acertifieduser | ○ 04: Maybe they once locked eyes.

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○ 04: Maybe they once locked eyes.

[Filtered AWAY from George]
[AUDIO: There's a short pause before Eddie speaks.]

I have a favor to ask. I'm trying to help my warden understand a more modern approach to romance. What I need is a woman, between the ages of twenty-four and thirty-two.. thirty-three, who would be willing to take him out on a date. Maybe a private dinner, drinks afterward, and a starry walk in the CES or something. He'll know up front what this is; this isn't some trick and he won't be expecting to fall in love or anything.

I don't have anything specific to offer as a thanks, but I'm pretty resourceful if there's something specific you're looking for. I'm not providing any weapons and I reserve the right to refuse anyone for any reason.. because even knowing what's going on, he's still a nice guy and I don't want to mess with him. I'm really just looking to help him out.

Oh, it's George Crabtree. Some of you might know him.

[Private to George]
I want to know more about your time. Are there any books, fiction or non-, that you can recommend? I'm a pretty fast reader.

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Not very often. There's not really any redeeming health qualities to it and my body doesn't handle it all that well. I find it's better to avoid it than to end up being miserable and stressed.

[He laughs.] Not all of it, but I try.

You're just the deviation from the norm, is that it? [He laughs a little.] Maybe you can teach me what it means to be an Eddie.

I'm not sure I know yet what it means to be an Eddie.

There's no meaning to being an Eddie. You have to create it. If you and I put our heads together, do some good things, and act with confidence? We'll be making what it means to be an Eddie. That's what they don't tell you about all those suits and product names and everything -- all of that stuff is created over time with lots of minds behind it. Everyone and everything can create who and what it wants to be.

...Suits and product names?

Well, sure. Suits and uniforms have those insinuations of power, wealth, authority, or other similar ideas that come with just wearing the clothes. If you wore the clothes even without the authority, people would be more inclined to listen to you because they associate it in their minds. It's why people who are better dressed tend to be perceived as more competent and trustworthy. There's nothing inherently powerful or trustworthy about a tie, but someone somewhere decided they wanted that kind of association and probably put a lot of time and money into making it a reality.

For product names.. well, it's pretty much like a government. They hire a lot of people and pay a lot of money in order to achieve a public perception that generally doesn't actually equal what the corporation is like. This drink company where I was from, Coca-Cola? They used to give out about 3 million in scholarships for kids to go to school every year, but they spent probably 50-100 million advertising it to make them look like better people. It's the same idea.

Oh. Well, I sort of understand that - some people traded extra merits to get univisual clothes, but you can only buy clothes produced by the collective, I suppose. We're expected to wear a tie at all times.

...Why would they do that? What's the point?

Oh. It's probably like the univision thing. There had to be people in uniforms too, though, right? Some kind of designation for police and others?

Back in my world, there's a lot of competition. It's called consumerism. People can choose what to buy what they want from where they want. If people don't like a company, they won't buy from them and the company will go out of business. I'm oversimplifying, obviously, but hopefully you get the idea.

"A 'Talisman of Credibility?' I like that. Maybe I'll wear a tie the next time I decide to convince you of something." He flashed a grin and then laughed about her stubbornness. "That's good. It's better than being a pushover."

He nodded about the idea of the doomsday machine and took a moment to consider the imagery she had provided, making a face that suggested he wasn't fond of that kind of pressure. Eddie shook his head and gave her an admiring smile. "That's admirable. It's good that you can really push yourself like that when you need to."

"You could always work freelance and just get paid for doing sponsorships, if you wanted." He shrugged and then readjusted his stance, planting a hand near her to lean toward her in a subtle gesture of intimacy. "I was a writer for awhile.. That's what I went to school for. When I was depressed and I wasn't doing shit with my life, I ran into an old friend and he turned things around. I realized I could do a hell of a lot more than what I was doing, so I started working harder. I got into trading, then business. Shortly before I got here, I helped to broker one of the largest mergers in America's history."

It can be something entertaining to do on the barge. There's not much else to entertain you.

Yeah. Too clever by half.

Not really, no. The Yellows were 'police' I guess, and our clothes had to be within certain regulations, and designed for wear at certain points in time. But Yellows just wore a spot on their lapel like the rest of us.

But if they go out of business, where will you buy things then? And what will all the ~~Greys~~ workers there do?

"You don't have to wear a tie with me unless you want to, seriously. All you need to do is have a persuasive argument and maybe some chocolate. Not that I'm milking the situation or anything..." She winked.

"It was do or die. I...have never been in a situation that morally black and white before. Either we helped save the world or it didn't get saved. I like the world. It's where I keep my stuff."

She tilted her head and leaned a bit toward him, hiding only a little behind another sip of wine. She was nursing the stuff carefully. "That's intense. How do you destress after something that huge? And do you still write on the side?"

I had this same conversation with someone else not that long ago. I'm not really sure why you guys all think the same. I know I haven't been here long, but I can't imagine getting that bored. There's definitely a harder time finding things to do that progress in the way of money or power, but there's still an infinite library and a lot of jobs, so there's no reason you can't be learning no hobbies or trying to do new work. There's always more things to learn and that has to keep you occupied at least some of the time.

Wow. There really isn't anything like it in your world, I don't think. Like the suits, I mean. I wish I could figure out a better way to explain it, unless you understand the idea already even without the parallel? If not, I can try to explain it a little better.

