luministi | ❧ Time is Running Out

Entry tags:

❧ Time is Running Out

[while the music still plays, the two voices beyond the door finally stop arguing for a moment. if anyone is listening, they can hear this:]

[the first voice is obviously Resarci's--accented as always. his tone is firm] I think I've said all that I can.

[the other person sighs wearily. as he begins to speak, it becomes obvious that this is Mayor Caligin, though there is no trace of his usually-cheerful tone] I know, Ernesto, but I still cannot believe they... [he trails off] I never thought it would come to this.

[there is sympathy in Resarci's tone, but that firmness doesn't fade] Neither did I, but it doesn't change what's most important here. The project must be successful. As it is now, the subjects are too unwilling for our testing to proceed as planned.

[he pauses] Yes. Yes...you're right. [sighs again, and there is a beeping sound, followed by humming]

What is it you have done?

Only put up a barrier. They cannot reach you this way.

Ohhh! Brilliant, Constantine--as always. [his tone picks up with excitement] Now, shall we initiate the protocol? It will bring the project back on track. I guarantee!

[Caligin's tone, however, is subdued] Not quite yet.

[confused] But...why wait?

I want to speak to them first. After...everything, I owe them that much.

If you insist, Constantine, but remember--it is for the good of the project.

[a brief pause before Caligin says] Of course.

Then we shall talk again when it is done. I must prepare! [footsteps are heard against the floor, fading into the distance]

[suddenly, the doors fly open and happy, bright music practically bursts out, along with puffs of white confetti from two confetti guns. inside is a grand ballroom with expensive, vast crystal chandeliers hanging along the ceiling and around each one are swathes of white cloth tied off to give the whole room the feel of being in a giant tent. white and yellow rose bouquets in grand vases in the shape of lions bookend rows of chairs facing a flowered trellis, and beneath it is--Mayor Caligin himself.]

[only...while color floods the entire ballroom, Caligin is physically in grayscale, just like every broadcast of his has been. he extends his arms, grinning at the people in the room beyond and starts to speak.]

Welcome and hello to my most illustrious citizens! I hope you have enjoyed your stay in my humble abode. The joyous occasion you have been waiting for has finally arrived--!

--Is what I would love to say. [his smile fades as he steps down away from the trellis] However, there won't be any such ceremony today. What a shame, too. [he clicks a button on a small remote in his hand, and everything but the chairs shimmers and dissolves, the music stopping, revealing thousands of security screens set all around the room, each one watching a spot in town or inside the mayoral house itself. just in front of Caligin, however, a sheen like an oily spot can be seen stretching from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling.]

I am--[he pauses for a moment]--disappointed it has come to this. We could have done so much good for so many people together... [he glances down at the remote in his hand] But I'm afraid it is time to say good-bye.

[ooc: You heard the Mayor--this is your one chance to speak to him. He is about to initiate a protocol recommended by Resarci. What he actually does comes down to all of you and your actions right now. This plot will run for one week real-time, during which characters can speak to the Mayor on this post. This is it, citizens! Can you convince the Mayor not to do what Resarci is planning? And as for what that is...well, hopefully, you won't have to see.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Fuu gapes back at him. Does he not realize how fundamentally wrong bringing the dead back to life is? How can they possibly convince him to stop? He's acting like- like... an unwitting child. A boy with a very deep regret, to risk everything to bring back his father like this.]

Mayor. Please explain to us how this all came about. How was Mister Charles Caligin so important to you that you have done this for his sake?

You've heard most of it already. [he begins to pace, eyeing every one of them as he goes, but not with anything even close to malice; just disappointment] My father was one of the greatest scientific minds of our age--or he could have been. It is the results of his research and development that created much of what you saw and used in the town. Even down to most of the terraforming techniques... Our--[he stops himself]--my organization here is employing these techniques elsewhere, helping new colonies start up and prosper in environments that wouldn't have otherwise been able to sustain human life.

But this genius and recognition belongs to him, not me. I, as his son, had to complete his work, but it doesn't feel right to take the credit. He should have been allowed to see the fruits of his labor.

[his expression screws up as he spits out:] But instead, he died in that horrific fire. How was that fair?! Don't you see, why wouldn't that brilliant man be important to me? He was my father.

[pauses, forcing himself to calm down] But you're right, Mister Hawk. Nothing is free in this world. That is why I have utilized the funding from Ernesto Resarci.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[So it's not just any regret the Mayor carries. Fuu takes a step forward in compassion at the hurt in the Mayor's face, but the sheen of the barrier makes her aware that she should still stay back - reminds her that there is still a puzzle to put together, and Resarci is waiting in the wings.]

