Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #163: The Anthill (2/24/00)
Tiarala signals at Arat's door--without a formal order to present herself.
Arat: Enter!
Arat trusts Tiarala to only come to him without an appointment if it's important.
Tiarala is one of the few people in the 53rd District who would dare beard Arat in his den over rumors.
Tiarala opens the door.
Tiarala: Arat, do you have a few moments?
Tiarala is quite prepared to leave, if it is not a good time.
Tiarala: It's not an emergency, but....
Tiarala means by this, that it isn't an emergency by Tecton standards. Personal standards are something else.
Arat nods.
Tiarala: Thank you.
Arat studies her carefully.
Tiarala approaches the desk.
Tiarala: ~~ concerned for Arat and worried for herself ~~
Arat has not seen her since he was first informed of certain rumors regarding her future career possibilities.
Arat is trying to see the District Controller presumably contained within her.
Tiarala looks not unlike a District Controller: That is, competent, somewhat harassed, and concerned about how things can possibly be glued together this time.
Tiarala pauses by the chair, knowing how much of a stickler Arat is for giving permission before subordinates sit in his presence.
Arat nods fractionally, allowing it.
Tiarala sits gracefully, with a nod of thanks.
Tiarala: I have been hearing some rather disturbing rumors lately. I was hoping that you would be willing to give me the truth of the matter, if any.
Arat raises an eyebrow.
Arat: To which rumors are you referring?
Tiarala: In the past few days, various individuals have informed me that you are being demoted for poor performance, or being framed by Neptude so that he won't be called to account for certain matters.
Tiarala: Others say that no, you have decided to take on a secret project of monumental importance.
Tiarala: Yet others say that all of these are wrong, and that you intend to stay here. Or move back to New Othwol.
Arat looks at Tiarala measuringly, trying to decide just how far he can trust her.
Tiarala spreads her hands and tentacles to indicate that she doesn't particularly credit any of these variants.
Arat would ordinarily have considered her only one step below Jeniard in trustworthiness, but the fact that her name has come up as a possible replacement for him makes it more difficult to judge.
Tiarala: Your patronage has been invaluable to me, both professionally and personally. I am naturally concerned to know what truth there may be to the rumors, if any.
Arat nods, acknowledging the statement.
Arat: There is some truth to some of the rumors. [admits]
Arat: However, I cannot reveal the details to you unless you are prepared to refrain from discussing them with anyone else. Anyone else. [repeats, with slightly more emphasis]
Arat: These are delicate matters, and much is yet to be resolved.
Tiarala: That is understood. I assure you that however much I might enjoy Narosian company on occasion, I do not share their compulsive tendency to confide anything to anyone.
Tiarala: Anything you tell me will remain in complete confidence.
Arat: Very well.
Arat: As you know, there have been serious difficulties lately, regarding the rogue rehabilitation projects.
Arat: There have been some indications that certain persons might wish to excise the problem completely rather than attempt a repair.
Arat: With the District in the condition it is in, any competent administrator could run it were I to be removed, and that fact has not gone unnoticed.
Tiarala: ~~ oh, dear ~~
Tiarala: Neptude plans to use you as a scapegoat?
Arat is too proud to sink to that sort of self-pitying accusation, but his jaw hardens.
Arat: While no such order has yet come down, it would seem prudent to take certain precautions.
Arat: Chief of which is to preserve my ability to protect those in my care.
Tiarala nods, a bit relieved: Arat is known to be loyal to his protégés.
Arat: I cannot be more specific than that, at this time.
Arat: However, rest assured, I have your interests in mind, as they are by definition my own.
Tiarala is disappointed in the paucity of the information, but knows better than to protest.
Arat eyes her speculatively.
Tiarala: I do appreciate that.
Arat: Your name has been spoken as one possible replacement for me.
Arat assumes Tiarala has heard the rumors; he's letting her know he knows also.
Tiarala's eyes widen, then she nods thoughtfully.
