maskormenace | [ video ]

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[ video ]

[ The video shows a man with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light blue button-up shirt sitting at a table. ]

Hello again. [ A Scottish accent, tempered by living in London. ] It's really been a while since I've been around, or on the network or anything. I think I've been a little pre-occupied by, um, some things. Yeah.

Anyway. [ He clears his throat and sits up taller in his seat, three fingers on each hand wrapped in white bandages. ] I've been thinking about looking into some supplementary work. Or then again, I might just need a new job proper, a fresh start. If anyone has suggestions or knows someone who's hiring—or, if you are hiring, for that matter—I'm quite interested in scoping out other potential employment opportunities and things.

[ Then it seems he's just had an idea or remembered something. ]

Oh, and. I remember having a little problem with... an old habit. I'd asked for help, gotten a little bit, and I guess I'd forgotten to really follow up on it, you know? So I'm just a little unsure of where to really go from here.

[ Feigning relief with marginal success, he exhales audibly. ]

I suppose that's all for now. Cheers.

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[ He eyes the bandages for the briefest of second, however he doesn't pry. ]

There are professionals to turn to for certain habits, aren't there?

[ He has his own bad habit, but it's fairly tame in comparison to gambling. ]

Well... Yeah, there are. But I'd decided to get some recces on the network last month since seeking professional help online got me some, uh, unexpected trouble. Back where I'm from, I mean.

[ There's a lot more to it than that, but things like addiction and hypnotherapy are complicated at best. ]

[ A not so certain look. ]

Wouldn't the network be similar trouble? [ But then it occurs to him: ] I know of one professional. Dr. Frederick Chilton?

[ Simon chuckles, but he knows what Gil's getting at. ] Yeah, it could be. Whichever way I look at it, I'd still be shooting in the dark.

Anyway, where might this Doctor Chilton be located, and what does he specialise in?

I believe he's still in Heropa. You can easily contact him on these communicators.

[ He looks on a bit sheepishly now. ]

I'm not actually familiar with the sort of work he does, so I wouldn't be able to tell you. Sorry.

It's all right, thanks. At least I have a name. Maybe I can try looking into it.

[ Or, at least, if he focuses hard enough, he should be able to do the research. ]

But you're right about looking on the network. It's a really hit-or-miss deal since we're always working with references and recommendations and things. But I think I'm more likely to trust whoever or whatever other imPorts might suggest.

[ That surprises him and it shows. ]

Really? That's very open-minded of you.

[ Simon is clearly a little embarrassed about it nonetheless. ]

Actually, yeah. You could call it that, I guess.

[ He looks thoughtful as he tries to put his ideas into words. ]

It's not to say I'll take anyone's suggestion without looking into it or doing some research. People are more likely to complain about something than compliment it, and so maybe if they say someone or something is really good, perhaps there's more merit to it.

If I could tell you about Dr. Chilton's practice, I would. He is a kind [ aHAHAHAHA... ] and patient man, though.

I'm not sure if I could help with a job either. What are your skills?

[ Not knowing any better, Simon gives a small smile, seemingly relieved at that positive character reference. ]

I'm quite detail-oriented and good with gathering and organising information. My current position is inventory manager for local auction shows, but I have auctioneer experience as well, and a degree in art history.

[ That is... actually impressive. ]

Perhaps there's a museum you could drop a resume off at? I doubt you'd be interested in food service then...

[ If he heard that last part correctly, Gil was just about to mention something paltry like food services. Simon is so above that, pft. ]

Not a bad suggestion.

[ And it might be exciting for a little while, at least. Until it becomes routine and mundane. ~~Then food services might be "exciting" in a sense that there'll be no end to the different ways people can aggravate workers.~~ ]

I should look into that. It may take a bit of time to get caught up with the more modern pieces, especially seeing how things here and where I'm from don't quite match up.

Oh? [ That piques his interest. ] Is it an entirely different world or are you from a different period?

It's still earth, just a different version with a different history within the past century, I think. [ He sounds a little bit like he's asking a question. ]

I mean, the time between here and where I'm from is roughly a year or two apart. But the technology is different, and I'm not even from this country. I haven't even really visited it, not that I remember. So I might have to actually research and see some of the museums, study the modern pieces and the discussions and interpretations. Things that I'd have to know to be a curator—or a successful one, at least.

That does make sense. There's no training provided for such a job?

[ Art history is not his strong suit. He's still unfamiliar with so much of the modern world, but he had barely gotten used to the City when he was brought here. ]

There is, but it's usually an extensive course of studies in university. [ He's more than happy to explain whatever he can. ]

In museums or historical sites and those sorts, they don't get just anyone to talk about their various subjects and features and displays. They want people who specialise in it, who really have studied and remember it, and people who have experience in presenting it or anything that's similar.

[ He looks somewhat wistful. ] And that's the thing, that's the problem. Artists and their styles and their histories, I'm probably familiar with until the time when my world and this one split and differ. I sort of have an idea of what's in London's museums, especially things I might've sold to various sponsors and collectors who want to publicly display those pieces. But not here, not in this particular world, and not in this country.

[ He ruminates over this. ]

Are you Registered by any chance? They can help find you a job in your field if not something similar, I believe.

Yeah, I am. And I got, you know, the inventory manager gig on the first shot. Do you suppose I should go back, see if they'll get warmer this time around?

[ Wait, this won't get him more gambling moneys! No, but if he has a better salary... Or additional income, then maybe— ]

It may not a bad idea.

[ He can't help the slight downturn of his mouth as he thinks about that comment. ]

Though sometimes they do... pick out the strangest jobs...

[ He also frowns. ] If I do, I wonder if there would be any sort of stipulation that I really ought to take the job. Or, for that matter, if there's a limit to how many requests any one imPort could make at once.

Not that I'm trying to be negative here, but they are the government. If I should count on any similarities between here and London, it's that the government is a bureaucratic nightmare. I wonder how much more slowly or quickly the requisitions queue for imPorts moves in comparison to that of the locals.

I wouldn't know for sure either, but there has to be a lot of paperwork involved so it could be slow.

[ He scratches the back of his head. ]

... it was definitely better to ask the network about a job. ImPorts always appear willing to help each other out when it comes to jobs.

Unfortunately I work in a bakery, so if food service is not in your interest, I can't offer help there.

[ ~~Gil? Simon can hardly imagine you working in a bakery. Just saying.~~ Simon sighs, rubs his temples, and tries to look less frown-y. ]

It's all right, thanks. I guess we'll see if anything comes up in the future. I figure I might visit the other porter-related cities... Maurtia Falls, De Chima, Nonah. Maybe I'll find something if I take a timeout from here to do it.

Besides, I know someone else who's looking for something. Do you know Richard Castle? [ Before Gil can answer, Simon continues. ] I believe he has this editing job... for a men's health rag. But he'd rather be writing novels, except he doesn't quite have the reputation and audience as he did where he's from. Or, he'd like working with the authorities, which is another thing he'd done before as well.

[ He shrugs. ] Even if you don't know of anything like that, I put it out there in case you do hear of anything in the future.

[ ~~How dare you he learned these skills as a boy.~~ ]

I'm sure you'll find something. When I first arrived, they had me working at a tea shop.

[ He likes tea, but he was not cut out for serving mostly young girls who made passes at him. ]

Before I moved, I went looking for a job I could do. I was fortunate enough to find this job at the bakery.

[ He nods—so, is baking Gil's specialty? Perhaps Simon should visit his bakery ~~and insert foot in mouth at discovering the skills Gil has acquired since boyhood~~. ]

Whereabouts did you move to, might I ask?

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