Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #30: Freaked (6/23/98)
Nick returns to City Hall, humming and carrying some papers and a basket of apples.
Nick makes his way up the stairs to the Mayor's office, glad that things are looking up.
Wise Snake is slumped over the Mayor's desk, inert.
Nick signals at the Mayor's office door, just in case Snake has found some work.
Nick frowns when he doesn't get an answer, and carefully eases the door open to peer through, holding his field neutral so he won't disturb the ambient.
Nick sees the slumped Snake.
Nick: Snake?
Wise Snake appears to be quite out of it.
Nick shoves the door open and rushes over to the desk to examine her, leaving a trail of papers and apples behind him.
Nick: Shen!
Wise Snake: [the medical kit is strewn over the desk]
Nick tries to rouse Snake with his nager.
Wise Snake twitches but doesn't wake.
Nick sees the open bottle of horse tranquilizers and shakes his head.
Nick picks up the bottle and counts the remaining pills.
Nick: Three! What was she thinking of??!!
Nick shakes Snake, slaps her with his nager, and empties a pitcher of water over her for good measure.
Nick: Snake, wake up!
Wise Snake moves feebly.
Wise Snake: Whhh...?
Wise Snake: !
Wise Snake tries to push Nick away.
Wise Snake: Agghhh.
Nick: No, Snake, you have to wake up.
Wise Snake's eyes squint open blurrily.
Nick: ~~ inescapable firmness ~~
Wise Snake: Whaz... unnh.... hh?
Nick: Come on, get your eyes open and sit up.
Wise Snake obeys sluggishly.
Wise Snake: [and wetly]
Nick: You took too many of those horse pills.
Wise Snake: Giant Gen..... [slurred]
Wise Snake: Tried to get me....
Nick: Come on. Try walking around the office.
Nick is not surprised that Snake is having hallucinations.
Nick hauls Snake to her feet, puts a scrawny arm around his neck, and starts walking laps.
Wise Snake staggers after Nick. [not that she has any choice!]
Wise Snake: ...invisible.... invisible [half mumble, half moan]
Nick: That's right. Stay awake.
Wise Snake suddenly grabs onto Nick, as if only just recognizing him.
Nick has become somewhat accustomed to being grabbed by desperate channels since he took up Donoring.
Nick: Keep walking.
Nick: ~~ brisk wakefulness ~~
Wise Snake obeys clumsily, clinging to Nick.
Wise Snake peers into every corner in a paranoid [and semi-blind] fashion.
Wise Snake: ...have to stay on guard... could be anywhere...
Wise Snake: Nick, you'll protect me?
Nick continues to walk, picking up the pace as Snake's coordination improves.
Nick: Always. Keep walking.
Nick: Is your vision clearing up?
Wise Snake: Oh, shen.
Wise Snake: I had the most horrible nightmare.
Wise Snake: [completely missing his question]
Nick takes this as a hopeful sign that Snake is beginning to recover.
Nick: I'm not surprised, after three of those pills of yours.
Wise Snake: No... no, before.
Wise Snake: I took them to make it go away.
Nick resolves to arrange the pills so that in future, no more than two horse pills will ever be available in the satchel.
Wise Snake is sure he couldn't be right about it being 3, however.
Nick: Another blackout?
Wise Snake: I... it seemed so real.
Wise Snake: A Gen, a donor, with a gypsy field.
Nick pauses and points at a poster across the room.
Nick: Can you read that now?
Wise Snake leans on Nick and zlins first his finger, then where his attention is.
Wise Snake focuses on the poster.
Wise Snake: ...Vortex Lake Sailing Club?
Nick: Good, your vision is clearing.
Nick: What's this about a Gypsy Donor?
Wise Snake: donor... Donor.
Nick: Which?
Wise Snake: She made her field like a GN-3, then a TN-2, then a TN-1
Wise Snake: She threw her ring at me.
Nick blinks.
Nick: Is that possible?
Wise Snake: I don't know!
Wise Snake: Piotr could.
Nick begins to think that there are some neat tricks Snake never bothered to show him.
Wise Snake clutches Nick harder and harder as the subject matter gets more and more upsetting.
Nick grunts at the big squeeze.
Nick: Hey, not so tight.
Nick is struck by a thought.
Nick: If she was a Gypsy, why did she have a ring?
Nick thought that only the Tecton and Householdings used ID rings.
Nick has certainly never been offered a ring since he became Snake's Donor.
Wise Snake: She said she was a Tecton Donor too.
Nick: A Tecton Gypsy?
Nick: ~~ confusion ~~
Wise Snake: No, she said she had been Tecton, then travelled with Gypsies before going to Rior.
Wise Snake is practically plastered to Nick.
Nick is still post enough to find this interesting.
Nick: So what did this Tecton-trained Gypsy do that upset you so much?
Wise Snake lets go of Nick and weaves away from him.
Nick isn't sure, but thinks assault-by-ring would probably not do it.
Wise Snake feels her way to the Mayor's chair and sits down again.
Wise Snake grabs her head and pulls on her hair, making it stand up in all directions [even more]
Nick observes Snake's growing sort-of-alertness and nods in satisfaction.
Wise Snake worries that Nick's question is a trick.
Wise Snake: She just.... well... I don't know. Did she have to do anything?
Nick: Well, it usually helps.
Wise Snake starts looking vaguely panicky again as she tries to think back over the previous events.
Nick: ~~ calm/steady ~~
Wise Snake uses Nick's support, after a moment's hesitation.
Wise Snake: Well, I think it was, it was the way she approached me.
Nick: How was that?
Wise Snake: She pretended to be a GN-3, then waited until she was on the transfer lounge to pretend to be a TN-2.
Nick thinks that over.
Wise Snake: The whole time she was only telling bits of her story, telling half-truths... shen, they might not have been even remotely the truth.
Nick: A nice little trick. Could be useful.
Wise Snake: Nick!! [starting to sound hysterical]
Nick goes over to the desk, gets a piece of paper, and starts scribbling equations.
Nick: Snake, calm down.
Nick: ~~ CALM ~~
Wise Snake blinks.
Wise Snake wobbles as the left-over tranquilizers and Nick's nager combine with potent results.
Nick: What sort of story was this woman telling?
Nick looks down at his equation.
Nick: No, that's not it.
Nick tries another combination.
Wise Snake slumps over the desk once again.
Nick reaches down and gives Snake's shoulder a good shake.
Nick: ~~ wakey wakey ~~
Tramzem walks up the stairs of the city hall where he was told the channel was holding court.
Tramzem hesitates and walks down again.
Tramzem walks a few steps up the road, then turns and returns up the steps.
Tramzem: ~ it's over, I'm dead ~
Tramzem walks into the lobby, hesitates, turns back towards the door to leave.
Wise Snake: Nick... unnh... let me ugghbba.
Nick: No, you can't sleep until I'm sure the drug is out of your system.
Wise Snake: But that could take hrrrsss.
Nick: I know.
Wise Snake pushes herself up wearily, prodded by Nick's uncomfortable nagging nager.
Tramzem stops and almost panics as he zlins a Gen field approaching.
Nick: You slept a bit last night; it won't hurt you to go without until night.
Eliza skips back up the steps of city hall.
Tramzem rushes the rest of the way, following the signs that say "Chanle ofer heer" [Eliza wrote them]
Nick hears feet approaching.
Nick: What's that in the hall?
Wise Snake zlins.
Wise Snake: Somebody's coming.
Wise Snake: [unhelpfully]
Wise Snake sees the contents of the medical kit spread out all over the desk and starts putting it back in the satchel in an uncoordinated fashion.
Tramzem signals wildly at the door with "Chanle" written on it.
Nick arranges his field to allow Snake to zlin.
Eliza walks into the lobby singing.
Tramzem: ~ panic ~
Tramzem: [a rather extreme response to her singing really]
Eliza: "If you need me, just hold out your arms and touch me...."
Tramzem grabs the door knob and prays it isn't locked; at least it would be a place to hide.
Nick of course forgot to lock the door in his haste to see what was wrong with Snake.
Wise Snake continues to put things away, methodically if not gracefully.
Tramzem rushes into the room, almost doubling back when he sees a Gen leaning over an Sime in a threatening manner.
Tramzem: ARGH!
Tramzem: ~ junct in need ~ ~ in a panic ~
Nick: ~~ soothing calm support of Snake ~~
Nick: Umm... Snake, I think you have a customer.
Nick hopes that work will bring Snake to alertness.
Wise Snake looks up at Tramzem.
Wise Snake: Yes, may I help you?
Tramzem shuts the door and stands with his back too it.
Wise Snake: ~~nonthreatening/supportive~~
Tramzem is glazed-eyed as he is held hyper with need.
Wise Snake gets up and moves around the desk.
Wise Snake: ~~offering~~
Eliza stops singing as she sees the office door slammed, almost in her face.
Eliza signals.
Eliza: Snake?
Wise Snake: Not now, Eliza.
Tramzem relaxes slightly.
Nick holds back, keeping carefully supportive and neutral.
Wise Snake reaches for the junct's arms.
Eliza: ~ hurt feelings ~
Eliza: Ok, well, I'll come back later.
Tramzem hesitates between the channels offering field and that of the Gen behind her.
Tramzem lunges at the channel and quickly makes 5th contact.
Wise Snake allows selyn to leap between them.
Wise Snake: ~~Gen pain/fear~~
Tramzem draws to repletion.
Wise Snake simulates killbliss as she's zlinned it in others.
Wise Snake releases Tramzem when he is finished.
Tramzem finishes drawing, retracts his laterals and releases the channel's arms.
Nick observes Snake to see how she has weathered the functional when only half functional herself.
Tramzem: ~ fear ~
Tramzem: They told me I could change, they said I was young enough. They wouldn't give me a Gen.
Wise Snake steadies Tramzem.
Wise Snake: ~~soothing~~
Wise Snake: Who did? Who said that?
Tramzem: The others, Loth, Amzor and them.
Tramzem: ~ resentment ~
Nick makes a note of the names, not trusting Snake's memory just now.
Wise Snake: How old are you, anyway?
Tramzem: I'm not sure [looks to be about 13, 14,]
Wise Snake zlins him.
Wise Snake: How long since you changed over?
Tramzem: 6 months.
Tramzem: Well 181 days.
Eliza sits in the waiting area and thumbs through a magazine. She has only just discovered that these things exist and tends to believe every word. If it wasn't true, why would anyone bother to write it down?
Wise Snake: It's possible. [cautiously] Do you want to change?
Tramzem: I don't know, what does it mean? Like, never have Gen transfer again? ~ fear ~
Wise Snake: Yeah.
Wise Snake: But it also means, never having to hide or run from the law again. Living a normal life.
Tramzem: Isn't there another choice? [tears running down his face]
Nick: I'm afraid not.
Wise Snake: What is your name?
Tramzem: Do I have to decide right now?
Wise Snake backs off a little, offering Tramzem a seat.
Tramzem falls bonelessly into the seat.
Tramzem: Tramzem ben Adams.
Wise Snake: You are junct. But you said "Gen transfer"... have you also taken a Gen who lived?
Tramzem looks surprised.
Nick writes "Tramzem Benadams" on his sheet of notes.
Tramzem: Yes, of course. [Looks from Nick to Snake] Don't you?
Tramzem: They don't always die, how would we survive if they did? We would run out in no time!
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Wise Snake is starting to think this town must be the freak natural ability capital of the world.
Wise Snake: OK... well, the law says you must accept channel's transfer, and pay taxes for the privilege. If you do otherwise, you are living outside of the law.
Wise Snake: Killing is also outside of the law.
Wise Snake: How many times have you killed?
Tramzem looks rebellious.
Nick still has trouble understanding how this town could have gotten away with harboring active juncts for 30 years.
Tramzem: 3, umm 4 times. But it's their fault!
Tramzem: Loth says that there is no need for Gens to die.
Tramzem: He said they only do if they are greedy and try to stop us from having their selyn.
Tramzem: Loth says that they don't use it anyway and that they should give it to us cheerfully.
Wise Snake: Who is this guy, Loth?
Tramzem: Loth is, well Loth ~~ at a loss ~~
Tramzem: He looks after us all, I guess.