America is a consumerist society. A lot of businesses do the same thing. It's actually illegal for one business to be the only one doing something; they call it a "monopoly" and the business is forced to break into pieces so that there's competition because otherwise they can charge whatever they want and control their product however even if it's completely ridiculous. So, if I wanted to buy a soda, for example--you know what that is, right? It's a kind of drink--, then there's two main companies and several smaller ones and I could buy from any of them all in the same store generally. If one went out of business, there would still be the others to choose from and, generally, new businesses are opening and closing every day, so there's always more people trying to make it and succeeding or failing. If a company goes out of business, then the workers get fired or "laid off" and they look for a new job. Most people work ten different jobs in their life, if not more. It's not like it used to be, because the business world is faster-paced and has higher demands of people. It's also less personal; most of the stores people work in are owned by corporations that control hundreds of the stores across the country and so it's pretty damn easy for the corporation to fire a few hundred people or whatever is needed because they probably haven't even met the workers they're firing.

Does that make sense? ..Do you enjoy reading at all? There's this book called "Syrup" by Max Berry that gives a better idea of how consumerism works. It's exaggerated, but it's pretty accurate.

"Maybe I'll try chocolate and a tie. Then how could you possibly resist me?" He smiled. Eddie was mostly kidding, but there was a sexual insinuation buried into half of the things he said with her at this point.

He laughed at her remark about liking the world. "Yeah, the world's not so bad when you live there for awhile."

"I didn't need to. Even though it was long hours and I was expected to be on call every minute of every day, I loved it. I like keeping busy and getting things done and that was all of the above. It helped that my boss's daughter was.. engaging. She was a nice distraction from the business stiffs. We talked politics and philosophy-- I enjoy discussions like this, like the one we're having. It's like a break for me even in the middle of everything. A beautiful woman can do that." Eddie couldn't help but remember the feelings he had for Ginny. Still, he was trying hard not to compare her to Wanda, or for Wanda to start comparing herself to Ginny. Wanda was here now and Ginny wasn't; that was what mattered.

Eddie tilted just a hint farther. It was the perfect distance to push forward for a kiss if he wanted, but to have an intimate conversation if not. He was trying not to push Wanda, but he wanted the girl to be ready and able to handle dating too. That was what she had asked for, after all.

I follow, mostly.

It doesn't sound any better than home. Entirely different, but no better.

I'll read anything I can get my hands on. I'll look it up.

I'm a people person, you know. I'm sick of the small social circle that's here. [It makes it so risky to con people.]

You're always welcome to ask more questions if you think of any. I really don't mind explaining things and it's worth knowing about your culture too for the sake of comparison. It's kind of a social experiment in the kind of way most people only dream of or get from science fiction.

It has its perks. Namely, if you know how to work the system, you'll be content and happy for the rest of your life.

I recommend it then.

I haven't really noticed the small circle so far, but I admit I haven't been here that long. Maybe you're just trying to make friends with the wrong people.

I'm trying to pick as many things up by observation as I can.

But if you don't, you're miserable. Same with any system.

A soft laugh. "I think you'd do OK either way. But that makes me want to find you a truly awesome novelty tie somewhere in Port." She blushed, eyes lowered. SHY was practically tattooed on her forehead, and though she ate the insinuations up with a spoon she didn't quite know what to do about them!

"Wow. I mean, it's creation of another sort, building businesses and business relationships like that. It's the sort of world Father would know more of than I, though mostly he is Science and Politics Guy.

"Well," she smiled shyly. "Hit me up for more conversation whenever you want." She gazed into his eyes a moment, then looked away awkwardly. She didn't seem to know what to do suddenly. But she didn't move away either.

"It sounds like you've done some pretty amazing stuff. I'm...gearing up to do amazing stuff, mostly. They start us young where I am from but most of my career is ahead of me."

You know what, smart guy? I think you're right. I need to branch out more.

I think that's the best way to be, Eddie.

Well yeah, sure, but that's why you find your gimmick or your edge.

I hope that works out for you.

"Make it a skinny novelty tie and I'll wear it for our next date," he practically purred, neither encourage or discouraged by her shyness. This was supposed to be practice and the best way he could think to do that was to treat her the same he would any other woman.

"Do you get along with your dad?" It was sincerely a genuine, random, and innocuous question that seemed to continue the general line of conversation.

Eddie remained where he was, physically, perched at an intimate distance without pushing forward. He was hoping she would get comfortable with it and either pursue more herself or, at the very least, ease into less shyness. He didn't feel the need to comment about having more conversations when he had practically already asked her out again.

"Hey, most of my amazing stuff didn't happen until I was way older. Take your time and learn as much as you can, because that's what's going to help you. Also? That whole 'doing what you love' philosophy people have is bullshit. I mean, it's good, sure, but they don't tell you that you end up broke and miserable most of the time. If you really want to enjoy your life, you need to make some money first and some contacts that can help you if you hit a rough patch." He paused as he took her into consideration. "You have a special opportunity with your abilities. You might actually have a shot at getting paid to do what you love if you really love that, but just get used to the idea of loving it less the more you get paid."

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○ 04: Maybe they once locked eyes.

Private. xD; Not so much, but thank you. <3

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Private. <33

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[Spam] Sorry for the recent hit-and-miss.