Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #161: Nepotism R Us (2/21/00)
Neptude is doing what he does best: Sitting behind a desk, looking important, shuffling papers and reading reports, while doing as little actual work as humanly possible (beyond entran avoidance, of course)
Lexus walks whistling down the halls of the Regional Controller's building.
Neptude dislikes having to run the Region while short-tentacled, but is starting to see some real potential advantages.
Neptude is eager to discuss some of these potential advantages with his favorite relative of the younger generation.
Neptude might be less eager to do so if he knew that an investigative reporter named Morca was actively researching nepotism among Capitol's Tecton elite.
Neptude is, however, blissfully ignorant of that fact.
Lexus has just returned from some visits with his high society friends from school.
Lexus tried to maintain a good front, but is privately miffed that one or two seem to be advancing into positions of higher status than his own.
Lexus signals at the door of his Uncle Neptude.
Neptude picks up the monthly report from the 51st District, just in case it's someone who ought to see him as a busy Controller.
Neptude: Enter!
Lexus enters the office and smiles at his uncle's "busy" pose.
Neptude puts down the report with a carelessness that reveals exactly how much attention he was paying to it.
Neptude: Lexus!
Neptude: ~~ fond greeting ~~
Lexus: Hey, Uncle Neptude! Good to see you looking so well!
Lexus: ~~ admiration ~~
Neptude gets up from his desk and walks towards Lexus, arms extended.
Neptude: It's been much too long! Give me a hug, boy!
Lexus gives Neptude a macho embrace.
Neptude gives a somewhat undignified "Oof" as his ribs are pounded.
Lexus admires the way Neptude's nager always glows with self-importance, but the vigor of youth also has its advantages.
Neptude extracts himself from the loving embrace of his sister's offspring with some relief.
Neptude: Sit down, boy, and tell me how your mother is doing.
Neptude beats a semi-dignified retreat to the safety of his desk chair.
Lexus: Oh, she's having a great time, planning the next entertainment.
Laeticia signals at Neptude's door.
Laeticia is Neptude's 3rd-seniormost secretary (out of 10).
Neptude pouts with annoyance.
Neptude: Do excuse me a moment; duty must come before pleasure, after all.
Neptude: Come in!
Laeticia sticks her head in. "Excuse me, Controller, I have those Snake River Dam Project Expediting Procedural Reports you asked to see."
Laeticia: Would you like them now?
Neptude: Ah, of course. Thank you very much, Laeticia.
Laeticia disappears briefly, and then the door swings open revealing a large hand cart piled with the reports.
Laeticia trundles it in and over to one side.
Laeticia: Should I just leave it right here?
Neptude is an experienced Tecton administrator, and so manages to keep his wince down to almost undetectable levels.
Neptude: Please.
Laeticia: Will there be anything else, Controller?
Neptude: Would you mind fetching a pot of tea and an extra cup? My nephew here could no doubt use refreshment.
Laeticia: Right away, Controller.
Laeticia smiles shyly at Lexus, who is not at all hard on the eyes, and disappears from the room.
Neptude: So, Lexus, I hear from your mother that you are a bit disappointed in your professional progress.
Lexus: Yes, it is frustrating.
Lexus: You know I've been Controller at the Sime Center in Golden Hills for almost two years now.
Neptude: Tell me, what sort of a position do you think you ought to have?
Lexus: Something a bit more challenging.
Lexus: Golden Hills is a well-run operation, if I do say so myself.
Lexus: But the work is becoming routine.
Neptude: Do you want to learn a new channeling specialty?
Neptude well knows how little time Controllers have for such things.
Lexus: Not particularly. I'm not sure clinical work is really my strongest suit.
Neptude: Or perhaps you have your eye on a suitable woman, and would like to start a family with her?
Lexus: Well, in Golden Hills, there are so many choices, it's hard to make up my mind. It's a distraction really.
Neptude: I see.
Lexus: Actually, I'd like to wait to marry until I've... well... made my mark on the world.
Lexus: Changed something, created something.
Neptude does not look displeased, despite the Tecton policy officially encouraging early marriage and large families among channels.
Neptude: A commendable plan, I'm sure.
Neptude: Just how were you planning on doing that?
