Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #168: Toady (3/5/00)
Beni brings Arat another cup of tea.
Beni is still feeling a bit hangdog over how badly he failed to keep tabs on Snake.
Beni has had it driven home to him by personal observation of Arat performing the task, just how much he was unintentionally slacking off.
Beni has got some things correct, however, and so he merely sets the tea by Arat's elbow and sits quietly in his chair.
Beni doesn't know how Arat is managing to keep up with the paperwork as well as he is, what with spending eight hours a day supervising Snake.
Arat belatedly picks up the tea and has a sip.
Beni feels a tiny bit of ~ relief ~ as Arat accepts the offering.
Arat has begun to find Beni's contrition a bit wearing to zlin, but he can't argue. It's produced exemplary performance.
Lexus strolls down the halls of the 53rd District, surveying what he hopes will soon become his domain.
Beni settles down to provide ~~ support ~~, which, if not quite up to Nick's standards, is at least not as nerve-wracking as Pylor's.
Lexus carries under his arm the folder containing the documentation for his new assignment. Lexus briefly considers augmentation to manage the weight.
Lexus pauses at a restroom to survey his look, and be sure his blond hair is perfectly combed and his uniform impeccable. Such matters are important when handling Gens.
Lexus reaches the door to Arat's office and signals.
Arat frowns, not having expected Lexus.
Beni looks up at the signal, wondering if he's failed to keep track of some new permutation of Arat's schedule.
Beni: Do you have an appointment now?
Beni is already getting to his feet.
Arat scowls.
Arat: No.
Arat: It's Hajene Lexus.
Beni: Neptude's nephew?
Arat wonders what Neptude's nephew wants and supposes he will soon find out.
Beni has not been unaware of the current gossip regarding Arat's reputed successors.
Beni gathers from Arat's expression that this visit is not only unexpected, but unwelcome, as well.
Beni opens the door with a hint of trepidation that only Arat could zlin.
Beni: Hajene Lexus.
Lexus: Good morning, Sosu Beni. Hajene Farris.
Lexus: ~~ sublime self-confidence ~~
Arat looks at Lexus and wonders who he thinks he is. Aside from the Regional Controller's nephew, that is.
Beni raises an eyebrow at having Arat referred to as "Hajene" instead of the proper title, "Controller".
Beni's nager cools.
Beni: Lexus.
Arat nods slightly in response to the greeting, but is too busy trying to guess what is going on to engage in extended pleasantries.
Lexus observes the sour expression on the face of the storm crow he hopes to supplant and the silky oscillations of his Donor's nager. How could anyone be unhappy with a Donor like that?
Beni steps back to allow Lexus to enter the office.
Lexus nods, noting the change in Beni's nager.
Lexus enters the office and steps forward to Arat to hand him the paperwork he has brought.
Beni closes the door and returns to his chair by Arat's side.
Beni offers Arat ~~ support ~~, as he is pretty sure that whatever errand Lexus is on, it won't be pleasant for Arat.
Lexus: Controller, here is the documentation for my temporary assignment to your staff.
Arat accepts the paperwork (not augmenting; he has to handle the District Report, after all)
Beni's jaw drops at the news.
Beni inspects Arat for signs of impending explosion.
Arat isn't particularly surprised that such an assignment has been made. He opens the top cover of the folder and reads the first page, scanning for the details of the assignment's duration and position.
Lexus: The Regional Controller decided you required some additional backup, to compensate for all the special therapy cases you have taken on.
Lexus: I will function as a special aide to help with the District paperwork so you can concentrate more time on your therapy patients.
Arat frowns [it's a different sort of frown than the previous one] and flips farther back, to see what particular qualifications Lexus has, aside from being Neptude's nephew of course.
Lexus's assignment is temporary, but not given a specific end date. He is still officially Controller of Golden Hills Sime Center, but is on official leave.
Arat is not impressed by Lexus' record to date. It's not that he's done a bad job, though, just never handled anything remotely like this position. A lot of supervision will be required.
Arat puts the folder down.
Arat: I see. [his first words since Lexus entering]
Lexus's nager cools a bit at the lack of courtesy, but it is only what he expected.
Arat would ask if this has anything to do with rumors that Neptude may replace Arat, but he just can't make himself do it. The idea of Lexus being that replacement is too ridiculous even for Neptude to countenance. Or so Arat believes. He still has some illusions.
Arat: Very well.
Arat: I will adjust the schedule. You will have time to get your affairs in order; I will not have the new schedule ready until tomorrow.
Arat assumes that anybody running a Sime Center of any size will have a thousand loose ends that constantly need keeping track of, even when on leave.
Lexus: My affairs are already in order and I am ready to assist you immediately.
Lexus: The Regional Controller particularly requested updates on the status of Sosu Pylor and Hajene Wise Snake.
Beni is appalled at the idea of trying to run the District with Neptude's private spy getting in the way, but is doing a heroic job of setting that aside in favor of supporting his channel.
Arat imagines Lexus beheaded or otherwise maimed by Snake within 20 minutes of his first being assigned here, and nixes that idea.
Lexus: The Regional Controller said that he planned to make a decision soon regarding the disposition of Sosu Pylor's case.
Arat: Sosu Pylor is currently quite available for an examination.
Arat is pretty sure Lexus isn't the one to do it, but if it doesn't go too badly he will keep his silence.
Arat: I can arrange for it.
Lexus: That would be excellent. The Regional Controller is himself too busy at the moment to take time out for clinical observation, so he suggested I stand in for him.
Arat's expressive Farris lips curve in the shape most people reserve for cases when someone offers them a sandwich full of maggots and insists it's really delicious, try it.
Arat simply nods, however.
Lexus privately believes that Neptude is not just checking up on Arat here, but that he is afraid to be in the same room with Pylor himself.
Beni wishes that Neptude had simply arranged for Arat to be assigned elsewhere, rather than put this young dandy in to disorganize the District on what is reputed to be the end of Arat's watch.
Beni does not have Nick's problems being loyal to his channel of the month.