Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #136: Pit Bull Diplomacy (1/16/00)
Mantia follows her two lawyers up the stairs of the Diplomatic Corps' imposing edifice in downtown Capitol.
Mantia: Do you think the Diplomatic types will be able to make that Controller see reason?
Dorsh is a handsome, well-dressed renSime who strides aggressively forward, briefcase in tentacle.
Mantia is sincerely ~~ hopeful ~~ that this is the case, as her future with Lortuen Records is at stake.
Cherik is a roly-poly grandfatherly Gen dressed in expensive but comfortable clothes.
Cherik: Well, I think that is our best avenue of approach, my dear.
Mantia was informed by the higher-level management types that if she lost the company one of its star acts over a silly little thing like proper medical care, the company would have to pull in its corporate belt and economize.
Mantia is pretty sure that the first economy-minded measure Lortuen Records would take, would be the elimination of a middle management type named Mantia Morels.
Cherik: Law in-Territory does not operate much like law in Gen Territory.
Cherik: Simes are so... emotional.
Cherik: There is no point arguing about the letter of the law. If we argue the facts we will lose.
Cherik: And you cannot fudge the truth in a Sime court.
Cherik: The trick is to make everyone see different perspectives on the issue.
Mantia: It's not as if Buggfa Lube is unfunctional--he's been touring since a few months after the accident, after all.
Dorsh barks a short laugh.
Dorsh: You said it yourself, Mantia. Channels see Gens primary function as providing selyn.
Mantia finds this attitude distinctly ~~ irritating ~~
Dorsh: Buggfa is not functional in that way, and any channel would see that as a serious disability.
Cherik: We are dealing with differences in perspectives between two larities, two territories.
Cherik: However, that is this firm's area of expertise, so let us guide you, my dear.
Mantia: I rely on you both to find a reasonable settlement everyone can live with.
Mantia means by this, a settlement that preserves Buggfa's career with Lortuen Records, and thus her own.
Cherik: You are in good hands.
Dorsh: Just remember, you are in Sime territory.
Dorsh: The rules are different here.
Dorsh started as a refugee fleeing over the border and he remembers just how rough that adjustment was for him.
Mantia hopes that by this, her lawyers mean that they are good at twisting the rules and making deals that benefit their clients, whatever the facts of the case or the applicable law.
Mantia rather gathers by now that the facts of the case are not exactly in her favor.
Cherik leads the trio up the steps into the Diplomatic Corps building.
Cherik walks down the corridors towards Tuib Hamish's office.
Mantia squares her shoulders and follows, trying to look professional, above-board, and artsy.
Mantia hopes that the show-business mystique will help this time, as it has in the past.
Ekwoo is presenting a detailed report to his boss.
Cherik contemplates his plan of attack as he walks, figuring how he can bring sufficient political pressure to bear on the Tecton bureaucracy.
Ekwoo: ...and so, the tour has been generally a success, even if the wife of the Honorable Mister Nailson did feel that the Tecton staff were a bit... scruffy.
Cherik is a well-known figure in Capitol social circles, and a major contributor to the election campaign of Mayor Osca.
Cherik reaches Hamish's office and assembles his troops before the door.
Ekwoo: They were highly impressed with the general competence of the staff, however, and....
Ekwoo continues to blather at length, one of his best skills.
Cherik: Ready, now. Mantia, stay calm and professional, and don't volunteer information.
Cherik signals at the door.
Hamish gets up and opens the door.
Hamish: Ah, hello, we've been expecting you.
Cherik: Hello, my dear Tuib Hamish.
Cherik beams at Hamish.
Mantia pastes a "the show must go on" smile on her face, and hopes that it reaches her nager sufficiently.
Cherik has no Donor training, but 30 years in-Territory have given him a certain skill in putting Simes at ease.
Hamish: Tuib Cherik, Tuib Dorsh.
Hamish: And you must be Mantia Morels. Pleased to meet you.
Hamish of course has a certain amount of skill as a diplomat.
