buildstherobots | [67] life's a game we're meant to lose

[phone]

Fine. You people want to play that way?

Enjoy educating newcomers by yourselves. I'm done helping you.

[And, true to his word, he won't be handing out any more letters, at least for the moment. Explain what he's talking about? Why in the world would he do that? Obviously the actions of maybe three people is enough for him to throw a tantrum over the phone lines.]

[action]

[Anyone who might see Dist walking through the streets can see that he's an absolute wreck. Not emotionally -- his expression is uncharacteristically stony. It's his face that's busted up, bruised across his cheek and mouth and his left eye patched over. Well, the place where his left eye should be, but that's not exactly visible. It'd happened a couple of days ago, but that's not quite long enough to heal fully, so for now he's just combed his hair forward a bit in an attempt to cover it all up.

He does seem to have a destination in mind, though, as he's walking particularly quickly.]

[729 Anderson lane]

[KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Use people? Throw people away? Oh, nonsense.

[His smile stretches a little.]

I value cooperation beyond anything. Whatever happened to you is a tragedy. To be discarded like that is just too cruel.

You can't trick me. Don't bother trying. What is it you want?

What if I said... all I wanted to do is to help? I am a doctor by profession and therefore, it must be in my nature to help.

I've known plenty of doctors with no such intention.

Ohoh. How perceptive. Then very well, consider this... What could I possibly have to gain by helping you?

Use of my genius, probably, or the things I know about the town. I would say my connections, but those won't be of any use to you. I'm an exceptionally talented man and I'm not going to let you take advantage of it.

Oh, so you're a fellow researcher too, are you?

Sorry, but while I respect the ideas and ideals of fellow researchers... I prefer working based on my own findings. As for your knowledge about this town or its connections? There's no need for them.

You may be a talented man, but me? I am the Doctor. I will soon be this town's king. It is via a king's generosity that I would like to help you, my genius friend. So, if you're so tired of being used, take advantage of your future king.

You sound like everyone else who's stepped through this town, you know that? What makes you think you'll beat it? And why do you think I'll offer some kind of subservience to you when I have absolutely no reason to? Because that's what it sounds like you want.

Dear me, dear me... You really have been kicked around often. All right. Then... How about you? If you're so tired of working underneath people, then... take charge.

And do what, exactly? Make all the mistakes people like you always make? I'd rather watch you try and become this town's king and get slammed down in the process than make the same fool's decision myself.

And you believe remaining still and being doled out whatever punishment this town has to offer is preferable, genius researcher?

You believe those are the only two options?

Fight or flee are your two categories, but really, you have many more choices. It's just that those are your only categories.

Wouldn't it be worth showing those who used you why it was a total mistake? You can do it.

I know I can do it. I never had any doubt.

Then do it. It would at least help relieve some stress. Doctor's seal of approval.

I don't need your permission.

Not even a few words of encouragement? My, my.

You're not trying to encourage me. You want something from me.

Are we not past this? If you must know, I'm quite capable acting independently. My powers alone put all the drones of this town into submission for just one night. One glorious night.

There is nothing I want or need from you. I just want... to help.

Right. Because I haven't been fed that line before. Don't treat me like an idiot!

People should be treated based on their merits.

Which means I deserve to be treated better.

[Oh, dear, this is getting the Doctor nowhere. His main intention was just to plant some chaos, but it seems that won't be happening anytime soon. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.]

May I ask for your name?

Dist. Dist the Rose.

Do you know the Major?

[It wasn't as though the Doctor lacked vanity, so he couldn't really question anything about his title. Instead...]

Indeed I do. He's an interesting man whose thoughts aren't quite commonplace in society. I would be grateful if we could either form a partnership or have ourselves a good war. Either way sounds entertaining.