voicetesting; x-posted

[ethicalproblems]

And so the puppet-master becomes the puppet. [He uses his hands to imitate pulling the strings.] Wow, that’s ironic. Legit irony, not even the Alanis-ified version. I’d say congratulations, but you’re a little late to the punch line.  Like, years late. [Thanks, Boyd.]

Don't worry, just because the joke’s stale, doesn’t mean we can’t work something out. You find somewhere bright, without rodents or too much open space, and we’re in business. You get to play, and I get to...not have front row seats to the thought-pocalypse. Everyone's a winner!

Oh, but before that, we've got one teensy problem. You, my mun-friend, need to put on her thinking cap. One Wikipedia article doesn’t make you neurologist. It makes you like, .02 of one. Tops.  So, chop chop. When you inevitably mess up the details, which of us is going to more embarrassed? The actual genius or the tech-support girl?

Comments

[perkypsycho]

[Hi Topher. Have a familiar looking face, but a very different person. But that's not really too far from the reality you're from, right?]

It's embarrassing, isn't it? How they think a few unreliable sources make them subject matter experts on highly technical fields. Mine hardly understands CSS. How's she supposed to accurately depict me hacking a secure network.

If you find a nice place, I'd love to know all about it. I've got my own little apocalypse to deal with.

[ethicalproblems]

[Considering who was in that body last, it’s the opposite issue. Too close to reality. Way, way too close. Please excuse him while he takes a moment to observe before answering.]

Exactly! It’s almost cute. In a sad, futile, kittens falling off ledges sort of way. Until the humiliation starts, and suddenly we’re the laughingstocks. [Which is inevitable and horrible, but less distracting than the face in front of him. Not Saunders. Not Clyde. One of Whiskey’s many, many imprints? It's worth a shot.] This is kind of a non sequitur, but does the word treatment mean anything to you? Invoke any weird feelings?

[perkypsycho]

And they're just so fond of the humiliation tactics. Don't they know that it's much more satisfying when the kinks are mutual? [Root wears many masks, but that's just part of her job. A new identity pretty much every week. Whenever She asks.]

Treatment? [It does. Actually.] Only in the sense that I'd really rather not ever end up being confined in a mental institution again.

[ethicalproblems]

[The word ‘kinks’ should never come out of Saunders’ mouth - no matter who’s actually in the body. Especially not in that context. It’s just...oogie.]

I’ll take your word for it. So far, my time’s been almost humiliation free. It might even stay that way, until the science comes out. Then it’s all downhill. [No reaction. That’s one theory out. Too bad the rest are harder to determine without extensive testing and equipment that’s not here.] Not that kind of treatment. Don’t worry abou-

--Did you say mental institution? [Please don’t be a crazy person.]

[perkypsycho]

[It must be very disconcerting indeed. Probably just as much as the casual mention of time spent in a mental institution. Oh the stories she has of her misadventures!]

Mmhmm. Stoneridge. I was committed against my will. But don't worry. I've been out for quite some time. [She speaks of it so casually, but it really was a very dark time.] If only Dr. Carmichael had believed what I had to say about God. Maybe then I wouldn't have had to drug all the guards and plan my escape.

[ethicalproblems]

[Yes, and the explanation she gives doesn’t make it less concerning. He takes a step back.]

Who’s worrying? I regularly schedule in talky-time with committed - and escaped - mental patients. Can’t you tell? [Not that it’s going to stop him from chatting. Damn his curiosity.] Never mind, let’s go back to the ‘God’ part. Is this a whole modern day Joan of Arc thing? You know, with the visions and possible schizophrenia? [Even fear can’t lesson the skepticism in his tone.]