25 ⚜ Video

[restingstitchface]

[Crane sends the address out at 3pm sharp. He stands hunched against a wall with a bundle of files in his arms. Those with an eye for detail might notice math problems on a public whiteboard on the right; peppered with numerous red corrections that range from simple corrections to veiled insults.]

What affect have our ambassadors had on our lives?

[He turns his attention to the camera, eyes hooded. His tone is calm and polite but with a measure of boredom to it.]

Do we possess the same rights as native people? Does the government provide adequate care? Is it safe where we live? [In Maurtia Falls especially.] Who enacts the laws that rule our lives? Who legislates for education and social security? Ambassadors are our representatives - yet they are intimately acquainted with the culture of our hosts. Does this cozy arrangement mean they are politically trusted because they don't ask questions and challenge official stories? In simple terms, what do our ambassadors do for us?

[His fingertips grasp his chin.]

Also, one last question: who amongst us might earn your future nomination? Count Dooku, perhaps? Now there's a man with a political mind...

[Koma-san June 2016. Never forget.]

Comments

[restingstitchface]

[At first, Crane sounds mildly bored. But then he pulls it back inside and takes on a polite professor tone.]

Yes. In a manner of speaking. [Gotham.] If you would be so kind as to make your point?

[viced]

And what happens if you create a policy for a problem that doesn't exist at that moment? What happens when you add new regulations and procedures to a machine that's already bearing the weight to make order out of chaos?

Do I agree, that import ambassadors should be proactive and create solutions to problems that they identify? Yes. Do I think that you're being unfair in saying that they should go hog wild and hold your hand? No. Just like any bureaucracy, if you do too much for the people, they expect it, and then they lack independence. That's not the point of governing, and it shouldn't be.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's voice is exceptionally practised and sharp. This is a matter of intellectual pride, now!]

No, that's not the point of governing.

The point of governance is rule; control. The aim of which is to define social norms and safeguard institutions. Anyway. You claim that the machine bearing the weight of bureaucracy must be complex by its very nature - that the processes of interaction and decision-making must be collected together in some grand design. Perhaps that is your problem [he muses] ...the most beautiful designs can often be so simple.

[viced]

Yeah, but those won't work with the kind of chaos that people bring.

[ The sound in his voice is very distinctly muffled, like he's running a hand over his face. ] We agree on the point, but you seem to think we should keep it simple, which believe me, doesn't really work or else we'd have stuck with just the fucking constitution as a matter of governance. People don't work like that, so the machine we've built reflects what our problems.

You know, like people who seem to think it's a good fucking idea to attack swearing-in ceremonies.

[restingstitchface]

[Cold politeness enfuses every word of Crane's reply. The taste of humor hides itself on his tongue; he shrugs off the anger and accepts the compliment.]

Behavior changes when the subject is prompted by external stimulus. People are arguably safer now they're on their guard. I think that deserves gratitude.

[viced]

I don't think what you did was for the betterment of humanity -- and nor should people have to suffer because you want to pull an ant's leg off and see what happens.

You don't get to ride a high horse about that bullshit.

[restingstitchface]

[Well, he's literally ridden a horse so?]

You're lecturing me about a event two years old. The Russians. Debrecan. Other imPorts. All have come and gone. Why do you push the issue?

[Did it truly affect you so much, Mitch?]

[viced]

Because you seem to think you should get away from this with a slap on the wrist and no reminder that you were the asshole who did it.

[ A pause. ] And if you were truly interested in actually promoting a change in how we think, you'd be doing something, instead of just talking about it to be contrary. Playing Devil's Advocate really just serves to make you look like kind of an ass.

[restingstitchface]

Yes, but that's just your opinion?

[He keeps his composure and doesn't conceal his attempt to humor the man.]

I believe there's nothing wrong in what I said. People are arguably safer now they're on their guard. It may be you dislike what I'm saying, but my words are no less the truth.

Anyway. Maybe you would care to answer my second question? Who would you nominate in a future election?

[viced]

They're a simplified and fractured version of the truth, is all. You can say things that are true, without invoking the context that causes the truth.

[ He just. He wants to strangle him. ]

As for new elections? I've got a few people I think would fare rather well. But...I'm not exactly in the business of giving those names out. From me, it's... a little bit more like heavy-handed prodding, and I don't want to put that pressure on anyone who isn't ready for it.

[restingstitchface]

[Better to evoke the urge to strangle than the desire to coddle, protect and sympathize.]

You would prefer not to crack their fragile heads against the brick wall that is reality? I get it. Had I believed nobody could withstand it, I never would have done it. Perhaps you should have a little more belief in humanity's perseverance.

[viced]

No. [ He says, like he's rubbing his temples. ]

I know I'm a powerful voice, and I know I have a responsibility to choose my words carefully. I also know that slipping up would mean ruin for me.

So let's just say I know better than to abuse the power that the people trust me with.

[restingstitchface]

That's a promise you'll struggle to keep. But we'll see how it goes.

[Congrats, Mitch. You're on his radar.]

It's not a small wager you'll turn, at least.

[viced]

Oh, I've heard that people like to make that prediction.

But I've been in the game for ten years. At this point, there isn't much left to offer that I haven't turned down.

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps not.

But you - more than anyone, perhaps - should understand that the future can offer us something new, equally as much as it can offer more of the same. There's always something new out there.

[viced]

Of course I know that. [ His voice is hard, then. ]

But there's nothing that I want in life. At least...nothing more than serving the people. [ Said earnestly, but it's Mitchell. The only thing he'd accept is... impossible. ]

[restingstitchface]

I'm glad to hear it.

Are you willing to serve all the people?

[viced]

Of course. How that happens is up for debate, though.

I don't do things blindly for people with no reason.

[restingstitchface]

Of course not. Everybody has motive.

[The implication of Mitch's selfishness - as he views it - goes unsaid.]

But it's good to know you don't. Thank you.

[viced]

You're -- uh -- welcome? I guess?