You haven't met your vampire yet.
You aren't a vampire yourself... yet.
Hell, you don't even know there are Vampires yet.
And you sure don't realize you're going to be recruited in a vampire war.
The sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky, and the monsters are at rest. Savor your remaining days, you'll be joining their numbers soon.
Bubble Headed Bleach Blonde, comes on the news at five.... talks about the plane crash with a gleam in her eye, it's interesting when people die, give us dirty laundry...
If that song wasn't so old, one might think they were talking about Denise Richardson, who even now reading the teleprompter in front of the camera, "We're used to the Central City area of Phoenix having a high crime rate, but the rash of strange murders in the Encanto area is on the rise." A picture of a pale slim man on the screen, something taken from the guy's social media post no doubt "Office Worker Jeff Glenner was found with his throat slashed out with what is believed to be a large sharp razor. Police confirm he is the third victim of what some folks are already calling the Encanto Bleeder. All three victims have been male, white, and slim in build. "
Ah, here's where she starts to sell it and put more than fear into people, the camera zooms in on her "But is the so called Mainstream media mentioning that on other channels? That white men can also be the victims of sick and twisted murders that show signs of being hate crimes? Men who are fathers, brothers, and sons? Or does that not fit the agenda that folks expect YOU to swallow every day."
She says it with such outrage, manufactured outrage, but outrage. The best her acting skills can manage as she turns a horrible set of murders into a selling point to stroke fears of the other, and feelings of victimization among the mostly Caucasian viewers. She doesn't mention, for example, that one of the victims is a very pale Latino man. The Spanish speaking community comes in all colors, not that she's going to share anything that undercuts an 'us vs them' situation.
Lawrence gets to edit all this. He knows Denise is extra touchy about 'looking fat' so she may be dropping by after this to micromanage, despite the fact that's not her place or position.
The Rip House has seen better days. The tables are stained, chairs are chipped, and they're probably watering down the drinks just to deal with financial loss, but one area they don't skimp is the talent. Which is one reason the Chain-Breakers are doing their music here.
"I negotiated a pretty good rate for us, " Natalie tells you and Kevin as you guys have a moment alone in a back room, "Frankly, I think this place won't be here in a year and a half, but right now, let's milk it and drink it"
"Oh it's not so bad, sure seems nicer than those A-Holes we worked for in North Vegas, " Kevin reminds, "Remember that show, Bones?"
You may recall someone calling Natalie the N word when she pointed out the payment had come up short, and you took.... action.
"Yeah, we won't be working that place anytime soon again," Natalie comments "Not that we want to. " She can take care of herself, but a part of her might be kind of impressed by Michael's reaction on some level. Even if she did almost have to post bail.
Michael flexes his knuckles at the mention of North Vegas. "Hoo, I definitely remember. Punched that a*@+@@!'s birthday clean out of his head." He grimly chuckles with a look towards Natalie.
She absolutely didn't deserve that. Serves that drunk f*!$head right.
"The owner didn't give you any trouble, did he, Nat?" Michael's smirk turns into a concerned frown.
Michael flexes his knuckles at the mention of North Vegas. "Hoo, I definitely remember. Punched that a&@&!##'s birthday clean out of his head." He grimly chuckles with a look towards Natalie.
She absolutely didn't deserve that. Serves that drunk f@+$head right.
"The owner didn't give you any trouble, did he, Nat?" Michael's smirk turns into a concerned frown.
"The owner here ? Nah, the Rip House maybe skimping in other areas but not in paying us. Got the money up front." She touches your arm and Kevin's arm at the same time, "Taking care of my beaus. I am a bit worried about the lighting in here... not that it's dim, but the stage lights are a bit old. Not that affects the sound."
Kevin ponders "Old how?"
"Sometimes the left one flickers..." Natalie explains, "They can't afford a new one right now."
Bubble Headed Bleach Blonde, comes on the news at five.... talks about the plane crash with a gleam in her eye, it's interesting when people die, give us dirty laundry...
...
Lawrence gets to edit all this. He knows Denise is extra touchy about 'looking fat' so she may be dropping by after this to micromanage, despite the fact that's not her place or position.
Lawrence gets up from his desk and grabs a soda from the minifridge. His cavities can attest to the damage of a sugar heavy diet, but he's in no mood to try to be healthy.
Christ.Three murders in Encanto and she's playing it for spin.
When Lawrence started working here....well they still would have played it for spin but it would have been more subtle at least. He hates to admit it, even to himself, but sex scandal be damned, he missed the days of ol' Steven the Sniffer. Steven was never a good person, but at least he wasn't an a&##%&! at work, at least not to him, or any other man.
Lawrence chugged the Voltage and threw it haphazardly at the trash can.