Lexus: Well, I'm not quite sure.
Lexus: I'm thinking about it.
Lexus: You know, I'm a natural leader.
Neptude wishes Lexus would take a bit more initiative, if that were so.
Lexus: When I'm out with my friends, they always look to me to decide what to do, where to go, what to buy.
Neptude is, however, well aware of the difference between Lexus and a real leader, such as Arat Farris, nee Audnes.
Neptude rather prefers non-leaders as subordinates: They don't show him up nearly as often.
Neptude: Very commendable, I'm sure.
Laeticia signals politely.
Neptude: Ah, there's Laeticia with the tea now!
Laeticia enters and pours tea for Lexus, then Neptude.
Neptude: Thank you so much, my dear.
Neptude does appreciate efficient service.
Laeticia smiles at both of them.
Lexus returns the smile.
Neptude's gaze moves from Lexus to Laeticia consideringly.
Lexus thinks Laeticia may not be as lush as some of the Golden Hills matrons but she might be more grateful.
Laeticia sets the tea pot down, bows to Neptude, and leaves.
Neptude would hate to lose Laeticia, but on the other hand, he wants at least someone in the 53rd District offices who actually knows how a District should be run.
Lexus grins meaningfully at Neptude.
Lexus: Very nice.
Neptude sips the tea in satisfaction.
Neptude: Yes, it is.
Lexus did not mean the tea, but that isn't bad either.
Neptude can be deliberately obtuse when it satisfies him, in the manner of the older generation in the presence of youngsters who think they discovered the opposite sex.
Lexus: Well, as I was saying....
Lexus: What I need to do is find some people who require my leadership and some direction to take them.
Neptude: Ah, yes, leadership and direction.
Lexus: Then my reputation would be assured.
Neptude: Indeed it would.
Neptude zlins Lexus thoughtfully.
Neptude goes over the reports he's read on Golden Hills, and Lexus's performance there.
Neptude then considers the exemplary shape of the 53rd District, now that Arat has had time to shape it to his satisfaction.
Lexus: And I wouldn't have to sit by quietly while Moggy ambrov Frihill boasts about synthesizing some Ancient medicine.
Neptude: I'm sure he's simply trying to make you jealous.
Neptude doesn't feel it necessary to mention that Lexus's acquaintance has obviously succeeded in that task.
Neptude leans back in his chair.
Lexus: Well, he's changing the world while I'm just keeping the machine running.
Neptude: You know, it is possible that I might be able to help you find the challenge you seek.
Lexus looks up eagerly.
Lexus has become accustomed to watching his influential Uncle pull rabbits out of hats on a regular basis.
Neptude: Mind you, the position wouldn't be a sinecure. It would require a great deal more effort than just running a town's Sime Center.
Neptude: You'd have a great deal to learn, and you'd have to master it quickly.
Arat signals at Neptude's door, precisely on schedule.
Arat is carrying a copy of the report he has painstakingly prepared.
Neptude: There wouldn't be much time for visiting your friends, or....
Lexus: I'm ready for a real challenge.
Neptude looks up in some alarm as he zlins who is visiting, and realizes what time it is.
Neptude: Do excuse me; I have some official business to conduct.
Neptude: Come in!
Arat has turned the 53rd District Offices inside out and upside down, giving certain people new orifices in the process, and finally has what he hopes is a fairly clear picture of what has been going on with Wise Snake and Pylor.
Arat enters.
Neptude: Ah, Arat. You're in good time.
Arat nods to Neptude, and casts a wary glance at Lexus.
Arat hasn't heard any of the rumors, of course, but he knows who Lexus is and is wondering why Neptude decided to have him here for the meeting.
Arat can't think of any reason that would be good news for Arat.
Arat: Here is the report you requested. [to Neptude]
Arat hands it over.
Neptude: Thank you. Could you give me a brief summary?
Arat: The security facilities at the 53rd District Offices were not designed to adequately restrain a Farris channel indefinitely.
Neptude: I see. What specific weaknesses did your daughter exploit?
Arat does not appreciate Neptude referring to Wise Snake as his daughter in this context, since her being his daughter has nothing to do with the problems they have been having with her.
Arat stands stiffly at attention.
Arat: The locks, ventilation system, maintenance access corridors and, as necessary, the personnel.
Neptude blinks.
Neptude: All that?
Lexus leans back to observe Neptude's technique in the ritual shredding of a subordinate's ego.
Arat nods.
Neptude: You have taken steps to secure the locks, ventilation system, and access corridors?
Arat: To what extent it is possible, yes.
Arat: But the facility was not intended to secure prisoners, particularly prisoners of this type.
Neptude raises an eyebrow at this equivocation.
Arat: Nor were the personnel trained for it.
Neptude: Yes, the personnel.
Neptude: Which of them were involved in this... fiasco? And how did she get to them?
Neptude glances at Lexus to see if the lad is paying close attention and attempting to learn from his uncle's example.
Arat: I have detailed the names and circumstances in my report.
Arat: The majority of them were security personnel, although there were others as well.
Arat: Low level support staff, channels, Donors, and so forth.
Arat: Maintenance.
Neptude nods grimly.
Neptude: And Sosu Pylor? How extensive is the damage there?
Arat: Pylor has seen dramatic improvement so far as his technical skills are concerned.
Arat: However, his state of mind is another matter.
Arat looks rather uncomfortable at that last.
Neptude: Just what is his state of mind? And is he likely to repeat his... misadventure... of a few days ago?
Arat: Pylor is extremely unstable at this time, and yes, I believe it is possible he could make such an attempt again.
Neptude: Dear me.
Neptude: You said his skills have increased?
Arat: Yes, quite remarkably.
Neptude: It's a pity. I could use another ten good Donors, but if he's too unstable to work...?
Neptude really hopes that Arat is exaggerating.
Arat considers.
Neptude is not unaware that Arat has rated many Donors as being unable to hold a proper focus, when they were deemed more than adequate by other channels.
Arat: I really could not say how he would react to working with a channel at this point.
Arat: He found the experience of his... breakdown in discipline... as traumatic. [sounded like that wasn't the end of the sentence, but that's where he ended it]
Neptude: Your recommendation regarding Pylor is what?
Arat thinks he is going out on a limb with this, because he is under the erroneous impression that it was Neptude's idea that Pylor work with Snake.
Arat: I would recommend that he not work with Wise Snake Farris anymore for at least a while.
Arat: While the improvement in his physical abilities has been impressive, it does no good when his behavior makes him dangerous.
Neptude: You feel that she is the primary cause of his... aberration? And that removing that influence might stabilize him?
Arat: Yes, to the former. As to the latter, there is probably more to it than that, but certainly removing her influence would help.
Lexus is rather enjoying watching Arat squirm.
Arat: Pylor is... [tries to think of another way to say it rather than "weak-minded"] ... powerfully influenced by her, and not entirely against his will.
Neptude: I see.
Neptude: He is resisting her, then? Or trying to?'
Arat has no idea whatsoever where Neptude is trying to go with this.
Arat: Pylor has resisted nearly all attempts to train or rehabilitate him, including Wise Snake's less than traditional approaches.
Neptude tuts unhappily.
Neptude had really hoped that Pylor might be salvageable; the Powers That Be hate to lose a Donor.
Neptude: Well, we'll have to see what can be done about that.
Lexus recognizes the stubborn flavor of Neptude's nager; his mother often does the same thing.
Neptude: How is the 53rd District running otherwise?
Neptude: Have there been any other unexpected difficulties?
Neptude stressed the word "unexpected" slightly.
Neptude firmly believes that District Controllers should anticipate all problems before they happen, and never mind his own less-than-sterling record in that area.
Neptude: Has that matter with the singer been cleared up?
Arat: Yes. The record label has agreed to hire a team of channels and Donors to monitor and rehabilitate Buggfa while on tour. Naros has agreed to provide the team.
Neptude: Naros?
Neptude: Are you sure that was wise?
Neptude: They have a tendency to be... distractible.
Neptude: And distracting.
Arat: I am aware of that. However, their skills are not in question, and Lortuen did express a firm preference for Naros.
Neptude frowns.
Neptude: I hope that doesn't mean that they believe they can renegotiate the terms of the agreement, or simply ignore it, once the unfortunate man leaves Capitol.
