Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #215: All Kinds of Redecorating (6/29/00)
Ool approaches the open door of the 53rd District Controller's Office, zlinning where to put his feet since he can't see over the stack of oversized books and ledgers he is carrying.
Ool pauses politely before entering.
Ool: Controller Riyyh? It's Ool Rivers, from Rivers Interior Designs.
Riyyh looks up innocently from the reports he'd been perusing.
Riyyh: [or rather, the Naros farm report hidden inside a much larger 53rd District ledger]
Ool inches into the office; his salary doesn't include extra for augmentation, and he's not in good enough shape to hold such a burden for very long without it.
Ool: I've brought the wallpaper and upholstery fabric samples you requested. Is this the office to be redone?
Riyyh looks rather bewildered, since he didn't request any samples and has no idea whether some renovations were arranged or not.
Riyyh: Why, I don't know. [confesses]
Riyyh: Perhaps somebody in maintenance...?
Riyyh puts down the reports and ledger, the better to appear properly apologetic.
Ool: I was told I would be working with you directly.
Riyyh: ...Oh.
Ool sets his books of samples and pictures down on the desk, and turns to survey the office critically.
Riyyh wonders why he wasn't told, and who didn't tell him.
Riyyh supposes that somebody may have arranged for the office to be renovated after Arat's leaving, and it was simply delayed, or some such.
Ool: I can zlin why, too. That wallpaper is six years old if it's a day, and curtains like that haven't been used for a decade.
Ool: That will never do.
Ool: And look at this carpeting!
Ool follows his own advice, wincing visibly.
Riyyh: Do you have any idea what the schedule is for the actual renovations? [somewhat hesitantly]
Riyyh is wondering where he is going to do his work during them, and how long he will have to arrange for everything to be moved.
Ool: Oh, we specialize in fast service.
Ool: Depending on the extent of the work, and the availability of materials, we could begin work next week.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh thinks that isn't too unreasonable.
Ool: Now, let's get to work on some specifics.
Ool extracts a heavy catalog from the middle of the stack.
Ool: The office is your work area, and it's essential that you be comfortable when you're working.
Ool: Have you any particular preferences with regards to office furnishings?
Riyyh: Well, you see, I am only posted here temporarily, [explains]
Ool: We have some very nice ready-made office sets here, or if you prefer, there is custom design.
Riyyh: And to be honest, nobody alerted me to this renovation, and so I am not prepared with information as to the budget set aside for it....
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry.
Ool opens the catalog to one of the more complete and elegant office sets, and sets it before Riyyh.
Ool: Now, this design is very popular. Modern elegance, don't you agree?
Riyyh starts looking through his overflowing in box, hoping for some sort of a memo about it.
Riyyh: Oh, yes, quite.
Ool: Much nicer than this dark, depressing stuff.
Ool: Now, there is a choice of fabrics for the covers on the chairs and couch.
Ool: Take a look at these.
Riyyh sighs, abandons the in-box, and looks at the page Ool indicates.
Ool pulls out a book of very top-of-the-line fabric samples.
Ool: What catches your fancy here?
Riyyh shifts his attention to the samples.
Riyyh: They are all very nice. [temporizes]
Riyyh wonders who he has to contact to straighten this out.
Ool: Do you want a regal elegance, perhaps in silver, to set off your hair?
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Ool: Or the warmer look of this paisley?
Riyyh: Oh, dear! [looking at the paisley]
Ool: Or there is a very artistic floral patter here--rather warm and welcoming, don't you think?
Riyyh waves his tentacles in a flustered fashion.
Riyyh: Perhaps I should just send a little message down to Maintenance before we go any further.
Riyyh: You know, just to make sure I know what is expected.
Riyyh tries to zlin appeasing and flattering, by way of apology.
Vert looms in the doorway to Riyyh's inner office, with a build and attitude that fairly scream "cop", despite his civilian uniform.
Ool: Oh, but it can't hurt to get an impression of your taste. A person who dresses with your attention to style can't settle for less than the best.
Ool certainly hopes not, anyway.
Vert: Controller Riyyh, might I have a word with you?
Riyyh: Just a moment, [to Ool], my apologies.
Riyyh turns to Vert.
Riyyh: Of course. How may I help you?
Vert: I'm Vert, from Security. Or sort of. That's the problem, you see.
