< RXVT ▒ 64.40.97.143 ▒ VIDCON >
[Despite Raimi's absence, he still somehow manages to sport that been-through-Hell-and-back look... or some variety of the kind. It's not just apparent because of the fresh cuts on his face or the newly cracked lenses of his glasses, either
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So I take it you'd rather the whole skinny, because I don't do abridged very well.
[He idly tosses the whole Yoshimoto piece in his hand, then begins to take it apart again, restoring it back to its two-piece state that it was before.]
For the past three years, I have been under the employ of the largest telecommunications company to help program their data-tracking software. For months we slaved to make our most recent deadline, working on what we thought was to be the corporate satellite network project. The idea was to create a wireless world, roping even the farthest regions together under the banner of the BIOCOM network.
We Keep You Connected, they always say.
It seemed like they were under a pretty strict schedule, needed all the hands they could get, when one day I get pulled off the project we were on. I had a feeling it had something to do with the shady tidings I stumbled upon at the office when doing a little backdoor sniffing in the company mainframe -- I was always paranoid so it shouldn't have come off as a surprise when I finally stumbled upon something worth my while. But then I was locked out and pulled out, and told to finish off the rest of my shift at home. I was peeved, so I decided to continue my little undercover work on my personal setup. After covering my trails, I managed to bootlick my way through the same backdoor, looking for any ammunition I could use on those smug corporate fucks at this point.
Naturally, I found myself onto something -- uncovering covert ties to suspicious corporate and military contracts that were rumored but brushed under the carpet. What I found was enough to make the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah look like a stomp on the anthill for what it was worth... or blackmail my way to an early retirement.
I tried to make a copy of all the evidence I'd found when my computer blipped on me -- the power cut out, and the surge protector short circuited when I tried to yank the cord, but that doesn't put an end to the strangeness...
Someone or something literally spoke to me then -- through my computer. I couldn't stop it -- it was like every microfiber of my entire body was being ripped apart, and I lost it.
I couldn't move -- for a moment I was certain I was dead. But I wasn't.
I saw things.
Days later I woke up at the BIOCOM med-wing. I was informed that I had suffered some kind of a mild "stroke", told to get a few days rest, which would be nice if my mind ever allowed it.
My brain's been fucking propelling charged particles constantly and it's never stopped. Can't sleep much these days. Nothing's felt the same for me ever since.
[As he finishes, Raimi has successfully taken apart the Yoshimoto puzzle and successfully put it back together in its cube-shape all over again.]
So yeah, one could easily say I'm pretty fixated with finding a solution. One way or another.
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Oh, good. [It's almost a sigh, real contentment. He really does prefer to know everything about a situation before calculating the next move. Watching Raimi, attentive to body language and use of words, even as Clu processes the information handed to him at length.
So many questions; he'll just have to stick to the most salient concerns.]
BIOCOM, huh? Sounds like you got pooched on that deal...
[Oh, man. Emergent consciousness. Ghosts in the network. ISOs nibbling on your brain, bro? He knew they were hiding something sick under that miracle garbage. That's rough.]
Sounds like you're quick with terminals, too--can literally make 'em sing--and you don't. Sleep. Seems like it'd be a hell of a trade-off.
[Watching the flickering of Raimi's fingers with an almost rapt focus.]
So. How do you recharge? [Well, didn't that come out all personal. Uh.] I mean. What do you require, exactly?
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[Real strange, if you want to consider how all of the patterns and signs have been coming together as they have been. Just as he suspected -- it's not a fucking fluke.
[Raimi can see how Clu is taking this all in, as he figured. There aren't many who would, but Clu is more worldly than the other programs. Not that Raimi has any problems with going all Mr. Exposition on anyone. He likes to talk, and it shows:]
Au contraire, conspiracies and dark secrets aside, you could arguably say that I was pretty fortunate to work at where I do. Not a whole lot of companies out there have staff housing that monitor your biorhythms, which could come in handy when it trips medical emergency while you're having an epileptic fit on the floor of your apartment.
It's a fair trade, I'd say. I don't like sleep and sleep doesn't like me. Never has and never will. It's a mutually spiteful relationship we have.