Tiarala: That would explain the looks I've been getting lately, and the conversations that cut off so abruptly when I approach.
Tiarala: If I am being considered for the post, no one has officially informed me of it yet.
Arat: I do not believe that you will be chosen.
Arat: There is another, Neptude's nephew Lexus. Do you know him?
Tiarala starts to smile in ill-concealed relief at the reprieve, then sits bolt upright in horror.
Tiarala: Lexus?
Tiarala: A District Controller?
Tiarala can't quite credit that even Neptude would be so blind.
Arat does not seem particularly impressed himself.
Arat: He was invited to my last meeting with Neptude.
Arat still doesn't know, and likely never will, that Lexus had simply invited himself and been allowed to stay.
Tiarala: Was Neptude encouraging him to state his opinions?
Arat: His attention was for Lexus throughout the meeting. Each time some concern of his was voiced, his thoughts went to Lexus, his eyes did.
Arat being a Farris and maddeningly sensitive, was all too aware of the myriad little darts of Neptude's attention.
Tiarala frowns.
Arat had been paranoid enough about it at the time, but that night, he'd really begun to worry sincerely.
Tiarala: It would be a disaster, if Neptude gave Lexus the District. He's years away from having the judgment required.
Tiarala: Oh, the District would function well enough for a while; it's well organized.
Arat nods.
Tiarala: But it wouldn't stay that way for long with a youngster like that in charge.
Tiarala looks at her tentacles, which have unaccountably clenched around her arms at the thought of Lexus getting Arat's position.
Tiarala carefully unclenches them.
Tiarala then meets Arat's eyes in total sincerity.
Tiarala: I admit that I would much prefer to tackle a new challenge, even under less prestigious circumstances, then have to stay here and watch everything you've done for the 53rd District fall apart due to mismanagement.
Tiarala: It's selfish of me, I know, but there it is.
Arat's dark eyes, and more importantly his laterals, gauge her sincerity.
Arat: I appreciate your candor, and I will be sure to keep that in mind when planning for the future.
Tiarala will stay and try to hold the 53rd District together as long as possible if she has to, but hopes that Arat will find a way to take her with him.
Tiarala: Thank you.
Tiarala really does ~~ appreciate ~~ Arat's concern.
Tiarala: I won't take up any more of your time, then.
Tiarala starts to rise.
Tiarala: If there is any way I can be of assistance to you, I hope you will let me know.
Arat: I will. And, don't hesitate to come to me if you have any other concerns.
Arat would not extend such an invitation to just anyone.
Tiarala's smile is somehow both professional and personal at once.
Tiarala knows that Arat isn't a sucker for it, the way Riyyh is, but he's not made of stone, either--she hopes.
Tiarala knows that all rumors aside, there is incontrovertible proof that he has been unpetrified on at least four occasions.
Tiarala is therefore free to hope, something she is good at.
Tiarala is, however, tactful enough (and experienced enough) not to add verbal reinforcement to the smile.
Tiarala merely waves as she leaves.
Seruffin drops by Arat's office unannounced.
Seruffin has a habit of doing this, when something interesting appears to be happening.
Arat is engrossed in his work, trying to make up for the time he missed while otherwise engaged.
Arat is determined to leave Neptude as little leverage against him as possible, if it kills him.
Arat believes in playing it safe, and that means keeping his nose clean in case Plan A fails.
Seruffin isn't sure quite what is up, but where there is smoke there are often things a subordinate is trying to hide.
Seruffin signals, so as not to interrupt any disciplinary actions or such matters.
Arat looks up, startled, realizes what nager is on the other side of the door, and nearly swallows his gum. [figuratively speaking, that is]
Arat coughs, puts down all the paper he was holding, and jumps up to answer the door.
Arat is not particularly in practice at this, but can do it in an emergency.
Arat: Controller Seruffin.
Seruffin: Arat. You're looking a bit better than the last time I saw you.
