001: video

[doneproperly]

Hello, fellow imPorts.

[The feed displays a young man, around 17 or 18-- but the air he gives off is somehow older, more self assured than you'd expect from a teenager. He's dressed sharply in an expensively well-tailored suit; his concession to the heat was to forgo the tie and leave the top button undone. In his breast pocket, a neatly folded handkerchief square peeps out. The overall image is painfully British.]

Having seen a few young people discuss their worries about being ready for schooling in September, I would like to offer my services as a tutor to those in need. Though the history and geography of my own world is rather different, I'm quite proficient in most areas of mathematics and science, including algebra, statistics, geometry, trigonometry, physics and chemistry.

Additionally, I'm fluent in French, Czech, Hebrew and Latin should anyone desire to learn another language-- not that it is strictly necessary, here.

I admit though, that is only one part of my inquiry.

In fact, I'm eager to continue here some of the work that I performed back home. I have consulted with the police department on numerous occasions to help with their investigations, have a working knowledge of the law such as it exists in my own world, and have also some experience liaising with the press. If anyone knows of any available job openings that could make use of my abilities, I would be in your debt.

Thank you.

Comments

video;

[immuno]

Consulted with the police department officially or unofficially?

permavid

[doneproperly]

Officially. I was assistant and understudy to the head of the Internal Affairs department of our government back home for a number of years before a shift in administration.

[immuno]

You don't strike me as the average age for that kind of position. Did you know someone? [ she's squinting, trying to get a read on him. ]

[doneproperly]

[Wow, rude Lydia. He doesn't seem offended, though. If anything, he smiles diplomatically.]

I believe there is a saying regarding politics being about who you know, yes. [It's true that Mandrake did enjoy the power and prestige he did because of his connections, to an extent. He's not ashamed of that fact-- that's how the game is played. It's a mark of his ability and success, to be in favour with the important people.]

However, it's also true that one cannot advance if they are not competent, no matter how well-connected they are.

[immuno]

Half of the men currently occupying U.S. Senate and Supreme Court seats beg to differ.

[ Note how she specified men. Y'all are fucking incompetent garbage, honestly. ]

But your point's made. You know, in all the time you spent on this little video resumé, you never gave your name.

[doneproperly]

[There's a small quirk at the corner of his lips, but it's gone as soon as it appeared.]

Of course-- where are my manners. John Mandrake, a pleasure.

I can't speak for the government of this world-- America as it exists over here is rather different to the one that I'm familiar with. But... I can't deny it is true the world over that people are occasionally promoted beyond their abilities.

I'm not one such person, however.

[immuno]

Unfortunately, John, that's a claim that has to be taken on faith. I'm not really the type.

If you're so eager to do some tutoring, [ she lapses into well-practiced French seamlessly, ] you should try coming by the university learning center. They're always hiring tutors: I help with math. [ Languages seem like the easiest bluff to call, and a deliberate attempt to speak a second language actually manages to circumvent the translation mechanics (I think ??? if I read the FAQ right ??? ) ]

[juuustice111]

That's an impressive list! Are you studying to be a prosecutor?

[doneproperly]

[The use of his first name by people his age or younger than him is still something he finds jarring, but it doesn't show on his face. He also switches to French without missing a beat-- not even a hint of an accent. He has been learning from the age of six, after all, and when the slightest mispronunciation could make the difference between life and death... you learn well.]

Of course. I would expect no less. I could be anybody, after all. But I trust that in time my capability will speak for itself.

The university is also an excellent suggestion. My thanks. I will start there.

[immuno]

In time, I'm sure it will.

[ She cants her head to the side. While she makes it sound more or less like she's just dropping her impromptu quiz when she turns back to English, it's ... actually because she doesn't know the word for the Czechoslovakian language in it. ]

When did you have the occasion to learn Czech?

[doneproperly]

I haven't previously considered a career in law-- my interest back home lay in politics. However, I thought it seemed unwise for an imPort such as myself to try his hand at the political field here when our comings and goings seem to be so irregular.

But it is a good suggestion. I am already studying the laws of this universe out of my own interest; perhaps I should opt to study for the bar examination, if I am going to be here any length of time.

[juuustice111]

I say go for it! Especially if you like working with the police department, it's never too early to start a career in criminal justice. I should probably brush up on the laws here myself, hahaha!

[doneproperly]

Ah, that's one of the more major differences between my world and this one. The Holy Roman Empire lasted until 1868, and its' capitol was Prague. Czech was the dominant language spoken throughout Europe for most of the millennium prior to its' downfall, and though Britain now holds the seat of power, Prague continues to exert some influence and independence in the political sphere. Officially our relations with them these days are neutral, but things are not so clear-cut under the surface.

[doneproperly]

You're very kind. [There's a bland smile that accompanies that statement-- Mandrake is in no way flattered. Compliments from someone who appears foolish mean nothing to him.]

Why, what is it you do here, if I may ask?

[juuustice111]

I'm an... acting coach.

But back home I'm a detective.

[doneproperly]

A detective? Ah, that's very impressive, sir.

[A gigantic lie through and through, but Mandrake knows better than anyone that it pays to be respectful to others who might be of use later.]

An acting coach may not be as glamourous, but it's still a compliment to your abilities, in a way. Just a different set of abilities. Not to worry-- I'm sure that with work you'll be able to find a position here well suited to your favoured career path.

[juuustice111]

Thanks. I mean, in a way I already have. How many guys can say they're legitimate superheroes?

[doneproperly]

... Indeed. You would classify yourself as a superhero, then?

[juuustice111]

Hey, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck and has superpowers like a duck!

[doneproperly]

... Of course. So I take it then that this place granted you some form of ability here that you did not previously have?

[juuustice111]

Isn't that the case for most of us?

[doneproperly]

Not all, no. I believe there are many imPorts here who have been brought in with supernatural abilities of their own.

[juuustice111]

Ah, yeah, you have a point there. So many people with worlds full of natural superpowers... is it wrong to be a little jealous?

[doneproperly]

I imagine such worlds are much the same as they are here-- just because some people have certain magical gifts, does not mean the whole population does. More likely, they are part of an elite minority.

[immuno]

In my world, there are three times as many people living in the state of California as there are people who actually speak Czech. The notion of them as a world power is quite nearly laughable.