Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #77: Prickly Plum (11/26/00)
Mr. Birch makes a final check of the (finally completed!) FluCon Damsite Coordination meeting room.
Mr. Birch pokes the fire up to be sure there is enough heat to keep the Gens comfortable and that the pot of trin on the sideboard is ready to pour.
Mr. Birch hopes this meeting will result in a solid plan to provide winter relief for the illegal Gens camped around his work site.
Arat arrives at the meeting room precisely on time, although sans Donor. Snake co-opted Nick at the last minute.
Ms. Afred has come across the lake in a rather sad boat. She is not feeling her best at the moment. Who knew you could get seasick on a lake?
Mr. Birch: Controller Arat! Come in.
Arat knocks the dirt and snow off his boots carefully, then does so.
Arat: Mr. Birch.
Mr. Birch: May I fix you some tea?
Arat is wearing his Elte-designed robes and the modified veil instead of the mask.
Arat: Thank you.
Mr. Birch has seen the robes before, and still is rather ambivalent about the new design, but it certainly looks better than the veil that preceded it.
Ms. Afred is still prim and proper and impeccably dressed in her heavy winter tweed suit. She has her hair tightly pulled back into a proper bun adorned with the only ornament she refused to sell to keep the orphanage going. She enters the meeting room quietly.
Arat surveys the table to see if there are assigned seats (there aren't) and then selects the one least likely to subject him to being trapped between arguing nagers and/or constantly brushed past as people go in and out the door.
Arat sits down, then zlins Ms. Afred.
Mr. Birch carefully measures some trin into a cup. He thinks the amount looks about right.
Arat knows who she is, although he has not met her.
Mr. Birch: Oh, Miz Afred! Glad you could make it!
Mr. Birch: How was your passage?
Arat has been to Salmonton more than once, to inspect the Donor program there.
Ms. Afred: Thank you for inviting me Mr. Birch.
Arat did not enjoy it, but that is to be expected.
Ms. Afred: My passage was less than settling I'm afraid.
Mr. Birch pours the hot water into the cup and leaves it to steep.
Mr. Birch glances at Miz Afred and sees how pale she looks.
Arat zlins Ms. Afred's lingering seasickness.
Mr. Birch: Choppy, huh? Would you like something warm to drink? Coffee? Trin?
Ms. Afred: Would you have any green tea?
Mr. Birch scans the selection, which is rather limited.
Ms. Afred knows that coffee would only make things worse and that trin stuff would be awful.
Mr. Birch: Well this blend I think is green tea and chamomile. That should settle your stomach, my dear.
Ms. Afred had the misfortune of drinking some trin once... Yech!
Ms. Afred: Thank you Mr. Birch that will be wonderful.
Mr. Birch mixes the Greenfield blend in a second cup.
Mr. Birch: Miz Afred, have you been introduced to Controller Arat?
Minister Plum walks slowly up the path from the docks.
Ms. Afred: No, I don't believe I have. ~~curious~~
Mr. Birch: He is the top Tecton official at the Dam site. Controller, this is Miz Afred, who runs the orphanage in Salmonton.
Arat: Mz. Afred. [nods]
Arat is a tall, robed figure wearing a veil. His voice is the stereotypical deep channel voice.
Ms. Afred: Controller Arat. [inclines her head slightly as is proper]
Minister Plum came across on the same boat as Ms. Afred, but he stopped when he came ashore to thank Heaven for arriving safely.
Minister Plum had a bit of trouble getting back up on his feet again, as the voyage left him rather queasy.
Minister Plum knows he will have to keep his wits about him to bargain with the evil ones and come out ahead.
Minister Plum treads heavily on the rough pine flooring of the newly constructed building and enters the meeting room.
Arat zlins the newcomer, and immediately wishes he hadn't.
Arat like many Simes finds the combination of queasy hatred rather unpleasant.
Minister Plum scans the room recognizing Mr. Birch and Ms. Afred, and stiffens at the sight of a spectral figure in a robe and hooded face.
