March 2021

S M T W T F S
 1234 56
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031   

WILL YOU HELP SAVE THE WORLD?

Mask or Menace is a panfandom urban 'superhero' genre DWRP game, where heroes, villains, and everyone in between seek to survive and thrive in a world loosely parallel to our own.
singingmagnolia: (interrupt)
[personal profile] singingmagnolia
[Please do not adjust your communicators, the person viewed here really is upside down. Isabel is hanging off the deck railing in the backyard of house 28 while her phone rests in the grass below. She's wearing a tank top and shorts but she won't be out back for very long or Isabel will be as red as a tomato.]

This place is great! You know, besides the terrible jobs and having to go to stupid school. Who needs math anyway? I don't have to worry about food or monsters. There aren't any giant walls here either. Just open sky and land.

[Flipping over the railing, she lands on her feet on the ground rather gracefully.]

There's even a box with moving pictures in it! [God help her housemates, she's discovered TV.] It kept telling me to go visit the ocean then showed me pictures of large bodies of water. And these things let me talk to anyone anywhere! It's all amazing!

Big bro, we're going to go to the ocean right? I want to see it. I want to see everything!

[Let's just play the game 'ignore everything bad that ever happened and all of the horrible things that happened after', shall we?]
smarterthandad: (leave that to me)
[personal profile] smarterthandad
[Scene: INT. FUTURE FOUNDATION, CONFERENCE ROOM

It looks like a sleekly corporate conference room ran pell-mell through a Star Trek set. At the head of the table is Peter Parker, flanked on either side by Jacob Taylor and Valeria Richards, the latter of whom is probably sitting on multiple phone books in order to see over the table.]


[Jacob looks to the side at his new colleagues, then decides it’s better that he step up than have their first impression made by the toddler with funny ideas about directed energy weapons.] Hey. My name’s Jacob Taylor. This is Valeria Richards, and Peter Parker. We’re making this announcement to say that there’s a new outfit opening up in De Chima, run by ImPorts. As of right now, the Future Foundation is ready for business.

Making Tomorrow's Mistakes Today.® )
thebestseller: (indy hat)
[personal profile] thebestseller
[When the feed clicks on, someone's obviously showing off. First, a blank notebook opens and turns a few pages of its own volition... before post-it notes stick on it out of nowhere, followed by a few splatters of ink. Castle then turns it on his smiling face.]

Now, as far as superpowers go, throwing ink and paper around isn't the worst thing someone could have. In fact, it's quite fitting for a writer and avid reader like myself. Just imagine all the possibilities... reading without needing to turn the pages, writing a grocery list with a few twists of the finger, putting up wallpaper... okay, maybe it's not THAT cool. But look what else I can do.

[Castle holds the phone up with one hand while writing WAFFLES in his notebook with the other. And lo and behold- a plate of waffles appears. Except one is still frozen and one is slightly burnt, and they only linger a few moments before vanishing.]

... I'm failing at demonstrating my abilities and looking halfway-competent at them, aren't I? Anybody willing to help a writer-turned-sudden-superhero out? You'd have my eternal gratitude as well as a dedication in my next novel.

[He then signs RICHARD CASTLE on the notebook page, and awaits replies.]
raincheck: (✪ 027)
[personal profile] raincheck
[ it's been over two years since steve had woken up in the future; he's more or less gotten the hang of modern technology now. which means that when he addresses the network via a video, there is no technical malfunction, and the feed doesn't shake, it isn't upside down, none of that. it shows steve in uniform, framed so that he's visible only from the shoulders up. behind his head, the curve of the shield strapped to his back is visible, though not immediately recognisable. ] This is Steve Rogers- though most people back in my world know me as Captain America. [ there's a hint of a smile in his expression, something rueful. ]

Where I'm from, freedom of speech is an important pillar of society, and I hope the same holds here. So I'm asking now — what are your experiences with the military, and the government?

[ there's no hesitation in the question, just a firm steadiness to both his voice and his expression. steve isn't paranoid by nature, but hydra infiltrating shield has shown how important transparency and scrutiny are for a government and for the military. so, before he goes back to a life of service for a government that isn't the one he knew growing up, he wants to have some account of what they're like. asking the government itself or turning to the media is one thing: in a well-functioning society, those are sources that will tell him the truth. in a not-so-well-functioning society, however, that's very different and steve? steve grew up in brooklyn, grew up on backalley fights and the great depression. asking the people is, in the end, the best source there is.

after a moment's pause, he adds:
] If, for whatever reason, you'd rather not talk about it via this channel, I'd be happy to meet you anywhere. And if you're afraid to talk, that tells me enough.

