Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #74: In the Name of Research (11/20/00)
Jeniard listens tensely for a few minutes, and when no howl of rage emerges from the shower, he decides with relief that no long silvery hairs escaped his attention. This time.
Jeniard gathers his things and heads towards the door, as he is due for a shift in the emergency ward.
Elte wanders by the Controller's quarters, alert for a glimpse of the man, who has been awfully hard to find lately.
Elte's list of questions for Arat now covers several pages of his notepad.
Jeniard opens the door and immediately spots Elte, who he naturally assumes is coming to see Arat.
Elte: Hajene Jeniard!
Elte: Is the Controller in?
Elte: ~~delighted~~
Jeniard: Yes, he's in the shower but he should be out shortly.
Elte doesn't mind interviewing subjects in various states of undress; he will grab them any way he can get them.
Jeniard naturally, if naively, assumes Elte wants to talk to Arat about image-presentation, a legitimate topic which Arat appears relatively calm about and for which Elte would most likely have an appointment.
Elte slips in the door Jeniard is conveniently holding open.
Jeniard: Just wait in the common area here. There's tea on if you want any.
Jeniard leaves, not wanting to be late.
Elte: Sure! No prob!
Elte: [calling after the vanishing channel] Thanks!
Thureal is standing guard at the partition between the private and public areas of the lodge. He assumes that Elte is OK since Jeniard let him in.
Elte curiously surveys the room. As before, Arat's quarters are strangely bare of personal touches.
Arat does a double-zlin as he notices Elte, and gets soap on his laterals. Even with Farris-safe soap that is nothing one really wants to do.
Arat isn't the cursing type, so he just squirms and jumps around as he tries to rinse off his hair about twice as fast as usual.
Arat: ~~annoyed~~
Elte wonders whether Riyyh was telling the truth when he claimed Arat only bedded women for official breeding purposes.
Elte notices a distinct lack of family photos--no ancestors, wives or children.
Arat leaves the shower and strides into his bedroom, wearing a towel around his waist and using a much larger one to attack his head.
Elte thinks that the Narosians, on the other hand, hardly require such reminders.
Elte sees the Sime emerge from the shower and decides to make his move; he knows his quarry can't escape to work undressed.
Elte follows Arat into his bedroom.
Elte: Controller, I'd like to chat with you a bit while you dress.
Thureal follows Elte in, ready to interfere if Arat gives the order.
Elte: I understand you're helping underwrite this plan to aid the Gen illegals.
Arat isn't the sputtering type any more than he is the cursing type, but his expression as he removes the towel from his head is priceless.
Arat's hair stands out like Snake x 6, only cleaner.
Elte has found the Narosians to be excellent sources of gossip, but given his out-T clumsiness with Simelan he is not completely au courant.
Arat: What? [through clenched teeth]
Arat wonders if Elte truly has no sense of propriety, or if there is some urgent deadline that compels him to ask Arat's motives at a time like this.
Elte: There are a number of rumors going around. It would help if you could confirm the facts of the matter.
Elte has found that officials usually appreciate having a chance to tell their side of the story.
Arat: I have agreed in principle to arrange for the transport of required supplies from Gen Territory and the coast. However, nothing has been formalized.
Arat: Do you realize that I am in the midst of preparations ordinarily considered a private matter?
Elte: Is it true that you are using funds from your personal fortune to fund this settlement for illegal border-crossers?
Elte: ~~inquiring minds want to know~~
Arat sighs as it becomes obvious that Elte either cannot or will not perceive how much of an imposition his presence is.
Elte knows how much of an imposition his presence is; unfortunately for Arat, he doesn't care.
Arat unfortunately cannot simply have Elte thrown out, though he has wished to many times since he met the man.
Elte has been thrown out of many places throughout his career. There is always another way in.
Arat: I was approached as an individual, yes.
Arat removes the towel temporarily and locates the grooming implements.
Elte: By Sectuib Riyyh, or so I hear.
Arat: Not directly, but as I understand it the idea was his, yes.
Elte: And do you endorse this idea of holding the illegals in protective detention and milking them for selyn throughout the winter season?
Arat's expressive Farris lips betray his displeasure at the wording.
Arat: I have not officially endorsed anything.
