04 ⚜ Video

[restingstitchface]

[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.]

Comments

[restingstitchface]

... Of course they would. And I suppose you would claim they had no legitimate reason to rebel or complain... or undermine you, as you call it. But plenty in this community would say authority is the most widely abused form of fear. But it is natural for human beings to abuse it this way, because they in turn fear losing control.

But I am a doctor, not a field medic. You don't have to fear losing control of me.

[The implication being nobody has control over him anyway.]

[darwinatrix]

When the guns are roaring, whether or not their reason is legitimate matters as much as a pool of spit.

Whatever your profession, you're on a battlefield now. Save your rabble-rousing for when the pandemic ends. Any problems, take it up with me in person.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane does what he wants. He is a free bird.]

Of course. I assure you, Major-General, that rousing the rabble is the least of my intentions. But I have taken the liberty to keep a close eye on things.

But if I see anybody getting out of order, I'll ensure you know about it.

[darwinatrix]

Oh, I'm sure you will.

Was there anything else or are you done wasting my time? [She is keeping an Eye On You, Crane.]

[restingstitchface]

Well. I'm interested in why you believe I'm wasting your time. You're the one who approached me.

But I am done.

[For now!]

[darwinatrix]

You wasted my time by causing unrest in the quarantine zone.

Take care not to waste it any further. For your own good, Doctor.

Armstrong out.