Thank you for your time. [ he lifts a hand, obviously to shut off the video feed, but before he does, there's a dry: ] Rogers out.
snifftest: (pic#8024515)
[personal profile] snifftest
Good evening. [Mike has been laying pretty low since his initial post - mostly because of the complete lifestyle change - but he's still going to start this off as politely as possible.

He has questions, and while he could go ask Erwin or Levi he doesn't want to depend on them too much. Not to mention it's not anything super serious, he just...wants to know. For reasons.]


How does a shelter work? [With 100% seriousness.] Animal ones, like where you can get dogs. I've never really seen anything like them before, but...the people who work there don't seem like they want to help me.

[If only because sniffing the air kind of weirds people out. Who knew?]

So, if anyone could help I would appreciate it. I work with dogs, so I think knowing how shelters and all of that works could be helpful.

[It's a total bullshit reason, but Mike isn't about to ask "How do I get a dog that I don't work with?" because it's something he should probably know, so it's a reason that will have to do for now.]

001 | Text

Aug. 8th, 2014 08:38 pm
observationalhazard: (adjusting)
[personal profile] observationalhazard
[Hanji isn't exactly tech-savvy. Not when it comes to things like computers or cellphones or tablets. Still, given some basic instruction, she can grasp the concept behind them easily enough, even if she doesn't quite get all of the tech that makes it work. She'll learn as she goes! That's the important part! Right? Right.

For now, she sticks to text. After all, that's basically like writing a letter.
]

This is very interesting - I've never experienced being pulled into another reality before. It's very inconvenient, though. I had my hands full at home, already! Still, a lot to take in. They've given me this device, though (very kind of them). Apparently there are a lot of us ImPorts out there?

Oh, yes. My name is Hanji Zoe. Although that doesn't mean much to most of you, does it?

Anyway, I just wanted to test this thing out and see if it really works as advertised. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions over the next few days!

Thank you for your attention!
lyingheart: anonsanta, let me know who to credit! (back | they were kids that i once knew)
[personal profile] lyingheart
[ The camera turns on, and for a moment attempts are made to find a point of focus: first the screen shows the top of Annie’s head and part of Reiner’s arm, then just Reiner, Bertholdt’s elbow -- each adjustment forces the others out of the frame. Finally the camera is pulled out further and, as they all stand assembled, Annie climbs on top of a chair that gives her enough height to be past even with Reiner’s shoulder, ending the camera’s focusing woes. Shortie. It’s Annie who starts speaking. ]

ImPorts. In light of recent circumstances, we’ve spoken with representatives of the United States military in regards to this announcement... and now we’re speaking to any interested as a courtesy.

My name is Annie Leonhart.       My name is Reiner Braun.       My name is Bertholdt Hoover.

this confession is riddled with spoilers for anime-only viewers and also is very long and very oh you silly teenagers so we hid it behind this cut because we love you )

III. Video

Aug. 3rd, 2014 11:17 am
sacrificusdux: (» quiet moment)
[personal profile] sacrificusdux
[Erwin is composed today, only a hint of emotion in his blue eyes. He's dressed simply- forgoing the usual uniform for plain slacks and a white button down shirt which the empty right sleeve hanging by his side. There are papers stacked neatly to the side along with his pen, he had been taking advantage of having a quite day off to get some work done.

He plans to keep this short and to the point, clearing his throat before speaking.]


As some of your may already be aware, Commander Hange Zoe has left us recently. While I am sure she'll be missed here, it's for the best that she returns where she is needed to ensure humanity's continued survival and freedom.

Due to her absence, I will be taking over her position once more [retirement hadn't been working out so great anyway.]. Mike and Levi will be available to handle things as well and I trust everyone has settled in by now without any trouble.

Lightning- the Commander was able to pass on her report to me before she departed. I'm not sure if she was able to share it with you before she returned home but if you would like to read it, we can arrange that as soon as possible.

Moving on- [Because dwelling wasn't going to accomplish anything, even if he would miss Hange being here on a personal level but no time to get emotional about it.]

It seems circumstances has made it necessary to seek another weapons designer. I am seeking someone with the expertise who would be able to design and implement suitable upgrades to our 3DMG. The blade will have to be replaced with a more suitable substance which would not shatter along with possible upgrades to gas canisters.