Seruffin has not, of course, seen Arat since his stay in the infirmary, just prior to Nick's return.
Seruffin: Nick's been looking out for you, has he?
Arat nods, warily, and stands back to let Seruffin in.
Arat in fact hasn't seen Nick since their transfer.
Seruffin strolls in casually, and glances around in quick assessment.
Arat has been trying to figure out where he could trade Nick that would best enhance his favor with important Tecton personages he has rarely found it necessary to impress.
Arat alternatively could keep Nick, and try to sort out the problems, but that idea makes him feel even more panicky than the idea of losing him.
Arat solves the problem temporarily by putting it from his mind and going to get Seruffin some tea.
Seruffin settles in the most comfortable visitor's chair, and runs his eyes quickly over the documents on Arat's desk.
Arat pours steaming water into two cups of leaves.
Seruffin knows that all efficient managers have a bit of the snoop in them; how else can one spot problems before they become emergencies?
Arat is well aware that Seruffin's attention is on his desk, but there isn't anything there that could possibly be of unsafe interest. He has conducted his plan thus far entirely without paper.
Seruffin settles back as Arat returns with the tea.
Arat gives Seruffin one of the cups, and then seeks the illusory safety of his own chair.
Seruffin: Thank you.
Seruffin sniffs the steam, and sighs mentally: He prefers something a bit more refined that Tecton #3.
Arat: How may I be of assistance? [asks, when Seruffin doesn't begin right away]
Seruffin sips tea, then lowers his cup.
Seruffin: I was hoping that you could enlighten me as to the purpose of your recent unusual activities.
Seruffin: You don't usually set foot outside of this building from one month to the next, and yet you've been all over town, recently.
Arat: I had business of a personal nature.
Seruffin looks at Arat sharply.
Arat: Of a... deeply personal nature.
Seruffin really hates the image that brings to mind, as Arat's only known "deeply personal" business involves the remnants of the Audnes clan.
Arat of course may differ from others in his definition of "deeply personal" business.
Arat: I have not allowed it to interfere with my work unduly.
Arat hasn't missed any deadlines yet, anyway.
Seruffin adds that to the recent agitations in Norwest Territory, and really doesn't like the sum.
Seruffin: I'm sure you haven't.
Seruffin: I don't like to pry for the sake of prying, but under the circumstances, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to elaborate.
Seruffin is ~~ apologetic but unyielding ~~
Arat's eyes narrow.
Arat: What circumstances might you be referring to?
Arat still has not been told anything official.
Seruffin's nager switches to ~~ annoyed and unyielding ~~
Seruffin: Don't play games with me, Arat. I'm not your enemy--unless you make me one.
Seruffin: There have been rumors flying, some of them quite preposterous.
Seruffin: I'm sure you know the ones I'm referring to.
Arat: The rumors that I am to be replaced by Hajene Lexus.
Arat singles that one out as the most preposterous.
Seruffin nods.
Seruffin: Or Tiarala. Or one of half a dozen other candidates.
Arat: I have been informed of them.
Arat: But in rumor only.
Seruffin nods, well aware that the fired employee is the last to know.
Seruffin: Have things been so tense between you and Neptude, then?
Arat: He has implied that a reorganization of the 53rd District from the top down may be the solution to several problems.
Seruffin: And what problems might those be?
Seruffin is wondering what Neptude thinks is worth the problems that moving Arat under such circumstances would cause the Tecton.
Arat: I am under the impression that he feels that certain... personnel... are more trouble to maintain than they are beneficial to the District.
Arat means the rogues Neptude heaped on him as well as himself.
Arat: And that a less capable, but less demanding, leadership would be adequate.
Seruffin: Sweeping his problems under the rug, is he?
Arat raises his head higher, unwilling to say so in front of Seruffin.
Arat: None of it has been framed as anything more than threat or rumor.
Arat: It may be that none of it is true.
Arat's instincts have screamed that that is not the case, however.
Arat has acted accordingly.