Any minute now she's going to storm in here and call me some new string of adjectives for "lazy and incompetent" like she has the right.
Lawrence knew he technically didn't have to listen to her, but it's like how you technically don't have to get rained on in a storm. If he can stay out of the way, then it's aces. If not. Storm Time.
"Oh?" Michael tilts his head.
"Well, maybe that'll help with the ambience. 'Cog in the Machine' hits harder when the lights don't quite work right--y'know, powering the Machine's light at the expense of your own?"
Lawrence chugged the Voltage and threw it haphazardly at the trash can.
The clatter of the Voltage drink hitting the can rattles as it bangs and falls in.
"Good throw" A voice says and for a moment you're worried it's Denise ALREADY. But no, the voice has genuine warmth. And you turn to see Mei Nguyen. She has her reporter clothes on, practical enough for her to do field reporting, but flattering enough for the camera requirements. She's pretty, not supermodel hot, but with a real smile that makes rooms brighter. She's not smiling now as she apologizes. "Sorry, ducked in here so I didn't lose my cool with the bosses. They won't let me on this serial killer story, not yet anyway. And it sucks, because we might be able to find something the police need to know to catch him... or her."
"Oh?" Michael tilts his head.
"Well, maybe that'll help with the ambience. 'Cog in the Machine' hits harder when the lights don't quite work right--y'know, powering the Machine's light at the expense of your own?"
Kevin nods seeing where you're going with this, "Maybe we could tweak it if they let us? get it more like a poor man's strobe? Or put some colored plastic over it ... red?"
"That COULD look pretty wicked,"Natalie nods to you both thinking it over, then she winks at you, "You might look like the devil himself."
"Something like that, yeah." Michael nods, the idea already setting a fire in his eyes. He gets up and starts looking for stuff that'll make the malfunctioning stage light into something that'll really enhance the show!
"Something like that, yeah." Michael nods, the idea already setting a fire in his eyes. He gets up and starts looking for stuff that'll make the malfunctioning stage light into something that'll really enhance the show!
[dice=Intelligence + Technology]2d10+1d10
With a vision to follow and passion to burn, and no small amount of brain power thanks, you tinker and work with Kevin to make it happen. Soon you two have a poor man's effect lighting that should strobe and yeah, you can put those cheap color plastic sheets over it to change the lighting between songs if you want.
"Oh this is gonna be sweet" Kevin grins like a kid at Christmas.
"And so very sexy," Natalie agrees. "So you guys want some food brought in, or should we rehearse before the big show?"
Michael thinks for a bit. "I feel like I'd rather get some rehearsing done before the doors open. What about you guys?"
Michael thinks for a bit. "I feel like I'd rather get some rehearsing done before the doors open. What about you guys?"
" Sounds good. I can think other things we three could do in the time," Natalie smiles at you both "But not on stage."
Kevin nods sagely ,"Yes, people can't afford the glory that is the viewing of our bare asses. They'll have to settle for music."
Natalie snorts indelicately, and flirting aside, the three of you rehearse. It's a good way to get your second sound check, run that new 'light' trick through the ringer, and yeah, get the kinks out. Acoustics here are surprisingly good. And you're feeling it.
Soon though, the crowd is rolling in, and it's almost dark. A few goths, a few biker types, but mostly punks. Some old punks, some newer blood, and you notice from your viewing spot in the back stage area a pretty diverse showing period. Not like Phoenix is podunk after all.
You do notice one table, close up front, isn't being taken by anyone. Almost as if it's reserved. And this doesn't seem to be a reserved seating kind of place.
Lawrence darts his eyes all around the room trying in vain to catch that damned shadow.
The temperature in Lawrence's head begins to rise.
They've found me. They know I know too much.
"You're n-not going to ask me to act as b-bait are you?"
Lawrence plays off his rising state with a joke, and reaches into his chest pocket for a cigarette, and puts it to his mouth. His right eye winces hard, then twitches as he catches a glimpse of the No Smoking sign.
[dice=Perception+Awareness]3d10+3d10
Lawrence darts his eyes all around the room trying in vain to catch that damned shadow.
The temperature in Lawrence's head begins to rise.
They've found me. They know I know too much.
[dice=Willpower]7d10
"You're n-not going to ask me to act as b-bait are you?"
Lawrence plays off his rising state with a joke, and reaches into his chest pocket for a cigarette, and puts it to his mouth. His right eye winces hard, then twitches as he catches a glimpse of the No Smoking sign.
Mei takes the joke how it was intended, "Never... you're my venting buddy here at work. I can't risk losing that." She's a warm gentle soul and makes no mention of his stutter, she does however notice him reaching for his cigarettes, and his glance to the sign, "Have you considered vapping to try to wean off? I'm not a fan of either but I hear some folks use it for that?"