Any questions, inquiries, and concerns of course can be addressed to myself, Levi, or Mike.
worrior: <user name="ajna"> (pic#7977003)
[personal profile] worrior
[ The feed goes live with Bertholdt looking absently at it. It's not his voice that comes through first. He's getting prompted with instructions, albeit bumbling ones, that he nods to and responds with equal confusion and uncertainty. ]

—right? How do I tell if it's on?


I told you-- [ The feed shakes a bit as a larger hand grasps it and adjusts it. ] You got it right already, stop worrying about it. See?

[ Reiner waves his hand in front of the camera as if to demonstrate. ]

If you say so...

[ He looks off to the side for a moment, apprehensive and another "are you sure" on the tip of his tongue; not that he doubts Reiner but this technology is still new to him and it's taking a while for him to adjust and trust it. He looks back to the camera and concentrates on it. ]

Hello, I'm Bertholdt Hoover. I have a few questions about this place… There are some laws and rules here that doesn't exist in our world. Just the other day, I was told you can't buy alcohol if you're not over twenty one years old, which is when you're considered an adult here. I wondered, what else aren't you allowed to do here if you're under adult age? Is this just in this world or is this the same where everyone is from? I hope it’s not a lot—


[ Reiner interjects, though at first his voice is quieter, directed more to Bert. ]

Hey, Bertholdt, don’t expect a good answer to that one! Around here it's normal to be treated like a child even if half your life has passed already. [ Then, louder, he continues tangentially: ] I'd be better off asking how to stop someone from moving in bed all night and keeping me awake -- it's harder to sleep through all that crap without something to drink first. A beer before bed would be great right now.

[ Bertholdt sighs and resigns himself to being the guy who moves around too much when he’s sleeping. ]

Reiner, thanks. We’ll… talk about that later.

[ He continues with the somewhat somber voice: ]

I just have one more question. [ He thinks about it for a moment and a frown shows he’s struggling with the phrasing. ] …What does everyone do here, now that their old lives are left behind in another world?


That's--

[ Reiner sounds mildly caught off-guard by the question -- awkward -- and shifts over on the bed they're sitting on so that he's more in view. He nudges Bertholdt a bit roughly with his elbow before effortlessly replacing the mask of enthusiastic confidence back over his expression. ]

Mm… uh, what he means is -- do we get to choose how to live our lives here now? Are we obligated to live a certain way because of how things were before, or is it really up to us? Is there anyone living a better life here? … If anyone has advice about that, we’d really appreciate hearing it.

[ Bertholdt watches Reiner speak and makes eye contact with him, holds it for a second more than necessary, before turning back to the camera. He shows a small smile. ]

Thanks for your time.
blondtactician: (Default)
[personal profile] blondtactician
This isn't meant as a criticism of anyone or anything, but I've noticed I find myself answering a lot of the same questions over and over again when the subject of my world comes up.

While working at the library I've come to enjoy the simplicity of the informational pamphlet. With that in mind, I'm offering this list of Frequently Asked Questions to anyone who would like to know more about my world.

Others from my world are completely free to also utilize this link. Please let me know if there's anything else I should cover.

video.

Jul. 13th, 2014 05:15 pm
heralding: (time to kick more asses.)
[personal profile] heralding
[After speaking to Loki and a number of other individuals, Lightning resolves to make this commentary. Her experience with gods is lengthy, and what she's learning here in this world is that many are quick to dismiss them. While there were myths back home that people frequently ignored, it had never been the same. Myths included stories of the l'Cie, told to scare people when they would go to bed lest they might be turned into soldiers against their own world's gods. But that was different. Having lived alongside the fal'Cie all her life, she had accepted their involvement.

That this world dismisses gods, that the people from multiple worlds, can dismiss gods, strikes her as odd. To say the least.

There is much she can say on the matter. She only hopes that she covers all that matters.]


It has come to my attention that there are a number of people here who dismiss the presence of gods. Given the circumstances that we currently find ourselves in, I've chosen to share my experiences with you. I understand that many of you come from worlds where gods are uncommon or not present at all. Even in this world, gods are dismissed as myths ... or are a feature of religion, thought to be separate and distant. It's hard to believe in something you can't see. I don't blame you.

But my home world was one where gods worked alongside humans. Prior to my present, there was a war between worlds, between Gran Pulse and Cocoon. The gods pit these two powers against one another, hoping that they would destroy existence in order to bring forth a certain being for their own goals. Gran Pulse was wiped out as a result of this war, each and every person who lived there vanishing into thin air as a result of the apparent decimation. Cocoon, my home, prospered alongside the gods, the fal'Cie. They provided goods, electricity, and everything else we needed. For so long, we lived under their whims and according to what they wanted, not realizing that we were all up to eventually be thrown away when they grew tired or disgusted with us. We were their puppets, and we had to learn how to do things differently. That was a journey that we all went on from the beginning to the end, until we finally defeated god after god so that people's memories and experiences would be remembered.

That is not to say that you should all share the same experiences, but there is good reason to believe that we are experiencing that here. There is proof left and right. I worry about what this god ... these gods[the emphasis itself is said rather forcefully]—have in store for us in the long term. But dismissing them, pretending that it's not a concern ... that's the last thing we should be doing. Treating it like "superstition," treating it like there's a more immediate concern at hand ... is unwise. They are one and the same.

I do not know if this government is unwittingly playing to gods' whims. I can't say that for myself, but I've been asked many times what I'm prepared to do. If they are, we can help them unchain themselves. What I know is that gods shouldn't play with our lives, and we should be prepared to act to stop that

[There's a pause here, where she sighs and glances away in the video.

There's a huff of breath before she presses on:]


If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Everything I know about these present gods I have learned from others, but I am more free to share my own experiences.

001 [video]

Jul. 9th, 2014 03:07 am
snifftest: (pic#8024515)
[personal profile] snifftest
[He's got the run down, he's been taken to his new place, and now he's being left to absorb all the information. Which, really, seems more like something out of a really bizarre fever dream. This kind of stuff isn't the kind of thing that happens in real life, but it's not like he's in a position to argue what is and is not possible.]

Good evening. [The sun is setting and Mike briefly straightens up to press his fist to his heart. It's an odd salute, but it and the uniform he wears will definitely be familiar to some. He's not the first member of the Survey Corps to come through the Porter, but he doesn't know that yet.] My name is Mike Zacharius.

[He pauses, a grimace passing over his features. He certainly feels and looks like he might throw up at any minute, but luckily for everyone watching he's so-far managing to handle it.

Um. Right, he's doing a thing.]


I'm a member of the Survey Corps, so if anyone knows if there are any other members here, I'd appreciate the heads up. If there aren't...Anyone who could explain what's happening here would be fine.

[This is exactly why he doesn't really do rousing speeches outside of combat. How do you communicate with people? But, hopefully someone out there will take pity on him.]

video.

Jul. 2nd, 2014 10:24 am
isaytheeneigh: (Jean070)
[personal profile] isaytheeneigh
[It helps that Jean has a day off to do this. His job isn't exactly a taxing one, but having to learn an entirely new world has put him behind—and ensured that he's had to take some overtime. (Or more work for a kid his age.) It's not something he's minded, and he thinks it'll help in the future.

Of course, he doesn't know what future that entails. He has his doubts about a great deal of things. His role in the Survey Corps is one of those things, but he knows that he intends to help humanity. Being a hero isn't really his idea of a "good idea." That isn't why he wants to do this, but he's heard enough to know that what he's about to talk about would be a good idea. That has nothing to do with heroics. It has everything to do with helping out humanity, and ensuring that this world doesn't go to shit.

After all, that's something he knows too well.]


It's a new month, which means there's gonna be a whole different event to make us go on display. That's what everything's been about anyway, right? Making sure the world knows who we belong to right now. I've seen how easy it is to find information about us, and trust me, it's too easy.

[There's a pause.]

I wasn't here for Nonah, and I just turned up for those damn sharks, but I think that's enough to say that we need to act to protect us, and anyone who's out to see us be ourselves. Even if they're idiots and think we're heroes, we don't need them to be the casualties of that weird idea. It's not like the government's gonna keep us all in a safe facility forever for that stuff. It won't always work that way. And I'm not willing to trust that they'll look out for us. [But Jean doesn't trust a whole lot of things these days. His sentiments toward the government are embittered partly because of the paintball event.] I think we all know better now after that friendly game, right? [But of course he's going to say why—or at least provide his world specific reasoning.]

The idea I came up with is some kind of volunteer group that would be organized to keep an eye on imPort events. We can try to ensure with observation groups and different strategies to work together. I think we could do rounds and various sweeps periodically until they've over. That isn't gonna help with the waterfront stuff, but it's a start. And I bet we can come up with an idea for that.

