfa: Yes.
Dorsh turns with a flourish to Neptude.
Dorsh: There you have it.
Dorsh hopes his flourish will give Buggfa time to recover. He knows better than to ask this client any more questions.
Neptude lifts an eyebrow.
Riyyh looks rather surprised, as he seems to have missed whatever point it was Dorsh just made.
Dorsh: He wants to come home. He doesn't require your protection.
Neptude: I am sorry to have to inconvenience you all, but in this instance, Mr. Lube's wishes must defer to his safety.
Buggfa is pretty sure he is going to get chewed out for having caused the label so much trouble. If he ever gets back home again, they will probably fire him for being too expensive.
Buggfa's shoulders wilt.
Dorsh turns to Buggfa.
Dorsh: Just tell him that you refuse the examination and he cannot force you.
Dorsh turns to Neptude.
Neptude: Given the allegations that have been made, I can't release Mr. Lube until I can certify that he is in excellent health--I'm sure you understand. At the moment, I have only Sectuib Riyyh's report on his condition to base my decision on.
Neptude: And that--well, Riyyh, perhaps you would summarize?
Riyyh clasps his hands together, well, perhaps wrings is a better word.
Riyyh: Well, he was very badly burned, and it does affect how he zlins to others.
Riyyh: I'm afraid difficulties could arise in public situations.
Mantia is well aware of that; it's why Lortuen Records has security guards.
Riyyh: Certainly a person in his condition would not ordinarily be found walking the street in Sime Territory. [explains]
Riyyh: It is an unusual enough, and serious enough, case that my own Donor insisted upon helping.
Neptude: There, you see?
Dorsh: Absolutely.
Neptude neglects to emphasize that Riyyh's Donor at the time was a very bored, semi-rehabilitated rogue.
Dorsh: There is no question that Mr. Lube was seriously burned some years back.
Dorsh: However, he has functioned without risk to himself or others for years. There is no new, sudden danger here.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube voluntarily agreed to rehabilitative therapy with Sectuib Riyyh, and he was being treated when he was dragged away by the Tecton's enforcers.
Riyyh: That is true. [points out]
Dorsh: Mr. Lube has been examined by Sectuib Riyyh, whom he trusts, and the Sectuib's account is on the record.
Neptude: Yes, and according to that same report, Mr. Lube--and Lortuen Records--have been very fortunate to avoid serious accidents.
Dorsh: Lortuen Record has no problem with continuing this therapy, if that is Mr. Lube's wish.
Mantia looks at Dorsh in astonishment.
Mantia: Well, his schedule permitting, of course.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube has the right to make such decisions about his own life and health.
Buggfa's heart lifts with hope, despite his attempt at control.
Buggfa tries not to get his hopes up too much, since it's easy for them to deny they ever said such a thing, later.
Dorsh: We do object to his being held against his will and having examinations and treatments forced on him.
Dorsh: And yes, we are concerned about his schedule, as is Mr. Lube.
Neptude notes Buggfa's response.
Dorsh: His future and livelihood are at stake here.
Buggfa is 100% sure that last is the truth.
Buggfa translates it as "his ass is going to be pounding the pavement if this doesn't get resolved in a clean and timely fashion".
Dorsh: We can arrange for him to meet his commitments while he follows through whatever rehabilitative plan he feels most comfortable with.
Neptude notes that this plan leaves open the option of Buggfa finding himself "most comfortable" for what's most convenient for Lortuen Records--i.e., no treatment whatsoever.
Neptude: Well, perhaps such arrangements can be made, once it has been determined exactly what Mr. Lube's condition is.
Neptude: That would certainly go a long way to refute the charges pending against Lortuen Records for neglect.
Dorsh: Freedom of choice is a very important value, out-Territory.
Dorsh: I was talking with Tuib Ekwoo about this, just the other day.
Dorsh: True cooperation across borders is difficult, in part, because Gens still hold the memory of how they were captured, penned, used by Simes in the days before Unity.
Neptude: Really?
Neptude: I'm sure they will be happy to learn that we are prepared to act on Mr. Lube's behalf, then.
Dorsh: I am afraid they might misunderstand your intentions if they were to hear that Mr. Lube had been taken prisoner by a group of... how many was it? A channel leading six Sime guards? On horses?