Minister Plum figures this must be a Sime, although the voluminous robes make it rather hard to tell.
Ms. Afred studies the robed figure of the Controller, surreptitiously wondering if he knows that in English his name sounds like "single rodent".
Mr. Birch: Minister Plum. Glad you could join us.
Mr. Birch: This is Controller Arat, who is in charge of selyn management at the Construction site.
Arat nods to Plum.
Mr. Birch hopes that the use of professional jargon will set the tone for the discussion at a proper level of detachment.
Mr. Birch: Controller, I'd like you to meet Minister Plum of the Salmonton Church of the Pure Life.
Arat: Minister Plum.
Minister Plum knew that there would be Simes here; he reminds himself not to show weakness when confronted by the devil.
Minister Plum: Mis -- uh --
Minister Plum can't bring himself to accord a Sime the title of Mister.
Ms. Afred knows Minister Plum only too well. She has been the target of more than one of his "sermons".
Minister Plum: Controller. Arat.
Minister Plum nods.
Minister Plum moves to a seat as far away from Arat as possible.
Arat zlins Minister Plum and his already bad impression of the man slips down a notch or two.
Mr. Birch: Would you like something to drink, Minister? Some coffee perhaps? Or tea?
Mr. Birch brings Arat his cup of trin.
Minister Plum frowns at the sight of this prominent Gen waiting on a Sime.
Minister Plum: Nothing for me. Thank you.
Minister Plum takes a few deep breaths to try to get control of his guts, which are still churning.
Arat winces.
Ms. Afred: You should try the green tea Minister, it will help with the seasickness.
Arat is starting to feel a bit queasy himself, what with the two ill Gens, Plum's hatred of Simes and Afred's dislike of Plum, not to mention the scent of Chamomile now beginning to permeate the room.
Minister Plum's glance spears Ms. Afred, who he knows only too well. She's the one who keeps trying to hustle those orphaned demons onto the Houseboat instead of disposing of them properly.
Mr. Birch brings the cup of GreenField blend to Ms. Afred.
Ms. Afred: Thank you, Mr. Birch.
Riyyh picks his way over the ruts and snowdrifts, somewhat late for a meeting with Mr. Birch and others regarding the funding for the internment camp for illegal Gens.
Minister Plum: I am fine, Ms. Afred.
Ms. Afred: As you say, Minister. [wouldn't mind if the zealot had fallen over board but propriety requires a show of concern at least]
Riyyh had meant to be early, but had gotten waylaid by a forlorn child who had lost his way in the camps.
Mr. Birch glances around the room. He doesn't like to waste time, and he knows neither does Arat.
Riyyh had been further delayed when the unmarried mother proved extremely grateful for the child's return, and insisted upon thanking him extravagantly.
Riyyh had then found it necessary to return to his own tent to correct his grooming.
Mr. Birch doesn't really want to start the meeting without Sectuib Riyyh, who authored the original proposal.
Riyyh has now missed the entire hour he was supposed to spend discussing the matter with Mr. Birch, and is now perilously close to being late for the meeting itself.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh hurries the rest of the way to the new meeting house.
Riyyh's light step can be heard on the boards, and then he enters.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry I'm late.
Mr. Birch is finding the silence in the room growing uncomfortable, and was just about to begin on his own when Riyyh enters.
Mr. Birch: That's quite all right.
Mr. Birch's glance and nager say quite clearly it is not all right at all.
Mr. Birch: ~~annoyed and impatient~~
Riyyh is resplendent in a finely embroidered Narosian shirt, jewelry of gold in patterns of wheat and trinroses, and his hair shimmering silver gold. The only fault is that his nice cape never recovered from the mud, so he is wearing his gray and yellow wool one.
Mr. Birch: We were just getting started.
Riyyh realizes he will have to make it up to Mr. Birch.
Mr. Birch tries to remember his manners.