Nick: Does he provide you with Gens?
Wise Snake: I think he's full of shit. [apologetically]
Wise Snake is still not quite herself.
Tramzem: Sometimes he can be like a Gen, but not always.
Tramzem: ~ irate ~
Tramzem: He is not!
Tramzem looks at Nick, but replies to Snake as if she asked.
Nick: ~~ steady ~~
Tramzem: Gens well, I don't know. They are just there.
Wise Snake: Ah, Tranzem, the Gens are people, with families and lives and jobs, who have been kidnapped.
Wise Snake: Somebody had to mug them, or snatch them from their houses, or steal them from their parents.
Wise Snake: When they die, they die in agony just like you would if somebody murdered you.
Wise Snake: Now, don't you think 3 or 4 times is enough?
Wise Snake: It's obvious if it's already happened that many times, then the system you've been using isn't working out, is it?
Tramzem looks dreadfully uncomfortable.
Tramzem: Loth says it's all their fault. ~ defiantly ~
Wise Snake: Loth is kidding himself.
Tramzem: ~ uncertainly ~
Tramzem: But, it works, sometimes....
Wise Snake: A Gen who hasn't been trained, who's an unwilling kidnap victim or a homeless wretch snatched from an alley, has no more ability to protect himself from you than a tree from the axe.
Wise Snake: If it works, it's blind luck.
Wise Snake: Why do you think it's against the law, if not to protect the innocent?
Tramzem: Are you sure?
Wise Snake looks Tramzem in the eye.
Wise Snake: Do I zlin like I'm lying?
Tramzem: No... but I don't know much about that.
Nick knows, if Tramzem doesn't, that he wouldn't be able to zlin Snake lying unless she intended him to.
Tramzem: I mean, look, can I think about it?
Tramzem wants to talk to Loth about this!
Wise Snake: Well, you can think about it, but you're going to have to stay next door in the courthouse while you're thinking.
Wise Snake tries to break the news as gently as possible.
Wise Snake is ready to subdue him nagerically if necessary.
Wise Snake: You see, what you've been doing is dangerous and illegal, and people have lost their parents and friends and relatives because of it.
Wise Snake: Vortez Lake is not going to put up with this kind of predation any longer.
Tramzem: You mean I can't go back?!
Tramzem: ~ panic ~
Wise Snake: No, you can't.
Wise Snake: Loth can visit you, but you can't go back. Not until you have learned how to live without killing people.
Tramzem: But but but, I won't kill now! You gave me transfer!
Tramzem: I'll come back before the month!
Wise Snake: I'm sorry.
Wise Snake: If you decide you don't want to learn, there is a special place you will be sent to, with others who have decided they don't want to change.
Nick looks suitably stern and firm.
Tramzem is sure that she means that they are going to lock him up until he dies.
Wise Snake: If you do decide to learn, and you reform yourself, you'll be released to join society.
Tramzem: ~ doubtful ~
Tramzem: Loth can visit me?
Tramzem: But he won't know where I am!
Wise Snake: Your Loth must have wanted you to learn, if he refused you another Gen.
Wise Snake: Tramzem, I think he knows.
Wise Snake: He refused you a Gen, he knew you'd have to come here.
Nick privately wonders if Gens just happened to be in short supply at the time.
Tramzem: But he will expect me to come back.
Nick suspects a young kid like Tramzem must be a rather low priority for kills.
Nick: Well, then, he'll know where you came.
Wise Snake: Tramzem, I know this is painful, but when he told you he wasn't going to give you a Gen because you were young enough to learn, he meant he was never going to give you another.
Nick: If he comes to ask after you, we'll be sure to let him know where you are.
Wise Snake bridles at Nick's interference, but it doesn't show in her nager.
Tramzem knows there is no hope in the world that Loth is going to come anywhere near this Tecton channel.
Tramzem: What's my other choice?
Tramzem: Loth says there are always choices.
Wise Snake: Well, you could always commit suicide.
Wise Snake: I don't recommend it, however.
Wise Snake: The two most realistic options are to disjunct - that is, learn to accept channel's transfer and no longer desire the kill - or, to be treated as an unrepentant junct.
Tramzem: And you will see I don't need?
Wise Snake: Of course.
Tramzem: I'll... try.
Tramzem: ~ uncertainty ~
Wise Snake allows her field to show ~~encouragement and approval~~
Tramzem: What do I do now?
Wise Snake: Well, I would like to take you over to the courthouse where you'll be given a bed and asked a few questions.
Wise Snake: I'll make certain they are gentle with you.
Wise Snake: I'll continue to see you each day and we can talk about what you can do while you are learning.
Wise Snake: Why don't we take you over there now?
Tramzem: Ummm, can I have something to eat too?
Nick notices that Snake has not told Tramzem anything about disjunction, and decides that it's just as well; he'll find out soon enough.
Nick bends down and picks a stray apple off the floor.
Nick: Here, have an apple if you're hungry.
Tramzem looks at Nick hesitantly.
Nick holds out the apple.
Tramzem looks back at Snake before augmenting and snatching the apple.
Tramzem quickly bites into it before anyone can take it off him.
Nick nods, satisfied.
Eliza reads the "Gen weekly"
Wise Snake shrugs at Nick.
Wise Snake: Shall we?
Wise Snake goes over to open the door.
Wise Snake: [carefully stepping over the rest of the apples and papers, which she'd been oblivious to until just then]
Nick follows Snake, offering moderate support just in case she hasn't completely recovered from the horse pills.
Wise Snake spots Eliza out in the outer office.
Wise Snake: Ah... Eliza, what was it you wanted?
Tramzem stays as close to Snake, and as far away from Nick, as possible.
Wise Snake: We were in the middle of a functional.
Eliza looks up from a fascinating story.
Wise Snake maintains a ~~soothing/considerate~~ ambient for Tranzem.
Eliza: Oh, sorry. Tanzarra has found us somewhere to stay.
Nick: Great!
Nick is rather fond of real beds, and closets in which to hang more than one pair of pants, just in case.
Eliza smiles at Nick, sharing his enthusiasm for a house with a real bed.
Wise Snake: Good. Do you have the left over money for me?
