Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #205: To Heck with Procedure (5/1/00)
Hrim tries to look busy at the desk, as he in fact twiddles his tentacles waiting for his shift to end.
Hrim is thinking lovingly on his post-shift entertainment schedule, and is therefore not paying much attention to his work.
Dofus, a lone Gen, wanders into the lobby looking slightly flustered and totally lost. He goes to the desk. See tentacles and backs up three paces.
Hrim winces at the reaction.
Hrim pastes a smile on his face.
Dofus: Have you seen my group?
Hrim: Your group?
Dofus: They were supposed to meet me here.
Boda ambles into the lobby from a side corridor, carrying a stack of orientation documents so high she can barely see over them.
Hrim racks his brains to figure out what sort of group would be speaking Genlan.
Hrim: Err....
Dofus looks around and starts off down a likely looking hallway.
Pylor follows Boda. Having gained a channel at last, he's reluctant to let her more than arm's reach away from him.
Boda is a short wiry channel with kinky brown hair, wearing a rumpled uniform.
Dofus runs straight into Boda as he is still looking for his group.
Hrim zlins a Big Nager, and decides to pass the buck.
Dofus: Uff!
Pylor: Careful, there!
Dofus: Uh, sorry was looking for my group.
Boda's papers all go flying and tentacles are not enough to prevent the scattering of such a pile of documents.
Pylor thinks that Gens get enough ragging from Simes about clumsiness, without deliberate carelessness.
Boda jumps at the sudden interaction with an undisciplined Gen field.
Dofus sees more tentacles and backs up faster.
Pylor steps between his channel and the visitor.
Boda catches the startled reaction and is concerned.
Dofus looks at the other Gen.
Pylor: Really, it's all right, Mr....
Pylor at least is pretty sure that the visitor is a Mr. from out-Territory.
Dofus: Dofus, Avert Dofus.
Boda: You know, you shouldn't be wandering around without an escort.
Boda frowns.
Dofus: I just need to find my group.
Boda: What group is that?
Hrim notes Boda and Pylor talking to the inconvenient visitor, and picks up a report to hide behind so they will take care of things.
Dofus: They were supposed to meet me here.
Pylor looks at Boda.
Dofus tries to get around Boda without getting too close.
Pylor: I think there was some out-Territory group coming to meet with Controller Arat later on.
Pylor: ~~ unsure ~~
Dofus: Yes, that's right.
Pylor: But really, you shouldn't be wandering around by yourself, while you're high field like that.
Boda: Yeah, really.
Pylor: Weren't you told you ought to donate before traveling in Sime Territory?
Boda: I'm a channel, you know.
Boda: I'd be happy to take care of that for you.
Dofus looks down the hall, trying to get by them.
Pylor thinks it's just like the diplomatic types to ignore that little detail.
Dofus: Look, I just want to get back to my group.
Dofus: High what?
Boda: You're supposed to donate selyn before you cross the border.
Boda: So you don't bother people.
Boda: Like you're doing right now.
Dofus: Donate?!
Pylor: Why, yes.
Dofus is ready to bolt at this point.
Pylor: It makes being around Simes much safer.
Dofus: I just have to find my group.
Dofus stares at Boda's tentacles.
Dofus: Look, I'll just go back outside and wait.
Pylor mutters to Boda, "you were complaining of entran. And the way things are going, it could take days to get you on the schedule."
Boda: Look, we can't let you do that. You're not safe without an escort.
Boda: Not until you donate.
Boda actually speaks quite good Genlan.
Pylor moves to place Dofus between himself and Boda, blocking Dofus's path to the door.
Dofus is now sweating.
Boda nods to Pylor.
Dofus: I have to go!
Boda: Look, your group isn't here yet.
Boda: Why not sit down and have a cup of tea with us while you wait?
Pylor reaches out to place a "reassuring" hand on Dofus's shoulder, not accidentally making departure more difficult.
Boda: We're selyn management professionals; we'll protect you.
Dofus tries to get loose.
Pylor: Now, now, there's no reason for alarm.
