(Untitled)

[whatsatisfiesme]

Really, they even make this routine with the laundry dull, here.

[Everyone's clothes are gone, and Gilbert is being snide. Nothing has changed anywhere, except that he might sound a trace terser, a trace more theatrical, today:]

Maybe it's therapy. They'll do it often enough, and we'll all have no problem sitting naked in the cold. And then we'll

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[moral_prodigy]

[Serge responds to him in French...]

Who is Doctor Laforet, Gilbert?

I wish I could give you a blanket.

[whatsatisfiesme]

One of the staff here. He was a patient when I first got here, but now...

[Trailing off purposely there, perhaps.]

I thought you'd worry more over clothes than the blankets.

[moral_prodigy]

But now? [He urges. He won't let that subject drop quite yet.]

I am concerned about both. There is little I can do either way. [In reality, he thought a blanket would be more comforting.]

[whatsatisfiesme]

Now, he's one of the men in charge.

[There's only a soft sniff of recognition at the comment on the blankets, now, as his tone stays quite dry:]

But he acts as qualified as the other doctors I've met.

[moral_prodigy]

How can a patient become a doctor? Does he have any medical training?

[This place is more mad than he thought! Serge shifts uncomfortably.]

That isn't good news, Gilbert.

[whatsatisfiesme]

I don't know how you think I would know --

[But the bit about "good news" makes him laugh aloud.]

Don't say that until they've dragged you off for a 'therapy session' like this.

[moral_prodigy]

You have been here longer. I'm sorry for questioning you too much.

[Serge hums nervously.]

I... Do those hurt?

[whatsatisfiesme]

[...that draws an almost embarrassingly long pause.]

I --

I don't think they do things one way or the other. It would be up to whichever of the doctors thought you needed 'treatment.'

[moral_prodigy]

Gilbert...

[Serge utters his name sweetly.]

Did they hurt you? I know you try to hide your pain, but if they did...

I will protest until something happens.

[whatsatisfiesme]

[He recovers himself quickly enough, thankfully:]

Mmm, I'm sure they'll let us go, if you preach at them long enough.

[moral_prodigy]

Surely they will listen to reason? I don't see why they would ignore my complaints entirely.

[On naivete.]

I won't give up. You are my friend and if the only way I can help you is through words then...

That's what I will do.

[whatsatisfiesme]

...I'm already sick of hearing you 'help' like that.

If you want to help me, do something I'd enjoy -- you can come and keep me warm, until they bring our clothes back.

[There's a coaxing coyness in that "suggestion," but it comes without getting rid of the venom in his first comment, mocking instead of making a real offer.]

[moral_prodigy]

I don't understand...

Nn -

[He is remembering that night they spent together now. But nothing has changed. Gilbert is still Gilbert.

Then again, this Gilbert hadn't experienced that night yet. Maybe there was still hope?]

I would.

[He tries to keep his tone level.]

If I get the chance, I will.

[whatsatisfiesme]

[This silence is even more awkward than the first, to say nothing of longer. He'd meant for Serge to be scandalized, really, but now his voice fumbles a little--]

...Don't talk like I'm being serious.

There's no reason I'd want you to come do that. Though it's so charitable of you -- there are people who are closer to start with.

[immortalstudies]

Gilbert, Serge. That's enough, don't you think?

[moral_prodigy]

[He winces, leaning his forehead against the wall. Why was everything so difficult?]

I apologize, Doctor. I wasn't teasing Gilbert. I do want to help him. He is my friend.

[Could he sound like more of a martyr?]

Gilbert, we have done that once before. I am simply extending the offer again.