Eliza: Oh sure!
Eliza stands up and puts her hand in her pocket and pulls out a few notes.
Eliza: I think that Zarra has some too. She said something about getting supplies.
Eliza hands the notes to Snake.
Wise Snake stuffs them in her pocket.
Wise Snake makes a mental note to unhand Tanzarra of the extra cash at the earliest opportunity.
Wise Snake: We're just going over to the courthouse, we'll be back in a few minutes.
Tramzem's eyes bulge as Snake casually touches the Gen during the transaction.
Nick sees Tramzem eyeing Snake.
Nick remembers that the junct is post, and puts a possessive arm around Snake.
Eliza: Should I wait here in case anyone turns up wanting you?
Wise Snake: Ah... sure, why not?
Wise Snake: We'll be back in a few minutes, in any case.
Wise Snake: Come on, Tramzem.
Eliza: OK. [sits down and picks up the magazine again]
Tramzem walks after Snake, afraid he would be left alone in the room with the Gen if he doesn't hurry up.
Wise Snake takes Tramzem over to the courthouse.
Tramzem doesn't like the look of the building. The bars on the window give it a rather unpleasant demeanor.
Nick brightens the ambient with ~~ calm relaxation ~~, hoping to encourage Tramzem.
Wise Snake gives up on ~~considerate/soothing~~ rather than competing with Nick.
Wise Snake locates the Sheriff.
Rosco P is sitting in his duly allotted office, doing not much of anything.
Rosco P likes this state of affairs.
Wise Snake walks into Sheriff Rosco's office.
Rosco P could be investigating the juncts or the bombings, but he already knows who did them.
Tramzem is shaking like a leaf in a force 3 gale.
Rosco P starts awake at the intrusion, and the newspaper falls off of his face onto the floor.
Rosco P: What??
Wise Snake: Hello, Sheriff.
Rosco P zlins the intruder.
Wise Snake flinches despite herself.
Rosco P: Howdy. You must be that new channel that everyone's talking about.
Wise Snake: Sheriff Rosco? [wondering what's the matter with him]
Tramzem: ~ scared young male junct ~
Rosco P: That's me. Rosco P Coal-train, at your service.
Wise Snake: I know, Sheriff. You've been organizing the renSime search teams for me?
Tramzem considers making a break for it.
Wise Snake moves back nearer to the door.
Rosco P: Uhhh....
Rosco P: Yeah, I've got people searching away.
Wise Snake: How is that going, anyway? Do you have enough volunteers for us to begin, yet?
Rosco P: Investigating all the nooks and crannies.
Rosco P: Well....
Wise Snake zlins Rosco suspiciously.
Wise Snake: [during the "nooks and crannies bit"]
Rosco P squirms.
Rosco P: These things take time.
Rosco P wants to make sure his brother-in-law Loth gets plenty of warning.
Rosco P: ~~ truth about sending off searchers--I mean, he does have to find the juncts to warn them, doesn't he? ~~
Wise Snake slowly takes on the look of an enraged stoat.
Wise Snake: [believe me, it's not a pretty sight]
Nick sees the stoat-attack coming and winces.
Nick: ~~ CALM ~~
Wise Snake: Sheriff Rosco, I distinctly recall our arrangement was that you would collect the volunteers but they were not to act until the appropriate time, and then according to the plan I had worked out.
Rosco P scratches his head with one tentacle.
Wise Snake: We were to coordinate with the Tecton and use a carefully recorded search method.
Wise Snake also had not wanted it to happen until she had completed her house-to-house "survey".
Rosco P: Well, I had to send out people to find searchers.
Tramzem listens in shock.
Wise Snake struggles to become incredulously angry despite Nick's ~~CALMING~~ effect.
Rosco P: They don't grow under the bushes, you know.
Wise Snake starts panting, but doesn't throttle the guy which she might have if it hadn't been for Nick.
Tramzem thinks that he has to get away and warn Loth.
Nick wonders if he ought to just move to shield Tramzem, and let Snake have it out with the skunk.
Nick imagines a stoat-skunk encounter, and thinks better of it.
Wise Snake maintains her position near the door, aware of the previously naive Tranzem's sudden comprehension of the situation.
Nick moves closer to Snake, incidentally placing his not-inconsiderable Gen bulk squarely in the doorway.
Rosco P gradually realizes that there are unsettling nuances in the ambient.
Rosco P: Is something wrong?
Wise Snake: Yes! Something is wrong you idiot!
Rosco P: Oh.
Wise Snake struggles to control her heart rate.
Rosco P is not surprised, as this is a frequent experience for him.
Rosco P: What would that be?
Wise Snake: I want a full report on everything you've been doing. I want to know who you've sent where, I want to know what you've been telling people, and I want to know what in the shen you've been doing with all the volunteers from my newspaper article!!
Rosco P: ~~ confusion ~~
Rosco P: I thought they were supposed to be cleaning up the streets?
Rosco P: Those bombing made a huge mess, you know.
Wise Snake grabs her head and rips out two tufts of black hair, throws them on the ground, and stomps on them.
Tramzem shrinks away from the angry channel.
Tramzem runs two steps in one direction, then four in another in an attempt to get out of range.
Wise Snake's nager is perfectly under control.
Nick: ~~ CALM ~~~
Wise Snake's attention, furthermore, is mainly on the sheriff.
Wise Snake uses Nick's calm field to moderate helpless fury into cool, hard, directed fury.
Rosco P is very cheered at the thought of writing a report.
Wise Snake reaches into her pocket and pulls out some money.
Wise Snake hands Rosco the money.
Rosco P's eyes widen.
Rosco P: That's a lot of money!
Wise Snake: Here. Take this, and catch the noon coach to... oh... Talanadu.
Wise Snake: Rent an apartment, and stay there for two weeks.
Wise Snake: Don't come back until then!
Rosco P: Talanadu?
Eliza learns "How to Brighten a Room using Cheesecloth and Natural Dyes."
Rosco P jumps up eagerly, then pauses.
Wise Snake's nostrils flare like a racehorse's.
Wise Snake glares at him, daring him to protest.
Rosco P: And just what do you want me to do in Talanadu?
