06 △ VIDEO

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Video--coming from Adam's tablet for once, and not his retinal enhancements. it shows him, obviously in his messy apartment, and obviously... different from what one might be used to. he's neither properly dressed nor his usual stoic, composed, monotone self.

but most notably, the lenses of his shades--which are mounted to his head--are retracted. his eyes are visibly artificial. here's the usual gravely voice: ]

...And they keep dragging more and more people here. Or is that the machine malfunctioning again? Can't be sure anymore.

Anyway, hello. My name's Adam Jensen and I'm -- [ insert vague, dismissive gesture here--his hand, too, is artificial and looks like it's made out of black metal. ] ... who the fuck even cares. I'm the local oversized can opener. Hi.

[ if it wasn't obvious before that he's drunk, it's sure as hell now. ]

Given the uh, premise under which you all arrived here as well as the popularity of thought-provoking surveys lately, let's talk about a topic each of you surely can contribute to with a story or two. Since I couldn't help but notice that we're quite a miserable bunch of misfits. Exceptions prove the rule by the way.

[ pause, during which he reaches off screen... for his smoke. ]

So, broken dreams. There's a pretty catchy song on them by Green Day which I can only recommend. But before you scurry off to find it, why don't we share with the class why we're all so damn bitter, and not only since we ended up in this shithole. Though I guess the shithole made it worse, in some cases. I don't know. Getting it off your chest might have a soothing effect, or something.

[ another pause, and he seems pensive for a moment. he might be able to offer alternative treatment methods for your troubles which may involve punching ahem. ]

Here, I'll start. I was planning to get married not too long ago, start a family. I had the perfect girl, a decent job I liked and paid well, and then--then science happened.

[ a dry, humorless chuckle. ]

Gotta love science. Your turn.

Comments

[neveraskedforthis]

Doesn't mean I have to like it. Why, feeling offended?

[imperfect]

[Non-committal noise.] I've heard worse. Anyway, just a thought.

[neveraskedforthis]

Worse? What, exactly?

[imperfect]

Well, I've been called a few things. "Dog of the military" took a while to get used to. "Sinner"'s a good one, and... "monster" happened once, which was kind of rich coming from her. Although whether any of those are worse than yours depends on your point of view, I guess.

[Also "short", but somehow he doesn't think he'll get much sympathy there.]

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Probably not, no. ]

... And you're an engineer?

[imperfect]

On the side. Most people I run into these days take those a little more seriously than alchemists. [Bitter, him?]

[neveraskedforthis]

... Alchemy, really?

[imperfect]

Case in point. Let me guess, you're from Earth as well.

[neveraskedforthis]

It's not an uncommon answer. So?

[imperfect]

So I'm not surprised, that's all. You know, seeing as the only people who give a damn about alchemy over there are historians and cranks.

[neveraskedforthis]

I'd just say alchemy is outdated, that's all. Magic doesn't exist where I'm from, and everything else is considered science.

[imperfect]

[A rather forced-sounding laugh.] Outdated. Yeah, like I said - historians and cranks, nobody else. Show the rest of them a transmutation circle and they'll just say thanks, but they didn't need to redecorate.

But I don't care. Had a while to get used to it, after all. [As his tone of voice clearly indicates.]

[neveraskedforthis]

... So, you're from some time and place where you can actually turn lead into gold, am I understanding that right.

[imperfect]

Never heard that one before either. You realise that's no different to going up to some engineer and saying "oh, so you know how to make a light bulb", right? But sure, lead into gold, that's pretty basic. And great for screwing over an economy, if you could get away with it.

[neveraskedforthis]

You couldn't? What's stopping you?

[imperfect]

What, you'd want to? Last I heard, they do a pretty good job of screwing up themselves.

[neveraskedforthis]

Maybe so, but if you're able to produce gold just like that... I'd find that tempting. For personal profit, of course.

[imperfect]

That a suggestion?

[neveraskedforthis]

I wouldn't call it that. I'm just wondering about a society where this is possible.

[imperfect]

Better keep wondering. And notice I didn't say anything about "production". There's no such thing as free.