the new status quo
Schreber has a lot of trouble letting go of his paperwork but even he will admit he needs help. The more he does for the city the more it seems like needs to be done and the bureaucracy is starting to grow. It’s hard keeping so much of the city’s trade operations invisible from the people who think they know what’s going on. The way Schreber and now Rat are on the payroll as a city employee is probably not even technically legal.
Rat actually doesn’t see a problem with leaving a few loose ends and clues around for those who choose to look for them. The city has to know the truth eventually, and he’s fine with pushing that along in subtle ways. In his usual friendly manner, Rat nudges the good doctor into letting him take on various aspects of the city planning and management. The public garden is already in his hands, and it’s easy enough to convince Dr. Schreber to let him help with school planning, and by then it’s customary for him to involve himself in whatever piece of work the Doctor is currently burdened with. He’s being paid well, and Rat fully intends to earn his pay. In no time he’s an installment at the house, courteous but fast growing accustomed to making coffee for himself when Sarah’s away at work, and taking cigarette breaks with Thorn. He’s also careful to help the doctor wrap up the work day shortly after Sarah comes home, unless there’s some pressing emergency. He’s not about to come between them, and knows just how wrapped up in work the doctor can get.
Although Thorn likely works longer hours at the school than does Sarah, he’s grateful for the increased presence of Markus Rathbone. Seeing the older man as something of an equal is social status, he is more comfortable around him than around the doctor. Although he’s beginning to think it’s well past time he moved out on his own again, Thorn lacks the courage to bring it up, and has settled into a pattern of keeping out of the way and doing chores before anyone else is up to earn his keep. Having Rat around only makes his continued stay more appealing.
((This is just an update post, reply only if you want to visit while they're working! Replies might be slow.))
Rat actually doesn’t see a problem with leaving a few loose ends and clues around for those who choose to look for them. The city has to know the truth eventually, and he’s fine with pushing that along in subtle ways. In his usual friendly manner, Rat nudges the good doctor into letting him take on various aspects of the city planning and management. The public garden is already in his hands, and it’s easy enough to convince Dr. Schreber to let him help with school planning, and by then it’s customary for him to involve himself in whatever piece of work the Doctor is currently burdened with. He’s being paid well, and Rat fully intends to earn his pay. In no time he’s an installment at the house, courteous but fast growing accustomed to making coffee for himself when Sarah’s away at work, and taking cigarette breaks with Thorn. He’s also careful to help the doctor wrap up the work day shortly after Sarah comes home, unless there’s some pressing emergency. He’s not about to come between them, and knows just how wrapped up in work the doctor can get.
Although Thorn likely works longer hours at the school than does Sarah, he’s grateful for the increased presence of Markus Rathbone. Seeing the older man as something of an equal is social status, he is more comfortable around him than around the doctor. Although he’s beginning to think it’s well past time he moved out on his own again, Thorn lacks the courage to bring it up, and has settled into a pattern of keeping out of the way and doing chores before anyone else is up to earn his keep. Having Rat around only makes his continued stay more appealing.
((This is just an update post, reply only if you want to visit while they're working! Replies might be slow.))