Tramzem wonders if he can go too.
Wise Snake: I want you to do nothing. Absolutely nothing. [very very soft angry voice]
Rosco P: Oh, I'm good at that!
Wise Snake: And give me your keys!
Wise Snake snags the courthouse keys off Rosco's belt.
Rosco P is very glad to finally be handed a job appropriate to his skill level.
Rosco P heads for the door, then pauses halfway.
Rosco P: Uhh....
Wise Snake looks like she is going to bite him.
Wise Snake bares her teeth.
Rosco P: Mrs. Coal-train might not like me to be gone so long.
Rosco P does have the sense to always do what his wife says, since she invariably knows more about what he should be doing than he does.
Wise Snake: Take her with you! And if you're not out of here by noon today, you're fired!
Wise Snake realizes that what she just said didn't make any sense, but is pretty sure Roscoe isn't equipped to pick up on that.
Rosco P: Take her with me! She'll like that. She likes to travel, you know, see the sights, and....
Wise Snake pushes him firmly out.
Nick barely steps aside in time.
Wise Snake turns to Tranzem apologetically.
Rosco P looks around, bewildered, then goes off to get his wife to explain it all to him.
Wise Snake: I am sorry you had to see that,.
Tramzem shivers in the corner where he finally crouched in a ball.
Nick has prudently moved back to block the door.
Wise Snake looks down at Tramzem wondering why he is such a jelly fish.
Tramzem thinks that even attrition wouldn't have been as bad as this, would it?
Wise Snake: ~puzzled~
Wise Snake: Tramzem, what are you doing? Nothing's going to happen to you.
Tramzem: I, I, errr. Okay.
Wise Snake is still breathing hard, has ripped hair standing up in all directions, a red rim around her eyes which are extra shiny just now, and has worked up a fine sweat.
Nick is glad to see Snake looking more like herself.
Wise Snake continues to offer a steady, encouraging nager.
Tramzem isn't sure if he wants to be closer to the Gen or the channel. He is sure he wants to be a long long long way away.
Wise Snake: Now, Tramzem. Didn't you say you wanted to disjunct and become a normal, law-abiding citizen?
Wise Snake: This is just the first step. I can assure you we mean you no harm. You were only brought here to protect others.
Tramzem nods wordlessly.
Wise Snake: So why don't you stand up, and come with us calmly and rationally?
Wise Snake is utterly unaware of the contrast between her current words and her previous actions.
Tramzem has been zlinning Snake's calm and rational field, while viewing some of the wildest behaviour he has ever seen, and is totally beyond words. He no longer trusts either what he sees or what he zlins.
Wise Snake: I realize that this is very difficult for you, Tramzem, but I can assure you it will become much easier.
Wise Snake waits for Tramzem to get up.
Nick sees that Tramzem seems apprehensive about Snake.
Nick: Come on, let's get you settled.
Nick tries to sound encouraging.
Tramzem, for the first time in his adult life, finds himself trusting a Gen.
Tramzem gets up and goes to him.
Nick waves at Snake to lead the way.
Nick: ~~ calm/soothing/not enticing ~~
Eliza reads all about "20 Exciting Ways with Carrots".
Wise Snake sighs to herself and leaves the Sheriff's office, heading toward secure rooms up on the upper floor.
Eliza is quite shocked about number 15.
Nick follows with Tramzem.
Wise Snake selects a clean, unoccupied room.
Wise Snake: Here is where you will be staying temporarily.
Tramzem enters and looks around.
Tramzem is amazed. It's nicer then any room he has ever had.
Tramzem: It's, um, very nice.
Nick is glad that Tramzem isn't upset about the barred window or the heavy lock on the door.
Nick: Glad you like it.
Wise Snake: Probably once you have been introduced to the new channel who will be coming in a couple of weeks, you will end up getting an apartment in town.
Wise Snake doesn't mention the rest of the juncts would have to have been rounded up before they'd let him roam.
Tramzem: You mean, not be locked up?
Wise Snake: Right.
Tramzem: Oh! Thank you!
Wise Snake: Yes, this is, as I say, only temporary. Your cooperation makes everything go much more quickly and smoothly.
Tramzem decides to cooperate with this channel 100%. He has seen what happens when you don't.
Wise Snake: I will come by in a little while to speak to you again. In the meantime, I will send somebody with a meal for you. Good bye for now.
Tramzem: ~ gratitude ~
Nick looks around the room to make sure that everything necessary has been provided, then steps out the door.
Tramzem: Thank you. [looks forward to the food]
Nick: You're welcome.
Wise Snake closes the door and makes sure it is locked, then heads back downstairs to get somebody to send up the meal.
Eliza reads about desserts you can make with parsnips.
Wise Snake: Thank you for your, ah, support. [to Nick]
Nick follows, hoping that he can snag a meal of his own while she's at it.
Nick: I think the kid's a bit afraid of you now.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry he had to see that... but better that than what he'd have seen if I hadn't done something about that Sheriff fellow.
Nick: Might make him a bit more cooperative.
Wise Snake: Perhaps... although I think he was frightened enough before.
Wise Snake: Why don't you take care of getting him some food? I have to get back and make sure nothing's waiting for me at the Town Hall.
Nick: Sure. I'll meet you back there.
Nick heads off to locate comestibles.
Wise Snake nods and walks out of the courthouse.
Wise Snake looks up at the sunny sky, sighs, stretches her tentacles, then walks into the Town Hall next door.
Eliza puts down that magazine and picks up another one.
Wise Snake walks into the outer office of the Mayor's rooms.
Wise Snake: Hello, Eliza. Anything happen while I was gone?
Eliza jumps, not having heard Snake enter.
Eliza: Oh, yes, I found out you could make 20 different types of dinners with carrots and you can brighten up a room using cheesecloth and natural dyes.
Eliza: And in this issue it says that you can make your man happy with....
Eliza: That isn't what you meant, is it.
Wise Snake stares at Eliza in incredulous horror.
Wise Snake makes a mental note to buy Donor books for Eliza ASAP.
Wise Snake: I actually meant, had anything happened in the way of people looking for a channel?
Eliza: No, it's been quiet. That's odd isn't it?