Riyyh: It is?
Riyyh: I mean, you are?
Vert enters the office, looking surprisingly abashed for someone of his bulk.
Riyyh: Would anybody like some tea?
Riyyh feels he is rapidly losing control of this situation.
Ool perks up.
Ool: I'd been hoping you would offer.
Riyyh, relieved, gets up to go pour some for everybody.
Riyyh has rarely lost control of any situation that involves tea.
Ool has heard about Narosian teas, and is very curious as to which one their Sectuib drinks personally.
Vert blinks, not being used to offers of tea from Controllers.
Vert: Er, thank you.
Riyyh had a pot of hot Blushing Beauty prepared already, and is able to quickly and efficiently distribute steaming cups to each guest.
Riyyh places a small plate of scones on the table between the two guest chairs.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat. [to Vert] You don't mind, do you?
Vert accepts the offered cup gingerly, a bit nervous at drinking from something so delicate.
Riyyh: It seems so terribly formal to have people standing before me like that.
Riyyh thinks, and intimidating.
Vert sits in the indicated seat, takes a sip from his teacup, then sets it on the table so that he can wring his hands.
Vert: It's like this, Controller. I used to head up the afternoon shift for the Security office. I did a good job of it, too. No complaints in years.
Vert: But after the Pylor incident, Controller Farris put me on indefinite administrative leave.
Vert pauses to see if Riyyh has heard of those unfortunate goings-on.
Vert: I admit, it looked very bad. I was suckered.
Vert: ~~ abashed ~~
Vert: But from what I hear, I'm not the first to end up second best in a tussle with Wise Snake Farris.
Riyyh looks puzzled.
Riyyh: What exactly did you do?
Riyyh hopes he doesn't mean "tussle" in its most literal sense.
Riyyh observes that Vert does not appear to have been crippled or disfigured, a good sign.
Vert squirms in his chair.
Vert: She managed to call in a false alarm, and when I and my squad responded, well, she locked us up.
Riyyh thinks back over Nick's version of that whole story.
Vert: And then went on a rampage.
Riyyh: I thought there was supposed to have been an actual riot?
Riyyh: Something to do with the pudding served the patients for lunch?
Riyyh doesn't want to come out and say what he heard: that cockroaches were utilized instead of raisins.
Vert: Well, yes, but it wasn't quite as severe as the initial reports made it sound.
Vert: As it turned out, Controller Farris judged that we should have left enough forces behind to cover other emergencies.
Vert: Or at the very least, that we should have had Wise Snake Farris under constant visual observation.
Vert: But really. How could we have known that she could escape from a locked cell? No one else has.
Riyyh: How often have you had a patient locked in a cell?
Riyyh is genuinely curious, as he was under the impression it was rare to never.
Vert: Well, it happens from time to time.
Vert can distinctly recall three separate instances.
Riyyh: Forgive me for asking so many questions, I am only trying to understand.
Vert: Our job is really more to handle disruptive visitors, not rogue channels.
Vert: Between you and me, though, I expect that Wise Snake Farris wouldn't be easy for anyone to guard.
Vert: I mean, would you want the job?
Riyyh is beginning to grasp that Vert is trying to talk his way back into his former position.
Riyyh supposes that Vert had tried and failed with Arat, or perhaps was too intimidated to even try, and for obvious reasons feels he has a better chance with Riyyh.
Riyyh's tentacles wave forlornly as he tries to think of the best way to handle this.
Riyyh: Then you feel Arat's actions were unfair?
Vert winces.
Vert: Well, I'm not surprised that he was too upset to think the situation through.
Vert: I've never seen him so shaken.
Vert hopes he never does, too.
Vert in fact would be quite happy to never see Arat again.
Vert: But Wise Snake Farris is no longer a security risk in this District, and since my record clearly shows that I excel under more reasonable circumstances....
Vert: Well, couldn't you see your way to lifting the administrative leave?
Vert: ~~ pleading ~~
Riyyh has been around the block once or twice, and knows better than to assume his predecessor acted incorrectly based upon Vert's word alone.
Riyyh: I promise to investigate the matter. To be honest, I have not had a chance to review it before this.
Riyyh: I can assure you that I will give it my full attention.
Vert is a bit ~~ disappointed ~~ at this lukewarm reaction.
Vert: Thank you, Controller.