Dorsh: While he was on vacation. Carried off to Capitol and forced to endure a lateral examination against his will on the pretext of protecting his health.
Arat walks into his own office and pauses, surveying what has... infested it.
Dorsh: Perhaps other tourists who have, oh, a heart condition, or arthritis, might worry that they might be subjected to similar forced applications of channel's science.
Arat: [one Tecton administrator, one Narosian Sectuib, a lawyer, a musician, and a record company executive]
Dorsh: Mr. Lube is a big name, out-Territory. He is, in fact, a star.
Arat notes that his entry has gone entirely unnoticed.
Dorsh: Who knows, perhaps he will write a song about his experiences here.
Neptude is zlinning more than a little harassed, at least to Farris sensitivity.
Dorsh: I am not sure what the effect might be on cross-border cooperation.
Neptude: I'm sure it will survive--Arat, what are you doing out of the infirmary?
Neptude: ~~ concern ~~
Dorsh: Certainly, Lortuen Records is very proud of the fact that his hit song helped promote the idea that freelance transfers are dangerous.
Neptude gets to his feet and goes over to Arat, zlinning anxiously.
Neptude: And where is Nick?
Dorsh notes his exhortation has been interrupted by the new arrival.
Arat waves a few tentacles in dismissal of the question, since he has no good answer for it.
Dorsh is sorry to have his crescendo flattened, as it were.
Dorsh was working up to a good finale.
Arat has located a shower, a comb and a clean uniform, but really shouldn't be out of bed and has taken advantage of Nick's brief visit to "check up on" Snake to make his escape.
Neptude guides Arat towards the desk chair.
Neptude: Here, sit down.
Arat sits.
Arat: Yes, yes. [impatiently]
Neptude has gotten a great deal more solicitous of Arat, since his collapse.
Dorsh zlins Arat with interest. He has read the papers and has his own sources for gossip, especially about principals involved in a case.
Mantia is not happy to see Arat again, but manages to moderate her ~ hostility ~
Mantia's efforts, of course, might as well be nonexistent where a Farris is concerned.
Arat is glad to have found the seat, whatever his attitude about Neptude's help in getting there.
Arat proceeds to zlin them all with the thoroughness of a Farris who has been made stir crazy by zlinning too much of the ceiling of a well insulated room.
Neptude notes the zlin-orgy with some concern.
Riyyh: Controller Arat. It is so good to see you are all right.
Riyyh: ~~ reflexive up-suckery ~~
Neptude really wishes it were possible to make Arat take it easy.
Dorsh grows impatient with all the fussing over the SOB who started this whole mess in the first place.
Dorsh: To summarize: Buggfa wishes to leave now, without being subjected to an examination.
Neptude sighs, wishing lawyers didn't get paid by the hour; it encourages them to repeat themselves.
Dorsh: He is an out-Territory citizen and has the right to make such choices for himself.
Neptude: I have explained that he will not be held any longer than absolutely necessary to determine that his condition is not a danger to himself or others.
Dorsh: Force him to undergo this examination and the political consequences will be unpleasant.
Neptude rarely wishes for Arat's formidable appearance, but this is one of those times.
Neptude: He will not be forced.
Arat is not appearing particularly formidable at the moment; he is, in fact appearing rather blank as he zlins Buggfa to see what is being argued about.
Dorsh: You may have the law on your side, but you've abused my clients civil liberties. We have the public relations clout to make your staff look like a bunch of Raiders.
Dorsh: (to Buggfa) Tell them you want to leave. Now.
Mantia does her level best to back up Dorsh's performance with outraged innocence and concern of her own.
Mantia fancies that as a person in show biz, she's rather decent at acting.
Arat has of course read Riyyh's and Nick's reports on Buggfa, but always corroborates others' data with his own 4 laterals when possible.
Buggfa sees that Mantia is in agreement and nods.
Buggfa: I want to go home.
Buggfa would, in fact, like to go all the way back to pre-adolescence as well, but doesn't think that is going to be an option.
Neptude: Of course, my boy, and you will. As soon as it seems prudent.
Arat finishes his zlinning and frowns thoughtfully.
Dorsh bares his teeth slightly in a feral grimace.
Mantia: There's nothing wrong with Buggfa. Except that he's here, and not at rehearsal.
Dorsh: [to Buggfa] Tell them you refuse the examination.
Riyyh doesn't have the heart to tell them that Arat has just given Buggfa as thorough an examination at the distance as he himself ever managed with direct lateral contact.
Riyyh sighs.
Buggfa: I will not offer myself for examination without the express permission of my employer.
Buggfa didn't think of that wording himself, of course.
Neptude: And I am sure that Lortuen Records will agree, right, Miz Morels? Particularly if your company is as innocent of neglect as it claims?
Mantia shifts back and forth nervously--she knows it will look bad if she refuses, but she's under direct orders from the Big Cheeses not to let Buggfa be examined, at any cost.
Arat pulls some sheets of paper from a desk drawer and begins writing something.
Mantia: Err....
Mantia looks at Dorsh in appeal.
Dorsh: I represent Lortuen in this negotiation.
Dorsh: Lortuen Records does not agree to the examination.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube has already been examined by Sectuib Riyyh.
Buggfa is glad somebody is taking charge of the decision.
Neptude: I realize that, but although Naros is an old and respected House, Sectuib Riyyh is not, strictly speaking, affiliated with the Tecton.
Dorsh: Sectuib Riyyh is a published expert on transfer problems and has been Sectuib of his House since before Unity.
Arat pauses to rub his forehead, and then finishes a last paragraph.
Arat is tiring more quickly than he had hoped.
Dorsh: Do you think he is not qualified to evaluate the situation?
Riyyh is not entirely sure where Dorsh is going with this, since his evaluation of the situation was hardly in Lortuen's favor.
Riyyh: [then again, Naros is hardly likely to sue the company over Buggfa's treatment]
Dorsh: Based on his report, Lortuen Records is prepared to make sure Mr. Lube gets whatever rehabilitative treatment is necessary.
Dorsh: However, this will be done under conditions agreed to by Mr. Lube.
Dorsh: A channel that he trusts.
Dorsh: A schedule that will permit him to carry out his contract obligations and continue his career.
Arat rises, and presses the papers into Neptude's hands.
Arat: See that these get into his file.
Arat is ready to go back to bed, preferably before Nick returns and realizes he'd left it.
Riyyh: I would be more than willing to assist in any way possible, of course.
Riyyh says this with full sincerity, although in truth certain variations on the plan would be simply impossible. Such as anything involving him traveling into Gen Territory personally.
Dorsh grins at Riyyh and then turns to Neptude.
Arat leaves the office.
Dorsh: You see. I am sure we can arrive at some compromise.
Neptude looks down at the papers Arat has just handed him.
Neptude raises an eyebrow at the contents.
Dorsh zlins Neptude with curiosity, wondering what is in the note.
Neptude tuts.
Neptude: Dear me.
Neptude: Perhaps so. However, it appears that Controller Farris shares Sectuib Riyyh's opinion of the seriousness of Mr. Lube's condition.
Neptude: In all specifics.
Riyyh imagines Controller Arat was a good deal less forgiving in his assessment of the situation; he usually is.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. [sighs, to himself]
Neptude: It would therefore be most expedient if Mr. Lube began treatment here, as soon as possible. If he progresses well, we can perhaps make arrangements for further treatment to be coordinated with his travel schedule.
Riyyh frets at the phrase "began treatment here".
Dorsh: I repeat, Mr. Lube does not consent.
Riyyh would rather not be involved in a treatment program that was based in Capitol, promise or no.
Neptude: He already has.
Neptude nods towards Riyyh.
Dorsh: Ah... You mean treatment by Sectuib Riyyh?
Dorsh: Buggfa has consented to that.
Neptude: And others, now that he is in Capitol.
Neptude does not want to be the person to tell Arat "tentacles off".
Neptude has, fortunately, not considered Snake's possible involvement.
Riyyh's own tentacles droop.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube does not consent to remain a prisoner here in this facility.
Riyyh had been hoping that any Narosian involvement in Buggfa's treatment could take place at Naros.
Neptude: Not a prisoner. An honored guest.
Dorsh: As for other treatment, we can negotiate the terms at a later date.
Riyyh will draw the line at actually spending any more nights in the 53rd District Office Employee Dorm Wing, though -- it is worse than being on the road.