Mei is kind enough to set almost anyone at ease. But Lawrence swears he sees a lock of her hair fall to the side, as if a breeze had caught it for a second, or as if someone were running fingers through the field reporter's hair. But there's no breeze in here.
And the normally perceptive Mei doesn't notice that her hair shifted. He's sure it wasn't like that.
Almost sure.
Dylan, while you enjoy competition, it's not the wrestling mat that you feel happiest. And it's not the class room, though you've surprised yourself how well you've done in a few classes. You're not dumb, but Kelly makes stuff look easy.
Nope, you might feel happiest here, under a greasy oily wreck of a machine as you lovingly help your boss , Jerry Collada, bring an old Thunderbird back to life. Last piece in nice and tight, you slide out from under.
"Let's give her a test," Jerry grins, and leans into the car and turns the key. The low smooth rumble of the engine is music to the ears, "Back when Ford could still make something that lasts. Eh?" He grins then says "Ah, you might want to clean up. Don't want to be late for that college class of yours."
Late? You glance over at the wall clock. Crap! Jerry may have given you time to get to your night class with the Professor, but not much. One advantage to it was it let you have more time to work during the day but Philosophy elective or not, you still need to be there. If traffic is too slow you could be late.
Mei takes the joke how it was intended, "Never... you're my venting buddy here at work. I can't risk losing that." She's a warm gentle soul and makes no mention of his stutter, she does however notice him reaching for his cigarettes, and his glance to the sign, "Have you considered vapping to try to wean off? I'm not a fan of either but I hear some folks use it for that?"
Mei is enough to set almost anyone at ease. But Lawrence swears he sees a lock of her hair fall to the side, as if a breeze had caught it for a second, or as if someone were running fingers through the field reporter's hair. But there's no breeze in here.
And the normally perceptive Mei doesn't notice that her hair shifted. He's sure it wasn't like that.
Almost sure.
"Vaping? N-no. I prefer tar to holes in my lungs. Besides looks c-cooler."
Lawrence scans her hair and face attentively, then turns to his screen, which displays the editing software currently loaded with a shot of Denise.
"What do you think, does the camera add t-10, 12, or 15 pounds today?.
"Vaping? No. I prefer tar to holes iny lungs. Besides looks cooler."
Lawrence scans her hair and face attentively, then turns to his screen, which displays the editing software currently loaded with a shot of Denise.
"What do you think, does the camera add 10, 12, or 15 pounds today?.
Mei chuckles at your offer, "So tempted to tell you to shoot the works today, but she is REALLY in a mood and you might want to go light or even skip it. I swear that woman's a monster. Did you hear the bile she was selling? Of course you did. Sorry."
As if summoned , the door opens and in comes Denise, "Lawrence, I swear to god if you can't get the simplest editing job done right this time I am going to STAND on you so hard you'll.. oh, hi, Mei." Denise turns back to you "Watch the camera setting and angles, it's making me look like a weak willed fatso!"
Mei clears her throat, "Obesity is a problem in America, but it's a bit more complicated than weak will. America has an overload of sugar in our diet... I did that report on school lunches remember? It starts young."
Denise gestures in the long out dated 'talk to the hand' motion to Mei "Yeah, sure, slobs are slobs, Mei. And weak wills abound. I don't hit the gym every weekend because I LIKE it." And a look at Lawrence, "And watch the lighting, I don't want to look washed out. I swear that make up girl is a twit."
"Crap Mr. Collada, time moves fast when you're having a good time. Too bad I can't take this bad boy, I'd make it on time for sure.
Still, I appreciate you helpin' me fix that old IROC Z, don't see any of those on campus these days!
I'll be back tomorrow morning and we can work on that '60s Chrysler, love those old boats".
Dylan washes his hands with the Lava soap, but of course you never gel all the grease off that first go round. Throwing off the overalls Dylan jumps in his IROC and revs the engine. This thing sounds a hell of a lot better than it did when I first found it on cinder blocks in that customer's driveway. Totally worth the effort!
Dylan peels out and heads for class. The one thing about old cars is that they're just not built for modern conveniences so Dylan has to dial his cell the hard way. He rings Kelly to see what she's doing for dinner tonight.
A familiar flutter twists in Michael's gut as showtime approaches. The Rip House fills up with guests--some goths, a couple of bikers, but mostly young blood and old guard punks. The drinks are already going around.
Dammit, why do I always get these f*#@ing jitters before showtime?! I've done this before, lots of times--you'd think I'd be used to it by now!
"Ladies & Gentlemen..." The MC's voice comes on over the mic. "...are you m*%%@+@%@@%&s all ready to make some noise?!"
The crowd responds with a roar.
"I SAID, ARE YOU READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE?!" The MC yells into the mic.
Another, stronger roar from the crowd.
