Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #108: His Plaintive Squeak (1/21/01)
Borgmann signals at the Sime Shack, a prompt 5 seconds before his appointment.
Borgmann's time sense is not necessarily up to a channel's precision, after all.
Nick stands, glancing at Arat for a cue as to whether he should hurry this appointment in, or delay a few moments while Arat finishes his current task.
Arat keeps writing on his report. Wouldn't want to waste an entire 5 seconds - plus the time it takes Nick to go open the door and Borgmann to come in and dust himself off, etc.
Arat notices Nick standing there and flicks a tentacle in the direction of the door.
Nick nods and answers it.
Nick: Controller Farris will see you now.
Nick steps back to allow Borgmann in.
Borgmann: Thank you, Sosu.
Borgmann scuttles through the door and begins shedding his coat.
Arat puts down his pen and closes the finished report folder.
Nick tries not to make the inevitable comparison with a mangy mouse shedding patches of hair, even though the temptation is very great when Borgmann removes his hat.
Nick concentrates on ensuring that the minimum of possible allergens gets tracked inside.
Arat studies the IDAS head. Fortunately he is not the type to compare people to animals, because if he was, Borgmann would resemble a rumply-furred, scrawny young squirrel that has somehow failed to properly save for winter and has also lost his calendar, emerging from his tree to promptly fall in a muddy slush puddle.
Arat only sees, and zlins, a somewhat ordinary renSime with a somewhat unpleasant problem to talk about.
Borgmann straightens his rumpled clothing as best he can, and approaches Arat's desk.
Arat gestures to offer Borgmann a seat on the mismatched selection currently available.
Borgmann settles himself in the least splintered option.
Borgmann: Thank you for seeing me, Controller Arat.
Arat nods.
Arat: You had something you wished to discuss regarding Minister Plum?
Nick moves to the tea table and fills a mug from the steaming pot.
Borgmann slumps for a moment, then pulls his narrow shoulders back as best he can.
Borgmann: I am very concerned regarding Minister Plum's sanity.
Borgmann: He hasn't been eating properly, and he grows less and less coherent.
Borgmann: At times he is almost logical and coherent, but then he slips back into outbursts of nonsense.
Borgmann spreads his tentacles in a gesture of helplessness.
Borgmann: If he is insane, then he requires treatment, if it can be provided.
Nick hands the full cup of tea to Borgmann, then returns to his chair by Arat's side.
Borgmann nods a distracted thanks to Nick, and wraps his chilled tentacles around the cup.
Arat nods thoughtfully.
Arat: Are you requesting such a diagnosis?
Arat may be a channel, but he is also a political creature and knows that such a diagnosis might not be advisable.
Borgmann flinches visibly.
Borgmann: I suppose I am. Or at least your unofficial opinion as to whether such a step might be in his interests.
Borgmann: It would complicate the legal situation immensely, of course, but I can't just let him starve himself to death, can I?
Borgmann: ~~ distress ~~
Arat considers.
Nick lays a hand on Arat's shoulder, to ensure that Borgmann's distress does not disturb Arat unduly.
Borgmann: The man used to be one of my closest friends. I can't be objective about his well-being.
Arat imagines that it would be difficult to be objective about anyone who has attempted to murder you, best friend or no.
Arat: It would probably be for the best if you sent for one of your superiors to come and handle the Plum matter. [at last]
Arat: Even if it meant a delay until springtime, it would be your best hope for a fair trial.
Borgmann nods.
Borgmann: I have already sent a message asking for guidance on the matter. It will be a long time before any reply can get through, of course.
Arat: As for his health in the meantime, I would be willing to make an objective analysis of his mental state and provide a suitable diagnosis.
Arat: If I deem him to be mentally fit, I would strongly suggest you obtain a signed statement from him, registering his intent.
Borgmann: His intent?
Arat: His intent to strike.
Arat: If he is on record as being sound of mind and willingly being on a hunger strike, it will be more difficult for trouble to arise from outside sources.
Arat: If instead he proves mentally unfit, treatment may begin.
Borgmann: I'm not sure whether he intends to starve himself, or whether he simply forgets to eat.
Arat nods, but does not reply; Borgmann is simply stating the reason why he needs Arat's help in this matter.
Borgmann: I will prepare such a statement, however. Although if he is deliberately trying to make trouble by fasting, it might be difficult to persuade him to sign it.
Borgmann: At times he seems well enough aware of what is happening to him, and the consequences of his acts.
Borgmann: Although it might not appear that way, to someone unfamiliar with his theology.
Arat frowns. He would have hoped that a man in Borgmann's position would be more adept at psychology and politics.
Arat: It would be best if the statement was in his own words, and signed in the presence of his peers.
Arat: If he is mentally fit to make such a statement, and is willingly starving himself, then he will be willing to sign. His pride and his wish to publicise his situation will demand it.
Arat: These things are not done by a person of sound mind without some wish to gain leverage.
Arat: Leverage cannot be obtained without public knowledge of his intent and his actions.
Arat has some experience in these matters.
Borgmann nods.
Borgmann: I'm sure some acceptable witnesses can be found.
Arat: However, it is essential that an unassailable diagnosis as to his mental state be made.
Arat considers his own word to be unassailable, as do many Farrises in high positions in the Tecton. And even those who aren't.
Borgmann: Yes. And that will not necessarily be simple. He is not likely to even make an attempt to cooperate with a channel who is attempting to make such a determination.
Arat: I do not anticipate any difficulty in that area.
Arat can zlin much of what he must know from a distance.
Arat is confident that he will be able to manipulate Plum into either becoming rational long enough to permit an examination, or to freak out enough to provide a good zlinning opportunity another way.
