luministi | ❧ 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

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.]

❧ Time is Running Out

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject