Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #52: Rabbit... Tastes Like Chicken (11/3/98)
Darrel is sitting in the cafeteria, clutching a cup of tea as he contemplates Lobby Duty.
Darrel thinks, yep, typical day: No Donor in sight, and the Firsts are still carrying on after the pledge party while the mere staff is left to pick up the pieces.
Riyyh enters the cafeteria.
Riyyh has done his best to look elegant and Sectuibly despite having spent a sleepless night alternately panicking over Naros' condition and Mytag's whereabouts, and being soothed by a famous (infamous?) Farris Donor.
Darrel looks up as he zlins a strange nager.
Darrel: ~~ moderate curiosity ~~
Riyyh goes to investigate the tea.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh: [to himself]
Riyyh sighs.
Darrel: Is something the matter?
Riyyh realizes he's hardly going to get free of these people's clutches by insulting their tea collection.
Riyyh looks up.
Riyyh: Hello. [smiles kindly]
Riyyh: No, nothing at all, thank you.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter nervously as he prepares a cup of the tea(?).
Darrel thinks that a "hello" is more than most of the exalted guests have deigned to give him.
Riyyh: You zlin much better today. [politely]
Riyyh: Are you feeling all right now?
Darrel blushes, remembering the Assistant Controller's scolding.
Darrel: Yes. I got a bit too close to the shiltpron at the party.
Riyyh investigates the food offerings and finally selects a small bowl of cereal.
Riyyh: I see. ~sympathetically~
Riyyh thinks this is exactly why he doesn't answer any more invitations than he has to to maintain appearances.
Riyyh: Might I join you?
Darrel: I've never zlinned one being played by a First Order channel before, you see.
Darrel: Certainly.
Darrel: I'm Darrel, Second.
Riyyh: Riyyh, Sectuib in Naros. [in case he didn't remember from before]
Riyyh: I am pleased to make your acquaintance.
Riyyh sits near Darrel.
Darrel: Were you coming for the party?
Riyyh: Yes, I'm afraid things haven't really gone according to plan, however. ~unhappily~
Darrel: Well, the trains can be a mess.
Riyyh had actually meant the bit about getting kidnapped by the Tecton.
Riyyh: Yes, quite a bit of bad luck, that track washed out. [politely]
Darrel: Most of the guests are gone, but you'll be able to congratulate Hajene Veraik, I suppose.
Riyyh samples the cereal, but all he can taste is the tea... still.
Riyyh sighs to himself.
Darrel takes a nervous sip of his own tea.
Riyyh: Oh... yes, his is quite an accomplishment.
Riyyh automatically ~soothes~ Darrel.
Riyyh realizes he has been remiss in failing to be suitably friendly and outgoing.
Darrel mutters "monkeys playing pick-up-sticks" as a relaxing mantra to help the process.
Riyyh: How long have you been employed at this Center? ~friendly, encouraging~
Darrel: Where is Naros, anyway?
Darrel: Months.
Darrel: ~~ gloom ~~
Riyyh: It's west of here, about five days' travel.
Riyyh: Four, if all the track is in place. [adds]
Riyyh: Come now... is it so bad?
Riyyh: ~concern~
Darrel indulges in a quick daydream of life a whole four (or five) days from Bender Cove.
Darrel: Well, it's not exactly a normal Sime Center.
Riyyh: An experiment of sorts, I had heard?
Riyyh: One of Veraik's crowning accomplishments?
Darrel: Yes. I understand he had some thought that putting a Sime Center in the less savory part of town would allow access to its services by the less privileged.
Darrel: The trouble is, it works.
Darrel somehow feels that this is a sufficient explanation, which in itself is a symptom of his too-long residence in Bender Cove.
Riyyh nods, not sure he got the gist of what Darrel was getting at.
Riyyh: You are... dissatisfied here?
Riyyh thinks maybe Darrel wants more adventure than can be obtained at a Center which was an experiment that worked perfectly.
Darrel: I've been trying for a ticket out of here for months.
Darrel: The Controller refuses to honor it.