Arat: We are working to integrate the team into the routine and structure of the touring group just as Buggfa's other therapists are placed, to avoid difficulties.
Neptude: I see. Well, as long as there is sufficient follow-through to ensure that Lortuen doesn't interfere with the treatment program, that would certainly be the best approach.
Arat: Yes. It is better if it does not come to a court situation, and this seemed the best compromise in that regards.
Lexus imagines being assigned as a channel therapist to tour with a rock group and his mind boggles.
Neptude's management book stressed the healing properties of ending dressings-down on a positive note, by covering an area in which the employee actually accomplished something praiseworthy.
Neptude: And what about young Nick Reckage? How is he adjusting to being a Tecton Donor in fact, instead of being under rehabilitation?
Arat's expression stiffens.
Arat: Nick's behavior during the last weeks has cast serious doubt upon his ability to remain loyal to the Tecton while Wise Snake remains un-rehabilitated.
Lexus observes with interest. He has followed the case of the rehabilitation of the notorious rogue.
Neptude reflexively tries to control his shock; he doesn't spend enough time in Arat's presence to have given up on that particular exercise.
Neptude: Dear me!
Neptude: What has he done?
Arat: So long as she has been cooperative, he has performed well enough. But he has consistently chosen to honor and obey their link in any situation where he has been forced to choose.
Arat: As you will see in the detailed report I have provided, he aided her in forcing Pylor into his actions of the other day.
Neptude: He helped her?
Neptude is coming to the conclusion that it will be necessary to get rid of Snake and Nick as well as Arat, before he can entrust the 53rd District to Lexus.
Arat glances at Lexus again, even more warily than before.
Arat does not know why Neptude's attention keeps flicking over in that direction while the conversation is on these particular subjects, but he sure doesn't like it.
Lexus gazes back at Arat calmly. For all his impeccable control, the channel's nager seems to darken the room like the shadow of some bird of ill omen.
Lexus wonders if Arat ever gets invited to parties.
Arat in fact does get invited to parties, but only because he is famous and had even more famous parents. Not because people enjoy his nager.
Lexus's management book stressed that one of the most important jobs of a leader is creating a cheerful, can-do ambient.
Neptude wonders if it was such a good idea to grab all the credit for Nick's rehabilitation and pledge, after all.
Arat decides to do some research in to Lexus' current situation and find out why he has suddenly become so chummy with his uncle as to be allowed to sit in on meetings with District Controllers.
Arat of course is generally the last to hear 53rd District Gossip, particularly regarding himself.
Neptude: Well, it appears that you are doing the best you can for now, in a difficult situation. I will be in contact when I have had time to digest your report fully.
Neptude intends to skim the good parts, then have Laeticia read the whole thing and brief him on anything he missed.
Arat nods.
Arat turns and leaves the Regional Controller's office, causing the nageric shadow to lift, as it were.
Lexus breathes a sigh of relief.
Neptude does too, if not quite as loudly.
Lexus: So that's the notorious Arat Farris?
Neptude: Yes.
Lexus: What a gloomy old storm crow!
Neptude looks at Lexus sternly.
Neptude: He has actually been quite effective as a District Controller, the present difficulties notwithstanding.
Lexus: Really!? I was tempted to light the lamps, just to brighten the ambient.
Neptude: He works very hard, and the day-to-day operations for his District run smoothly.
Lexus: Well, I guess hard work can substitute for genius, to a point.
Neptude is not happy with his protégé's flippant treatment of the subject.
Neptude: Have you any idea what it takes to run an entire District?
Neptude: It's not like running a simple Sime Center.
Neptude: You have to think farther ahead, so that Donors and channels have time to travel if necessary.
Neptude: And you have to deal with a different set of officials for each Center in your care, for the most part.
Lexus is somewhat chastened by his uncle's annoyance, but his self-confidence is irrepressible.
Lexus: Well, it requires coordination, of course. And leadership.
Neptude: And a great deal of hard work.
Neptude: A District Controller would be lucky to attend one social function per month.
Lexus: Of course. But you're even higher up the ladder--a Regional Controller--and I've seen how you work.
Lexus: You're a master at delegation.
Neptude shifts uncomfortably in his chair, as one does when a youngster sees the situation a bit too clearly.