[Resarci. At the edge of her mind a possibility comes. But she has to be certain. Absolutely certain. As one who had been manipulated before.]

Yes. Doctor Resarci. If you could please tell how it all started, the partnership with him?

[for his part, Hawk goes solemn.] I do see. And I'm sorry.

Do you know what caused it?

[nods to Fuu, and looks at the Mayor] And what does he want in return? [and a headshake] But I wasn't thinking just about money. What does it take to revive someone?

[he merely nods in acknowledgement to their apologies] No, I don't. If I knew...perhaps I would have found some form of closure.

Ernesto and I went to the same university. Our parents knew each other professionally, but we'd never truly met until that point in our lives. His family were the funders of my father's work, and Ernesto and I had developed a nice rapport, so naturally, when I began my own projects, he was my backer.

And naturally, he wishes for the same things I do. To see the revival of a loved one. As for what it takes...hardly anything at all. The process is simple, but extremely expensive.

[A nice rapport. His backer. The revival of two loved ones. Fuu shakes her head slightly. Something is still not lining up right with this. There is something she is missing. She glances at the Doctor, recalling his advice. "The devil is in the detail, they say, but don't get too caught up in them that you can no longer see the forest for the trees." But it will take time to figure it all out. She needs to make sure Resarci's 'protocol' won't harm anyone before that.]

Mayor, I'm not sure if you remember but I sent you a message once. That if you would but meet with us, I'm confident that you will find us to be the outstanding residents you wished for this community, offering you our skills and knowledge. Well, here we are.

Please, won't you tell doctor Resarci to hold off on what he wants to do to us? Give us some time to understand and help you, face-to-face?

Of course I do remember, Miss Hououji. I personally answered that message myself. And you should know that this is not Ernesto's decision. It is mine. I am the head of this project and always have been.

I am right here, in front of you. Your plea right now puzzles me.

Nobody could find anything? It seems a little suspicious. Some rival, perhaps?

I don't suppose you could tell us about the process.

Well. People have died, during this time in the town. Who's to say other… 'disagreeable elements' might not be erased? [it's not really a smile, and it doesn't reach his eyes.] People do become angry when they feel they're being kept out of the loop.

Like I said, Mister Hawk, I do not know the cause of it, nor whether it was accidental or otherwise. It is inconsequential. Knowing that it was an accident or caused by someone who wished to set it on fire does not bring my father back to life.

You can suppose, but you are not ready to hear about the process just yet. Even I am unsure of certain elements of it, so why explain when there are gaps in my knowledge?

And spare me your threats. I was told the deaths were necessary to root out our mole problem. It was...admittedly, rather extreme, which is why I allowed the man publicly accused of the murders to go free. You all knew him as Deputy Drew. That young man is with his family, safe and sound.

No. But if justice needed to be served… [he shrugs.]

It would make it difficult to help. [and now that the Mayor's said that, Hawk looks worried] Can you be sure it will go well? What if something went wrong?

I'm sorry? [blinks, genuinely confused] Ahhh, no- [his hands come up and spread out in apology] that wasn't my intended meaning at all! No, it seemed that- maybe if we were going to be so upset about it, we could be- removed from the scenario. [a worried smile] If people were killed just trying to get to that troublemaker… that's how it seemed.

But I'm glad to hear that. It wouldn't be fair to condemn an innocent man. Did he… know?

Something has already gone wrong if you haven't noticed. My gathering you all in one place and having to come to the decision to reset the project...

But I'm afraid your presence here was necessary. I was told that with continuing to put you through those last few rounds of tests, we would force our mole's hand, but that person has been careful. [softly, almost to himself] And even turned my daughter against me...

Reset? [frowns, eyebrows drawing together] Why do you need to do that? The mole?

How so?

I'm sure she's just worried about you. Children care about their parents, too, after all.

To start over again, of course. That is what a 'reset' is. Only it won't be a true reset. I wouldn't employ my daughter, Miss Osculia, or that woman, Miss Ardes.

[looks slightly confused] How has that person, the mole, been careful? You tell me. Always managing to send out messages that we've been unable to trace, passing along items that you oughtn't to have.

[quietly] Worried...

[goes slightly pale] We'd have to realise that we were removed from our own worlds all over again?

To keep them out of the way for their own good? Or because it bothers you too much? [a quirked eyebrow] What is Miss Ardes' connection to you?

