(Untitled)

[song_tra_bong]

It's been a long week with all the family drama flying around, so Mary Anne is taking it easy tonight.

She's got a comfortable booth, a cold beer and a good book, but she probably wouldn't say no if you wanted to chat.

Comments

[theflyingsquirl]

Settled in--that's the best way to catch people for surveys. Generally a little off-guard, and sometimes more willing to talk.

So one mutant, arm in a sling, clipboard in hand, approaches the booth. "Would you be interested in a quick survey?"

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne looks up, blinking.

She's been asked a lot of questions in Milliways, but this is definitely a first.

"Sure thing," she says, setting down her book and sitting up a little straighter.

[theflyingsquirl]

"Excellent," he says with a grin, setting the clipboard down on the edge of the table and unclipping the pen. "First, for demographic purposes--where and when are you from? That includes whether there's magic or aliens or other non-mundane things in your world, even if that's kind of subjective."

[song_tra_bong]

She thinks for a moment.

"As of now, Greece, circa 2009, and there's nothing terribly non-mundane on my world except for me."

[theflyingsquirl]

"Good deal," he says, making a note. "How's law and order there? Superheroes and villains? The police take care of things? Do you generally feel safe when you're out and about?"

[song_tra_bong]

"No superheroes or villains, at least none that I know of," she replies.

"The police handle things and yes, I'd say I feel safe."

[theflyingsquirl]

Another note, and a nod.

"How about the environment? Is it a big concern for you, or does it not affect you that much? That includes climate change, energy, transportation, all those things."

[song_tra_bong]

"I'd have to go with not effecting me much; I travel pretty frequently and don't spend that much time at home."

[theflyingsquirl]

"How about humankind?" he asks. "Your general feelings on them. Good, bad, indifferent? Where are they headed, what do they have to overcome to get there, what'll happen if they don't?"

[song_tra_bong]

If the questions didn't have her full attention before, they sure do now.

"Good, fairly good. Not entirely sure where they're headed, and if anything is in their way, it would be themselves. If they can't overcome their own difficulties...I'd imagine it would all get very messy."

[theflyingsquirl]

Another note, in clumsy handwriting.

"How do you think they get in their own way? Just... greed, intolerance, things like that? Or something else?"

[song_tra_bong]

"Those things, sure. But a lot of the time it boils down to the things that they want, and how going after those things--with a blind eye to the actual consequences--can hurt them in the long run."

[theflyingsquirl]

"Most people, I think," he says, "have no idea what they really want. They just think they want whatever TV or their neighbors tells them they should want. And they're never happy, even when they've got it, since there's always something else to want."

[song_tra_bong]

She nods.

"They have to know themselves to be happy, and most people never make the effort."

[theflyingsquirl]

"There's no point in making the effort, if Oprah just told you you're a special snowflake and can do anything you want. That gives you enough confidence to... keep doing exactly the same things you were doing before. It justifies it, somehow."

[song_tra_bong]

"But doesn't satisfy," she adds.

"And the whole ugly wheel just keeps on turning."