proudofwhatido | ii. sound of silence

There's a lot of talk about how quiet this place is and how surprising it is that nobody's been murdered. Is the Barge really that bad?

I've also noticed that a lot of the inmates have a tendency to lie and avoid answering questions. I would expect that from criminals, but I heard that not everyone here has actually broken the law, so I was wondering if anyone could explain that gap for me.

I don't suppose anyone would be willing to tell me what professions they worked before coming, or maybe what occupations they have now that they're here? It would be nice to know what roles people fill in a place like this.

[Private to Martha]
Think you could spare some time to show me the 'CES'? Maybe we could even catch a drink after.

[Private to the Admiral]
Any chance I could get a coffeemaker and some of Jude's Italian Roast in my room? I haven't lied for.. days now. Even Peter would have agreed to those terms.

[Private to Piper, added after chat with Crane]
Nick Halden. I'm a recently arrived warden here and I had an interesting talk with your inmate, Jonathan. Unfortunately, he was pretty busy at the time and we couldn't continue our discussion. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to request that he meet with me for an hour, just on the deck. I really feel like we were getting somewhere.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

That's fair, but how do you learn to trust anyone if you're lying to everyone that might help you?

This is the barge, not normal society. Trust isn't what we do. Nothing good will come of it.

So you're an inmate.

Why don't you think any of the wardens can help you?

Spare me the analysis. Normally, I might provide you with an evaluation in my professional capacity, but frankly, if you stay here long enough you'll find out for yourself.

Okay. At least tell me what you do here on the Barge.

Nick Halden, by the way. I don't think we've met.

Jonathan Crane. I'm an inmate, lucky enough to avoid a work detail.

I'm going to guess that you're a warden, judging by your patronizing attitude.

That doesn't mean you don't do anything on the Barge. I know plenty of people skilled at particular arts without ever working a day in their life according to their taxes.

Am I that transparent?

I suppose you'll have to find out, then. Or ask around. It doesn't make much difference to me.

Yes, you are.

Why not tell me yourself?

I'll have to work on that.

Because I don't want to. I'm not interested in having a bonding session.

It wouldn't be a bad idea.

I'm not your warden. It wouldn't be bonding. It would be enlightening the new guy.

I'm sure you'll be able to find someone else. I'm afraid I've got better things to do.

Maybe some other time then. Could I bother you for your warden's name before I leave you to your work?

I suppose you'll find out sooner or later. My warden is Piper Halliwell.

Thanks.

I can't.

I solved crimes, son.

The guy has no job and one project he's working on, leaving him plenty of time to whine and moan, so if he told you he was busy, it's code for 'leave me alone, you're bothering me.'

I'm not going to force my inmate into conversations he doesn't want to have with people other than me. Got that?

It's kind of a flavor of the month thing, there's a surprising number of inmates who are perfectly nice and normal most of the time? But when they get bored enough, they just start getting ideas, and coming up with justifications for just going out and hurting people.

Doctor Horrible, nice to meet you.

I know he has no job. Look, he came to me. It's not code for "you're bothering me", it's code for "I want to see you work for my attention." He wants someone to put in the effort to care about talking to him before he'll waste his time with them. It's an admirable trait and relatively common in occupations low on trust, but I need your help to try to get through to him.

I'm not asking you to demand that he meet with me and he could leave at any time; I'm just asking if you'll ask and maybe encourage him.

Good thing I asked "if you could."

I'm sorry, I didn't realize. That's great! Where were you stationed?

Are you one of those inmates, Doctor?

You as well.

NO.

Crane comes to people, tries to annoy them, then leaves when the conversation gets boring/uncomfortable. Whether you think that 'admirable; or not, in general? In him, it's kind of not.

He wants to talk to you, he'll come back or you can talk to him when he posts.

You're not using me to 'encourage him' or anything else, I'm not his

agent

, I'm his

warden

and what you're doing smacks of manipulation, I'm not going to be your 'in'. If you betray the guy, even in a flood or whatever, it'll reflect back on me, and I don't know you.

It's not your job to get through to him. It's mine.

It's too bad you're too dim to realise that meant 'I don't deal in hypotheticals.'.

I was stationed in a lot of places, I moved around.

Nah, I'm a little better at keeping myself occupied than some of the other inmates.

Fantastic. After my shift tomorrow?

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