Neptude: And only until he has made sufficient progress that we can be assured of his safety, and that of others.
Dorsh: He is not an honored guest if he is held against his will and forcibly prevented from meeting his obligations and pursuing his goals.
Buggfa is an honored guest if the label says he is, and a prisoner if the label says he's that.
Buggfa in fact has been thinking lately that his job is a lot like his kidnappings, except he knows his bosses better than he'd ever gotten to know any kidnappers previous to Riyyh, Lalique, and Nick.
Neptude: Nevertheless, I am afraid that I have no choice but to insist that he stay, for a while.
Neptude: I will, of course, be willing to provide documentation of medical necessity.
Neptude: That should release Mr. Lube--and Lortuen Records--from any penalties due to contractual obligations.
Riyyh thinks, at least in Sime Territory.
Dorsh: Controller, let Mr. Lube leave this facility and check into civilian accommodations, or you will have an inter-Territorial incident on your hands.
Mantia cares less for the contracts and the tour than for the future of Lortuen records (and her career) if the Tecton manages to document Buggfa's condition.
Dorsh: My next stop will be the Diplomatic Offices, and after that the Gen Consulate.
Riyyh hastens to insert a suggestion.
Riyyh: He could stay with me, at the grand hotel.
Neptude stiffens in anger at the threat.
Neptude: Do so if you wish--although I doubt you'll get much sympathy.
Neptude: However, you must understand one thing:
Neptude: If you choose to make an incident of this, I will be forced to release full information on Lortuen Records' behavior with respect to Mr. Lube's accident.
Neptude: That will launch a full-scale investigation of Lortuen Records' business practices, employment records, safety records, and so on.
Neptude: And it would not be limited to Torn By Tentacles, either.
Dorsh: We have no fear of disclosure.
Buggfa thinks it's easy for Dorsh to say, he hasn't been told everything about what goes on.
Dorsh: The accident occurred out-Territory and Lortuen was in no way at fault.
Mantia is, in fact, ~~ apprehensive ~~ enough to belie Dorsh's defiance.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube was treated by the best out-Territory physicians.
Dorsh: He was pronounced cured.
Riyyh winces.
Neptude: If Lortuen Records feels its practices can withstand a full-scale investigation, then by all means, proceed.
Dorsh: Now, certainly out-Territory medicine is not advanced in the area of channel's science.
Dorsh: Informed of the need for additional therapy, we are willing to comply voluntarily.
Neptude: I am so glad to hear it.
Dorsh: But we cannot have our employees held captive and have medical treatment forced upon them.
Dorsh: You can be sure these views are shared by large segments of the out-Territory population.
Buggfa wishes he could say that he wants to get treatment if there was any way to do it and still have a job when he gets done with it.
Buggfa stares dejectedly at the floor.
Mantia plucks at Dorsh's elbow.
Dorsh glances at Mantia, zlinning her.
Mantia: Umm--if the Controller here is so adamant that Buggfa requires immediate treatment, perhaps we should talk with the bosses about how best to accomplish that?
Dorsh: Very well.
Mantia means by this, "Don't make promises the label can't afford to keep".
Dorsh: Buggfa, I am sorry.
Dorsh: Controller, I am going to conference with my clients.
Buggfa glances at Riyyh, then looks steadily at Mantia and Dorsh for instructions.
Neptude: By all means.
Dorsh: Unnecessary confrontation and negative publicity will benefit neither of us.
Neptude: Very true.
Dorsh catches Buggfa's look.
Neptude: You are welcome to talk in Mr. Lube's room.
Dorsh: Very well, Controller Neptude. Let us adjourn so we can discuss the situation.
Neptude: Certainly.
Neptude smiles a bland dismissal, reaching for the next report in the "in" box to demonstrate that he will not be waiting around for Dorsh to finish.
Neptude: You can drop by tomorrow, if you would like to chat again.
Dorsh leads Buggfa and Mantia from the room, nager seething with frustration.
Riyyh hesitates, not sure if he will be welcome or not.
Dorsh gestures to Riyyh to come along.
Riyyh follows.
Neptude looks after them thoughtfully.
Notes:
1) Some time later, at the 53rd District offices.... [return]