Riyyh zlins Vert's disappointment and his own shoulders wilt. If only there was a way to make everybody happy at once!
Riyyh: You do see that I cannot make such a decision without knowing more of what happened? [somewhat pleadingly]
Vert: I understand.
Vert has some idea of the sort of blistering critique Arat would have placed in his file.
Vert gets to his feet.
Vert: I won't keep you any longer, then.
Vert lumbers towards the door, more resigned than hopeful.
Riyyh doesn't understand why Vert didn't find his response acceptable. Surely he wasn't expected to go off half cocked without any information?
Riyyh sighs internally.
Ool takes the opportunity to present another book of samples.
Ool: Now, as to carpeting, do you prefer to match the upholstery, or to go for something in a contrasting shade? There are possibilities both ways, as you see.
Riyyh blinks at Ool.
Riyyh: Pardon me?
Ool: Well, surely you don't want your visitors to be walking on the bare floor, do you?
Ool: That wouldn't do, at all.
Riyyh: Well, no, that is, er....
Riyyh tries to drag his mind away from Vert's problem and back to the issue of the decorating. Shouldn't he have been forewarned?
Fayeed enters the office, dressed in clean but very faded overalls.
Fayeed has a distinct tan on arms, tentacles, and the lower half of his face.
Fayeed looks uncertainly from Riyyh to Ool.
Fayeed: Sectuib Riyyh? [to the narrow space between them]
Fayeed: I represent the Hort Valley Cooperative. You might have heard of us? Corn and beans in summer, and cabbages and beets in winter?
Riyyh turns from Ool to the newcomer.
Riyyh takes a moment to switch gears yet again.
Riyyh: Why, yes.
Riyyh smiles a bit belatedly, and rather apologetically.
Riyyh: How can I help you?
Fayeed: Well, we heard some rumors that interested us, and since I was comin' into town anyway, the others asked to check them out, and so here I am. You see?
Fayeed looks around the (to his eyes) opulent office, obviously a bit intimidated by the unfamiliar surroundings.
Ool thinks it's a shame that this visitor is seeing the office in its current, un-renovated state.
Riyyh would have taken such a visit 100% in stride when at Naros, but in the context of the Controller's office, particularly after his newness has started to wear off and people have been deluging him with their complaints and problems, it seems positively surreal.
Riyyh: Of course. [smiles]
Riyyh: Please, be seated.
Fayeed sits very carefully on the edge of the empty chair.
Riyyh wishes the reception here was as sensitive to the social aspects of an office as his Narosian staff. Wolfa would never have told people to go right in when Riyyh was with someone else.
Riyyh of course was often "with" someone else in every sense of the word, which may have had something to do with that.
Ool thinks, upon further reflection and after glimpsing the state of Fayeed's footwear, that it's just as well this hick doesn't have a chance to muddy the new carpet.
Fayeed: It's like this, see?
Fayeed: We do pretty well, but not as well as we'd like.
Fayeed: We're looking for a winter crop that pays a bit better than cabbages and beets, if you get what I mean.
Fayeed: We'd heard that you were developing some specialty crops that might meet our needs.
Fayeed looks hopeful.
Riyyh: Why yes, actually.
Riyyh pulls out a copy of the "Cynara scolymus racknius" brochure.
Riyyh: [never mind why it happened to be present in his Tecton office]
Fayeed takes it eagerly, and starts to devour the contents.
Fayeed: These yields--are they really that high?
Riyyh: Those are only projections. As yet we have only done small experimental plantings in a greenhouse setting.
Riyyh: However, we have allocated two acres for a field test this year.
Riyyh in fact had just been reading about that when he was interrupted by Ool.
Fayeed: Just how much cold can they tolerate? We have several hard freezes each winter. Would they survive?
Riyyh had, actually, been reading about how Turros and his assistant disagreed upon how the planting of the artichokes should be carried out.
Riyyh: It really depends upon where they are in their cycle, but our tests show that during much of its development, it can handle an overnight freeze so long as the plant is not disturbed.
Fayeed: I see.
Fayeed: And pests? How susceptible is it to earwig infestations?
Riyyh: No worse than the rest. We were not breeding specifically for that, you understand....
Riyyh feels it is unnecessary to add that of course, during the hard freezes, there are guaranteed to be no increases in the earwig population.