Dofus: I just... uh, uh, look, I'll just go. OK?
Boda steps back, not wanting to panic the Gen.
Boda: Look, please, try to calm down.
Boda: Those kinds of emotions are dangerous.
Pylor: Someone in your tour has not been looking out for you properly.
Boda: I'm a nice person; I wouldn't hurt you.
Dofus swallows hard.
Boda: I grew up out-T myself.
Dofus: [visions of berserkers dance round his head]
Boda: That Kiss of Death stuff, it's all crap.
Boda: We're civilized people here.
Pylor: Come now, let's get this straightened out before your tour arrives. That way you won't be delayed.
Dofus: I want to sit down.
Boda: Sure. You can sit down and have some tea while you wait.
Pylor: Of course. There's a room right down the hall, here....
Dofus eyes Boda.
Boda gives Dofus her most winning smile.
Pylor: She's perfectly harmless, I assure you.
Dofus: Okay. Just don't touch me.
Boda steps back to let Pylor steer the Gen in the required direction, while covering the rear.
Dofus is trying to walk and keep an eye on Boda.
Dofus: Does she have to be back there?
Pylor leads the way to a small examination room containing a desk, three chairs, a table with a tea service, and a transfer lounge along the back wall.
Boda's brown eyes glint with amusement.
Boda: I'll just go fix the tea.
Dofus feels the walls closing in. The room is too small and crowded.
Pylor: Here, sit down and make yourself comfortable.
Dofus: Thank you.
Boda begins tinkering with the cups and trin leaves.
Pylor surreptitiously locks the door and thumbs the "do not disturb" light.
Dofus: I just went to use the bathroom and they were gone.
Pylor tuts sympathetically.
Dofus tries to pull himself together.
Boda: What is the theme of your tour?
Dofus jumps when she asks.
Dofus: Uh, Interchange of Knowledge.
Boda: Hmmm, interesting.
Pylor rolls his eyes behind Dofus's back.
Pylor: Is it one of those Diplomatic Office things?
Dofus: Sort of.
Boda: And what knowledge did you come to interchange, specifically?
Dofus: Uh, uh I forget.
Dofus [The room is getting smaller]
Dofus: Could she leave?
Pylor looks to see if Boda has the tea ready yet.
Boda pours the tea into the cups.
Boda slips a few drops of tranquilizer into the cup for Dofus; it's a little item she likes to keep on hand for situations like this.
Dofus loosens his tie, trying to breathe.
Boda: Here, Pylor, why don't you serve?
Boda: This cup's for Dofus, a special blend.
Dofus looks at the cup and the tentacles. The room gets smaller.
Pylor takes the cup and carries it over to Dofus.
Pylor: The best trin for our guest.
Boda: Did you have any special knowledge that you wanted to tell channels like myself?
Pylor ceremoniously presents the cup to Dofus.
Boda: I mean, I'm right here, listening.
Dofus sniffs the tea.
Boda: Here's your chance.
Dofus: Textiles.
Dofus: Uh, fibers to strengthen building materials.
Boda has mixed Dofus a spicy blend of Narosian Cinnamon Burst and the medicinal flavor will be quite undetectable among the spices.
Dofus sniffs the tea and frowns.
Pylor returns to the tea table and picks up his own cup.
Dofus: You wouldn't have any coffee, would you?
Pylor: I'm afraid not.
Pylor: It's not very common on this side of the border, you know.
Pylor: But at least the trin's hot, and it will settle your stomach.
Boda picks up her own cup and sips.
Dofus: Okay.
Dofus holds his breath and takes a sip.
Boda: What kind of fibers?
Dofus: Black hemp.
Pylor perches casually on the edge of the desk, sipping his tea.
Boda: And what can you build with black hemp reinforced materials?
Dofus: Anything. It binds concrete for just about any use.
Pylor: Really?
Dofus takes another sip.
Pylor briefly entertains a fantasy of Arat, bound with black hemp, begging for transfer from Pylor.
Dofus: We don't have a lot of metal where I come from. We use a lot of concrete.
Boda is actually quite interested in engineering.