[Raimi then starts taking apart the Yoshimoto pieces and begins shifting it into a polyhedron.]
What do I require? [He clicks the puzzle pieces contemplatively. That did indeed sound pretty personal, originally. Why ever would you ask, Clu?] Shit, that's a loaded question. I don't require much anymore -- can't keep much food down on top of everything else. With my brain practically converted into a personal quantum drive, voraciously devouring every digit and detail, it's all about data. Although, if we're talking about sustenance in a material sense, then... rum, smokes... small ticks and quick hits are all that seems to do the trick to sating anything that isn't just this noisy cerebral processor unit in my head.
[Polyhedron: Complete.]
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...Point. [So they've got their wires in your brain, somehow, somewhere? Would you know it if they set them off? Until now he didn't really think Users could be rectified.] I guess they had their uses, as a company.
[Brb, attention momentarily absorbed. Watching your fingers. Programs are not cats, shut up.]
...Does that puzzle just assume any solid polygonal shape you formulate?
Huh. [Because he's curious and User sleeping habits aren't usually taboo; the phrasing was unintentional, or that's what he'll tell himself from now on.] Information over cheeseburgers, then. Noted.
[Pause.] You could start with the time differential in respawns. I mean, they're only supposed to take three milli--twenty-four hours, and you lost an unspecified number of days. I've heard of other residents losing months at a time this way. Mostly isolated cases, though.
But I'm running on. What makes you ask? What would you have done with the missing time?
[And then Raimi Solves Things With His Hands was Clu's very favorite network broadcast of all time. OF ALL TIME.]
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[Oh, we already know what happens to this guy when those wires in his brain are set off. Much like the sound of forgiveness, it involves a lot of screaming and then silence.]
We've made use of each other, to an extent. The pay was good, for one thing, and when you're in the city then money is where it's at. As that one adage goes, you know -- he who has the gold, sets he rules.
[Who's the cutest kitten? CLU IS.]
I think the general idea was to divide the puzzle into an equal three-dimensional space. I don't really care, personally. It gives my hands something to do while I think.
[As he flips it into a rhombus. A brow raises.]
Noted, huh? For what? Trying to decide whether to take me out to dinner or study?
[He means this in an entirely joking way, of course. Entirely.]
I'm familiar with similar cases as well. Judging by the time lost and the time gained in my situation, it adds up to an approximate, if not equal, number of days in between, so really, no time was lost at all. Not really. Though the transition is what makes it fucked up.
As for the time that I did lose at the station... I'm don't really know what I would've done had I been here the whole time. On one hand, I keep telling myself that I could've done something. Make myself useful somehow.
Wishful thinking, I guess.
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...Oh. Really? Better to be careful with the knowledge, then. Clu is curious, it's true--and driven, all about implementation. He may very well try to touch, to see what they will do.]
...Yeah. [He seizes on that with a mellow hum of approval. Apparently, Raimi's good with color, too.] It can definitely do that. I find it depends on the market forces, though.
And, as we've established, you're a very thoughtful guy. [Less than an inch from asking if Raimi's involved in speculation in a ludicrous tone of voice.]
You know, now that you mention it... [And he leans, and steeples his hands, grinning.] 'Both' is often a satisfactory outcome. I mean, if you're interested.
[That word holds more weight and warmth than it probably should.]
Change can be a difficult proposition. [He knows that too well.]
Hey. Hey. [Quietly] We all do what we can, and that's all anybody can ever ask.
[And there, it's back, that persistent warmth--bright and just a little too slick.] I'm sure you have resources the rest of us can only guess at.
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[Good thing Raimi isn't quick to explain that his episodes are triggered by extremely low frequencies, then.]
This is true. Unless if you're out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere living in trees... Gotta earn your bi-weekly allowance to live comfortably. Perfect leisure and perfect harmony.
[Perfect sarcasm, too, apparently.]
Of course I am. I sure as fuck didn't get where I am by looking pretty, that's for sure. [Yeah, Clu. You stroke that ego.
[...