Mantia: The pleasure is mine, I'm sure.
Mantia always has appreciated a good actor.
Hamish: Come in, come in, sit down.
Cherik leads the way.
Ekwoo is already bustling around, pouring tea.
Dorsh follows and seats himself, briefcase at the ready, like a pit bull on a short leash.
Ekwoo is a very good flunky, if he does say so himself. Which he does, with monotonous regularity.
Dorsh zlins Ekwoo bustling and fluttering about with a certain cynical amusement.
Hamish makes sure everybody has a seat.
Cherik fusses over Hamish, exchanging social pleasantries and bathing him in good feelings.
Cherik knows he is not very impressive to channels, but his manner tends to leave renSimes dazed and starry-eyed and it has become a habit.
Dorsh observes Cherik going through his usual song-and-dance with some boredom.
Hamish: Now then. [when they are all seated]
Hamish: What can I do for you?
Cherik: Well, Tuib, we have taken on a case which involves certain cross-territorial issues.
Cherik: Your advice, your wisdom, would be greatly appreciated.
Cherik: If this is not handled delicately, there could be unpleasant consequences... for both territories.
Hamish: I see.
Hamish: Can you tell me something about the situation?
Cherik: My partner, Dino, has been handling the matter directly.
Cherik: Dino, could you bring Tuib Hamish up to speed?
Dorsh: Well, the matter involves Buggfa Lube, the lead singer of Torn by Tentacles.
Dorsh: Our client here, Mantia Morels, represents Lortuen Records, the TBT label.
Dorsh: You may be aware of this band's hit song about the experience of being transfer burned?
Dorsh: It was extremely popular on both sides of the border.
Hamish: Go on.
Hamish nods and makes a note to research it, since pop music is not his forte.
Hamish will ask his teenaged daughter about it tonight.
Dorsh: Well, the facts of the incident are as detailed in the song, and known to everyone.
Dorsh: Buggfa Lube was burned in an illegal transfer by a criminal renSime.
Dorsh: This happened in Gen Territory.
Dorsh: Buggfa Lube was given the best medical treatment that Gen Territory had to offer, and was pronounced cured by the physicians there.
Dorsh: So he went back to performing.
Dorsh: The treatment he was given did not repair the damage to his selyn systems, as any channel can zlin.
Hamish looks rather disturbed by that.
Hamish being a renSime can consider the horror of the situation from an angle even a channel could never quite grok.
Hamish has no difficulty in seeing the potential for an interterritorial incident inherent in the situation. In fact he probably sees the potential for different types of incidents that the Lortuen people haven't even thought of yet.
Dorsh: The clients I represent of course cannot zlin and were genuinely ignorant of the health issues involved.
Mantia has been trying very hard to look--and zlin--both innocent and concerned for Buggfa throughout this recitation.
Mantia had never performed on the stage herself, but she prides herself in having picked up some of the tricks of the trade, over the years.
Ekwoo tuts self-importantly as he considers what it would mean, if the Diplomatic Corps can rescue such a situation.
Ekwoo has always been willing to take credit, in a general sense, for all accomplishments of the Diplomatic Corps.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube, being an out-Territory Gen, was not on a regular donation schedule, and this terrible assault made him rather nervous about intimate Sime contact, as you can well imagine.
Dorsh: In any case, Mr. Lube eventually decided that he wanted to be treated for his injuries, and worked out a discreet rehabilitation arrangement with Sectuib Riyyh of Naros.
Dorsh: This was an arrangement in which he could work with a channel he trusted, under confidential conditions, and on a schedule that would not impact his performance career.
Mantia: A measure which Lortuen Records fully supports.
Mantia thinks, at least now, when it appears that any alternative would be far more time-consuming of Buggfa's schedule.
Dorsh: While engaged in this rehabilitation program, Mr. Lube was taken into custody by a collection team from the 53rd District Controller's Office.
Hamish groans inwardly.
Dorsh: They carried a court order which required him to submit to a deep zlin examination.