Fayeed: How is it for water use? Does it require irrigation?
Fayeed drools over an illustration of a plump, large artichoke.
Riyyh: Again, it is fairly standard in that respect. Except, of course, for being somewhat larger....
Fayeed imagines taking a large wagonload of such produce into town for sale.
Fayeed: Is it an early or late variety?
Fayeed knows that beating the rush means higher prices.
Riyyh: Why, both actually.
Fayeed tries not to look like a large fat fly buzzing contentedly into a spider web.
Fayeed: Hmm. It might be worth a try, at that.
Fayeed: Just a small plot, you understand, to see how it does.
Riyyh smiles, pleased by the response.
Riyyh: Of course.
Fayeed: In fact, it might be helpful to Naros as well, to see how it does in other conditions, you know.
Riyyh: We are taking orders for next year, contingent upon the success of our program this year.
Fayeed: Almost like a test plot, as it were.
Riyyh: Very like a test plot. [agrees]
Riyyh: And our royalty program is quite reasonable.
Riyyh isn't talking about the Queen of vegetables when he says "royalty" either.
Fayeed's face falls.
Fayeed: ...Royalties?
Riyyh: Yes, we do operate on a cooperative model, and partners coming in after the completion of a project must contribute their part as well.
Fayeed: I see. What do such royalties amount to, on a per-acre basis?
Riyyh hems and haws and then names a price that would cause blindness in anybody who had never purchased a field full of highly experimental ultra gourmet produce before.
Fayeed's jaw drops in ~~ shock ~~
Fayeed: Why, that's ten times what we could hope to realize from the venture!
Fayeed doesn't have much experience with the ultra-gourmet produce market, and doesn't have a clear idea of what sorts of prices that market can bear.
Riyyh blinks in mild surprise. He is used to people underestimating the cost of live plant stock and seed bought from Naros, but they usually have no trouble imagining a huge sale price on their end.
Riyyh: Our analysts have projected a 5% profit for those in your position.
Riyyh: Although, of course regional markets may vary.
Fayeed: A 5% profit? With that sort of expense?
Fayeed reconsiders in light of this new statistic.
Fayeed: That must mean a sales price of....
Fayeed's eyes begin to gleam.
Riyyh smiles kindly.
Fayeed: And just how many plants could you have ready for fall planting?
Riyyh: This year?
Riyyh shakes his head, smiling apologetically.
Ool is thumbing through his book of wallpaper samples, sure that he remembers seeing an artichoke pattern somewhere.
Riyyh: We are still doing our own preliminary testing, you see. We will not be ready for testing by others until next year.
Riyyh doesn't believe in selling a product until at least a dozen bushels have been successfully harvested off of a Narosian field... unlike some of Naros' other, more exuberant salespeople.
Fayeed: ~~ disappointment ~~
Fayeed: Well, if it has to be that way, I guess we can wait another year.
Fayeed reaches into the front pocket of his overalls and pulls out a business card.
Fayeed: You get in touch with us as soon as you have plants for sale.
Fayeed would hate to be beat out by the nasty folks down the road.
Riyyh: Thank you. [smiles] I will do that.
Fayeed takes his leave.
Ool has meanwhile found the sample he was looking for, and holds it out for Riyyh's inspection.
Riyyh winces at the sight of a loud, blatant olive-colored artichoke pattern on gold metallic stripes.
Ool: Now, if you want a look that displays your individual, unique interests, perhaps you might choose something like this
Riyyh: That is certainly... an artichoke.
Ool: Look at the size of those artichokes--subliminal advertising, if you will.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, quite... well, subliminal isn't the word I'd use, but....
Ool: People will automatically connect your plants with extra-large, nicely green vegetables.
Ool: It also comes in a corn, green bean, or zucchini pattern.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh pictures Arat returning from an unsuccessful mission in Norwest Territory, tail between legs, and the first thing he sees is green bean wallpaper.
Riyyh shudders.
Riyyh pictures himself two or three thousand miles away when that happens, and feels better.
Clerfia comes skipping down the hall, momentarily unsupervised after one of her regular changeover-detection visits.
Clerfia sees an invitingly open doorway and pops in.
Clerfia sees little of interest in the outer office, and so explores further.
Clerfia bounces three steps through the doorway, then stops to stare at Riyyh.