Riyyh: Where would you like me to sit? [asks Mr. Birch]
Riyyh might sit near Arat to help him with the ambient, but that would make it look like the Simes were ganging up on everybody else. He could sit between the two OT Gens, or perhaps between Birch and the minister?
Ms. Afred sips her tea thankful for the soothing effect on her stomach and her nerves.
Riyyh smiles at Ms. Afred and at Plum, then since no answer is forthcoming from Mr. Birch, he slips into the chair between them.
Mr. Birch: Ah, that will be fine.
Riyyh: You must be Ms. Afred. I've heard all about your wonderful work with the orphanage. What you've done for those children is simply marvellous.
Riyyh: [beams]
Ms. Afred: Why thank you.
Ms. Afred: ~~surprised by such good manners~~
Mr. Birch: Sectuib Riyyh, I'd like you to meet Minister Plum of the Church of Pure Life.
Riyyh: A pleasure. [takes Minister Plum's hand and kisses it]
Mr. Birch: Minister, this is the Sectuib ambrov Naros, whose House exemplifies the Virtue of Caring.
Minister Plum starts and yanks his hand away.
Riyyh smiles kindly at Plum, not seeming to notice the sudden withdrawal.
Riyyh: I do hope you will be able to help us.
Minister Plum stares aghast at the demon in his gaudy golden frippery.
Arat zlins this entire interaction, frowning to himself.
Ms. Afred finds the whole scene hilarious.
Minister Plum however doesn't find Riyyh's glitter half as ominous as Arat's austere robe and veiled face.
Ms. Afred is trying very hard not to laugh out loud, which makes some of the tea go down the wrong pipe.
Minister Plum: I am not here to help you, but my fellow Gens.
Ms. Afred coughs to clear her airway.
Minister Plum glances accusingly at Mr Birch for allowing this intrusion of his personal space to occur.
Mr. Birch frowns. He has suffered a few intrusions on his own space recently.
Riyyh: Of course. [smiles]
Mr. Birch: Now, Sectuib, please remember the Minister is not used to being touched by Simes.
Mr. Birch: In fact, it's against his creed to permit it.
Riyyh: Why, I can scarcely do him any harm. [pretending innocent surprise]
Riyyh: Truly, I have never harmed a fly.
Mr. Birch: Let's all behave like civilized people and respect each other's ways.
Ms. Afred nods her agreement as she is still coughing.
Arat wishes he wasn't there.
Ms. Afred: ~~amused~~
Arat had felt obligated to be there, because of the likelihood of disaster if a Church of Purity minister was given too much power. However, he also left instructions to interrupt him with any emergency which could be construed to require a Farris. He is now glad he did.
Mr. Birch: Truly, Plum, you're perfectly safe here. The Sectuib is just being friendly.
Arat wouldn't go so far as to actually hope somebody gets hurt so that he can escape the meeting, of course, but it might happen by chance.
Minister Plum scowls darkly at Birch.
Ms. Afred has gotten to know a few Simes since the reconstruction of the orphanage roof. She isn't worried by Riyyh's nearness at all.
Mr. Birch: Now we are here today to finalize relief plans for Gen illegals camped near the Dam site.
Mr. Birch: Sectuib Riyyh has been revising the proposals. Sectuib, where do we stand?
Riyyh: I'm glad you asked. [smiling kindly]
Riyyh withdraws a slim scroll from his cloak and passes it over to Mr. Birch.
Riyyh: This is my changes in writing, as you requested. But to summarize, Controller Arat has definitely agreed to provide transport for the purchased supplies, provided financing for the rest of the plan can be secured in a manner he approves of. We have received word that the land we chose for the encampment is not contested. And I have outlined a brief proposal as to the relationship between the Church and the IDAS.
Riyyh: I'm afraid no one from the IDAS could be available today, but I have leave to represent them.
Mr. Birch takes the scroll and scans it as Riyyh makes his report.
Mr. Birch realizes he forgot to get tea for Riyyh because he was so late.