And while I'm honestly surprised no one's come up with it yet, I think it's time. So who's interested? And who has ideas on how we can do this?
fieldresearch: (024 chromium)
[personal profile] fieldresearch
[Hange has set her communicator (with all its fancy new features!) up on a desk or something so that she has both hands free. She's sitting on a couch, more than likely the couch at Levi and Erwin's place and not her own, with her hands folded neatly in her lap and her hair tied back professionally. She's wearing a button-down shirt with nice slacks, and a bolo tie adorned with a round, green stone. She is much more at ease and calm than in her first post to the network, and somehow it's a bit unsettling.

She adjusts her glasses, clears her throat, then speaks.
]

Ah, yes, hello! Citizens of Heropa and wherever else you may be. My name is Hange Zoë, 14th Commander of the Survey Corps. I know that means absolutely nothing to most of you, so let's move on, shall we?

You may recognize me as one of the four winners of that rather unpleasant activity with the paintballs! Honestly… [she gestures vaguely] Why take something that could have just been fun and make it so painful? But that's not important right now! [she clasps her hands a bit and smiles brightly at the camera]

My prize for winning the game is an audience with our most mysterious captor, the Porter! Amazing!! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! [she wiggles her fingers for emphasis] Ah, but I haven't been here that long. I haven't experienced many of the things others have! While I have no shortage of questions to ask, I fear they may not be the right questions.

So!! This is why I come to you today, Network! [she points at the camera, enthusiastic as ever] I need you, yes you, to suggest things for me to ask during my audience with the porter!! What mysteries keep you up at night? What knowledge would benefit us most? [she opens her arms wide in a welcoming gesture] Please, let me know. My heart and my time are yours!

[PRIVATE; ERWIN SMITH]

[with the main broadcast over, Hange leans in and looks over his glasses] And you, Mr. Smith, are going to help me pick through these to find the most useful. You're welcome.

text.

Jun. 14th, 2014 10:36 pm
heartlessglitch: (Default)
[personal profile] heartlessglitch
My analysis and records of previous Network communications indicate that it is ironically common for this holiday to be marked by a series of posts to the Network airing grievances of a paternal nature.


Personal experience suggests that fathers are rarely the heroes portrayed by commercial greeting cards.
I sometimes wonder why society feels obligated to celebrate such a holiday at all.
If the subject of fathers is so controversial, perhaps it is better unheralded.


As a matter of academics and curiosity, I will pose a brief series of questions to the Network, as is traditional under these circumstances:
Did your father love you?
How do you know?

video.

Jun. 4th, 2014 02:09 pm
ex_question191: (➌ ❝ K I T T E N ❞)
[personal profile] ex_question191
Hello? Hello? Is this thing— yeah. Yes. Hey.... there. What up.

[ stiles peers into the camera. ]

So, uh, they spelled my name wrong on some of the paperwork, does anyone know where I could go to get that fixed up? I know it's kind of... people don't usually get the z in the right place, it's no big. I usually go by Stiles, anyway. So.

[ he shrugs, awkward, reaches up a hand to run long fingers through his hair and sigh. there are shadows under his eyes, like maybe he hasn't been getting enough sleep, or his iron levels are shoddy. ]

I was wondering, does concealer cover our brand new body mods?

[ he holds up his arm, where the tattoo, you know, completely isn't visible. ]

Not for like, nefarious purposes? It's just, I usually sleep like... hang on, I'll show you, like this:

[ he moves the camera, trying to prop it up to get a tilted shot of him tucking his face onto his arm like a pillow. it's mostly blurry, but you can get the gist. then he sits up again, fumbles with the device a moment. ]

You see my problem? Lights out for Stiles, and suddenly there's a nightlight less than an inch from my face. I'm having trouble sleeping as it is, and my room-mates are...

[ holding secret meetings while he's out? kind of scary? totally unhelpful? all of the above? he doesn't actually finish that sentence. ]

Uh, so maybe if it could be removed, or turned off, or just, blocked out somehow? That would be ... great. Yes. Cool. Thanks. Like, pre-emptively.

II. Video

May. 1st, 2014 09:17 am
sacrificusdux: (» blank)
[personal profile] sacrificusdux
[Erwin clearly looks tired today. Tired and grumpy. There dark smudges under his eyes and he doesn't look to be in very pleasant mood. But that's not the point of this inquiry.