Lexus: And you know the value of keeping up your social contacts with your peers.
Neptude: Yes, well, I've had a great deal of experience in running multiple Sime Centers, and a Regional Controller is allowed a decent staff.
Neptude: District Controllers are not, really.
Neptude had to make due with only 5, during his tenure running the 53rd District.
Neptude: And there are a great many issues which require personal attention, and can't be delegated at all.
Lexus wonders if Neptude is headed where he seems to be headed.
Lexus decides he better get serious here.
Lexus: Well, of course, managing a District is far more challenging than just one Sime Center.
Neptude: Yes, it is.
Neptude: Do you think it's a challenge you're ready to take on?
Neptude: There is no shame in deciding that you'd rather not, you know.
Neptude: You have at least another decade before you'd be drafted against your will.
Lexus: Yes, Uncle, I would be honored.
Lexus: I can run a single Center with my tentacles tied behind my back.
Lexus: I'd like to be seen as a leader of other Controllers who right now think I'm no better than they are.
Neptude is not convinced at the moment that the other Controllers aren't better than Lexus.
Neptude: ~~ dubious ~~
Neptude: You have had a quiet tenure in your current position.
Neptude: No natural disasters, or other serious disruptions.
Neptude: In a District, you are practically guaranteed to encounter such problems.
Lexus: Very true.
Lexus: And I'll rise to the challenge, you'll see.
Lexus: Besides, what terrible crises is that Farris dealing with?
Lexus: A singer who needs therapy?
Lexus: A Donor who has been traumatized?
Lexus: Those don't sound too difficult to me.
Neptude: The singer in question is an out-Territory Gen who was being abused by his employer, and the case would have caused a major diplomatic incident if it had gone to court.
Neptude: The Donor Arat and I were discussing outrates you by a significant margin, and his stability is deteriorating rapidly.
Neptude: He put Arat Farris in the infirmary several times, with insufficiently disciplined nageric oscillations.
Lexus's nager glints with eagerness.
Lexus: Well, that sounds interesting, at least.
Lexus: It's up to you, of course.
Lexus: I simply require some kind of challenge, because I am terribly, terribly bored in Golden Hills.
Neptude is starting to want to give his nephew the chance for a new reason: To see the arrogant kid have to deal with the problems he is dismissing so blithely.
Neptude: Yes, it is up to me.
Neptude zlins his nephew thoughtfully.
Lexus: ~~ blithe self-confidence ~~
Neptude: At the moment, I'm not sure you don't belong in Golden Hills. Or at least, in a similar position, perhaps in a larger town.
Neptude: This is not a sinecure that I'm considering you for, you know. The 53rd District has been troubled for some years.
Neptude: There have been improvements, but there is room for more.
Lexus: And I will make them.
Lexus: What is Arat Farris but a relic of the past?
Neptude: If nothing else, he is a far more competent channel than you are, and one with acquaintances in high places.
Neptude: Both have been very useful to him in his current position.
Lexus: Me... my generation... are going to create a new future.
Lexus: The people I went to school with are your leaders of tomorrow.
Lexus: Just give us a chance!
Neptude looks dubious.
Neptude: Well, perhaps. Well shall see.
Neptude: For now, I have had a summary made of some of the problems which have struck the 53rd District during the past few months.
Neptude pushes a thick stack of paper towards Lexus.
Lexus accepts the offering.
Neptude: Read through it, and write out what you would have done in each situation. When you have done so, we can compare your solutions to those Arat Farris chose, and discuss the actual or probably consequences of any differences.
Lexus grins with pleasure at the prospect of this competition.
Lexus: All right, uncle. I accept the challenge.
Neptude nods.
Neptude is not completely happy with the solution, but at least one of two things will happen: Lexus will prove that he can do the job, given plenty of time to think over each problem, or he will be so far off that Neptude will have an excellent excuse to deny him the job.
Neptude hopes that will be enough to placate his sister, who can be rather difficult when crossed.
Lexus happily plans how he will please and amaze his uncle.
Lexus, understanding the delegation thing, plans to involve part of his Sime Center staff in researching the questions.
Lexus also has a wide circle of school buddies, colleagues and mentors to bounce ideas off.
Lexus has no doubt that his positive attitude must win the day.