[text] god I'm sorry I can't help myself I love posting in this game too much you guys are so great

[glassinine]

[ That's right. It has been one week - less than one week - and Edgeworth is already bored and restless on vacation. So here he is. ]

A few items of business.

Wills. The risk of unexpected disappearance due to Porter malfunction is significant. Please be advised that, in the absence of kin or a legally recognized will, any possessions accrued in this world by a disappeared imPort will revert to the government.

I would recommend that all imPorts visit an attorney to write a will with them so that their possessions and funds either go to a friend or stay in the imPort community. I am willing to do this work pro bono; I have little doubt that other members of our legal community here would be willing to do so as well.

Please spread this offer to new imPorts when they arrive.

My thanks to April Ludgate for bringing this vital issue to my attention.


Employment. There are two primary difficulties facing imPorts if they choose not to register. The first is finding employment. I have been accruing a list of imPort-friendly businesses who are willing to hire unregistered individuals, and I am currently working on setting up a service that will help new imPorts find job placements. The first step is finding someone who will work as a career counselor and manager of this service; please contact me if you wish to apply for this job.


Fund. The second difficulty is, of course, finding money. It is difficult to sustain ourselves, being as we are refugees, if we do not have support from the government; those who reject government support are often at a loss.

To counteract this, I've set up a legally registered fund. This fund will make interest-free loans to any imPort in need of support.

The current endowment is $26,000. This is a paltry sum, as you can see. It is desperately in need of donations. All donations will be completely tax-deductible. One-time donations are appreciated, but continuing donations are even more so; I myself am donating 10% of every paycheck to this fund. It need not be so much; every bit helps.

Phoenix Wright is the other individual working with the fund. Contact him or myself if you have any questions.



Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Comments

[glassinine]

I try to.

[ A slight hesitation. ]

For what it is worth, Mr. Mandrake, when I was your age, I held beliefs not dissimilar to those you now have. I lost them as I saw more of the world. I would urge you not to cling to cynicism too tightly as you grow older.

[doneproperly]

[He might grow out of it sooner than you think. And then you'll wish he hadn't.

Mandrake, however, rolls his eyes on the other end of the line-- but only because Edgeworth can't see him. His voice, after a beat, is quite agreeable.]

Of course. I believe you would know best.

[glassinine]

[ A slight pause. Then: ]

Mr. Mandrake, you do remember what I do for a living, don't you?

[doneproperly]

[That actually garners a surprised laugh out of him.]

Indeed. ... I confess, most adults are usually not so quick to call me out when I'm agreeing with them, however.

[glassinine]

Well, I don't like to be agreed with. I especially don't like it when perfectly intelligent people swallow their thoughts and grovel at me for no reason other than I have an impressive title. After all, if I wanted to be parroted, I would buy a parrot.

[doneproperly]

[Another laugh. God. What is this? Kindergarten?? It suddenly strikes Mandrake that he can't remember the last time he laughed openly before he came to this place.]

Apologies. That would make you then singularly unique among all the adults I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with in my short lifetime.

[glassinine]

[ "Displeasure"? You sure got fresh in a hurry, Mr. Mandrake. ]

Did you act towards those adults as you have been towards me?

[doneproperly]

[YOU ASKED FOR CANDOR. YOU GOT CANDOR. Don't ask for it if you can't handle it, Edgeworth.]

I'm hurt, Mr. Edgeworth. I treat adults with nothing but the utmost politeness.

[glassinine]

Exactly.

[doneproperly]

... No, not really.

I've been candid before in the past. It never ends well. People don't like to hear unpleasant truths-- especially if they're coming from someone much younger.

[glassinine]

Hmph. I take it these "unpleasant truths" are things along the lines of advocating trusting no one because people will always disappoint you?

[doneproperly]

Somewhat ironically, I suspect that particular point is one on which just about everyone I know from back home would agree with me on.

Politics is somewhat cutthroat.

[glassinine]

I suppose there's a reason I've always stayed gladly away from it.

Regardless, the point stands. I don't value meekness; I don't value flattery; I don't value base ambition. Young lawyers working for me have impressed me by being level-headed, willing to question, and hard-working. Show those qualities and I will be impressed.

[doneproperly]

[Christ if Mandrake were just a few years younger, he would have HEARTS IN HIS EYES right about now. As it stands, this comes just a few years too late. His response, however, is more genuine than his previous quips.]

... I like to think I possess all three such qualities in spades. It's just that I have... trained myself to only question from the privacy of my own mind. Regretfully, my colleagues... do not often appreciate questions or any kind of original thought. You learn quickly to keep your own counsel, or you end up in the bottom of the pile, facing a long career as a desk clerk.

So-- I suppose what I mean is, you will have to forgive me if it takes some time to adjust.

[glassinine]

[ And Edgeworth - Well. He still tries to sound a bit severe, but that draws a reluctant bit of fondness out of him. Nothing charms him like someone trying to overcome the shortcomings they've been trained into having. ]

I will grant forgiveness readily, so long as you promise to keep courage when doing this questioning. I must warn that, like anyone else, I do become passionate during arguments, and at times I will come across as harsh. If you do not take this as genuine displeasure, then I will have patience.

[doneproperly]

[Not that Edgeworth can see, but he smiles into the communicator's receiver.]

... How refreshing. Consider it noted.

[glassinine]

Good.

Now. What are your thoughts on these projects?

[doneproperly]

... I still can't work out if you're hopelessly foolish or a little bit brilliant, to be honest. But... the projects themselves are good ideas at their core, in any case. Your estimation of them as being necessary was not wrong.

However, they're doubly useful to yourself, too. This will curry a lot of good will, as well as establishing connections with many who who will no doubt feel indebted to you.

... Somehow I doubt that you were thinking that far along, though.

[glassinine]

And my concerns tend not to be political ones, by and large.

[doneproperly]

[LOOK. OKAY. HE'S BRAINWASHED. He can't stop.]

Nevertheless, it is still true.

[glassinine]

So why "foolish"?

[doneproperly]

Apart from the time, money and effort involved for a project that is essentially pro-bono-- which I believe we've already covered my opinions on-- you're setting yourself up to take on a lot of responsibility for a large number of individuals whose behaviour you can't possibly guarantee will always be good. The imPorts you help to find employment for will essentially be representing you-- your business and your reliability as a character reference.

[glassinine]

And if I am unbothered by being badly represented? After all, as I said: I'm no politician, nor shall ever be. I have no stakes in impressing anyone.

[doneproperly]

... Then I suppose, as a career move towards being a philanthropist, it's a promising first step.

[glassinine]

Do I hear a hint of disdain in your voice when you utter the word "philanthropist"?