No, the point of his inquiry this early morning is the vacuum cleaner on the floor behind him which had been sliced cleanly in half, laying in two pieces. He clears his throat before speaking.

Val, those new blades work beautifully, by the way.]


It seems our vacuum cleaner has broken.

[His expression doesn't encourage anyone to point out otherwise. He's been woken up in the early hours of the morning by that thing far too often after only a few minutes of sleep. Though, he also knows how someone feels about the vacuum. So here he is, this is almost his way of apologizing to maybe overacting.]

As I am not familiar with all the technology available and the options, I am seeking an alternative which doesn't make as much noise to replace the vacuum cleaner.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Sorry, Levi.]
youbastard: (pic#7531905)
[personal profile] youbastard
So, there’s a question I've become increasingly curious about the more people I've spoken to. What year is it where you’re from? So far I’m getting the impression that most of you are from the early 21st century or even before that. [Which is so ridiculously far in the past that she almost doesn't know what to do with it. It's definitely weird to think she's so far in the future to most people here, but it's also pretty interesting to hear about the past first hand. Even if it isn't necessarily her world's past. ]

For me it's 2514 and everything is pretty different than it is here. Earth is still our most populated planet, but we have colonies on almost all of the other planets, in our galaxy and outside of it. We have a very nice metropolis on the moon, New Horizon's Lunar Colony. We had a few civilian space stations that were metropolis size too, like Titan Station. It was built around the fragments of Titan, one of Saturn’s moons and it was huge. [She doesn't even notice that she slips into past tense when talking about Titan Station.]

I've honestly never spent very long on Earth, I wasn't even born there. What I have seen is pretty different than this place. I'd be interested to know what it's like in the year you're from too. Is it like this Earth, similar, or very different?
notdaredevil: (it's time for Daredevil)
[personal profile] notdaredevil
[Matt’s had a lot to think about, since he got here. A lot of decisions to make. But he never intended to be in hiding; he’s not going to stay out of the conflict, this time, if conflict comes. So it feels like it might be important to go on record, for this, and say some things.]

My name is Matt Murdock. Over the past two months, I’ve spoken to many of you about a lot of things. Law, super powered trials, registration, the quality of the sandwiches down 14th street…and some of you I knew before, from my life as a defense attorney in New York City. And I’ve noticed there’s at topic that keeps resurfacing, over and over, about what’s the right thing to do, and whether or not you have or should take what you’ve been given. I’m sure some of you have answers by now, but if you don’t, let me shed some light on the subject for you.

[He sounds perfectly at ease with this, matter-of-fact, an indisputable list of evidence laid out piece by piece, with full conviction that what he's saying is absolutely 100% honest and his decisions are the right ones:]

These are the facts as I know them: you do not have to register. You do not have to stay in the job you were given. I can and will personally testify to that; I’ve left my position as a probationary defense attorney with a firm in town to go out on my own. You will lose whatever grandfathered certifications you received from the government to continue working in your old field, or the field they assigned you. But you can re-obtain those under your own steam, if you're willing to put in the effort. I retook the bar a few weeks ago. I couldn’t stop them from pulling strings so I could take it ahead of their regularly scheduled sessions, and I don’t feel comfortable about that. But I decided it was more important to be answerable to my own principles than to have a secure job somewhere under someone else’s direction. I’m not interested in taking something I didn’t earn for myself, and I am not going to have that sort of leverage hanging over my head- that my career was something they granted me rather than something I did on my own.

[His voice picks up volume now, getting stronger, more definite, more sure:]

I will also testify that I have been here for well over two months, and I have still declined to register. I don’t believe in it. I will never believe in it. I can’t agree to forced oversight unanswerable to any process of law, and that’s the way it is. Nobody has come to twist my arm yet. [He pauses, for a second.] At least, nobody from the government here. So you have that option. Recognize, however, that there are consequences to being a vigilante, if that’s what you choose to do. There always have been consequences, and there always will be. Whether or not you feel that’s a risk worth taking is a personal decision you have to make for yourself. Whether or not you even feel there’s a cause worth standing for and taking that risk.

[You can practically hear him rounding the finish line, heading for the conclusion with full confidence:]

I hope that at least gives some of you some peace of mind. If there’s any questions you want to ask me about it, I can only speak to my personal experiences, but please feel free. You’re welcome to stop by my new office any time if you’d like to talk in person as well. I can’t say it’s comparably fancy to the old one, but at least it’s my office.