Riyyh: The church would, of course, have no part in the actual running of the camp. Problems of a non-religious nature would be passed over to the IDAS for resolution, and so forth... it is all there.
Mr. Birch wonders how serious a breach of protocol it would be to forget about the tea, as opposed to interrupting the meeting to be a good host.
Minister Plum: No Gens must be forced to give selyn. That is the key point.
Riyyh: The selyn donation requirement has been removed from this version of the proposal, as has the stipulation that the funding must be repaid.
Riyyh: I have also inserted a small proposal regarding the health care of non-donating Gens, as they would not be covered under the Tecton system if they are not donating.
Minister Plum would like to insist that no Gens donate at all, but he knows that stipulation won't be acceptable.
Riyyh: And of course, because of the many concerns from all sides, I have included a proposal regarding Church of Purity teachings and where public sermons and teachings would be, and wouldn't be, permitted.
Riyyh: This would limit public sermons to the internment camp itself, and teachings to the camp and to private residences.
Ms. Afred watches Plum closely to see how he will react to that stipulation.
Minister Plum: The Church will provide relief funds to support Gens who don't give selyn that will equal or surpass your donation payments.
Riyyh blinks at Plum's seeming non sequitur.
Minister Plum reaches out to Mr. Birch for a copy of the proposal, so he can examine the figures.
Ms. Afred knows Plum has no idea just how much money he is talking about.
Ms. Afred has been supplementing the orphanage on her donations and those of the children who have Established.
Minister Plum scans down the document. He would rather see it in writing than hear it from a Sime's lips.
Riyyh's penmanship is impeccable, and his figures easy to read. He has, after all, been doing Naros' books for 43 years.
Minister Plum: We have no wish to preach to demons or demonspawn. Only to pure-born Gens who have strayed from the path.
Ms. Afred shudders.
Minister Plum: But we must have unlimited access to all Gens who may still be out-Territory citizens.
Ms. Afred has been fighting with Plum and his kind for years even before the Simes came along.
Ms. Afred: ~~ revulsion for the CoP and Plum~~
Riyyh: Oh, dear. [to himself]
Mr. Birch: Now, Plum, I won't have you haranguing my workers, in-T or out-T, or interfering with people on the job.
Riyyh 's tentacles flutter as he is caught in the crossfire. Their fields are not large, but he is directly between them.
Ms. Afred has forgotten that Simes can tell what you're feeling.
Mr. Birch: You want to talk to them, you do in it their quarters, after hours. That should be enough.
Ms. Afred notices that Riyyh seems to be in some distress. She doesn't know what to do about it be she wishes that she could make it better.
Minister Plum: You're holding these Gens' souls hostage.
Minister Plum turns to Riyyh.
Riyyh looks exceedingly attentive and innocent in response.
Minister Plum: What's to keep you from separating some of them out into a Pen, separate from the internment camp, and refusing us access?
Riyyh in fact is exceedingly attentive, and somewhat innocent, although nowhere near as innocent as one might hope.
Riyyh: Whyever would we want to do that?
Minister Plum: To brainwash them into giving up their selyn, of course.
Riyyh looks honestly puzzled by Plum's accusation.
Riyyh glances at Arat, since brainwashing into giving up selyn is Arat's department.
Arat: The Tecton will abide by the letter of the agreement.
Minister Plum's lips turn downward in a dour grimace.
Arat: Do you feel that most Gens will prefer not to donate, even if it means taking charity instead?
Arat is genuinely curious, because he had been under the impression that self-support was a big deal among out-Territory Gens, and indeed Riyyh had insisted that it would lead to cooperation with his internment plan.
Arat has never been self-supporting in his life, so the question is a bit academic for him.
Minister Plum: Any truly Pure Gen would refuse to donate, even if it meant dying of cold or starvation. Which, of course, we will not permit to happen.
Arat: But they have all already donated at least twice.
Arat: Some as many as four times.
Minister Plum: They are misguided. Some may still be salvaged.
Minister Plum: But I agree many are beyond redemption, so we will accept your limitations on proselytization.