Boda: So can you make like watertight structures? Doesn't the hemp rot away?
Dofus: The fibers double the strength. What? Oh no, it's water resistant.
Dofus is feeling a little less tense.
Boda: Very interesting. Do you only do buildings, or can the material used for smaller things, say a cistern?
Dofus: We make everything from furniture to roofing tiles with it.
Pylor sees Dofus relaxing as he converses with Boda, and contents himself with simply looking relaxed and harmless as he sips his tea.
Boda: Really!! I don't suppose you'd have some sort of catalog I could look at?
Dofus: Kay has those. She's with the group.
Dofus Takes another sip and is beginning to like this tea stuff.
Boda: Hmmm. I'd be very interested. Perhaps you could note down her name and address, so I could contact her?
Boda sidles closer.
Boda keeps her tentacles carefully sheathed and out of sight as she offers a notepad to Dofus.
Dofus: She's with the group. You'll see her later.
Dofus tries to back up.
Boda withdraws the notepad, unused.
Boda: Have you ever tried doing business in-Territory before?
Dofus: No, I don't handle that end. I just do the demo pieces for the clients.
Pylor: So this is your first trip across the Border?
Dofus takes another sip. The room is expanding a bit.
Dofus: Yes. I didn't want to come, but I gotta keep my job. Kids to feed, you know.
Pylor: Of course.
Boda: Well, you're very brave. I didn't want to come either, but I didn't get a lot of choice about the matter.
Dofus has visions of berserkers again.
Dofus: Look, lady, could you just leave please?
Boda: Look, I'm a channel. Didn't they tell you about channels?
Dofus [the room is creeping in again]
Dofus: Sime is Sime. I just want to find my group. Or go, okay?
Pylor: You can't go running around in Sime Territory when you're carrying so much selyn.
Pylor: It's dangerous, to you and to the Simes you meet.
Boda: Channels never hurt Gens. There is nothing in the world that we want except to make Gens happy.
Pylor: You really ought to let Hajene Boda here lower your field.
Dofus: How does that work?
Pylor: It would only take a moment, and then you wouldn't have to worry about the Simes you meet.
Pylor: Hajene Boda would just make a quick transfer contact and draw off the extra selyn.
Pylor: You wouldn't feel a thing.
Pylor doesn't have much experience with ignorant, out-Territory Gens, or he might not have been so explicit.
Boda does have experience with ignorant, out-Territory Gens and winces.
Dofus: She has to touch me, right?
Boda: Look, I was born and raised right in Owenston.
Boda: They sent me across the border when I was still a kid because they figured I would turn out a channel.
Boda: I would never, never hurt you.
Boda: And I'm really sad that you think I might.
Dofus Looks at her and giggles. She won't hurt him ha ha.
Dofus: I'm sorry your feelings are hurt, but mine would be hurt worse.
Dofus: I just want to live, to go home. Okay?
Boda: There are plenty of Gens living here just fine. Look at Pylor here. He look dead to you?
Dofus Takes another sip of tea.
Dofus: No.
Pylor has often been accused by Arat and Snake of having all the sensitivity of a corpse, but fortunately Dofus can't zlin.
Boda: My whole life is dedicated to keeping Gens like you alive.
Pylor: All Gens who live and travel on this side of the border are expected to donate.
Dofus: That's nice and everything, but my wife will kill me if I kiss another woman!
Pylor chuckles.
Boda: I promise I won't kiss you.
Pylor: A transfer contact isn't a kiss, Mr. Dofus.
Dofus: Sure sounds like one.
Boda: It's just a touch. It's really quick and you won't feel a thing.
Dofus isn't really that averse to kissing her.
Dofus Takes another sip of tea
Boda zlins the traces of his sexual interest and smiles winningly, thinking, well, whatever works.
Dofus looks at Pylor and says, "You wouldn't tell her would you?"
Pylor winks.
Pylor: Of course not.
Pylor thinks that it's unlikely he would ever get the opportunity.
Dofus: Can I get back to my group if you do it?
Boda moves a bit closer.
Pylor: Certainly.