Darrel: I understand that word has spread about this place, and he can't find replacements very easily.
Darrel: So, I'm stuck.
Riyyh nods sympathetically.
Riyyh: I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulties.
Riyyh can relate.
Darrel: All I get for my efforts is a pat on the back and a short speech about how much good I'm doing.
Riyyh: Apparently they really feel you are doing the most good here at this Center.
Riyyh: [spoken like a true non-Tecton-employee]
Darrel: ~~ genuine amusement ~~
Darrel: :You wouldn't say that if you saw the stack of reprimands in my file.
Riyyh: Oh? ~cautiously~
Riyyh remembers what Mytag said about this Center and everybody here.
Riyyh however doesn't zlin anything peculiar about Darrel.
Riyyh really wishes he had listened to Mytag... starting with when he warned Riyyh about taking Snake and company into Naros.
Darrel: Yeah.
Darrel: The latest was yesterday, for going on duty with that hangover.
Riyyh winces as he remembers the hangover.
Riyyh: I see.
Darrel: Next time, I'll just drop the shenned food trays on the floor, instead of trying to find out where they belong.
Riyyh: Er, Darrel.... [pauses in confusion] I beg your pardon?
Darrel: The caterers quit, you see, and I was helping Serena keep the tables stocked.
Darrel: She had taken Hilo a plate of those imported chocolates--this was while he was playing.
Riyyh: Oh?
Darrel: I came over to ask her where she wanted the trays, just as Sosu Alea started dancing.
Riyyh is finding this story (not to mention the changes of subject) very difficult to follow.
Darrel winces at the memory of the nageric assault.
Riyyh nods seriously, not sure where this is going.
Darrel: Although the way things were going, I doubt I'd have stayed sober even across the room.
Darrel: Oh, well, what's one more reprimand?
Riyyh: You say you are reprimanded often? ~uneasily~
Riyyh wonders if it's because Darrel is one of Mytag's loonies or if they are just really hardcore about toeing the line here.
Riyyh isn't sure which prospect is more alarming.
Darrel: You shouldn't have any trouble. You're a First.
Riyyh: Pardon me?
Riyyh: ~confused~
Riyyh detects a certain amount of resentment in Darrel.
Darrel: Most of the times I've gotten in trouble, it was for messing up something a First could do easily.
Darrel: I mean, you'd have been able to shield yourself from that shenned shiltpron.
Riyyh frowns unhappily.
Riyyh: This happens often?
Darrel: And if you'd told Sosu Alea to get under the covers when she was half frozen, she'd have obeyed.
Riyyh blushes.
Riyyh: ~flustered~
Darrel: She told me that as a mere Second, I couldn't possibly know what I was talking about, and sat there shivering in a chair until Tramila came by and caught me....
Darrel looks at Riyyh.
Darrel: Is something wrong?
Riyyh: No! No, I'm fine.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry, do go on.
Riyyh tells himself most people here won't know anything about his past, or even his recent past.
Darrel: I ended up reprimanded for failing to get her warm, and never mind that there was no possible way I could force a Donor with a field like that to do anything she didn't care to.
Riyyh knows there has to be a lot more to that story than Darrel is letting on - he's beginning to sense a pattern of griping here.
Riyyh however feels ~sympathetic~ toward Darrel.
Riyyh: That must have been a difficult situation.
Darrel: Well, you don't have to worry about that sort of thing, as I said.
Riyyh: Oh, good.
Riyyh thinks at least that's one thing he won't have on his mind.
Riyyh's tentacles quiver with nerves.
Darrel: Have you been given a schedule yet?
Riyyh: No, I haven't.
Riyyh had hidden in his room as long as he could before a craving for human companionship drove him out.
Riyyh is also hoping to sort of walk out a door while nobody is looking.
Darrel: You seem a bit nervous... are you suffering from entran?
Darrel: You did say you'd been traveling.
Riyyh: It's not too bad, thank you. [grateful for his concern]
Riyyh: Alea helped me last night.