Dorsh: When Mr. Lube refused the examination and requested legal representation so as to understand his civil rights in the matter, he was escorted against his will back to Capitol by a team headed by a First Order Channel under heavy guard.
Ekwoo's sympathies, which always tend towards the non-citizen of Nivet Territory, swing firmly towards the (obviously harassed, and for no good reason) record company.
Dorsh: He was detained at the Sime Center and is still there.
Hamish wonders why that particular District, deep in-Territory as it is and with no Gen Territory border, generates a noticeably larger percentage of the diplomatic incidents.
Hamish wonders if it's because of less care and supervision on the part of the Diplomatic Corps. After all, the border Districts get the most DC personnel.
Dorsh: We met with Controller Neptude, who refuses to allow Mr. Lube to continue the treatment program of his choice, but is forcing him to undergo therapy as mandated by the Controller or remain in detention.
Hamish: I see.
Dorsh: The Controller said this is for Mr. Lube's own good, but I do not believe that is the way Mr. Lube perceives the situation.
Mantia: He's being held a prisoner, for the crime of having been assaulted.
Mantia: And if something isn't done soon, his career will suffer terribly.
Mantia: Hasn't he been injured enough?
Mantia realizes after she says this that such a statement could be taken in more than one way, and looks at Dorsh and Cherik in apology.
Cherik jumps in quickly to cover.
Cherik: Now, my clients are all in agreement that Mr. Lube must be treated for his injuries.
Mantia nods, thinking it's too bad, but that it appears the Tecton won't budge on the issue.
Hamish: Well, naturally!
Cherik: The real issue is Mr. Lube's right to choose who and when and how.
Hamish: You say you have been working with Controller Neptude?
Dorsh: We have met and discussed the issues involved.
Dorsh: Buggfa is currently being detained at the 53rd District's dormitories, under guard, and prescribed treatment without regard to his preferences in the matter.
Cherik: While we both know that channels tend to focus on a Gen's ability to donate, Gens tend to have additional concerns, such as their ability to hold a job and earn enough money to put food on the table.
Hamish is amazed at the lack of tact in that last statement, but only chuckles.
Mantia: Buggfa is scheduled to begin another tour shortly.
Mantia: If it has to be canceled, the band's reputation will suffer irreparable damage.
Mantia is aware that the "damage" will come mostly in the form of Lortuen Records enforcing the letter of the contracts with TBT, but hey, it's true that would be bad for Buggfa.
Hamish: But then, his treatment...?
Dorsh: Could be continued in conjunction with the rehearsals and performances, if Mr. Lube were not physically detained.
Cherik: Mr. Lube's concerns about his career do not seem to be important to the channels who are now dictating decisions about his life.
Cherik: He is an extremely popular star, both in- and out-Territory.
Hamish: Hmmm....
Hamish ponders the likelihood of them talking Riyyh ambrov Naros into such a thing.
Cherik: If we need to cancel the tour, we will have to make a public announcement explaining why.
Cherik: Everybody knows the story of how Buggfa Lube was burned.
Cherik: I am not sure what the reaction will be if we have to tell his fans that he is being forcibly detained and treated for those injuries against his will.
Mantia: Surely you can help us find some reasonable compromise, that will allow Buggfa Lube to fulfill his obligations.
Mantia: His whole career is at stake.
Mantia adds mentally, not to mention mine.
Dorsh: We would like to avoid publicity and unpleasantness.
Dorsh: While Controller Neptude's actions may seem reasonable in accord with in-Territory law, folks out-Territory are likely to view them in a different light.
Dorsh: Simes here feel protective towards their Gens, but over the border Gens are likely to feel threatened by the idea that they could be arrested and forced to undergo medical treatment.
Dorsh: There could be an effect on tourism and donor recruitment.
Dorsh: Mr. Lube is extremely popular.
Ekwoo's tentacles itch to take up the crusade.
Hamish is too diplomatic to say "Yes, yes."