Wise Snake: Not really, I was only gone for 10 minutes.
Wise Snake zlins Eliza to make sure she is all right.
Eliza: ~ healthy, if somewhat preoccupied with carrots. ~
Jenfer walks up the front stairs with a small smile on her face.
Wise Snake sighs and rubs her head.
Wise Snake goes into the Mayor's office and slumps in the chair.
Eliza follows Snake.
Eliza: Where is Nick?
Wise Snake: Oh, he's... somewhere, he'll be back soon.
Jenfer walks into the outer room.
Wise Snake summons some motivation and picks up a piece of scratch paper, starts trying to outline some way to salvage the search plan.
Jenfer: Hello?
Jenfer: Anyone here?
Jenfer: ~ female Gen late teens, early twenties ~
Wise Snake looks up.
Wise Snake: In here. [calls]
Jenfer peeks through the door.
Wise Snake: Hello?
Jenfer: I was wondering if I could see the channel please?
Wise Snake: I'm a channel. May I help you?
Jenfer: But you are so young!
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: What do you require that has a lower age limit?
Wise Snake: I'm legal for most actions a person would ask a channel for.
Jenfer: ~ sorry she caused offence ~
Jenfer: I'm sorry. I was just expecting....
Jenfer giggles.
Jenfer: Well, that's why I'm here actually!
Wise Snake: Oh?
Jenfer: I think I'm expecting. [smiles happily]
Jenfer: I was hoping you could confirm it.
Wise Snake: Certainly. Please have a seat.
Wise Snake rises.
Jenfer sits down in a ladylike fashion.
Wise Snake comes over by Jenfer.
Jenfer: What do you want me to do?
Eliza isn't sure if to support Snake or what, so just tries to keep really neutral.
Wise Snake: Oh, you don't have to do much, just sit back and relax while I zlin your general health and determine whether or not you're pregnant yet.
Jenfer relaxes in the chair.
Wise Snake zlins Jenfer carefully.
Jenfer: ~ pregnant, about 2 months. ~
Wise Snake checks the health of the fetus, and then Jen's general health.
Jenfer: ~ everything fine ~
Wise Snake smiles at Jenfer.
Wise Snake: Congratulations. You are two month's pregnant, and everything seems to be going very well. You're in perfect health.
Jenfer smiles so widely that it looks like her face might split.
Jenfer: Oh that's great!
Jenfer: Lothezi will be so pleased!
Jenfer: He mentioned you came in yesterday and I was so glad to know that there was a channel in town.
Wise Snake nods and stands back to allow Jenfer up.
Eliza smiles at the expectant woman.
Eliza: You know, I read an article in one of these magazines about a cream you can use to stop yourself getting stretch marks.
Eliza: If you like I'll find it for you.
Wise Snake: Now, if you be sure to donate every month, you'll stay healthy and that will also give the channel a chance to zlin you and ... !!
Jenfer: Oh! I will donate every month! Should I do so now?
Jenfer looks at Eliza kindly. "I'm sure that would be very helpful indeed."
Eliza: I'll go look.
Eliza goes back into the waiting room and looks through the magazines.
Wise Snake smiles rather desperately at Jenfer.
Wise Snake: Ah... yes, of course. If you'd like to donate now, I'd be more than happy to take down your field.
Jenfer: Well, while I'm here I may as well, as long as you aren't too busy....
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Have you donated before?
Jenfer: Oh yes, every month like clockwork. To Frooter.
Jenfer: I've heard that many people didn't think well of him, but he was always very kind to me.
Wise Snake: Great. Then this should be a piece of cake for you.
Wise Snake offers Jenfer her arms.
Jenfer holds hers out along side.
Wise Snake takes Jenfer's arms and leans in to make the 5th contact.
Jenfer: ~ relaxed, happy ~
Wise Snake takes down Jenfer's field.
Jenfer holds very still.
Eliza comes back in with a few magazines.
Wise Snake releases Jenfer.
Wise Snake: There you go... all set for the month.
Jenfer: Ah thank you so much! I don't know if anyone has said this to you yet, but we are so pleased to have a channel in town again!
Wise Snake reaches into the "donor pocket" and counts out Jenfer's payment.
Eliza wonders where Snake gets the money from to pay the donors.
Wise Snake: And I am pleased to be here as well. Your permanent replacement channel should be here within two weeks from what I'm told.
Wise Snake smiles at Jenfer.
Jenfer: Then I guess I'll see him or her next month.
Wise Snake: Thank you for coming.
Eliza: I found these magazines. They all have some sort of article about being pregnant or having babies in them. Is it okay if we give them to her Snake?
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Yes, Eliza... that would be very kind, if she would like them...?
Jenfer: Yes, thank you. This will be my first baby and I really don't know that much about it all. Thank you very much.
Eliza hands them over.
Eliza: The bottom one has some interesting recipes with carrots in them. I'm not sure you should try number 15 though.
Wise Snake's eyebrows raise.
Wise Snake: Do you have somebody you can ask your questions to, at least?
Jenfer: Oh I'm sure I'll be right. There are lots of women in town with children. I haven't really met any yet because Lothezi prefers me to stay home, and of course with the recent scare we didn't dare leave the house.
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake: Well, thank you for coming by, and good luck.
Jenfer: Thank you again. Bye!
Jenfer leaves happily.
Wise Snake sighs and rubs her forehead.
Wise Snake: Eliza, I find it distressing that after assigning both Nick and Tanzarra to instruct you, you are still left at loose ends.
Wise Snake: I will attempt to get my hands on those books as soon as possible.
Eliza: ~ crestfallen ~
Wise Snake: Really you are too valuable to be wasted on carrot recipes and dubious home remedies.
Eliza: I'm sorry, Snake, I'm practising control. Zarra is up at the new lodgings and told me to come back to you.
Wise Snake: You've been very well controlled in the last few days, compared to the usual. I have noticed that.
Eliza looks at Snake is surprise.
Eliza: I'm valuable?
Wise Snake turns and goes back to the desk.
Eliza: ~ oh pleasure ~
Wise Snake sighs and reaches for her her junct-search chicken scratch.
Wise Snake: Of course you're valuable, Eliza. Do you think I'd go to this much trouble for somebody I didn't think would ever amount to anything?
Wise Snake actually has been known to go to quite a bit of trouble for people who would never amount to anything, but that was in the context of a city she thought of as hers.
Eliza: I'm sorry, Snake, I'll try harder.
Eliza isn't sure just how she will try harder, but she will try harder to think of a way of trying harder.
Wise Snake pauses and looks confused.
Wise Snake: What?
Eliza: Umm, I'll try harder?
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake wonders what she said that Eliza thought was a rebuke.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Fine... good.
Eliza: Should I go back to Zarra?
Wise Snake: Yes, for now. Remember, you are looking after her as much as she is your teacher.
Eliza: She doesn't seem to need me much.
Wise Snake looks surprised.
Wise Snake: Are you sure?
Eliza is afraid that what it really means is that she can't stand Eliza near her for long periods of time.
Eliza: She keeps sending me to do things, like coming back here.
Wise Snake zlins that Eliza is not that sure.
Eliza: I hope - well, I hope it's not like D'cor.
Eliza: ~ uncertain and slightly afraid it might be ~
Wise Snake: Ummh. Well, ask her about it. If she says she has a problem with your being around, bring her here to talk to me all right?
Eliza: Okay then, Snake. I'll do that.
Wise Snake: We'll work it out. If it isn't right, I'll change the arrangement.
Eliza: ~ hopes everything is right ~
Eliza: See you later then.
Wise Snake: Wait...
Wise Snake: I've been meaning to ask you.
Eliza stops in the door way.
Eliza: Yes?
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Wise Snake: Earlier. That Gen, Ravi.
Wise Snake: Have you talked to anybody about her?
Eliza: No, why should I?
Wise Snake: Good. Don't, for now.
Wise Snake: I may have use for her, or information on her, later. But for now, we will allow her her secret.
Wise Snake doesn't want the unnaturally powerful Gen spooked into thinking something drastic is necessary to protect her cover.
Eliza had forgotten about what was, to her, a trivial incident. But now of course it's in the top of her mind.
Eliza realises that Snake is taking her hallucination seriously again.
Wise Snake: That's all.
Eliza: Sure Snake, sure. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
Wise Snake wonders at the strange texture of Eliza's nager when she says that.
Eliza: ~ worry under a layer of control laced with a feeling that maybe she should tell Nick ~
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake sighs and goes back to her work.
Eliza heads off to rejoin Zarra at the lodgings.
Eliza walks briskly up the road, thinking about how to ask Zarra without sounding too anxious.
Tanzarra heads back to City Hall.
Eliza spots her and waves "Zarra!"
Eliza runs forward to meet her.
Eliza: I told Snake that you found a place.
Tanzarra zlins Eliza and nods her hello as she has her hands and tentacles full of shopping.
Tanzarra: That's great, thank you for doing that.
Tanzarra: Did she say when she is going to check it out?
Eliza: No. She didn't say anything about it.
Tanzarra: Ah, well she'll see it soon enough.
Eliza: Want me to carry some of that?
Tanzarra: Yes, thanks.
Eliza takes two of the more unsteady looking bags.
Eliza: Zarra, do I annoy you?
Tanzarra hands Eliza the two bags.
Tanzarra: ~~ curious, confused ~~
Tanzarra: What? Ah, what do you mean?
Eliza: I know I'm not terribly well controlled, but does it - hurt - you at all?
Tanzarra: Oh that!
Eliza's heart sinks.
Tanzarra: Well, not that much.
Eliza: Oh.
Eliza starts up the stairs of the Town Hall.
Eliza: You sure?
Tanzarra: It's just that you react so suddenly and strongly it catches people off guard.
Eliza: ~ remorse ~
Eliza: I know, I'm sorry. I am trying.
Eliza: ~ brightens up ~
Eliza: Snake said she could tell I was trying. Usually she doesn't say anything so that says something huh!
Tanzarra: But Snake is quite sensitive though. I'm sure she picks things up that no one else can.
Eliza: She doesn't usually comment though.
Eliza hopes Snake didn't hear that, but realises that Snake zlins better then she hears anyway.
Tanzarra: Oh. What was it she said to you.
Eliza: We just put these down here? [as she enters the waiting room]
Eliza: She said she could tell I was trying hard.
Tanzarra puts the bags beside the ones Eliza had and follows her in.
Tanzarra: Well that's a good thing isn't it.
Tanzarra: I get the feeling that she wouldn't say it if she didn't mean it.
Eliza: Snake! Zarra's here.
Tanzarra thinks she's probably not helping much.
Eliza sees the office door is still partly open so pushes it to go in.
Eliza: Snake?
Tanzarra looks up as Eliza calls to Snake.
Wise Snake looks up.
Wise Snake: Ah.
Eliza: She did some shopping for food and things.
Wise Snake thinks Eliza must have already gotten a complaint from Tanzarra and sighs.
Wise Snake: I see.
Tanzarra zlins that Snake is distracted.
Tanzarra: Yes, I bought quite a lot.
Tanzarra bought more than a lot as she doesn't know who likes what.
Wise Snake: I see.
Tanzarra: Has Eliza told you of the guest house?
Wise Snake: Er, no?
Wise Snake holds out her hand for the spare cash.
Tanzarra fishes around in her pockets for the cash and what receipts she was given.
Wise Snake waits for someone to tell her about the house.
Eliza: I told you that Zarra found a place for us to stay! Don't you remember?
Eliza worries that Snake is having one of her "lapses".
Wise Snake looks at Eliza oddly.
Tanzarra: I also bought some clean linen, the linen at the guest house left a little to be desired.
Wise Snake probably wouldn't have noticed but thinks Linn will appreciate it.
Tanzarra: Well, the landlord charges like a wounded bull, but he said he might do a deal.
Tanzarra doesn't know what Snake will make of it.
Wise Snake is still waiting for her money, and for an description of the guest house.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake's tentacles, and then her arm, wilt as she realizes they are not going to be forthcoming.
Wise Snake: So, ah, are you two going to be able to spend some time together working and such, this afternoon?
Tanzarra realises she is talking and waving the cash around and hands it to Snake.
Wise Snake takes it and is baffled by how little is left.
Tanzarra: Well they had three rooms, two are quite small and the other is average.
Tanzarra: It's not in the best condition, but it is the only true guest house with enough rooms.
Tanzarra zlins Eliza for her reaction to working together.
Wise Snake: I see.
Eliza is hopeful that Snake will put her in with Tanzarra and not with Griff.
Eliza: ~ slightly excited ~
Wise Snake can't see staying sane [she doesn't realize she's stark raving already] unless she and Nick have their own room.
Tanzarra: The rent is quite exorbitant.
Wise Snake thinks maybe Linn with Tanzarra, and Eliza with Griff.
Eliza: But the landlord said that he would do a deal. Tell her Zarra!
Wise Snake is remembering the soothing night she spent sleeping in Linn's bed in Bender Cove, and thinks it would be nice for Tanzarra to experience the same.
Wise Snake thinks also that Eliza would welcome nights away from any channels, so she could be herself a little.
Wise Snake in other words has the whole picture all wrong.
Tanzarra: Well, the landlord, Niegal, indicated that he would be willing to make some sort of deal for cheap rent.
Wise Snake: I don't get it... you haven't paid the rent yet?
Tanzarra shivers at the memory of what she zlinned in the renSime.
Wise Snake is wondering where the heck all the money went then.
Wise Snake stares at Tanzarra when she zlins the shiver.
Tanzarra: Yes, I have.
Wise Snake: What's wrong?
Wise Snake is wondering what the heck they are talking about, deal for cheap rent, when the rent has already been paid.
Wise Snake begins to get the distinct impression she isn't getting the whole story here.
Tanzarra: I had to pay a down payment as well as a week's rent.
Wise Snake: A down payment for what?
Tanzarra: Well.
Tanzarra realized she's not explaining very well here.
Eliza: ~ helpful support ~
Wise Snake starts sweating without realizing it.
Tanzarra: Ok, I had already paid before I took Eliza to look the place over.
Tanzarra: When we were going through the rooms he came in and when he zlinned Eliza....
Tanzarra: ~~disgust at what she zlinned~~
Eliza looks surprised.
Wise Snake: ~warning~
Eliza: What Zarra? I didn't notice anything.
Tanzarra hasn't wanted to say anything but knows she has to.
Tanzarra: Umm.... Well, while he was zlinning you he was raising intil, that's why I kept between you two.
Eliza looks quickly at Snake.
Eliza: Honest, I wasn't doing anything! I was under control the whole time!
Tanzarra: I flared a warning nagerically and that's when he pulled me aside.
Eliza: I wasn't even being particularly friendly!
Tanzarra: Oh, it wasn't anything you did.
Tanzarra: It was all him.
Eliza: Shen, the things that you miss when you can't zlin.
Tanzarra: ~~ truth ~~
Wise Snake: ~~cold dangerous~~
Eliza: Prester Noggin, I'm not even high field!
Tanzarra: He said that he liked a little "spice" in his Transfers.
Wise Snake wonders how Eliza manages to find every Gen-transfer-loving Sime within a 100 mile radius.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Does this man live there?
Tanzarra: What I actually zlinned from him was that he like resistance with a touch of pain.
Eliza: ~ frustrated ~
Tanzarra: I don't think so.
Eliza: ~ relieved ~
Wise Snake: You don't think so?
Tanzarra: Well it's just when he said that when we were ready to deal I could tell him next time he was there to collect rent.
Tanzarra just assumed that meant he didn't live there.
Eliza sits on the couch and proceeds to sulk.
Wise Snake's nager goes still but she is visibly extremely angry.
Wise Snake: That is not going to be acceptable housing.
Tanzarra: I could find nothing else.
Wise Snake: This is a small, country town. There is bound to be a normal house with a normal landlord available. Or failing that, rooms.
Wise Snake is not impressed with the job Tanzarra did on house hunting.
Wise Snake: All right... all right, we'll give it a try for a day or two. But I really don't have time to play bodyguard, I'm trying to catch 21 juncts.
Wise Snake: This is one more distraction I really don't require.
Eliza: I can look after myself. ~ sulk ~
Wise Snake turns to look at Eliza with an expression half way between incredulity and distaste.
Tanzarra: ~~ abashed ~~
Wise Snake: Your nager, Eliza.
Eliza sighs.
Eliza: ~ control ~
Eliza: That better?
Wise Snake turns back to Tanzarra.
Wise Snake: Now, back to my other question; will you be working together this afternoon?
Eliza looks at Tanzarra.
Eliza: That okay with you, Zarra?
Eliza: ~ hopefully ~
Tanzarra: Yes. That would be good.
Eliza feels much better now.
Wise Snake: Good. Eliza was left at loose ends today while you were out shopping.
Tanzarra thinks that she has to get used to the feel of Eliza's nager and the more she exposes herself to it the easier it might get.
Wise Snake thinks the details of what happened are best left unelaborated upon, especially the carrot recipe the magazine had been open to when Snake returned.
Tanzarra: Yes, I'm sorry about that.
Tanzarra looks at Eliza.
Tanzarra: I shouldn't have sent you back alone, sorry.
Eliza: That's okay. I didn't think it mattered that much.
Wise Snake, irritated by Eliza's words, stops studying the interaction between their fields and goes back to her master-plan henscratch.
Wise Snake: [which now is so scribbled it resembles a black piece of paper with white writing rather than the opposite]
Tanzarra: Well if there is nothing else, Snake, I would like to go and do some work with Eliza.
Wise Snake: Yes, go on.
Tanzarra smiles nervously at Eliza.
Tanzarra: Thank you.
Eliza gets up without looking at Snake.
Tanzarra: Are you ready to start?
Wise Snake doesn't look up, disappointed with them both but somehow feeling a nervous irritation about being disappointed, or maybe a disappointment about being irritated.
Tanzarra: [To Eliza]
Eliza: Anytime. It will be good to have some feedback.
Tanzarra: Ok, let's go.
Tanzarra turns and heads toward the door and waits for Eliza.
Eliza follows her out.
Tanzarra: ~~ Apprehension ~~
Tanzarra: Let's find somewhere quiet, shall we?