Minister Plum: But if a Gen asks to return over the border, he is to be let go immediately. We must insist on that.
Riyyh: That has been part of the plan all along.
Riyyh: I am afraid there is little evidence of interest in returning, but we have prepared for the possibility.
Mr. Birch: Now, Minister Plum is prepared to take charge of Gens wishing to return.
Mr. Birch: I believe Ms. Afred has some proposals concerning children.
Mr. Birch: Ms. Afred?
Ms. Afred: Yes. There are a number of children that we have taken in already. Some were orphaned by accidents which killed their parents.
Mr. Birch takes a moment to slip over to the sideboard and fix some trin for Riyyh. He has some of the Lilac Passion in stock.
Ms. Afred: We will continue to provide that service as well as establish a school at the camp for the other children.
Ms. Afred: I have two volunteers for the camp school already.
Ms. Afred: They are former pupils of mine.
Ms. Afred: Supplies will be routed from the Gen side of the lake to the camp through us anyway and it seemed a logical extension of our duties.
Arat frowns. He had not heard about this required routing.
Arat's access to "free" transportation to the project is limited to what he can effect as a stock holder in various transport companies. Anything too complicated might render his assistance impossible.
Arat would not object to being left out of it, of course. But it would be nice if they could get their story straight so he could determine one way or another.
Ms. Afred: The dock off the old orphanage road was repaired and expanded during the construction of our new roof it is the easiest access for supplies coming from our side across the lake.
Ms. Afred: I take it this is acceptable to all?
Arat: I was not previously aware that all supplies from Gen Territory were to be routed through you.
Ms. Afred has been watching the Controllers face and is wondering what the problem is.
Ms. Afred: Only because we have the expanded dock.
Arat: I must reiterate that I cannot simply fund transport for supplies. My assistance must be limited to providing the actual transportation. This will only be possible through major transit points.
Arat: The old Dam is one such point, which would make such a thing possible.
Arat: However, if you are able to obtain funding for your own efforts, and if you are able to obtain all supplies required in a timely fashion, then perhaps my assistance is not required.
Arat's philanthropy and his business dealings both usually happen on a smaller scale, and a much slower time frame than this. He's been uncomfortable with it all along.
Mr. Birch: We don't have the funding for transportation.
Ms. Afred: In truth Controller I have no desire to try and deal with relief efforts on top of my normal duties. But there are some things that will be coming overland.
Riyyh is a bit puzzled.
Riyyh: Who has been doing ordering of supplies at this early date?
Ms. Afred: However if you find our participation unwelcome we will withdraw.
Mr. Birch: Now, now, let's not be hasty.
Riyyh: Why, Ms. Afred your participation is most welcome. [lays a hand on her wrist, entirely without realizing he is doing so] It is simply necessary that we work in an, ah, coordinated fashion.
Riyyh smiles kindly at her.
Ms. Afred smiles back.
Riyyh is well used to dealing with helpful people who fly in all directions at once and tend to jump the gun - he does regularly deal with Narosian outreach programs, after all.
Ms. Afred: I am not angry [well not too angry] but I wouldn't want to interfere.
Riyyh: Now, Controller Arat has only the one contribution to make to this program - the transportation.
Riyyh: He is naturally interested to know if his assistance is required after all, or not.
Mr. Birch: Let's consider the plan in order.
Ms. Afred: As you wish.
Mr. Birch carries out project management on a regular basis, after all.
Ms. Afred wonders why she was asked to participate if it will cause problems.
Mr. Birch: First, we require money to pay for the relief supplies.
Mr. Birch: Some of that will come from donation payments, some from the CoP. 1
Riyyh: This includes food, medicine, firewood, housing and the materials for the securing of the camp.
Riyyh: As well as some incidentals. It is all noted down in the original proposal.
Mr. Birch nods.
Mr. Birch: There may eventually be reimbursement from both governments, but we will need up-front funds before that will get through channels.
Mr. Birch: So we're looking to private philanthropy.