Riyyh: Er, with the Entran. [hastily]
Darrel wonders what else Alea might have helped with, then decides he's probably better off not knowing.
Darrel: I'm due to go on duty in the lobby in a few minutes.
Darrel: If you want, you're welcome to share my shift.
Riyyh: I was thinking of going for a little walk.
Darrel thinks having a First as a backup would be a very welcome treat, indeed.
Riyyh eyes the door out to the garden.
Darrel: ~~ sincerity ~~
Riyyh zlins Darrel's sincere desire to share his workload.
Riyyh: Well, all right.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh would hate for the guy to feel bad if he rejected his offering.
Riyyh thinks there will be time to sneak out a little bit later.
Darrel gives a genuine smile..
Riyyh knows he made the right decision when he sees Darrel's smile.
Riyyh smiles in return.
Darrel: I'm sure you'll feel much better after a bit of work.
Darrel busses his dishes.
Riyyh eyes his "tea", decides the better of it, and follows Darrel's example.
Darrel thinks a bit wistfully that it must be nice to be a First, so confident in your abilities that you can forgo trin when it's offered.
Darrel leads the way to the lobby.
Riyyh follows, like a lamb to the slaughter.
Riyyh: ~~gentle/benign/innocent~~
Darrel is a bit surprised to find the front desk unoccupied.
Darrel: I hope that doesn't mean that the receptionist quit again.
Darrel: Serena really does have too much to do learning to be a Donor to manage reception as well.
Riyyh thinks if this is a poor area of town they should have no trouble finding another person willing to work as receptionist.
Riyyh thinks, especially with all the benefits that go with working for the Tecton.
Dain comes into the lobby and walks confidently over to Darrel and Riyyh.
Dain is a fairly young Gen.
Dain: Hey, are you taking donations yet?
Riyyh waits for Darrel's cue, since he is guest.
Riyyh: [well maybe "guest" isn't exactly the right word...]
Dain: I know it's early, but my turn only lasts so long.
Darrel: Of course. What was the name?
Riyyh maintains a ~friendly, attentive~ appearance and nager.
Dain smiles and nods at Riyyh.
Dain: Dain Brammage. [to Darrel]
Darrel retrieves the file and glances through it.
Darrel: ~~ carefully controlled alarm ~~
Darrel: Ah, this is Hajene Riyyh. He'll be taking your donation today.
Riyyh: ~uneasy~
Darrel hands the folder to Riyyh with a somewhat weak smile.
Riyyh pushes aside any misgivings and smiles kindly at Dain.
Riyyh: Hello, Dain.
Riyyh opens the folder; fortunately his work with juncts has prepared him for reading Tecton folders, although most of his experience reading Gen ones came from reading Linn's and Nick's.
Dain: Hi. I really want to donate, but last time I got kicked out before I could.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. Well, we'll try to do better this time, shall we?
Riyyh: Darrel, would you direct me to a suitable location...?
Dain: ~~ happy ~~
Darrel: Right down the hall there, any of the first three doors.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: Please, come with me.
Riyyh leads the way toward the first of the available rooms.
Dain follows Riyyh.
Dain: I always thought I'd be a Sime, you see.
Dain: ~~ confidingly ~~
Riyyh: Oh, I hope you weren't disappointed.
Dain: Now, supporting Simes like this is as close as I'm likely to come.
Riyyh nods sympathetically.
Dain: Well, the others are happy enough about it.
Riyyh surveys the donation room; it's certainly not what he's used to, but after all form does follow function.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat. [kindly]
Dain sits.
Riyyh: I'll just look over your paperwork here, and then we'll get started. [smiles]
Riyyh takes a seat and opens the folder again, scanning it.
Dain: [paperwork mentions four different names for the patient, and some remarks about major changes in the Gen's nager]
Verbethia enters the Sime Center's lobby.
Riyyh looks for further information in the folder.
Riyyh: [on the backs of pages, etc.]
Darrel had hoped that Riyyh would get back before the next customer arrived, but squares his shoulders and steps into the fray.
Darrel: Can I help you?
Verbethia looks Darrel up and down.
Verbethia: Yes. ~doubtfully~
Verbethia: You are a channel, aren't you?
Riyyh would at least like to know what kinds of changes were observed, and why the fellow was "kicked out" last time]
Dain: [a scribble about appearing as four different individuals]
Dain: [followed by multiple question marks]
Riyyh sighs and closes the folder.
Darrel: I was the last time I zlinned.
Darrel smiles, and zlins again, just to make sure.
Riyyh has yet another thing to admit Mytag was right about... the poor written records at this Center.
Verbethia frowns.
Verbethia: Do you always zlin yourself? ~disapproving~
Verbethia: In public, even?
Riyyh: All right then.
Riyyh sets the folder aside and moves over to the channel's part of the lounge.
Riyyh: Have you donated before?
Riyyh thinks this is always a safe question.
Darrel shrugs.
Riyyh smiles kindly at Dain.
Verbethia: Yes, I want a receipt for selyn taken.
Dain: Well, I was going to a month ago, but Dennine and Dade ended up doing it instead.
Riyyh: So this is your first time?
Darrel zlins Verbethia, to see if selyn was indeed taken.
Riyyh: Are you familiar with the donation procedure?
Riyyh hopes so, since he isn't in particular. At least not the Tecton version.
Verbethia: [if it was, it wasn't this month!]
Dain: Well, yes.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Very good.
Dain: I took the class and all.
Riyyh: Well then, when you are ready, push up your sleeves and offer me your arms.
Riyyh zlins Dain carefully all the while, curious about the not-very-well-described changes, or different-people-ness.
Darrel: Do you mean you wish to donate today?
Verbethia: No no, I don't have time for that. Just give me the receipt. I have a train to catch.
Verbethia: ~impatient~
Dain rolls up his sleeves confidently.
Darrel: You want a blank receipt?
Verbethia: Well, you can fill it out if you hurry!
Verbethia: Otherwise just sign it and I'll do it myself on the train.
Verbethia ~impatient~
Darrel: Ma'am, I can't fill out a receipt for selyn unless I've taken some.
Darrel: It's against regulations.
Verbethia: What bother!
Verbethia: Come on then, make it snappy.
Verbethia whips off her jacket, revealing a strumpet's red lace outfit.
Verbethia thrusts her [many-bangled] arms at Darrel.
Dain's nager suddenly changes, becoming much less certain, and taking on a different rhythm.
Riyyh becomes cautious.
Riyyh: Dain? Are you all right?
Riyyh: Still want to go through with this?
Riyyh: [gently]
Darrel reaches for her arms, carefully sliding the bangles to clear the proper spots.
Verbethia: ~~~take me~~~
Dain looks around in alarm.
Dain: Not this again!
Dain looks at Riyyh.
Dain: I'm not Dain. I'm Dade.
Riyyh sits back, zlinning carefully but making no move toward Dain.
Riyyh: Dade. My apologies.
Riyyh: ~~oh, dear~~
Riyyh thinks he knows what Rindi meant by that cryptic note about "appearance of different people".
Darrel makes the transfer contact, and makes a quick zlin for potential trouble.
Verbethia: ~~paranoid, horny and in a hurry~~
Verbethia: ~~lots of cheap perfume which had been hidden by the coat before~~
Riyyh: Dade, did you want to make a donation? [quietly]
Darrel suppresses the urge to sneeze, and quickly lowers Verbethia's field.
Verbethia: Is that the best you can do!! Sheesh, no wonder you people are on government dole. All right, gimme the paper.
Dade: Well, I don't know. It was kind of scary last time.
Verbethia snaps her fingers, twirling her wrist to accentuate the hurry hurry bit.
Darrel scribbles out the voucher.
Darrel: Your name?
Verbethia: Never mind that. Just sign it.
Verbethia: I gotta train to catch.
Dade: Dennine dropped control on me halfway through, you see.
Dade: It was sort of a shock.
Riyyh: Dennine.
Riyyh remembers Dain... er... this person saying that "Dennie and Dade ended up doing it instead" last month.
Darrel: And I'll give you the voucher as quickly as it's properly filled out.
Darrel: All I require is your name.
Verbethia sighs and pouts.
Verbethia: Verbethia Frumpatta.
Dade: Yeah. She thought there'd be advantages to the cash, you see.
Verbethia: Now give me.
Darrel fills the name in and signs with a flourish.
Darrel: Here you are.
Riyyh: Well, it's up to you. I certainly wouldn't ask you to donate against your will.
Darrel: You can cash it down the hall, or at any other Sime Center.
Verbethia makes it disappear with a sound of snatched paper.
Verbethia pauses and studies Darrel.
Verbethia: Hey, yer kinda cute.
Darrel blushes.
Verbethia: What do you say you and I go down to the train station together, hey?
Verbethia: You ever done it in an information kiosk?
Verbethia: ~~invitation... grrrrrowl~~~
Dade: Well...
Dade looks at Riyyh's tentacles.
Dade: Maybe Dennine would be willing to do it.
Dade's nager takes on a feminine tinge, which zlins pretty strange considering that the body is trying to grow a beard.
Riyyh decides, to heck with appearances, and snatches up the folder to add a few notes of his own.
Darrel: I'm sorry, I'm on duty now.
Verbethia: What a shame. ~~magnificent pout~~
Verbethia runs a finger along Darrel's jaw, then turns and slinks out.
Darrel shakes his head, and congratulates himself for getting off relatively easy.
Riyyh: ~~fascinated~~
Dennine looks at Riyyh analytically.
Dennine: Is something the matter?
Riyyh: Oh, pardon me.
Riyyh scribbles a last note then reluctantly puts the folder aside.
Dennine: ~~ clinical interest ~~
Riyyh smiles kindly at Dennine.
Riyyh: I was hoping to learn whether you are interested in donating or not.
Dennine: Let me guess: Dain blew it again?
Riyyh thinks if nothing else, this person really should not be walking around high-field.
Dennine: Brought us in here and flew the coop?
Riyyh tries to decide what the etiquette is in a situation where one person of a multiple personality is asking about confidential information belonging to a second.
Riyyh: ~undecided~
Dennine sighs.
Riyyh decides to err on the side of caution.
Dennine: Never mind; I didn't come here, and Dade and Denny certainly wouldn't.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Well then, would you like to donate, or...?
Dennine: Why not?
Riyyh: Whenever you are ready, then. [kindly]
Dennine notes her sleeves are already rolled up, and holds them out.
Riyyh thinks this is really an amazing case.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh takes Dennine in transfer position.
Arug walks into the Sime Center.
Dennine had done this before, and doesn't get upset.
Darrel zlins another customer come in.
Riyyh draws selyn quickly and expertly, trying to finish it before anything else can occur.
Darrel: Can I help you?
Arug: Yeeeeeeaaah.
Arug looks around, nodding.
Dennine's nager dissolves into childish confusion.
Arug: Yeah, I think you just might be able to help me.
Riyyh releases Dennine.
Arug is a Gen wearing overalls.
Arug is high field.
Denny: ~~ bewildered ~~
Denny: Who are you?
Riyyh zlins Denny's bewilderment.
Riyyh: I'm Riyyh. [gently]
Darrel: And how can I help you today?
Denny: Why were you kissing me?
Riyyh thinks this is amazing, and it is just a shame he won't be around to get a chance to study this person further.
Denny starts to suck on his thumb.
Riyyh: I was taking your donation. [gently]
Riyyh: But I'm all done now.
Denny: Oh.
Denny looks around.
Denny: Are you a doctor?
Arug: Yes, I would like to see your plumbing.
Riyyh: I'm a channel.
Riyyh: Shall we go out to the lobby now?
Darrel: The plumbing? Is there a problem with the plumbing?
Arug: I hope so.
Arug grins.
Denny: Was I good?
Denny: ~~ hopeful ~~
Riyyh considers.
Riyyh: Yes. Yes, you were.
Riyyh smiles.
Denny: If I was good, then I want a lollypop.
Denny: Dr. Haljin always gives me a lollypop when I'm good.
Riyyh: All right, let us ask about lollypops when we get to the lobby.
Darrel finds this response confusing.
Arug: Well?
Arug: ~expectantly~
Darrel: You came to see if the Sime Center requires any repairs to the plumbing?
Arug: Yes.
Darrel has learned through hard experience that it's best to make sure of such details.
Darrel: I don't recall hearing about any necessary plumbing repairs.
Darrel: However, I'm not the person you really should be talking to.
Denny bounces to his feet.
Denny: All right.
Riyyh leads Denny out to the lobby.
Denny holds Riyyh's hand.
Riyyh brings the folder with.
Denny pulls Riyyh over to Darrel and Arug.
Denny: Guess what!
Denny: I was a good boy, and now I get a lollypop!
Riyyh, being a wimp, gets dragged by the Gen.
Darrel blinks at Denny.
Darrel: ~~ astonishment ~~
Riyyh: Please excuse us. ~apologetically~
Riyyh: Er... are there any? [to Darrel]
Riyyh thinks it will simplify things greatly if there are.
Arug: Is he some kinda retarrrd, or something? [drawls]
Darrel: I believe Serena might keep something in the desk drawers.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Denny starts to bawl.
Denny: I'm not a retard, I'm not!
Riyyh's delicate, Naros-gossip-picking-up ears are assaulted by noise.
Riyyh: ~cringe~
Arug studies Denny.
Arug: Right.
Arug turns back to Darrel.
Riyyh hastily pulls his hand out of Denny's and goes to search the desk.
Riyyh: ~nerves shattered~
Darrel: You really ought to talk to Serena to find out if there are any plumbing mishaps currently.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh hears Darrel's mention of "plumbing mishaps" and, thinking of Mytag's stories, wonders just what could have happened.
Darrel: But she's having her daily tutoring session at the moment.
Darrel: Would you be interested in waiting for her? It shouldn't be more than half an hour.
Denny's crying cuts off suddenly..
Dain looks around, and looks down at his arms, which are still tingling with ronaplin.
Dain: Not again!!
Dain: ~~ disgust ~~
Arug: Well, I suppose I could donate or sumthn' to kill the time.
Arug apparently immigrated from Gen Territory.
Darrel: Of course.
Riyyh sighs and closes the drawer of the desk.
Darrel: Have you donated before?
Arug: Nope.
Riyyh didn't find any lollypops, but he did find what appears to be a book of vouchers.
Darrel: Well, then, there's some paperwork to fill out, first.
Darrel snags a clipboard with the forms and hands it to Arug.
Riyyh fills out a voucher, hesitates, then puts "Dennine" on the name line.
Riyyh: Excuse me, Darrel?
Arug looks at the clipboard, then takes it.
Darrel: Yes?
Arug waits until Darrel's attention is distracted, then pulls the papers off and puts them back on backward (blank side up)
Arug wanders off into the SC in search of plumbing to inspect.
Riyyh: Can you tell me if I've filled this out correctly?
Riyyh: I was unsure of the exchange rate....
Darrel glances over the voucher.
Darrel: Dennine?
Riyyh looks after Arug curiously, then back to Darrel.
Riyyh: Well, the rest of it?
Darrel: It looks fine to me.
Darrel looks around.
Darrel: Hey, where did that Gen go?
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: That way. [points with a tentacle]
Riyyh presents the voucher to Dain.
Dain takes the voucher.
Riyyh: I am sorry it did not go as you wished.
Riyyh: ~genuine~
Dain: Thanks.
Dain: Maybe next time the others will let me have my full turn.
Riyyh nods encouragingly.
Riyyh: Yes, do keep trying.
Darrel rushes after Arug, zlinning for any trace of his nager.
Riyyh feels faintly nervous as Darrel disappears, and tries not to rush Dain out the door.
Dain waves farewell, and leaves.
Riyyh sits down and feverishly writes out the rest of his observations in Dain's folder.