(Untitled)

[headline_maker]

Deep down beneath the quiet reserve and the sweet smile, Sacharissa was thrilled. True, it was terrible that people were having hallucinations (and she really didn't see the need for a post office on an island roughly ten miles square), but this was news. They were good stories, both of them, worth the writing. She missed the rush a daily paper

Comments

[how_itgoes]

Sam's not sure about this whole thing. Usually Gene takes care of the reporters (with his...usual 'grace' at the matter), but he's willing to speak with tact and reserve. "Miss Cripslock?" he inquires of her.

[headline_maker]

"Mr Tyler," Sacharissa says, her face lighting up with a kind smile as she walks gracefully into the room. She comes to a halt before his desk, pencil and pad behind her back, head at a slight incline. Ever the picture of sweetness and reserve, she looks little like one would expect a reporter look.

That's the whole point, really.

She likes interviewing new people for that very reason. "It's good of you to speak to me. I do appreciate your taking the time."

[how_itgoes]

Sam's not easily taken in by sweet faces. He's seen Gene Hunt hit all too many of them in dark, smoke-filled rooms to do anything but feel sympathetic for pretty women. "It's my job," he informs her as she wanders closer to sit down. "Do you have any questions or uh, should I just give you my statement?"

[headline_maker]

Sacharissa considers this briefly as she settles into her seat, legs crossing at the ankles and notepad resting against her thighs. "Why don't we start with the statement," she suggests, "and I can follow up from there?" She's curious to see what he plans to say. It isn't like Vimes to organize answers for his officers, so her best guess is this is Tyler's own plan. Sometimes there's as much to be learned from what they try to tell you as from the truth.

[how_itgoes]

"Sure," Sam says in amiable reply, even going so far as to offer a perfunctory smile. "The IPD is currently investigating the strange hallucinations as seen by multiple citizens of Tabula Rasa who will remain anonymous until further deductions have been made."

[headline_maker]

"Naturally," Sacharissa agrees with a smile and a nod. They would remain anonymous unless, of course, they came to her and authorized her to use their name in the report; the promise of anonymity was important, though. It left people secure enough to talk. "When you say 'strange hallucinations as seen by multiple citizens,' are you saying they're seeing similar things?"

[how_itgoes]

"Hallucinations is a broad term, Miss Cripslock and the IPD will keep to that definition for the time being," he confirms, nothing more than that.

[headline_maker]

"It is a broad term," Sacharissa agrees with a crisp smile, "which is why a little more clarification would be ideal. If you're suggesting that people are seeing the same thing, that's cause for rather more alarm than a number of isolated cases which happen to be occurring at the same time. Details are one thing, but clarity quite another, Mr Tyler."

[how_itgoes]

"If a member of the population believes they are seeing something that doesn't have a root in reality," Sam speaks, trying not to find this all horribly ironic, "then their first action should be to either check in with a Doctor on the Clinic staff or come to us for protection," Sam says. "We also don't want to presume that something is a hallucination before proving it."

Real until proven imaginary.

[headline_maker]

"For protection?" Sacharissa queries, leaning forward with a curious raise of her brow. "In what way, Mr Tyler, does the IPD hope to offer protection to the general populace from presumed visions which don't 'have a root in reality'?"

[how_itgoes]

"Have you ever had a hallucination, Miss Cripslock?" Sam asks curiously, giving her a studied look. "It's a little like sexual harassment laws back on Earth. The danger is inherent is it's perceived to be there. Whether it exists or not, the act of protection offers safety to the members of our society and I think they deserve that much. Don't you?"

[headline_maker]

"Oh, Mr Tyler, I most certainly do," Sacharissa says, blinking rapidly, a hand rising briefly - only very briefly - to press against her heart before it returns to its proper place (steadying that all-important notebook). "I think it's very gallant of the IPD to offer to protect people from their own minds. I'm simply asking how you intend to do this thing. I'm sure my readers will be keen to know."

[how_itgoes]

"For that, you'll have to speak with my boss," Sam maintains, because he knows better than to go above a superior's head.

...well, too often. "I'm just running the investigation and blood samples are necessary before I can give you anything conclusive."

[headline_maker]

"I'll be sure to do so," Sacharissa assures him smoothly, smiling already at the thought of Vimes' reaction to that question. She'll have to make the best of this interview - she suspects Vimes won't let Tyler near her for official purposes again. "To what end are you taking samples, Mr Tyler? Do you suspect a cause for these hallucinations?"

[how_itgoes]

"The blood samples are a routine check to eliminate possibilities," he answers after a moment. "It's like diagnosing an illness. The more we can rule out, the more sure we can be in the end of the cause."

[headline_maker]

"But if they're without -" She bows her head to check her notes. "- without 'a root in reality,' the implication is it's some sort of... mental trouble. Is it possible to test for dementia, or do you suspect an outside source of trouble?"