"COME ON ALREADY!"
"LET'S GO! LET'S GO! LET'S F%+!ING GO!"
"GET ON WITH IT!" One of the older punks calls out with a sneer.
"Then give it up for... THE CHAIN-BREAKERS!" The MC yells back, his grin audible through the mic.
The Chain-Breakers take the stage--Kevin on drums, Natalie on bass, and Michael himself front and centre. He looks over the taunting crowd with a sneer of his own...
...and violently strums his guitar.
After that, the music practically flows from his heart, through his fingers and out through his guitar. Lyrics of conquering pain and the irrefutable language of violence mesh with the roaring symphonic cacophony of electric guitar, the relentless pounding bassline and a drumbeat as steady and implacable as the march of time.
Suffice to say, the roof of the Rip House isn't 'blown off' so much as 'nuked to oblivion'.
Denise gestures in the long out dated 'talk to the hand' motion to Mei "Yeah, sure, slobs are slobs, Mei. And weak wills abound. I don't hit the gym every weekend because I LIKE it." And a look at Lawrence, "And watch the lighting, I don't want to look washed out. I swear that make up girl is a twit."
Lawrence scans Denise and scans her scowl for the supposed makeup mishap.
"I'll have to c-color correct it but that's nothing to do with your m-makeup. L-lighting department got shorted in the l-last budget"Lawrence glances to Mei for a a relief from staring into the inferno of Denise's eyes.
"You know, this s-serial killer has got to be g-good for the ratings. I'm surp-prised they don't want our intrepid field reporter on the case. Hell Denise, with enough coverage this might be big enough to push you out of local into regional.
Dylan peels out and heads for class. The one thing about old cars is that they're just not built for modern conveniences so Dylan has to dial his cell the hard way. He rings Kelly to see what she's doing for dinner tonight.
"Hey bro," Clearly she recognized your phone number, "You're calling while driving again aren't you? Otherwise I assume you'd text like a normal person. Look, I can't talk long. I'm being pulled into a concert by a friend. Punk's not my scene but the band has good word and Eve really wants to go. It's about to start and it's getting loud. These guys better be good or the crowd will kill them. OH HEY, what are you doing for dinner after your class? " You're having a hard time getting a word in edge wise, "You want to join Eve and I at 9 at the Dip Ship?" Naming a restaurant that boasts the best dipping foods around. Basically it's a diner with a gimmick but your sister likes it.
You're getting closer to the campus, thank goodness traffic was reasonable
After that, the music practically flows from his heart, through his fingers and out through his guitar. Lyrics of conquering pain and the irrefutable language of violence mesh with the roaring symphonic cacophony of electric guitar, the relentless pounding bassline and a drumbeat as steady and implacable as the march of time.
Suffice to say, the roof of the Rip House isn't 'blown off' so much as 'nuked to oblivion'.
There are no sneers now, as the audience erupts like zoo animals at feeding team after a week of skipped meals! It's like you and your band mates are the new holy trinity for them!
As you drink in the worship of the crowd, you notice that once empty table has three people that somehow slipped in. One woman at the table is gazing at Natalie like she was a human nightfall, full of the milkway in all it's cosmic glory. She's gorgeous herself, more glam rock than Punk but what a body! Platinum blonde with ice blue eyes. Next to her is a Latino man with a truly cool mohawk, a Los Crudos T shirt that's faded enough to be original, and has tattoos up his arms that are truly well done. He's grinning at you and nodding and yelling "#$## Yeah!"
The third guy has a mullet, shaggy hair, and a leather jacket and jeans. he kind of screams vanilla but is accepted by the others.
"Yeah sis. See you then, have fun, what the hell band is it anyway?" Dylan yells into the phone as the engine roars beneath him.
He pulls onto campus, grabs his back pack and heads to class. Dylan knows he smells like oil and dirt but what can you do?
Lawrence scans Denise and scans her scowl for the supposed makeup mishap.
"I'll have to c-color correct it but that's nothing to do with your m-makeup. L-lighting department got shorted in the l-last budget"
Lawrence glances to Mei for a a relief from staring into the inferno of Denise's eyes.
"You know, this s-serial killer has got to be g-good for the ratings. I'm surp-prised they don't want our intrepid field reporter on the case. Hell Denise, with enough coverage this might be big enough to push you out of local into regional.
[dice=Manipulation+Expression]2d10
"Huh," Denise mmms, and looks over at Mei, then back at you again "You know, just when I think you're entirely useless you have an idea that doesn't completely suck. She takes the risk, I get the ratings. I'll run it by the big boys."
"If anyone can make it happen, it's you, Denise." Mei nods
"Damned straight," And Denise strides out , presumably to make it happen.
Once she's gone, Mei looks over at you, "I can't believe you just put Denise to helping me. You're amazing, Lawrence." A beat, "And to answer your original question? 12 pounds."
"Huh," Denise mmms, and looks over at Mei, then back at you again "You know, just when I think you're entirely useless you have an idea that doesn't completely suck. She takes the risk, I get the ratings. I'll run it by the big boys."
"If anyone can make it happen, it's you, Denise." Mei nods
"Damned straight," And Denise strides out , presumably to make it happen.
Once she's gone, Mei looks over at you, "I can't believe you just put Denise to helping me. You're amazing, Lawrence." A beat, "And to answer your original question? 12 pounds."
"Yeah I didn't really think that would w-work, just knew she was ambitious."
Lawrence turns back to his screen and begins the process of correcting the color away from "bunk-grade fluorescent yellow" and stretching the frame just slightly enough that management would never notice, but enough that Denise will."Besides, if it works, she l-leaves, and you might get anchor."
At the end of the show, Michael's heart is pounding with both musical mania and elation. He glances between Natalie, Kevin and the adoring crowd before looking at the curious trio that filled the empty table in front of the stage.
He nods before taking to the mic. "Thank you, Phoenix, Arizona!"
"Before we head out tonight, I have just one more thing to say to you all--fists up, fight the good fight, and be awesome to one another." He grins. "BECAUSE THE MAN HATES THAT WE'RE ALIVE!"
The man whimpers as you press him against a wall in the shadowy alleyway. You've been asked to ....deal with a problem, someone is trying to steal from the familia. You're not a member of it, but you do take odd jobs. And this thief has made the mistake of robbing account numbers to try to deliver to a rival.
If he had made it, he would have made a fortune. Now? Well, if he's smart he'll surrender to you and tell you where he put the stash. Your employer has left it up to you whether you just break a limb or kill him, as long as they get the suitcase of accounts back.
Morgrym holds the man against the wall and looks at him quietly staring at him for an uncomfortable silence.
you have things you care for attached to you. Give me the suitcase with the accounts and I won't remove them.
"Yeah sis. See you then, have fun, what the hell band is it anyway?" Dylan yells into the phone as the engine roars beneath him.
He pulls onto campus, grabs his back pack and heads to class. Dylan knows he smells like oil and dirt but what can you do?
"Chain-Breakers" Your sister answers yelling back. "See you then!"
With that call over, you slip into class looking for a seat. Professor Hugh Waret is said by some to look like a younger sexier Ben Kingsley, shaved head, dark goatee, piercing eyes. He moves along as he teaches philosophy.
"The Cyrenaics were of the belief that the only intrinsic good is pleasure, which meant not just the absence of pain, but positively enjoyable momentary sensations. In their view, physical ones are stronger than those of anticipation or memory. They did, however, see the value of social obligation, and that pleasure could be gained from altruism."
"In short, the idea that helping others could feed the ego, playing the hero can be rewarding because society praises you for it. We all want to please others because we want positive reactions. Of course, the danger there is, we can let them chain us on a subconscious level. Who here has someone they really want to please all the more because that person is so stingy WITH their approval?"
Some raise hands, a few nod and mutter. You've only been taking this class for a week to fill up a credit requirement, but it's really been interesting. All the more so because some of the stuff he says, if you look under the surface, seems to challenge a lot of traditional values. You think a few women in the class are really tempted to break a few rules with their professor, but that could just be gossip.
Oh crap, he caught you slipping in, but he chuckles, "How about you. Mr. Gantz. Anyone you find yourself eager to please but wish the pull wasn't so strong to do so? I won't take it personal if you say a certain college professor. I can be a pain I'm told."
A few chuckles there.
"Yeah I didn't really think that would w-work, just knew she was ambitious."
Lawrence turns back to his screen and begins the process of correcting the color away from "bunk-grade fluorescent yellow" and stretching the frame just slightly enough that management would never notice, but enough that Denise will.
"Besides, if it works, she l-leaves, and you might get anchor."
[dice=Intelligence+Computers]4d10+3d10
Your work goes smoothly, the adjustments precise enough to get that 'added pounds' look.
Mei admits sheepishly "I'd worry I'm taking advantage of you, but then I remember you want her gone too so not entirely for my sake." She admires your work, "Editor powers are scary. Fitting the world to your vision."
A voice whispers in your ear, or is it your mind? "Would you speak with the voice of a smaller god?"
At the end of the show, Michael's heart is pounding with both musical mania and elation. He glances between Natalie, Kevin and the adoring crowd before looking at the curious trio that filled the empty table in front of the stage.
He nods before taking to the mic. "Thank you, Phoenix, Arizona!"
"Before we head out tonight, I have just one more thing to say to you all--fists up, fight the good fight, and be awesome to one another." He grins. "BECAUSE THE MAN HATES THAT WE'RE ALIVE!"
There's an 'encore or we riot' moment but it's appeased and you and your band are truly triumphant.
And yet the two guys at the table are teasing the woman with them, even if they check you out too. It's hard to read what it is. You've seen lust, desire, hell half the women in the audience, and a quarter of the guys probably want you right now. Ditto for Keven, and Natalie? She could make a church girl reconsider some teachings. But there's something different about these three.
But the show is over, and unless you want to meet and greet anyone, time to head to your hotel or get some damned food in you.
Morgrym holds the man against the wall and looks at him quietly staring at him for an uncomfortable silence.
you have things you care for attached to you. Give me the suitcase with the accounts and I won't remove them.
"It's not mine anymore, I got robbed. I mean it. Guy mugged me 10 minutes before you caught me!" Is he lying? hard to say.
Mei admits sheepishly "I'd worry I'm taking advantage of you, but then I remember you want her gone too so not entirely for my sake." She admires your work, "Editor powers are scary. Fitting the world to your vision."
A voice whispers in your ear, or is it your mind? "Would you speak with the voice of a smaller god?"
A smaller god?
"Fitting the world to my v-vision, eh? Well at least within the confines of f-Phoenix area TVs. Like a sort of small god if that's what you meant."Lawrence digs through his pocket for his phone and begins swiping around.
"The price we p-pay for the knowledge of the information age, is the uncertainty that comes when it's rev-vealed how easily it can be m-manipulated. Listen to this."
Lawrence hits play on an audio file labled: DeniseSatan1.
"Hail Satan and f@&+ America." the recording repeats in Denise's voice.
"S-spliced this together as a little side project. I'm particularly p-proud of the f&!~ splice, had to combine "food and duck" but I think it turned out nice."
A smaller god?
"Fitting the world to my v-vision, eh? Well at least within the confines of f-Phoenix area TVs. Like a sort of small god if that's what you meant."
Lawrence digs through his pocket for his phone and begins swiping around.
"The price we p-pay for the knowledge of the information age, is the uncertainty that comes when it's rev-vealed how easily it can be m-manipulated. Listen to this."
Lawrence hits play on an audio file labled: DeniseSatan1.
"Hail Satan and f$*# America." the recording repeats in Denise's voice.
"S-spliced this together as a little side project. I'm particularly p-proud of the f$@+ splice, had to combine "food and duck" but I think it turned out nice."
Mei covers her mouth torn between being aghast and laughing her ass off. She chokes a bit then says, "Remind me NEVER to piss you off."
Then a voice calls down the hall "Nguyen? Station manager wants to see you."
Mei turns, "Wow, she may have gotten to them fast. Wish me luck." She waves to you and starts to turn. You have to be imagining it, the hair on back of her head blew up for a second, but there's no wind.
And she's gone, so why don't you feel alone?
Michael starts packing up his stuff. "Damn, I'm hungry..."
"Hey, uh, Kev? Nat? You guys wanna come with me to go get pizza?" He asks in between ogling his bandmates.
Mei covers her mouth torn between being aghast and laughing her ass off. She chokes a bit then says, "Remind me NEVER to piss you off."
Then a voice calls down the hall "Nguyen? Station manager wants to see you."
Mei turns, "Wow, she may have gotten to them fast. Wish me luck." She waves to you and starts to turn. You have to be imagining it, the hair on back of her head blew up for a second, but there's no wind.
And she's gone, so why don't you feel alone?
With the freshly edited segment set to render, Lawrence made his way out into the alley behind the building to get some fresh air, and turn it grey.
*spark*"Mmmm." he exclaims after inhaling and "Whhhhh" after exhaling the cig smoke.
They're monitoring me again. F%~$ing lizard people.
Another drag from the cigarette, he lets the smoke cover his eyes, as he flicks the ashes to the street.
These drones will never see it. Even if they stared them in the face as they stole their lover's skin and wore it for their own. Willful ignorance because it's easier that way. Adherence to the plan because it's all they know.
Lawrence stared into the darkness as his mind wandered onward, he ritually placed the glowing cig to his lips and breathed in his chosen poison. The ember hit the butt, the cig hit the floor, and Lawrence crushed it underfoot.
Well, there's nothing for it. They have their skinsuits, and I have mine.
Lawrence made for the back door.
dog ate your homework sort of guy, huh. Who would have guessed. Time to peel you like a banana
Morgrym pulls his "knife" from the back stealth which looks more like a machete because it is and his eyes go to a cold, distant, and empty place where there is no code but survival and doing what must be done.
"How about you. Mr. Gantz. Anyone you find yourself eager to please but wish the pull wasn't so strong to do so? I won't take it personal if you say a certain college professor. I can be a pain I'm told."...
Dylan sits down and shrugs, "Just one person, but he's not in this class Professor so no need to take it personally".
Michael starts packing up his stuff. "Damn, I'm hungry..."
"Hey, uh, Kev? Nat? You guys wanna come with me to go get pizza?" He asks in between ogling his bandmates.
Kevin is closest to you, taking loving care with the drum set, "Sure man, I gotta visit mom tomorrow. She knows I'm in town but tonight, pizza hits the spot."
It's then when you notice Natalie is... gone?
You look around and to the side you see her talking to that platinum blonde beauty that was at the table. The two seem really into each other, or at least you know when Natalie is stirred because you've been the spoon that stirred her.
As you approach, the ivory haired babe runs a hand along Natalie's arm and his saying something to her.
Natalie grins like she found a new favorite desert, then notices you and says "Hey you guys, TC and i are going to hang out a bit. Meet you both at the hotel."
And before you can really give your two cents, Natalie wraps an arm about TC like they are BFFS and the two start to walk away.
Looks like it's just Kevin and you getting that pizza.
Morgrym pulls his "knife" from the back stealth which looks more like a machete because it is and his eyes go to a cold, distant, and empty place where there is no code but survival and doing what must be done.
The guy's eyes widen in fear and it turns out he was lying, "Wait wait. I wasn't mugged. I lied. I'm sorry. I stashed it I stashed it. Just don't cut off anything that can't grow back, Jeezus. It's just the Puttanesca offered a LOT Of money, okay if I got it to them"
He eyes your knife point and realizes he hasn't told you WHERE he stashed it yet and he adds, "It's on top of a fire escape, over the old meat packing plant."
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Dylan sits down and shrugs, "Just one person, but he's not in this class Professor so no need to take it personally".
An easy smile, sometimes you think Professor Waret likes you, or at least finds you all right "I wouldn't anyway, Mr. Gantz. And I won't ask you who. The social power dynamic imbalance can be bad enough for we supermen without telling folks that kryptonite can shrivel our cape."
A few chuckles from the class at the metaphor, and he turns to them "Now obviously, we're hard wired to seek acceptance period! Even so called rebels often seek out peers who can affirm their anti authoritarian stances. You know, a bunch of screaming folks all in leather jackets and torn blue jeans , similar tats yelling 'i'm a rebel, just like all my friends'" He mimes shaking a fist, [B]"Adorable. And who can blame them? You can't change soceity's status quo alone. Others turn to religion, organized or otherwise..."
One guy in the corner sneers, "OOoo sky daddy"
"Ah, Mister Browning," The professor says to that student, "Even you seek affirmation from your peers despite your edgy denial that there could be any being greater than yourself. I've seen your social media posts where you quite ironically preach to the athiest choir of peers of yours. You like their posts, they like yours, you reaffirm your beliefs in non belief and a sense of community and self worth for all. I would dare say, for you, your online community substitutes for a secular church with an almost hierachal priest hood , you even send out missionaries in the form of visiting sites to share the good word that man is all there is."
Browning looks offended, "Better than being a sucker for some made up powerplay by old men seeking to hold us in by fear."
"Oh I don't blame you. My own views on religion are rather atypical from the societal norm," PR. Waret makes a hands up gesture of appeasement, "But do you ever wonder if some of your fellow non believers might also be PARTLY motivated by fear? A real, seemingly irrational fear , that there is something or someone that is greater to you and that if you recognize it, it'll have power over you? So you deny it, to deny those chains. And, ironically, your fears from that might be chains of a different sort?"
Browning scowls and blurts in a defensive tone, "No, my views are based on logic."
"Excellent," The professor says, "Logic serves many people well. But for much of humanity more IS needed. Some have a need for a god, or higher power, or a calling. The lucky ones, the wise ones, find something that serves them. That's why there's so much hypocrisy in main stream religion. People don't really shop around for the right belief system."
One pretty girl in class, the one with the old grandma name... Priscilla? speaks up, "Professor, what's this got to do with the Cyrenaics?"
"I did drift," He admits to the class, "But it's interconnected. The Cyrenaics lived for pleasure, but even they did 'good deeds' , ultimately for self serving ends. Enlightened Self Interest is a thing on many levels and we'll be covering that another night. Life is a journey of chains, breaking ones you don't like, trying on new ones for comfort or more reach, then breaking those too. Sometimes, like a snake, you've got to shed your skin to see the world with fresh eyes again."
The man's a professional speaker, eloquent enough to make even stuff you don't agree with sound reasonable. Or at least make you think.
You can tell he's got Priscilla thinking. She glances over at you and for some reason blushes, then goes back to her tablet where the text book is open.
The Textsbooks you're supposed to use cost way too much. First night you came here, you saw a URL on the black board that said 'Watch out, if you go to this site you'll find an illegal copy of your text book that's probably not approved by the publisher. Oh the shame'.
Pretty much everyone has a copy of that free text book rather than paying 380 bucks for something they'll only use for one summer semester.
Morgrym will cuff this guy and then cuff his feet to his hands and then ball gag him in the trunk of his car and drive his way to the old meat packing plant
Dylan cocks his head and gives a soft smile to Priscilla but then considers the Professors last statement, "Why are we hardwired to seek acceptance Professor?
Is it because no one is an island unto themselves? Without some kind of cooperation we will die or at least live in roving packs feeding off of one another instead of creating something greater.
But even then every society seems to decay and turn on itself like Rome right?
So acceptance breeds familiarity which breeds hate and then society consumes itself, like a snake consuming its own tail as if it doesn't recognize that it's consuming itself.
So did the Cyrenaics live for pleasure to try and avoid this fate but did good deeds to try and keep society around them from falling into entropy so they could continue to have a good time. That's the self-serving part, doing just enough to keep s*!@ together so they could continue to party. Sort of like someone having to change out the keg at the party when all you really want to do is hit on the new girl that just walked in the door".
Morgrym will cuff this guy and then cuff his feet to his hands and then ball gag him in the trunk of his car and drive his way to the old meat packing plant
The thief whimpers and whines as you cuff him and put him into the trunk. He stops fighting it when you give him a bit of a shake to remind him it could be worse, much much worse.
The sun has set and then some as you climb the fire escape.
Dylan cocks his head and gives a soft smile to Priscilla but then considers the Professors last statement, "Why are we hardwired to seek acceptance Professor?
Is it because no one is an island unto themselves? Without some kind of cooperation we will die or at least live in roving packs feeding off of one another instead of creating something greater.
But even then every society seems to decay and turn on itself like Rome right?
So acceptance breeds familiarity which breeds hate and then society consumes itself, like a snake consuming its own tail as if it doesn't recognize that it's consuming itself.
So did the Cyrenaics live for pleasure to try and avoid this fate but did good deeds to try and keep society around them from falling into entropy so they could continue to have a good time. That's the self-serving part, doing just enough to keep s%+@ together so they could continue to party. Sort of like someone having to change out the keg at the party when all you really want to do is hit on the new girl that just walked in the door".
Priscilla blushes again at something.
The professor grins at you, and you can tell you taking the time to engage pleases him, Some say all politics are local, or maybe a better term is tribal. There are studies that indicate the human mind can only comprehend a social circle so big. But yes, we crave belonging, even as we seek individuality. People are paradoxical contrary beings in my opinion, and yes, you are wise to bring up entropy affecting every society and culture , eventually. And I might argue that that too is a form of shedding the old to take on the new. You can't plant new harvest until the old one has been collected. Until entropy does it's work to break the old chains, yes, we're often roped into roles to appease. I'd say you've clearly been reading the material and, more flattering to my ego, listening in class. Well done."
He then turns to the other class members, "Come on now, any of the rest of you want to make me earn my pay check? You paid for this, get your money's worth."
More questions do come up, some a bit redundant, some merely practical, but a few insightful in their own right and they get their props for that. Time passes and...
"Our time is up, more's the pity," The professor says, "But then I'm a nightowl. Remember to start that reading on Enlightened Self interest if you haven't already. You can see the connections between schools of thought if you look."
And as you're getting ready to go, The professor approaches you as others get out, "Dylan, have a few moments after class? I wanted to talk to you."
Dylan watches Priscilla as she exits hoping to catch her eye but the Professor's request makes him pause.
As the other students exit and he is alone in class Dylan exhales and speaks, "Sorry professor Waret, I know I'm tardy with pretty great frequency, but at least I'm consistent, right?
I don't mean to be, but these cars aren't going to fix themselves". He grins hoping the levity will ease up on the expected tongue lashing.
Dylan watches Priscilla as she exits hoping to catch her eye but the Professor's request makes him pause.
As the other students exit and he is alone in class Dylan exhales and speaks, "Sorry professor Waret, I know I'm tardy with pretty great frequency, but at least I'm consistent, right?
I don't mean to be, but these cars aren't going to fix themselves". He grins hoping the levity will ease up on the expected tongue lashing.
It does get a chuckle out of him
"No no, not about that, Professor Waret says , "And sorry to take you away from Priscilla. If you're wondering if she's interested in you, the answer is yes, but she's not who I wanted to talk to you about either," He guides you along, "I have some acquaintances who are in a bit of a conundrum. One of those entropic collapses for a society we were talking about is about to happen.. the society that had them pinned anyway. I'd like to offer your help to them. Partly as an experiment, but also because I think it will do wonders for you. High Risk, high reward kind of thing."