Mr. Birch: The Church of the Purity will take responsibility for Gens who are being deported.
Minister Plum frowns.
Minister Plum: Any Gen who wants to return.
Riyyh: Oh, my, no. It isn't that simple.
Riyyh: The IDAS must be considered.
Riyyh: Each Gen will be processed upon entry into the internment camp. Some of them will ultimately be deported against their wills, while others may wish to return home but not wish any association with the Church.
Riyyh: We cannot ignore the government agencies, no matter how much we may like to.
Riyyh would really like to, in this case.
Riyyh would like to ignore IDAS with regards to a lot of junct renSimes that come to Naros too, but he can't do it there either.
Minister Plum: We don't recognize the authority of your so-called government. Any Gen who wishes to be free of Sime influence must be allowed to leave.
Minister Plum may not recognize its authority, but he knows he can't do much about it, either.
Arat shifts slightly in his chair. He finds Minister Plum irritating on a level he rarely has to put up with in the normal course of his duties.
Arat has never had much tolerance for irrational people.
Arat fortunately has only very limited scope in this meeting.
Minister Plum: Now we don't care about Gens you evict from your borders, but we won't stand for any Gen being held against his will.
Minister Plum: I can assure you our missionaries will be on the look-out for any sign of such coercion.
Riyyh: I am sure that they will only be held for as long as it takes to complete the paperwork.
Riyyh: Six months on average, or so I am told.
Riyyh: Why, that will keep them warm and dry through the winter, in any case.
Minister Plum frowns unhappily.
Mr. Birch: Now, Minister Plum, if you want to provide assistance to these Gens, you must abide by in-Territory law.
Ms. Afred: ~~amused again~~
Mr. Birch: Controller Arat, there is another funding option I would like to discuss with you after the meeting, if you would.
Arat nods to Mr. Birch.
Mr. Birch: So let us move on to the logistics of purchasing and transporting the supplies.
Mr. Birch: Now Ms. Afred, as she has described, has contacts and facilities that can be useful in collecting goods at Salmonton.
Mr. Birch: But of course they would still have to be transported over the Lake.
Ms. Afred nods.
Mr. Birch: Controller Arat, could you detail again what transportation services you can provide?
Arat: I have partial ownership in a number of transport companies that operate along the major trade routes in this area of both Territories.
Arat: I am certain that I could arrange for a predefined amount of bulk shipping from and to major destinations.
Mr. Birch: Does Salmonton qualify as such a major port of call?
Arat: The major ports on the Snake Reservoir are the old Dam and Carver Coast on the Reservoir's east end.
Arat: There is a direct overland route between Carver Coast and Lake City.
Arat: But as I say, if the supplies can be obtained within a short distance of Salmonton, there may be no requirement for long distance transport.
Arat rather hopes that is the case, actually, because the more he thinks about it, the less he feels he really wants to be associated in any way with the Church of the Purity.
Arat does have his reputation to consider, after all.
Mr. Birch: Ms. Afred, can all the supplies be obtained locally?
Ms. Afred: No.
Ms. Afred: We just don't have it.
Ms. Afred: Our community is still recovering from a very poor showing in the crops for the last two years.
Minister Plum: But when winter's at its worst, Salmonton may be the only port accessible.
Ms. Afred find that agreeing with Plum is very disagreeable but....
Ms. Afred: He is right about that.
Ms. Afred: Last winter the overland routes to Lake City were blocked for two months.
Ms. Afred: They ended up floating things instead of porting them overland.
Ms. Afred: This winter looks to be just as bad, if not worse.
Ms. Afred: We offer the port facilities to any who need them.
Minister Plum: General supplies will have to be purchased and moved in from the Carver Coast immediately.
Riyyh: The purpose of ordering all of the supplies now was so that no more would have to be ordered during winter. [explains]
Riyyh's plan had hinged upon there being a fixed cost so that it would be easier to plan repayment if necessary.
Mr. Birch: That would make sense in terms of planning.