Clerfia: Who are you?
Riyyh looks over at Clerfia, momentarily surprised to be confronted by a kid.
Clerfia bears an unfortunate but distinct familial resemblance to her father--and her sister, weasel aspects aside.
Riyyh then smiles, as he recognizes the family line.
Riyyh: I'm Riyyh. What's your name? [kindly]
Riyyh would find Clerfia a sight for sore eyes after that wallpaper, even if she weren't a Farris.
Ool frowns in a fussy fashion at this new interruption.
Clerfia draws herself up proudly.
Clerfia: I'm Clerfia. Clerfia Farris.
Clerfia wanders closer to inspect Riyyh better.
Clerfia: Are you the one who's doing my papa Arat's job now?
Riyyh: Yes, I am.
Riyyh smiles, responding to the attention.
Clerfia: I miss him.
Clerfia: ~~ lonely ~~
Clerfia: And my Sister Snake.
Riyyh may not be able to relate to either of those statements, but he does know loneliness when he zlins it.
Riyyh reaches out to her.
Riyyh may be excused for not knowing the boundaries when it comes to others' children; after all, he's encountered others' children so infrequently.
Clerfia is not shy about accepting the invitation, and throws herself into Riyyh's arms.
Riyyh hugs her gently.
Riyyh: There, there.
Clerfia sniffles contentedly into Riyyh's shoulder.
Clerfia: I wanted to go with them, but Papa Arat said I couldn't.
Clerfia: He said it was too dangerous.
Clerfia is still a bit indignant about the refusal.
Riyyh: Well, it is very dangerous, where he's gone.
Clerfia: But I think he j-just didn't w-want me.
Riyyh: Everybody thinks your father is very brave to go there, because most of us would have been too scared.
Riyyh thinks, and too fastidious about things like indoor plumbing.
Clerfia: I'm not scared!
Riyyh: And I'm sure he didn't want to leave you behind.
Clerfia: A channel has to be willing to face danger, and I'm going to be a channel just like Papa Arat and my sister Snake.
Riyyh: Well, that is very brave of you.
Riyyh pats her back.
Clerfia: Now it'll be years and years until I'll be able to see them again.
Clerfia: I might even be a channel myself.
Clerfia: And when I'm all grown up, I won't require a papa at all.
Clerfia at least hadn't noticed Snake worrying much about paternal attention.
Riyyh: Of course not.
Riyyh: But Clerfia, I am sure Arat would have brought you with him if he thought there was any way he could.
Riyyh: It wasn't entirely up to him, you know.
Clerfia looks up to Riyyh in a very earnest fashion.
Clerfia: Do you really think so?
Riyyh: I am positive of it.
Riyyh is at least positive that riots of an entirely different type would have broken out if Clerfia were brought to Norwest Territory -- mainly in government offices behind closed doors.
Clerfia looks up at Riyyh in what would have been a very appealing fashion, if it weren't for her unfortunate beak of a nose.
Clerfia cuddles a bit closer.
Clerfia really enjoys adult attention, particularly from channels, who make her feel safe.
Riyyh hugs her in return, glad of a chance to comfort someone. This he can handle.
Clerfia: Since my Papa Arat isn't here, would you be my pretend papa?
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh's nager purrs contentedly.
Clerfia throws her arms around Riyyh.
Clerfia: Papa Riyyh.
Clerfia feels something is required to solemnize the occasion, as a token of her appreciation.
Clerfia: Papa Riyyh, do you like mint-apple jelly?
Clerfia: ~~ hopeful ~~
Riyyh: Why, it's my favorite kind.
Riyyh quoth the ages-old lie of adult to child.
Clerfia grins with childish inability to spot the lie for what it is.
Clerfia: I'll bring you some, tomorrow.
Clerfia withdraws from Riyyh's embrace enough to start bouncing.
Clerfia rushes back to hug Riyyh again.
Clerfia: I'm glad you're my pretend papa, Papa Riyyh.
Riyyh smiles.
Clerfia: I'm going to write and tell Papa Arat all about you.
Clerfia: And Sister Snake, too, of course.
Clerfia: She doesn't write back much.
Clerfia: But maybe if I ask her, she'll write to you. After all, if you're my papa, then you're her papa, too.
Go on to Episode #216: Poor Reporting
Return to the Index of Episodes