probably homeless forever, we'll see.

[functionshighly]

You can't just put me somewhere, I'm an adult. I decide what's best for me and not you and not my mom. Me. I decide.

[ he seems distressed, flicking his hands in front of his face. ] Though going somewhere with more "Alphas" could be interesting. I could really learn something. Or teach them something. I've been at this a while, you know. I know things.

I'm smart. I'm a 32 on the CARS scale. I'm highly functioning. I can do this.


That doesn't mean I want to.

Comments

[eightlives]

And what exactly are Alphas?

[functionshighly]

Alphas. People with special -- special abilities.

People like me. Special like me.

[eightlives]

Fascinating. And you consider yourself to be human? I know, that's rude of me to ask, but you can't always tell on first glance.

[functionshighly]

Of course I'm -- human. Dr. Rosen says we all are, even the ones on the Compound. I'm just special, that's all.

That's all.

[eightlives]

So these special powers... care to tell me what they're like?

[functionshighly]

It's like colors -- and lines. I can see everything. Dr. Rosen -- Dr. Rosen calls me a Transducer.

I can see everything electromagnetic.

[eightlives]

I don't know of any other humans that can do that.

[functionshighly]

No other humans can do that. That -- that's the point.

I'm special.

[eightlives]

You've mentioned that. A few times, as a matter of fact.

[functionshighly]

I know. But that's because it's important.

[eightlives]

Yes, I can see.

So, how did your powers manifest? Or is that too personal?

[functionshighly]

It's not -- personal. This place isn't even real. In a real place it's a secret.

Classified. You don't have the security clearance.

[ oh right she asked him a question. ]

My DNA is different. It's human evolution. I'm the next step. [ not exactly an answer, but he might come around... ]

[eightlives]

One might even call you a subspecies. Or a new branch altogether, if you're able to pass on those traits to the next generation.

[functionshighly]

There's already an Alpha baby. It's already been precidented. This has happened before and it will happen again.

And that's a good thing. At least, it's a good thing when good people use their abilities -- for good.

[eightlives]

It's certainly a natural thing. In all my years, I don't recall ever witnessing evolution in process. It's exciting.

[functionshighly]

It is exciting. I'm kind of like a superhero. Well, more like a superspy.

I'm very cool.

GARY.

[wracked]

So, when you say Alphas —something tells me you're not actually referring to what I think you're actually referring to.

[functionshighly]

I don't know what you're thinking, I'm not in your head.

[ but then he starts tracing the air again and he adopts a curious expression, tilting his head. ]


Werewolf? Ha. Those don't exist.

[ihearyouthink]

Might I ask what a CARS scale is? [Charles curiosity is peaked.]

[functionshighly]

CARS is the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. I'm a 32. I'm highly fuctioning.

[wealldosillythings]

...You remind me of someone. [Have a curious English woman looking at you, Gary.]

Oh, gosh, I'm sorry, that must sound strange.

[functionshighly]

It does sound strange.

[wealldosillythings]

Right. A-Again, my apologies. You just reminded me of a fr- well, colleague. He's "high functioning" too, although he never cared enough to give a number.

Uh, I'm Molly. [She sheepishly holds out her hand.]

[functionshighly]

Numbers are very important. He shouldn't ignore them.

I didn't ask -- but I'm Gary. Gary Bell, boy genius. [ it's a joke, molly.

well, maybe. ]

[wealldosillythings]

Oh, he doesn't! He uses numbers for just about everything else. I think he just thinks that solving murders is more important than what scale he's on.

[Whether it is or not she chuckles.] Is that so? You don't look much like a boy to me. But I'll take your word on the genius thing. Nice to meet you, Gary.

[functionshighly]

He's a detective? That's a good thing to do. Do you help him solve murders? Is he an alpha too?

[ oh that was a lot of questions. there's a fleeting smile but still zero eye contact. ]

That's because I'm not a boy! I'm a man. An adult man with adult man responsibilities.

[wealldosillythings]

[Whoa question overload. Molly's trying to process them quickly.] Uh, yes I help a bit. I'm not a detective, but I'm a forensic pathologist so when someone's dead I'm one of the first people involved in processing them for evidence.

Uh, yes, I can see that.

...What's that thing you said before? An alpha?

[functionshighly]

An Alpha is someone who has an extraordinary ability. We're special.

[wealldosillythings]

Oh. Well I've never heard of that before, but...I suppose it's possible that Sherlock's one.

[functionshighly]

No one's heard of them. Of - of us. It's called a secret for a reason.

[wealldosillythings]

[And now she looks at him with confusion etched in her features.]

...Then why did you just tell me?

[functionshighly]

Because this place isn't real. It's just a construct for our... players to interact through us.

I have to tell you, Molly, I don't like being a puppet. I'm not some pushover, I'm my own man.

[wealldosillythings]

Oh. Right.

[She looks downward, sheepishly.] I've...been here a while, so I guess I've gotten used to it.

But I understand what you're feeling. I mean, except the "man" part, because, well, obviously I'm not one.

[functionshighly]

If you're used to people bossing you around it's already too late.

You're your own woman, you can make your own decisions.

[wealldosillythings]

I-I know. And I do! ...Usually.

Er, anyway....now that you're here, what do you think you're doing to do?

[functionshighly]

I, I don't know. Yet. No one's told me what to do.

Not that I need them to! Molly. Molly, you remember. I make my own choices.

[wealldosillythings]

[She nods quickly to agree with him.]

Of course, Gary, of course. 'Course I remember.

[functionshighly]

Good. That's good. It's important to remember things, Molly. Not to forget.

[ something shifts in his expression, but then he looks completely away. ]

She says she wants to send me into space, Molly. I wasn't built for that. I won't do well there.

I have a routine. It's very specific. I brush my teeth at 7:42, and then I scream for ten seconds, and then I have my breakfast. At 8:00, I call my mother.

I wouldn't be able to call my mother from space. It won't work, Molly. It just won't.