Dofus looks at Boda and takes another sip of tea.
Dofus: What do I have to do?
Boda: May I see your hands?
Dofus looks at his hands and takes another sip of tea
Dofus gives the cup to Pylor.
Boda can zlin the tranquilizer is kicking in nicely.
Dofus holds out his hands.
Pylor accepts the cup and sets it aside on the desk.
Boda: Ah, you have nice strong hands.
Dofus: Work hard.
Pylor then moves closer to offer better support, in case the tranquilizer isn't enough.
Boda nods.
Boda: Let me see.
Dofus is getting nervous.
Dofus: What now?
Boda reaches out her hands, tentacles still sheathed, and gently takes hold of his.
Dofus This isn't so bad.
Boda: There, you see.
Dofus: Okay now what?
Boda gently undoes the buttons on his cuffs.
Dofus sees his wife with a large blunt object.
Dofus: Wait a minute.
Pylor: There's nothing to be alarmed about.
Boda: Now, I'm going to hold you with my tentacles for just a moment.
Dofus: Wait a minute.
Dofus is trying to get up.
Boda: It's all right.
Pylor reaches out and plants a firm hand on Dofus's shoulder to hold him in place.
Dofus Looks at the tentacles and is having second and third thoughts about this.
Boda grasps Dofus' arms with her tentacles.
Dofus: I gotta go.
Pylor: You can, in just a moment. Hold still, now.
Boda: I'm not hurting you.
Boda: It's okay.
Dofus is trying to get up.
Dofus: No I mean I really gotta go.
Dofus is still trying to get up.
Boda: Just one moment and you can go safely.
Boda holds him firmly but without hurting him.
Dofus: Okay.
Dofus: Just do it before I lose my nerve.
Boda, given permission, doesn't waste an instant.
Pylor might have objected to such use of semi-restraint on a not-particularly willing donor at one time, but Snake lowered his standards of professional conduct considerably.
Dofus is scared out of his mind.
Boda touches her lips to his and quickly draws down his outer selyn levels.
Dofus is trying to get up. Can't even move.
Dofus: Hey!
Boda releases Dofus when he is low field enough to be safe.
Boda smiles.
Boda: All done.
Dofus is shaking like a leaf.
Dofus: Okay.
Pylor: You don't have to worry about being attacked by a Sime for the next few weeks--you'll zlin very unappetizing.
Dofus doesn't care, just wants to go.
Dofus: Can I go back to my group now?
Boda: There's just one more thing... your paycheck.
Dofus: What?
Dofus: I can't pay you for that.
Boda: You get paid for donations, you know.
Dofus: Huh?
Boda: You've performed a very valuable service to our community here.
Dofus: Real money?
Boda: Oh, absolutely.
Dofus: How much?
Boda: Sosu Pylor, do you know where the vouchers are?
Dofus is thinking of going somewhere and getting truly drunk.
Pylor tries a few of the desk drawers, and hits the jackpot on the third.
Pylor: Here's one.
Pylor hands it to Boda.
Boda: Hmmm... current pay rate in Capitol... times dynopters.... We're talking 68 credits here, Mister Dofus.
Dofus' eyes go wide.
Boda fills out the voucher and signs it with a flourish.
Dofus: You aren't kidding?
Boda: Just bring that to the Disbursement window and you'll get your cash.
Dofus forgets getting drunk starts to think paying bills.
Dofus: Thanks!
Boda: That office is right across the lobby and down the hall, I think.
Dofus: Okay, but how do I get back to my group?
Boda: Now that you're low field, let's see if we can't track down where they went.
Dofus: All right. But I don't know where to look.
Pylor sighs.
Pylor: Well, if the Diplomatic Office was involved, we can send a message over there and see if they know where your friends went.
Dofus: Oh, yeah.
Boda: The people at the Information Kiosk should have a record of meetings in this building.
Boda: And they might have access to a courier.
Dofus Looks totally content to do as told.
Dofus: Whatever you say.
Boda gestures to Pylor to lead the way. He is the only one who knows the turf.
Pylor obligingly leads the way.