Seruffin can't zlin through Arat's showfield, but some things are self-evident.
Seruffin: So you have been taking actions to minimize the damage to your reputation and career.
Seruffin is not asking a question.
Arat takes advantage of the lack of a question mark and neither admits or denies anything.
Seruffin's eyes narrow just a bit at this reticence.
Seruffin: And just what does all this have to do with Norwest Territory?
Arat: I believe it is simply a coincidence of timing.
Arat is being honest enough; he is sure Neptude's ideas weren't born of finding out about the dam project, and Arat certainly would never have considered such a thing if it hadn't happened at such a convenient time.
Seruffin: I don't, given some of the actions you and others have been taking recently.
Arat regards Seruffin carefully.
Arat: Others?
Arat thinks that if Seruffin had meant Neptude, he'd have said Neptude.
Seruffin: I have heard some indications--nothing definite, you understand, that there have been inquiries made, about matters which are not general knowledge.
Arat looks somewhat perplexed and impatient, a natural enough expression for him under the circumstances.
Arat has no idea what Seruffin is talking about.
Arat: By... others?
Seruffin: They seem to have originated in the 53rd District, but I have no more firm information on the source.
Arat: I see.
Seruffin: If you are not involved, someone else clearly is.
Seruffin: Either acting alone, or on your behalf.
Arat: I have ordered no such inquir... [pauses]
Seruffin is unaware that it is not an either-or proposition, in this case.
Arat's expression turns thunderous as he remembers the conversation with Nick which brought the Dam project into discussion.
Arat remembers the wayward letter which started the conversation.
Arat is furious with Nick for having put him in this awkward position.
Arat now also wonders exactly what Nick was up to. They hadn't gone into it in much detail at the time.
Arat's mouth closes abruptly.
Seruffin raises an eyebrow, and waits for an explanation.
Arat: I believe what you are referring to is Nick's private investigation into the status of the Snake River Dam project.
Arat: I only became aware of it myself, recently, when he attempted to convince me to volunteer for the post.
Seruffin had not been expecting to hear anything close to this, and only just manages to prevent his jaw from dropping.
Seruffin: Sosu Nick made the inquiries? Whatever for?
Arat sees no problem with admitting all of this; after all, his response had been entirely predictable, and if his lack of desire for the post is reinforced in everybody's minds now, it'll seem all the more innocent later when his political machinations lead the people to ask him to do the same thing.
Arat: I believe he was interested in seeing Snake reassigned to a post where she could get more stimulation.
Arat: However, he did not want us to be split apart.
Arat puts the most charitable spin on it that he has been able to come up with.
Seruffin: Hmm.
Seruffin rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Arat: I do not believe he was aware that his... inquiries would be cause for alarm.
Seruffin: I expect he wouldn't, new as he is to the Tecton.
Seruffin finds the Nick involvement a relief, as it means that the chances that a new Audnes rebellion is being planned are minimal.
Arat nods.
Arat: I will inform him of your concerns, of course.
Seruffin: Well, there's no reason to come down too hard on him.
Seruffin: There's no harm in a Donor investigating possible assignments, after all.
Arat is willing to do whatever Seruffin wishes in that regard, and simply nods again.
Seruffin: If nothing else, a Gen assigned where he wants to be is a more effective, contented worker.
Seruffin: You said he apparently wants Snake's workload increased?
Arat: Wise Snake's behavioral problems are largely due to an inadequate workload and not enough responsibility.
Seruffin: Too much time for mischief, eh?
Arat will not go so far as to accuse Nick of being willing to turn a dangerous rogue considered too unsafe for Tecton people loose upon itinerant laborers, although he knows perfectly well that's what Nick had in mind.
Arat can also see a certain advantage to the idea of not having to try to keep Snake as vigorously restrained.
Arat however has a problem with the idea of letting her run amok completely, which is what he thinks will happen if she goes to the Snake River Dam project.
see note 1
Notes:
1) This scene is continued in the next episode. [return]