Luministi Mods (
luministimods) wrote in
luministi2010-09-25 09:44 pm
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❧ 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.]
[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.]
no subject
[frowns] Mayor. With all this… are you looking after yourself?
no subject
[okay, he can't ignore that now. curiously:] Of course I am. I have always been in the peak of health.
no subject
Are you sure? It's just- you're looking a little out of sorts. Or out of place, perhaps. I'm sure those who care for you would worry when they saw you.
no subject
Ah, I see. You mean my current state in the realm of gray, yes? Do not be worried about that. I'm truly, perfectly fine--and they do know it, as well.
no subject
Mayor, if I may ask- what caused it? I've never seen anything quite like it.
Have you spoken to them about it? Miss Osculia seemed rather bothered by something.
no subject
My state has been the resulting effect of something I wished to test. Another phase of the project, if you will. And of course I've spoken with my people. My dear Miss Osculia is distraught by something else, no doubt. Always did worry far too much...
no subject
She seemed rather concerned by you, to tell the truth. The impression I had was that you were a person who cared greatly for people, but perhaps a little too focused on something other than people at the moment. When was it you spoke with them?
no subject
I spoke with them just before I released them from their rooms. We do have these handy communications devices.
no subject
Ah, of course. I don't think it's the same as meeting people face-to-face, though. What about the rest of the people in town?
no subject
The rest of the people are hired staff. We haven't told them anything about the project; only that they are to keep on doing what they're doing--for a very handsome fee.
no subject
…I see. So they don't have much connection to each other… [not an idea he finds entirely comfortable.] And they're satisfied with that?