Hamish listens instead.
Cherik: Our discussions with Controller Neptude do not seem to be going any where.
Cherik: The young Gen is still in custody and I have not received any acceptable offer as to a compromise.
Cherik: We hoped you, with your wide experience in such negotiations, might have some suggestions to offer.
Hamish: Well, I will require some time to look into this, of course.
Ekwoo leans forward in his chair, waiting for his boss to step in and prevent an Incident.
Dorsh: Of course. But the tour date is rapidly approaching, and we will have to make a public announcement soon.
Hamish: I will contact you when I have had some time to become familiar with the situation.
Cherik: Thank you for your time and attention, Tuib.
Cherik: I hope you can help us avert... any unpleasantness.
Dorsh smiles.
Hamish: Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.
Dorsh: Good day, Tuib Hamish, Tuib Ekwoo.
Mantia hopes that the time has been well spent--quite literally, considering how much Lortuen Records pays Dorsh and Cherik.
Dorsh enjoys his role in the firm as resident pit bull. He hopes he will have the chance to get his teeth into someone.
Cherik leads the group from the office.
Dorsh follows Cherik out.
Mantia brings up the rear, not at all sure they have accomplished anything.
Ekwoo looks after them, then slips discreetly out the door.
Ekwoo catches up before they leave the building.
Ekwoo: Please, if you have a moment?
Dorsh turns to zlin Ekwoo.
Cherik nods and smiles benignly.
Ekwoo: Let me assure you that I share your concerns about the manner in which your client has been treated.
Dorsh: Your support is welcome, Tuib.
Ekwoo: The 53rd District's Controller has precipitated more than one diplomatic incident, thanks to his... overzealous pursuit of his duties.
Ekwoo: I had hoped that he would eventually learn the value of acting with prudence, but that appears not to be the case.
Ekwoo reeks of ~~ self-righteous distaste ~~ for Arat's actions.
Cherik: Yes, Controller Arat's rigid adherence to regulations is well known to us. We had hoped Controller Neptude would have the wisdom to be more flexible, but alas....
Ekwoo: If there is anything--anything at all--that I can do to assist you in freeing the unfortunate Mr. Lube, do let me know.
Dorsh: Well, if you know of any way to put leverage on either of these channels... such information might be helpful.
Ekwoo beams.
Ekwoo: I will give the matter my full attention.
Ekwoo really likes it when he has an excuse to dig up the dirt on someone he personally dislikes.
Cherik: Thank you. Your assistance would be priceless.
Ekwoo: I understand that there has been a journalist investigating some of Controller Arat's... less public... actions. Perhaps that might be a useful place to start.
Cherik focuses his enthusiasm and gratitude on Ekwoo.
Ekwoo basks in the praise.
Cherik: Ahhh... Do you have a name, perhaps?
Ekwoo: It's Morla, Morca... something of that sort.
Ekwoo: She's supposed to be working on a book.
Ekwoo: Perhaps I should get in touch with you, when I know a bit more?
Cherik: That name sounds familiar. I believe I have seen an article she wrote... about Controller Arat's rogue rehabilitation program?
Ekwoo: Yes. There is some question as to its efficacy.
Ekwoo thinks less than there used to be, alas, with Reckage willing to pledge at last.
Dorsh: Yes, by all means. We would appreciate your help. And we are generous with our friends.
Dorsh does not risk bribery, but there are such things as payment for informants and favors for friends.
Ekwoo's twisted, undersized civil servant's heart leaps at the promise of material benefits, as well as increased influence.
Ekwoo: Such generosity does you credit.
Cherik: Thank you, Tuib. We are proud of our record; the first law firm specializing in inter-territorial law founded in Capitol.
Ekwoo: Your reputation goes before you. However, I must return to my desk, now. Rest assured that I will pursue your interests to the best of my ability.
Cherik: Good day, Tuib Ekwoo!
Dorsh: Good luck.
Ekwoo scuttles back into the building, much like the rat he resembles would seek its hole.