Arat has been thinking about the previous abortive examination attempt and has come up with a few ways the failure could have been avoided.
Borgmann: A diagnosis of insanity would cause its own problems, of course. The Synod, for one, will be unlikely to accept a channel's word on such a matter.
Arat: As he is unable or unwilling to provide for his own health, and as he is in our care, we have no choice but to do what we must.
Arat: If he is not competent to refuse medical treatment, then he must be treated.
Arat: If he dies under our care, that would be unforgivable.
Borgmann: Indeed it would.
Borgmann: I have been trying to persuade him to eat, and to wash, but I admit that I find it very difficult to be near him, now that he is high field again.
Arat: When he is due, his field will be taken down as with all prisoners.
Borgmann winces, anticipating Plum's reaction.
Arat intends to make it quick, sudden and not allow any time for the build up of hysterics.
Arat still hasn't decided which channel should get stuck with the gig, though.
Arat finds it regrettable that the channel most suited for the job is the one channel who really shouldn't be given it.
Borgmann is, unfortunately for him, possessed of a conscience which will not allow him to stay away while the consequences of his decisions play out.
Borgmann: If you will give me sufficient notice, I will attempt to persuade Plum to bathe ahead of time.
Arat frowns.
Arat: It is probably not wise for you to continue to maintain close contact with him, if either you or he find it unbearably unpleasant.
Arat thought the same about himself and Pylor at times, but this was mostly ignored by those in charge.
Arat: I would suggest obtaining the services of a caretaker Plum will find acceptable. One of your other Gen prisoners, for example.
Arat will leave it to Borgmann to decide whether any of them are suitable.
Borgmann: I will consider such a step. I am not certain that I will find many volunteers.
Borgmann: The other two cells have been used mainly as a drunk tank, you see, and Plum has felt it his moral duty to lecture their occupants at length on their immoral conduct.
Borgmann: Word has gotten out.
Arat: If you are unable to find a Gen in this area who is willing to help, I can provide a Donor to assist him. However, I think you should not have trouble finding one.
Arat thinks, if he tries.
Arat is a firm believer in the strength of the get-paid-to-give-a-damn plan.
Arat: It is our aim to keep him in reasonable health until his trial, which should be a fair one.
Arat: If you are unable to remain objective, for whatever reason, it is acceptable and in fact preferable to distance yourself from the matter so long as you are able to maintain control of it.
Borgmann: I know. But he used to be my friend, and he has never required a friend more.
Arat has been stepping somewhat out of his area of authority -- and indeed in his level of association with Borgmann -- in offering as much advice as he has, but it is obvious Borgmann requires it.
Borgmann: I am concerned that he will not receive a fair trial--in fact, I'm not sure that a fair trial is possible.
Borgmann: Not when the law here, and the law in Salmonton, are so different on this issue.
Arat: His crime occurred here.
Arat: He will be tried according to our laws.
Arat: That is how it has always been, even in Ancient times.
Borgmann: Yes. And it will not matter whether he knew our laws, or whether everything he has learned about moral and legal behavior demanded what we regard as criminal behavior.
Borgmann: There isn't any other way to handle such matters, realistically.
Borgmann: I even agree that it is the best and only solution.
Arat: It is also the fairest solution, according to centuries of law tradition.
Arat: Tradition which is shared by Gen Territory. [adds]
Arat has unfortunately learned quite a bit about Border law since arriving here. He even has an immense tome on the subject sitting on the corner of his desk where it can be easily reached.
Borgmann: Still, I can't help feeling that no matter what the court eventually decides, the process can't deliver justice to all concerned.
Arat: If you are referring to Wise Snake Farris, that is a separate matter
Arat: Malpractice is an internal Tecton selyn branch issue and will be dealt with accordingly.
Borgmann: You have been able to determine that it was Wise Snake Farris who was responsible for taking Plum's donation, then?
Arat: She has admitted as much.
Borgmann: And the circumstances?
Borgmann: Was it done without his knowledge and consent, as he claims?
Arat: It was.
Borgmann: Did... did she say why she did such a thing? And why she picked Plum for her victim?
Borgmann is aware that he is not necessarily on the "must know" list for such information, but the questions have been bothering him since Plum first came into his custody.
Arat considers how much he should tell Borgmann.
Arat: She indicated that she felt it would, and I quote, "keep things interesting" if Plum remained in the camps to spread his gospel.
Arat: She said she had not predicted that he would be imprisoned, nor that he would make a murder attempt.
Arat: She took his papers to prevent his leaving, and took down his field so he would be legal.
Arat: She said she did the latter as an afterthought, and that... [hesitates]
Arat decides he can do no more than to tell the complete truth.
Arat: ... She said that it occurred at night because that is when it occurred to her to do it.
Borgmann's jaw drops.
Borgmann: Does that mean that if she had thought of it during the day, she would simply have attacked him?
Arat: It is not possible to take down a person's field in an attack setting, not without injuring them.
Arat finds it difficult to believe a renSime who has spent any time at all in Sime Territory would not know this.
Borgmann wonders, then, how Arat intends to see that Plum's field is lowered, at the proper time.
Borgmann decides that there are some things it is simply not necessary for a renSime to know.
Borgmann: Of course.
Borgmann: Have there been any official responses or complaints from Salmonton with regards to Plum's incarceration?
Arat looks puzzled.
Arat: None have been received by my office.
Arat should think they would have been received by IDAS.
Borgmann notes Arat's puzzlement.
Borgmann: I have noticed that out-Territory Gens are often unclear as to where the lines of authority are drawn, within our government.
Borgmann: When in doubt, they are likely to address matters to the Tecton, simply because the selyn-delivery system is most familiar to them.
see note 1
Notes:
1) This scene was never finished. [return]
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