[Whoa there sailor.]
Funny. If I had half a right mind, that'd almost sound like a date to me.
[He then falls silent for a moment. Clu certainly does have such a sugary way with words, he knows -- but words themselves are familiar and relatable. Maybe it's the aftershock, and maybe his brain is still fried... but he really can't bring himself to give two flying cow fucks. It's in his nature to know, and it's even more so in his nature to share.]
You have no idea.
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...Yes, that's probably better for Raimi's health.]
Like the credit system, here? It only seems orderly on the surface. Pretty much asks people to beg, borrow, and steal.
[Perfect is his very favorite word, oh yes.]
And modest, too. [This ego? It's been neglected, hasn't it. Let's see if we can't make it a little bigger.] Y'know, I've got a good feeling about you.
[...Sorry, were you expecting this ride to slow down?]
Really. Because. If it were, I'd probably suggest tomorrow at eight, eight-thirty, but since it's hypothetical, we have to be flexible about boundaries like time and date.
[Clu can share, if pushed, and for good reason. It's just that he tends to get...possessive. But intense focus on something he wants? That's just his nature.]
Oh? I'm no good at guessing, it's true. You'll just have to show me.
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[Patterns within patterns. Plans within plans.]
I don't see how those begging and borrowing and taking is necessarily a bad thing. Keeps life interesting if you're willing enough to give. Shit, Coast City's practically paved with scum and beggers. Makes it feel like home.
Of course. Apparently you missed the memo -- I'm just the fucking poster boy for modesty. [He then looks up. Because eye contact? What's that?] Hey man, watch it. You're gonna start making me blush.
[More sarcasm? You decide.]
Hmm, now let me think about it...
[Pause:] No. Don't have any plans on plumbing shady corporations or getting my ass fried around that approximate hour. Sure. Why not? I'm flexible.
[It shows. Doesn't help that Raimi would certainly like to pick at a program's brain sometime as well.]
All in due time.
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Yes.]
Oh, just that it gives the wrong impression. They'll go on and on about how clean and efficient it makes things, but no, there's still a disrupt in the supply lines. [Slight pause for Oh User, stragglers wandering everywhere without a disc D:] Goes well with the beaches, then, huh?
...Hey, I can see that. [That, too. It's so interesting when your skin changes color like that.]
Excellent. [All hundred thousand of those watts in that grin, all for you.] Here, why don't you pick the place? Since I've penciled us in, here, already. Don't worry about the tab. [Softly] Come hungry.
[Well, turnabout is fair play, and so on.]
Of course!
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In a way. You find people who either hopelessly preach to the choir or they just pretend that it doesn't exist. Nobody really tries to save face, though. There's no real impression to give when you already know what stereotype falls into where.
Is it that obvious? I've really got to work on my subtlety. [Man, Raimi's not even the blushing type, but it can happen once every rare occasion -- and it's almost always with you damn programs and your damn flattery.
[Ooh, Clu, ooh. It's in the way you talk.]
I hear there are some decent places I haven't checked out yet in Zone 07. [He pauses.] And come hungry... right. I'll be sure to remind myself to fast on both my daily data and MSG intake until then.
[How Raimi loves a good game of turnabout!]
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That's an interesting take on it. [It's one of about three dozen User sayings Flynn had explained in detail, in the earliest days, so he understands mostly what's going on--and just glosses right over the fact that his reaction would be to reduce the offending units to their components. Solve the problem.] Hadn't thought of it...quite that way before.
Oh, come on. Subtlety's overrated. [Says the guy who basically embodies that viewpoint...Besides, red looks good on you, baby.]
I look forward to it. [He really does; is there something keen and predatory in that grin? Nah.] See you then, Raimi.
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Well, it's not like our worlds have got much in common, anyway, so feel free to take it with a grain of salt.
If that's what it takes to get me off the hook, then sure. [Raimi uses red shirt to distract! It's... marginally effective?]
Yeah... see you.
[Wow. Why is Raimi getting the strangest sense of déjà vu all of a sudden again? You could kill someone with that grin, grandmother. Such big teeth you have, too.]
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