Minister Plum: Our Church in Salmonton is prepared to offer emergency relief if necessary.
Minister Plum glares at Miz Afred.
Ms. Afred wonders where all that money was when the orphanage needed a new roof.
Minister Plum: And yes, we would like the use of your dock in that eventually, Miz Afred.
Riyyh: Oh my, what a lovely tea pot.
Ms. Afred: It will be at the equal disposal of all parties.
Riyyh leaps up to get out from between them, and goes to inspect Mr. Birch's very plain (but expensive at least) tea pot.
Mr. Birch starts and realizes that he forgot to serve Riyyh his tea, which was steeping.
Mr. Birch: Ah, forgive me, Sectuib, I'm a terrible host.
Ms. Afred wants it very clear that she won't allow any high handed tactics from Plum's bunch.
Arat notes Plum and Afred's interaction, Riyyh's escape, and Mr. Birch's embarrassment.
Arat is glad that their nausea has quieted, at least.
Mr. Birch: I had some Lilac Passion here for you, but perhaps you would prefer to pour a fresh cup.
Minister Plum: We share the same goals, Ms. Afred, to keep Gens alive and safe and well.
Ms. Afred nods.
Riyyh smiles gratefully at Mr. Birch and proceeds to prepare a new cup.
Minister Plum smiles at her, although he has to grit his teeth a bit to do so.
Minister Plum knows that politics sometimes makes strange bedfellows, and better her than the two Simes, one of whom has thankfully moved across the room.
Mr. Birch: Well, if this proposal is acceptable to all of you, we can begin to move on it.
Arat: I would prefer to see the proposal laid out explicitly in writing before making a commitment.
Minister Plum: The Church Council will have to review these changes.
Minister Plum glares at Arat, and then transfers his attention to Mr. Birch.
Minister Plum: I will have an answer in a few days.
Minister Plum: For now, I'd like to return as swiftly as possible over the Lake.
Mr. Birch nods.
Mr. Birch: Time is short.
Minister Plum: Then I'll be on my way immediately.
Minister Plum can't get out of this den of demons fast enough to suit him.
Minister Plum: Ms. Afred, if you want to get back to Salmonton tonight, you'd best come along.
Ms. Afred nods.
Minister Plum leaves with Ms. Afred following.
Mr. Birch stares at their backs as they disappear out the door.
Mr. Birch sighs.
Arat frowns to himself.
Arat: I am not comfortable with associating with the Church of Purity.
Mr. Birch glances at Arat.
Mr. Birch: Quite frankly, I'm not real happy about it myself. That Plum guy is gonna be trouble.
Mr. Birch: Sectuib Riyyh, did you tell the Controller about... the other option?
Riyyh: There is the alternative, yes.
Riyyh looks up from the tea table.
Arat: I had heard... something of it from Nick. 2
Arat sounds somewhat reluctant to discuss it, but in a different way than he'd sounded about the CoP.
Mr. Birch: Well, what do you think? Want to go for it?
Mr. Birch of course has no idea just how much Nick had to say.
Arat: I would have to hear about it in more detail before making such a decision.
Arat: And learn more about this Ro.
Mr. Birch: Well, I can give you all the details I have.
Mr. Birch: Alain Ro is a historian. He's well-respected among the New Washington intelligentsia.
Mr. Birch: He's the heir of an old family from near Chago, so he can pretty much do as he pleases.
Mr. Birch: And he pleases to sit on the faculty of Gorton University and theorize about the future of civilization.
Mr. Birch: Right now he's working on a book on changes in Simelan culture after the war. He's interested in the Audnes' story.
Mr. Birch: He would like to interview you, delve into the family records and so on.
Arat shifts uneasily.
Arat had hoped Nick's version of this was mistaken, but nope.
Arat: And in return for this, he offers what?
Mr. Birch: Well, I mentioned our dilemma here to him a few months ago.
Mr. Birch: And he said if I could ensure your cooperation with his project, he'd be willing to make a charitable contribution.
