maskormenace | 2. (ANTICIPATORY COPING) (VOICE --> VIDEO)

While I am not usually one to wax the philosophical so publicly, I must admit there’s a sort of poetry inherent to existentialism. Disorientation in the face of absurd, incongruent, maybe even violent sequences -- well, we have other names for that, too, don’t we? The experience, the circumstance.

[Chilton flips the communicator to video, showcasing only his clean-shaven face. His expression is mostly neutral, accented only with a wry halfway smile and an arched eyebrow. The scene glimpsed behind him is the Porter Lab in Cape Canaveral. This angle hides the cane that Chilton now relies on.]

The consequence -- traumatic. And if we consider the responsibility of the individual to create meaning for himself, well, then perhaps our reactions can be as predictable as clockwork.

[The camera zooms in, focusing on Abel’s face, which is fairly pale and lacking his usual facial hair in favor of stubble.

There’s the faint shadow of a shoe print on his left cheek.]

Don't you agree, Abel?

[Gideon's eyes drift upward, expression irritated but preoccupied, as he props himself up on his arms; his lower body isn't in the camera's view. There's a fork in his hand that is dangerously close to Chilton's leg.]

Can be, provided nothing interferes to change those natural consequences in the first place. An individual may create meaning for themselves in an ideal world… in the real world, fate waits behind unmarked doors.

Put that away, Frederick.

[Chilton, instead, slides the camera focal point over to Gideon's missing leg. In a few minutes, Gideon will be equipped with a Government-standard wheelchair. But until then:]

Someone help the fatalist here, please. He's on his last leg.

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[ That kidney is his only remaining victory, he needs to take some pride in it. ]

To be perfectly honest, of what passes for procedure lately I've more than had my-- [ Fuck, well he's committed now. ] ... My fill.

[ Which is a poor choice of words. ]

[Sadly, she's unaware. What she does know is that this man tried to murder another man here.]

What time passed for you back home was only a handful of days here. I don't know what happened, and I'm sorry, but you can't pick and choose.

Edited 2014-04-21 20:30 (UTC)

No. Never can... never do... never will. With choice, even a single forfeit -- however unintended -- may be the difference between a life of freedom and one of watching... from behind a pane of glass... while your life is directed for you like a model airplane. Someone holds the remote and the wind will blow, but the plane itself...

Just. Goes.

[There's a long, long, long pause.]

So they did give you painkillers. I'm glad to hear that.

[ What. That actually renders him speechless for a few moments, until he decides she must have just not understood his metaphor. ]

A little pain I can handle. A little pain-- [ He pauses. ] Might almost be welcomed about now.

[Kate ... doesn't know what to say to that. She is not a heartless person, which is sometimes the problem. She has too much heart.]

They say the medicine here is fantastic.

[And she's not just referring to painkillers that time.]

Edited 2014-04-22 05:29 (UTC)

[ It's a little awkward, maybe, difficult definitely, but both things are definitely the last things on Gideon's mind. It's hard to say what's on his mind, which is enveloped with a cloud of mingling emotion unlike his usual. Something that refuses to let go.

He exhales slowly. ]

Still, I won't expect any miracles -- but always a bright side... however dim. Can't be any worse than that other place.

Miracles or not, treatment or not ... no matter what predicament you're in, it's better to do what I recommend. [She hates returning to that point.] It'll honestly work out better for you in the long run. And there are enough imPort lawyers to represent you if it comes down to it.

Well, plenty of time to think it over -- I don't imagine I'll be in the hospital for just an overnight visit. But because it's you who asked, Ms. Bishop-- [ A pause. ] The advice won't be wasted.

Because it's me. [Curious statement.]

I'll remember that.

Please do. I wouldn't make such a promise to everybody.

[Countered with her conversation with Chilton, this is still unexpected.]

I assume you're headed to the hospital. Will you be accepting visitors?

Well, don't see why not -- the damage has clearly been done already.

... People can always do more.

[ He pauses. ]

Yes. At the moment I'm not anticipating any immediate trouble. [ Not that he isn't still paranoid. More softly he concedes: ] Always pays to keep vigilant.

Ask for a guard.

[To Kate, that seems like the natural approach to things. A guard, at least, will limit who he has to deal with in the aftermath.]

Haven't had a great track record with guards. [ A pause. ] I'll just have to hope for the best this time.

Here?

[It seems important to ask. Both conversations she's having here are a mix of Heropa-based references and ones from home.]

No... not here. Have you particular recommendations?

Not any that aren't heroes. And I'm not sure any of the people involved right now want to spell this out.

[Plus, she's not eager to draw in more individuals.]

But I can speak to a man who was once mayor of the previous city. He likely has connections.

[ He makes a noise that's something like a chuckle, brief and dry. ]

I wouldn't insist.

It's a problem of mine. I'll ask.

[It's as simple as that.]

Don't expect me to owe you any favors.

I don't do favors expecting to be repaid.

So a great many people say. But I'll take you at your word, Ms. Bishop.

2. (ANTICIPATORY COPING) (VOICE --> VIDEO)

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