ᴸᴸ1 Video;

[carrieskryptonite]

[Lex has spent the better part of the day perusing the network. Learning the news of this place. Reading, watching, listening. Seeing the faces and names of those present. Experimenting with one of the new powers granted to him by the Porter by telling the communicator to speed up the playback- not enough to make everything unintelligible, but fast enough to speed the process up so that it isn't as much of a chore.

It's only after he decides that he has learned enough from this that he sets the communicator a distance away, and sits back, his hands folded together, looking perfectly relaxed. He activates it mentally before he begins speaking, in an almost bored tone.]

How interesting.

A world where the USSR never collapsed. Technology able to bring people from other, different worlds.

And here we are, so many of us now granted abilities we didn't have in our own worlds, with the option of doing things with them.

The decision of what to do in our hands. Do we play along with this government- continue to abide by our own loyalties in the case of those of us who were Americans in our own worlds- and their expectations of what we will do for them in exchange for a basic standard of living, or do we deride it and not accept their assistance, and not assist them in turn? Or do we take some middle position, accept their aid while criticizing them at every turn?

What a fascinating conundrum it must be for those who think about it, particularly over the political aspects, with the presence of elected ambassadors. Even a candidate for the Senate.

It's an interesting scenario where power is concerned, isn't it?

Comments

[Voice]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Cue a Scottish accent dripping with careful amusement. ]

Oh dear dear dear me, already going fishing and introductions aren't even out of the way.

Let me guess: Businessman or politician?

[Voice]

[carrieskryptonite]

[Lex sounds amused in turn as he replies.]

Ah, you've caught me. I'm a businessman by trade, though I spend much of my time on philanthropic endeavors.

[backinakidflash]

[ A ruddy-haired teenager is staring, fish-mouthed and wide-eyed, into the lens of his comm.

Of all the - look, universe. He said no more Rogues. This isn't a better thing. ]

We play along. Of course we play along, because this world is theirs and we are tourists and we should not be running for office, Mr. Luthor. We should not be running for office.

[carrieskryptonite]

[Lex is absolutely better than what comes out of Keystone and Central.]

I personally was not planning on running for office. After all, as you said, this world is theirs. Who knows what could happen?

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[viced]

Someone who pays attention from day one, huh?

I like it.

[carrieskryptonite]

Mr. Hundred. What a surprise.

Preparation does lead to success.

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[helpline]

I suppose so if you care about things like that. [ and from the Doctor's irreverent tone, he doesn't. ] It's a bit 'been there done that' with regards to some of us and the USSR, though.

[carrieskryptonite]

They're important things to know, whether you care or not. [And Lex does, for a variety of reasons.]

Done this before, have you?

video.

[glowsferatu]

Well, you know, the third approach isn't terribly uncommon. Many will even go so far as to create things to complain about.

Though I wouldn't say it's strictly a technology, either.

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[carrieskryptonite]

People can be so very stubborn and set in their ways.

I understand some parties are under the impression that the Porter the government has in Cape Canaveral is controlled or connected to some other being.

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[lovestoys]

I do what I want, ain't nothing gonna tell me like what to do, yo. we're not all like sheep or something, you get me?

you're overthinking this whole thing. exploit what free things they give you and don't do the shit you don't wanna do. easy.

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[carrieskryptonite]

You mean to say that by doing as little as possible and subsisting off of this government that it makes you not a sheep? Very interesting, my friend.

I'm sure this logic takes you far in life.

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[dun_moch]

[The video shows an elderly man with a proud bearing, deep voice, and oddly archaic clothes smiling with approval at Luthor's analysis.]

I am impressed, sir. Few new arrivals grasp the issues of our situation as swiftly and thoroughly as you have.

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[carrieskryptonite]

You flatter me. It was only a matter of research, after all.

We're quite lucky to have a man such as yourself present and willing to continue to take part in local affairs.

[The matter that Dooku's campaign for ambassador ultimately failed doesn't need to be brought up.]

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[angelfire]

That's the thing about power. Sometimes it's as paper thin as the morals of those who uphold it, and sometimes it's as unyielding as those who cannot throw it from their own shoulders. Everyone walks about with their own individual collar about their throat, individual shackles on their feet; some are literal, some are not, but the resistance that is made against those shackles is token at best, for most a matter of endurance.

You were very careful not to suggest which way you were leaning, but I suppose even questioning the rhetoric is its own kind of revolutionary. But are you a rabbit in a noose or a dog in a corner?

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[carrieskryptonite]

Giving a suggestion of my own leanings would color the responses, wouldn't it? I hardly wish to entice anyone into making a different response instead of what they would give of their own free will.

I prefer to think of myself as a self-made man, instead of the trapped animal in either of your options.

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[musclemothers]

Let me guess: you want everyone else to tell you what they're planning on doing with this whole thing.

[He's heard speeches like this before, mister!] So what exactly are you planning on doing?

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[carrieskryptonite]

[Someone is bitter.]

Plans? You're reading far too much into my words. Wondering what strategies others utilize to... [A very short lingering delay, just long enough to aggravate the other man while making it appear unintended] ...cope with their presence here hardly indicates any sort of planning on my part.

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[restingstitchface]

Don't you believe that your fascinating conundrum hinges on the definition of power?

[Low-life Gothamite reporting in!]

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[carrieskryptonite]

Maybe for the inadequately educated. Does 'the ability to act or influence' suffice as a definition for you?

[darwinatrix]

Even political power is left up to the whims of the masses. Untrustworthy, that.

[carrieskryptonite]

Which is precisely why education is so important.

( not here )

[boobwindow]

[ You've got to be kidding her. ]

( not here )

[carrieskryptonite]

[Nope.]

[Video]

[guywithaplan]

[ The face is normal. Guy's mid to late twenties at best. Dressed casually, bit rumpled, but was probably listening very intently. ]

Ooh, speechy!

And a lotta words adding up to SSDD.

[Video]

[carrieskryptonite]

If you decide to look at it that way, perhaps. After all, it is our choice on how we react to a situation and even change it.

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[catchacold]

[Maybe Luthor recognises Len's ID, but due to different universes, Len is not yet familiar with anyone named Lex Luthor.

People like him on the other hand...]

If you want an especially fascinating history lesson and you're into revisionist patriotism, I can recommend a place. Not sure if they've put the declaration of independence back yet though.

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[carrieskryptonite]

[No bells rung, if only because Lex isn't interested in what goes on in that part of the United States.]

You seem to be implying it wouldn't be in DC. Where would this be?

video; ID: Ted Kord; (out of costume)

[deadkord]

[ Oh, great, of all the familiar names to show up, it's gotta be Lex Luthor. ]

Wow, the Porter really lets just anyone in this place these days, huh?

video;

[carrieskryptonite]

[Where does he recognize him from... Ah, yes.]

Ted Kord, isn't it?

How's your business doing, these days?