Arat: Unless he is here now, such a contribution could never be brought to bear in time.
Arat feels fairly confident Ro is not here now.
Mr. Birch: His fortune is large enough that, with his personal guarantee, I could borrow the money we require to get us through the winter.
Mr. Birch: Certainly Ro himself couldn't get up here until spring, but he'd accept another gentleGen's word.
Mr. Birch: But if I couldn't deliver, he could break me -- and he would.
Arat frowns.
Arat: What guarantee would you have that my testimony would satisfy him?
Arat: There are few actual records, for example. Much was destroyed in the Wars.
Mr. Birch: Quite frankly, I don't know what it is he's looking for.
Arat: And I would not be able to arrange for access to either our former lands or the Audnes great house in New Othwol.
Mr. Birch: He wanted me to solicit your full cooperation with his project.
Mr. Birch: For the rest, I'd have to trust him.
Mr. Birch: And I'm not a man who likes being put in that position.
Mr. Birch: But I think I'd trust him before those fanatics in the Church of the Purity.
Mr. Birch: They could spark a situation that would ruin my reputation forever.
Arat nods.
Arat: I admit I am not comfortable with such an open ended agreement, particularly when this Ro may not be fully cognizant of my situation and relatively limited knowledge.
Arat: It does seem that you would be more at risk than I, however.
Mr. Birch: Well, we'd both be on the line.
Arat: I would want an agreement specifying exactly what I can provide, and indemnifying me from any attack he may make on you if he is dissatisfied.
Mr. Birch wonders if the legal documents involved here will be too heavy to be transported by carrier pigeon.
Mr. Birch thinks that if they have to ship by boat the negotiation may well take another month.
Arat: I realize that your offer was made in the spirit of gentlemanly accommodation, rather than business. However, the risk....
Arat frankly does not consider Mr. Birch a gentleman, and this Ro is a complete unknown to him.
Mr. Birch: Yes, there is risk. And the choice is purely up to you. It's your family.
Mr. Birch shrugs.
Mr. Birch: And these Gens are not your responsibility.
Mr. Birch frowns; he doesn't like putting his own reputation on the line for a bunch of tramps, either.
Arat wonders if this means Mr. Birch is not willing to provide a signed agreement.
Arat is not willing to be sued by FluCon for recovery of lost funds because Ro wants him to be able to provide detailed information on events that occurred before he was born and have no living witnesses.
Mr. Birch compares the consequences of crossing Ro to the consequences of mass starvation in the camp or a riot caused by CoP agitation, and makes his decision.
Mr. Birch: Well, put your terms on paper, Controller Arat, and I'll sign it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, you know.
Mr. Birch's experience with Arat has taught him that when the channel gives his word he keeps it.
Arat: Has he already given you his personal guarantee?
Arat: Would you be able to obtain the loan soon enough for it to be of use?
Mr. Birch: He said if I could swing the deal, he'd back me. The loan guarantees we need would be inconsequential to him.
Mr. Birch: As for getting it in time, that will be touch and go.
Arat frowns. He finally realizes what is bothering him about this deal: there is nothing in it for him.
Arat is not used to thinking in terms of what's in it for him, so this took a while to percolate into his consciousness.
Riyyh has quietly returned to his seat (now unbracketed by squabbling Gens) with his cup of Lilac Passion.
Mr. Birch was well aware that there is no brass ring for Arat involved in this negotiation; that's why he was so hesitant about pitching it.
Mr. Birch thinks that avoiding Church of the Purity proselytizers must have some value for a Sime.
Mr. Birch isn't quite sure what that is worth, however.
Arat: Very well. I will consider it. You will have your answer within the next 48 hours.
Riyyh sighs unhappily, able to zlin that Arat wasn't really pleased by the options.
Notes:
1) Since the CoP has not actually been chosen as the source of private funding yet, this might read "Some of that will come from donation payments, some from private funding" instead. [return]
2) Elte, actually. [return]
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