I'm not sure I know enough about the workings of this world to really say! [assuming it wouldn't be bad practice to talk about tricks of the trade, anyway…] Some sleight of hand, perhaps? Or maybe misdirection.

[softer, but still so the Mayor will hear] Maybe you should take some time away from this project to spend with her. She's your daughter, after all. If she got into trouble, you'd want to be there to help her, too, right?

[...What?]
[She tries very hard to not look at Miss Osculia. This is probably bad.]

Ah, well, it's not the first time I have puzzled you with my requests then. However, the only reply I've ever received directly from you was the introductory video about Luministi. All of my other messages received replies from Miss Osculia. I can show you my CAT, if you like. [She feels badly about saying so, but there is no helping it.]
If I may, what was your reply to that particular message?

And, I'm very pleased to hear that you are the head of this project. [At least, better in his hands than that of the known murderer?]

[And time to come clean about eavesdropping. (Not like he couldn't have seen her at the door on one of those cameras...)]
My plea has to do with what I heard just before you appeared, Mayor. Doctor Resarci said that he would initiate a protocol that would 'put the project back on track'. If I may say so, sir, the sound of that makes me nervous. You already have such control over us as to make us all fall asleep in an instant. What does this protocol involve?

[ooc: sorry for slipping from continuity with Hawk!]

Keep your CAT. I had Miss Osculia send those messages for me because I did not wish to speak with you further. However, from what I remember of your particular queries, you had asked about the application process and a "tall man in a black suit with a black hat". I will tell you that "application" process is at random. If you were with a group of friends, one of them might have been chosen, but instead, you were. And sadly, I am unable to tell you more about that person. He--or she, though for the sake of argument, I will refer to that person as 'he'--and I have not met for more than a second. All our communication has been over the phone. It is with his help that I was able to finally achieve what I wished to complete this project.

You misheard our conversation. "We" would initiate the protocol, not just him. I am...just as complicit in this whole ordeal, but if I choose to go forth with it...we get to start over. Another clean slate.

[Did not want to speak with her further--?
Well, at least this saves her having to ask specifically about the man in the black suit, thankfully...]

I see. And what about the offer for us to volunteer our help with your project, instead of being subjects in it?

[Far be it for Fuu to get angry, but she's feeling pretty close right now. This darn side-stepping...! She tries to keep her voice calm despite the shock of his words.]

Clean slate?! What will happen to us?

I'm afraid that time has passed. [he sounds disappointed] You know too much.

[wearily] My dear girl, think what the term "clean slate" means. It means a fresh start; one free of any and all prejudices. Meaning that should I choose, you will remember nothing of this encounter. None of you would remember this meeting or anything that has happened since your arrival here. In a sense, you would be arriving again for what would be, to you, the first time.

[The mere thought of staying here indefinitely, going through this again is suffocating. Her family, her friends, all worried about her. No way to tell them what has happened. She has got to break free from this.]

[Shaking her head slowly she tries to gather her thoughts.]

We know too much? Why does the testing have to be done with us ignorant of it? I don't understand why you wouldn't accept knowing, voluntary assistance.

[A wan smile and heavy tone] A clean slate... Certainly you must know that we would end up in the same situation again. We will keep trying to resist the unknown thing that is happening to us, and you'll have to keep using resources just to keep us in line, never mind advancing your research.
...More people might die.

[sadly] For my own conscience, it needs to be.

[he doesn't continue speaking for a good minute or so, looking as though he's lost in thought] I think I've heard all that I needed to hear from you--unless you have one last thing you needed to tell or ask me?

[... Well, that is incredibly selfish, but honest. So he does, on some level, understand what he is putting them through if he needs to hide from a guilty conscience.]

[Fuu regards him thoughtfully for the time that he seems to be thinking something over. Could it be that she and the others have gotten through to him?]

[bows] I will take the opportunity, if you please. I can only ask for you to consider thoughtfully all that has happened, and all you have been told. You have been on the path of this project for several years and I understand your mind may not be completely changed in the short time you've talked with us. But I speak from bitter experience when I say that the end that you expect to see may not be the end that others are seeing and working towards.
So please, be cautious and take the time to look over everything once more and think well upon it.

...And, my family-- [her voice becomes thick with emotion] If you persist with us staying here... if it is within your power, please at least tell my family I'm still alive.

[She bows again at the end, and the tears welling in her eyes fall onto her glasses. They are all powerless to stop the Mayor from doing as he wishes, but by words to change his mind. She wonders if it was enough.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

❧ Time is Running Out

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject