maskormenace | 04 ⚜ Video

[Pristine is how Crane appears when he flicks on the video feed; it's a lovely display of smoke and mirrors that he's pulling off, after the events of the last three days. He has a clean, elegant, ascetic appearance - and enough calm professionalism to mask his excitement.]

You're all handling this outbreak remarkably well. It seems you're all keeping to the boundaries of the law, as the Major-General expects you to. That's a good thing, mind. It would be terrible news to hear people have been shot for breaking quarantine.

Anyway, I am here to help if this event has caused you psychological distress. I am a doctor, after all.

[A pause, and he tucks in his chin and folds his hands in his lap. He half-closes his eyes.]

Fears and phobias are my specialty, and there is much to fear in this situation.

[His head comes back up. He's staring at the lens.]

Be that as it may, fear is something everybody needs. It keeps you safe and keeps you on your toes. It will do you all well to remember that. That it's good to know we must always feel a little scared. It's good to see that most of you haven't submitted to bravado and dagger-tongued bragging.

[The corners of his lips lift in a boyish smile. He tilts his head slightly. His voice is disarmingly gentle. His soft inflection on 'most of you' is meant for one person in particular.]

And I wouldn't like to think that those with guts would put everyone in danger. I trust everyone to make the best decisions for each other in combating this disease.

It would be terrifying to think we couldn't trust each other. Wouldn't it?

[He crosses his right leg and rests his hands over his knee. His graceful fingers smooth his trousers, and he waits for his audience to speak.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah? I'm not sure most would see it that way.

[ There's a quiet anger brewing beneath the surface -- controlled but still present. ]

[He tilts his head slightly. There's an impersonal curiosity below his surface - and that emotionless detachment is sort of the problem, isn't it, Walt?]

I'm sure some see it that way. I'm sure some see it another

But I'm more interested in how you see it.

Do my opinions even matter to you, Doctor Crane? I'm fairly certain they don't.

[ Did they ever, though? That is the real question. Remember back in the day when we had those good conversations about people being sheep? All the long chemistry talks? Remember those days, Crane?? They seem so long ago. ]

If your opinions were irrelevant, I wouldn't waste my time asking.

[There's that word. You're really overestimating Crane's ability to make an emotional connection, Walt. You might want to ask Chilton why he can't.]

[ Walt sighs and looks away from the camera. ]

I know.

[ And to the onlooker it might seem like he's responding to what Crane is saying. But really, he's informing Crane that he knows about his little stunt with Chilton. Because they're shady mofos who have hidden conversations in regular conversations. ]

[Congratulations, Walt. Here's your first-prize rosette.

It must feel good winning a contest where you're the only contender.]

... I'm sorry. You know what, exactly?

[His sardonic voice seems a mocking request for Walt to say that, yes, he knows he's wasted Crane's time. But his hidden message is clear; he's capable of going right to the edge. Walt had best be prepared to do the same.]

[ That you're a cold-hearted bastard, that you're a threat, that you made a move against Chilton and Walt doesn't like that, that you need to die. ]

I know you wouldn't waste your time asking questions you think are irrelevant.

[ But in the end, as Walt always said to Crane, he's not a rat. And he's not going to even come close to outing him here or hinting that he's doing nefarious things. Not when Hank is CLEARLY READING ALL OF THESE CONVERSATIONS. Hi, Hank. ]

Though considering all of the people you're talking to right now, I would say you haven't found much of relevance from your responders, have you?

[ Crane threw out the line for people to latch onto with their fear, but he's mostly getting people snarking at him. Small comforts. Where is Janet Snakehole when you need her? ]

Oh. I've found enough.

[It's such a gentle inflection, but it's said with such satisfaction - it tells Walt he's gotten exactly what he wants.

But. He can tell Walt's suffering so many thoughts. So many conflicts. The loss of friendship versus the development of hostility. So much hate. So much anger.

Does he care? Does he care? No. He can stomach the loss of Walt's laboratory. He's nothing if not adaptable.]

Good to hear.

[ That tension is getting more and more difficult to hold back with every passing moment. ]

By the way. It seems as though my pharmacy sustained some damage during the this week's attacks. I think perhaps it's best if you take your business elsewhere. Indefinitely.

[Crane notices the enmity in that parting word.

Hatred and loathing didn't begin to describe the emotion behind it. Betrayal was the only level it could dwell at. Perhaps because that was exactly how Walter felt. Crane didn't really care. He'd made himself irrelevant, and so he wasn't on his radar. The fact that Crane doesn't seem to show any emotion on his face or how he speaks is indication enough that he doesn't really feel anything.

He gives an acknowledging tilt of his head, then switches off the feed.]

[ GOOD. Because that's about all Walt can take before he throws the communicator across the room, cursing Crane out in the process. ]

04 ⚜ Video

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