Arat: I have not seen formal paperwork on the matter.
Arat will not, of course, touch it with a 10 foot handling tentacle without a contract.
Elte grins at the officialese.
Elte: What solution would you like to see used to solve this problem?
Arat fastidiously divides off a section of hair to attack first.
Arat squeezes out excess water, dries the section vigorously with the towel, and wonders exactly what Elte is asking him.
Arat decides he is asking him what his own solution to the problem would be, were it in his court.
Elte thinks Arat looks more interesting with his hair all wild; it gives him a kind of mad prophet in the wilderness look, especially with the expression of suppressed rage.
Arat: I believe the Narosian plan has some merits.
Arat: I agree that there is no alternative to housing them here until they can be properly processed.
Elte: The IDAS officials say processing could take all winter and well into the spring.
Arat: Yes.
Elte: Do you think the IDAS is stalling because they in fact wish to encourage Gen immigration?
Arat frowns. He has heard the IDAS accused of many things, but never of encouraging immigration.
Arat nevertheless considers the question seriously.
Arat: I cannot say. [at last]
Elte has not forgotten Nick's description how much Simes value having a nice selyn repository nearby.
Arat does not have a lot of information about what the IDAS has been doing or how its local representatives have been thinking.
Arat makes a mental note to ask Jeniard what the clerks who trade paperwork with them have to report, while he is tonguelashing him for letting Elte into the house.
Elte: Why do you think these Gens refuse to return across the border to their homeland?
Arat finishes the drying process, to the extent that it can be finished, and begins to pick diffidently at the tangles with a large wicked looking comb.
Elte has been conducting his own interviews in the refugee camps, but of course he would like the official perspective.
Elte contemplates the scathing social commentary he will write with satisfaction.
Arat: Most of them are wanted for crimes across the border.
Arat is basing this upon notes made by the channels who took their fields down.
Arat: Some have family here.
Elte: Does the in-Territory government have some use for Gens who are indigent and criminal?
Arat: No doubt those who have committed serious crimes will ultimately be deported.
Arat: Others may be accepted as citizens, if their crimes are either minor in nature or of no relevance here.
Elte nods.
Arat: It is not necessary that a Gen be employable, so long as he or she can donate.
Arat: The fees for donating are enough to support a Gen in a minimal fashion.
Elte grins. He now has the quotable quote he wanted.
Arat wonders what is so amusing.
Elte: But the IDAS will not make these determinations for months. And these people will require food and shelter during the winter.
Arat: Yes.
Elte: You say you have not personally committed yourself to any specific proposal?
Arat pauses to press more water into the towel, then resumes the laborious combing process. He is a lot more patient at it now, at the beginning of his cycle. It also helps to have something truly annoying - like Elte - to compare it to.
Arat: Not at this time.
Arat will be even more annoyed if Elte uses a graphic description of what Arat looks like, and does, upon exiting the shower in his column.
Elte: Will you contribute funds from the Audnes family fortune to the relief effort?
Arat: If an appropriate opportunity presents itself, yes.
Arat notes that Elte thinks of Arat's personal fortune much the way the collective Family Audnes (of which he is the only breadwinner) does.
Elte: Why is the fate of these people of concern to you personally?
Arat has to think about that one, because frankly it isn't.
Elte wonders just how far Arat's sense of duty extends.
Arat: It is not so much of personal concern to me as it is a disruption to the area, and an increase in difficulties for my work as Controller.
Elte thinks ...and the answer is: pretty damn far.
Arat: As for my philanthropy in the matter, that is purely due to Nick's request.
Elte: Sosu Nick has such influence with you that you'd open your bank account on his say-so?
Arat uses long strokes to verify that the first section of hair is free of tangles. It quivers in the path of the comb like springs eager to jump free in every direction as soon as the pull is gone.
Arat pauses and gives Elte a hard look.
Arat: No, he hasn't.
Elte has watched Sectuib Riyyh's techniques in action, so Nick's motivation is clear enough.
Arat: He brought the opportunity to my attention. However, it is being evaluated on its own merits.
Elte: Now I understand you're not married.
Elte: But that you have several children.
Arat blinks at the non sequitur.
Arat: Yes.
Elte: Why would you give funds to indigent Gens that might go to your own family?
Elte has been trying for weeks, but Arat's motivations remain obscure.
Arat: The loan would have no effect upon my family's incomes.
Arat: I have offered only a loan for transportation expenses, which transportation can be carried out by companies I have significant holdings in.
Arat: Even were the loan to go unpaid, the loss would likely manifest as a temporary halt of reinvestment of profits in the companies involved.
Arat doesn't think this is any of Elte's business.
Elte is disappointed. This is not the extravagant gesture he had hoped for.
Elte thinks that, in fact, Arat talks more like a banker than a Farris rescuer of nameless Gens.
Elte: How does your family feel about this?
Arat: They know nothing of it.
Arat means, it is none of their business.
Arat does not feel any of his financial matters are his family's business, except insofar as they require the security of knowing he will be able to provide.
Elte: Is it true that you are not close to your children, but engendered them as part of a channel breeding program?
Elte has seen with his own eyes how poor the relationship is between Arat and Wise Snake.
Arat: Yes.
Arat sees no reason not to tell Elte that; it is no secret, after all.
Elte is amazed that any man would admit to being put to stud. Simes are just different.
Elte: And that you are estranged from your other relations because of political differences?
Arat considers.
Arat: There are no political issues that I am aware of.
Arat means, everybody who would have had violent negative opinions about his Tecton employment were dead more than a decade ago.
Elte: Then do you plan to accept the offer of Professor Ro?
Arat: I beg your pardon?
Arat is unaware of the offer, due to the cowardice of a certain person who was supposed to broach the subject with him.
Elte: Well, you said the relief funds you could supply were limited.
Arat: Practically speaking, yes.
Elte: So will you go along with Ro's proposal?
Elte: And are you considering admitting the Purists?
Arat's eyes actually widen.
Arat: What!
Elte frowns. He thought Arat would have heard about these offers by now.
Elte knows he is supposed to report the news, not make it. Well, anyway, he tries.
Elte: The Church of the Purity outreach. To feed the indigent who will not donate.
Elte: Or persuade the indigent not to donate. What is your response to that?
Arat: I was not aware of it until now. [dangerously]
Arat: The Church of Purity is on site now?
Arat: Is Mr. Birch aware of this?
Arat: Is Duart?
Elte shrugs.
Arat's stress level has gone up to the point of interference with hair duties, that is to say his normal post-turnover levels.
Elte: Their representatives should arrive any day.
Elte: Birch arranged it. He said it was the only out-T organization that could provide the funds no questions asked, except for Ro.
Arat hacks away impatiently in an attempt to finish sooner.
Arat: And who is this... this... Ro?
Elte: Didn't he tell you about that one?
Arat narrowly avoids snapping at Elte that he would hardly be asking (for the second time now) if he knew.
Arat: ... No. If you would be so kind as to explain?
Elte can't resist being the first to tell a story; perhaps he has some Narosian genes somewhere.
Elte: Well, really Birch has the details on that.
Elte: But the way I heard it, Professor Ro is a very distinguished Professor of History who is working on a book about how Unity has changed Simelan culture.
Elte: He wants to do a chapter on the history of the Audnes family.
Elte: He told Birch he'd throw some money in the pot if you would agree to help him research it.
Elte: I really shouldn't be the one telling you about this.
Elte is surprised Birch and Riyyh haven't preceded him, but the Controller really has been hard to find for several days.
Arat frowns.
Arat mentally rearranges his schedule to insert a quick talk with Duart and a confrontation of Mr. Birch before he tonguelashes Jeniard.
Arat may actually skip tonguelashing Jeniard and settle for giving him dirty looks and the cold shoulder until he has apologized profusely enough.
Elte eagerly observes Arat's reaction.
Arat: I see.
Elte has heard the rumors around the camp that link Arat with the old junct agitators.
Elte, based on personal observation, thinks this is hogwash.
Elte can see that this might be public relations issue for Arat, however.
Arat: I will speak to Mr. Birch at the earliest opportunity.
Elte: From what I can see, neither the Gen nor Sime governments can provide relief funds in time.
Elte: Which do you think is the best of these alternative proposals?
Arat belatedly starts combing again, slowly and distractedly this time.
Arat: I cannot comment without having heard exactly what is proposed.
Arat: [firmly]
Elte recognizes that tone.
Elte figures he has gotten all he is going to get for today.
Elte: Well, I'll be coming to you for your comment after your meeting, then.
Arat: Very well.
Arat hopes to avoid Elte that time. Having advance warning will help.
Elte begins to button up his jacket, as if to leave.
Arat assumes Elte is leaving and turns his attention to his tangles.
Elte: Oh, by the way... if you conceived all your children out of civic duty, have you ever made love for the fun of it?
Arat's comb rips a snarl out with an audible snap.
Arat looks up at Elte in total disbelief.
Elte finds the reaction interesting.
Arat: What sort of a question is that?
Elte: One I'm curious about.
Elte: Your style is... quite different . . . than Sectuib Riyyh's.
Arat looks seriously offended.
Elte sees the storm clouds gather.
Elte: Is that a personal difference, or one that reflects Householding versus Tecton culture?
Arat: It is none of your business.
Elte: You might as well talk to me about it. Other people will.
Elte thinks certainly Snake might have something to say on the subject.
Arat's eyes narrow.
Elte thinks Riyyh in fact had plenty to say.
Arat: What do you intend to do with this information?
Arat can't decide which would be more despicable - printing a story including tidbits on Arat's sexuality, or simply satisfying Elte's own curiosity under the guise of research.
Elte: Understand you better. And your way of life.
Elte has found the personal is always more interesting than the political.
Arat: I am not alone in being unlike Riyyh of Naros.
Arat: That is a unique situation and [Arat hopes] unlikely to be found elsewhere in this day and age.
Elte: Yet Sectuib Riyyh said incest was common in the early history of the Householdings.
Arat: Centuries ago, it was not unheard of among channels and Companions.
Arat: It was necessary to ensure that there would be channels for the next generation.
Elte: There are traditions preventing such practices out-Territory. And yet it happens in isolated communities.
Arat is glad the subject has changed.
Arat is not glad Elte is still here, but he would rather hear about OT sexual practices than describe his own.
Elte: I have heard that Simes take a more casual attitude towards sex than Gens do, because they are only in heat during part of their cycle.
Elte: Does that match your experience?
Arat is personally no more casual about sex than he is about insect content in his food.
Arat finds it easier to answer in his capacity as a channel.
Arat: It would appear to vary by individual. Some Simes are highly concerned about the execution of, and result of, sexual relations during post syndrome when they are most effective.
Arat: Others are indeed more casual, as you put it.
Elte blinks. He finds this answer rather cold and clinical.
Elte wonders if he is correct about where Arat is in his cycle. According to his sources, the Controller should be at a stage where he would experience some sexual interest, but Elte can see no evidence of that.
Elte is glad that he is Gen and horny nearly all the time.
Elte: Casual to the point where you have no interest in mating except to produce the children required by the state?
Arat gives Elte a particularly severe look.
Arat tries to think of something to say that Elte will find more acceptable than "That is none of your business!!"
Elte has seen that the Controller doesn't much like to eat either. He has heard the tale of Sayward's fruitless attempts to feed Arat.
Arat: I was speaking in the general sense, based upon my observations as a channel.
Elte: But based on your personal experience, doesn't it bother you to be put to stud as if you were Pen stock? Why would channels treat themselves with such... inhumanity?
Arat: I recognize the Tecton's investment in me, and the value of my genes in the creation of additional Farrises.
Arat: I accept it as my duty.
Arat is certain that his compliance in that matter was essential to the Powers that Be relaxing their restrictions regarding Jeniard and their assignment together.
Elte: Some out-Territory traditions attempt to arrange marriages between Gens who will give birth to pure Gen children.
Elte: Modern thinkers condemn these practices.
Elte feels very strongly about the traditional Purist restrictions on sexual expression. In fact, this is an issue that launches him on political rants that vastly improve his circulation.
Arat has no comment on that score. Nobody would do that with Farrises intentionally unless desperate, as a double Farris would be almost impossible to carry to term and would be beset by health problems besides.
see note 1
Notes:
1) This scene is continued in the next episode. [return]
Go on to Episode #75: In the Name of Research, Part II
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