CS:/ep1/virprinceps8

AD   What.

AD   What else could you possibly want from me?

AD   Haven't you wasted enough of my time and effort?

OJ   not gonna argue with you there, haha

OJ   but you're doing a good job putting up with me

OJ   so... i think it's worth a shot anyway

OJ   don't you?


You can't bring yourself to answer.

You know she's right.


AD   I'm giving you 30 seconds.

AD   Make your point.

OJ   wait, hold on

OJ   is it that serious? i didn't think it'd be -

AD   26 left.

OJ   fine!

OJ   um

OJ   it's about your specter

OJ   i'd like to take some notes, while i'm here

OJ   a specter like that isn't one you see every day

AD   While that may be -

OJ   before you redirect me to the nonfiction section or whatever

OJ   i'd be easier for me if i could ask you directly

OJ   it's moreso about... the experience of bonding with one, not about their profile and stuff

OJ   appa's better at that kind of stuff anyway

OJ   so that's why i'm trying to look at the people side of things

OJ   and it might help me figure my own stuff out

OJ   gigi's still so vague, even when i try to ask them directly

OJ   and maybe they don't even know, maybe it's not even their fault

OJ   so i have to get a broader perspective on things

OJ   so - so that's why i'm asking you!

OJ   does that make sense?


They sharply inhale and freeze, staring at you with anticipation. You make a show of checking your watch, but know they stopped with about 2.11 seconds left. Just within the bounds.

Not bad.


AD   (Look who's suddenly talkative.)

OJ   well yeah, you kinda put me on the spot there

AD   I wasn't... (sigh)

AD   Fine.

AD   You've honored my terms.

AD   However, I'm not compelled by curiosity alone.

AD   Humor me with a legitimate cause.

AD   Something more scholarly.

OJ   alright


To your surprise, they start rummaging around in their pockets.


OJ   lemme just

OJ   here

OJ   my dad’s… a researcher

OJ   i help him work with specters

OJ   we treat and study them for a really low cost

OJ   this kinda research could help him. get some funding for the laboratory and stuff

OJ   and

OJ   he's a good guy

OJ   it'd be for a good cause

AD   ...


> “Wasn’t this man disbarred?”

> “Wasn’t this laboratory closed decades ago?”

OJ   well…

OJ   it wasn’t – y’know, it’s not like he did anything terrible


You raise your eyebrow.


AD   If I recall correctly, his license was revoked.

AD   Technically, he’s not even a professor anymore. The title was taken from him.

OJ   but he could be again!

AD   Is this even allowed? This research of his?

AD   Are you permitted to promote it so freely?

AD   Hand out promotional material without full disclosure of the researcher at hand?

OJ   listen

OJ   what most people heard was the worst angle

OJ   it was just a really shitty situation

AD   He acted objectively unlawfully in his research.

OJ   just because he was dealing with people way more powerful than him, he...

AD   Is that your best argument?

OJ   it's the damn truth!

OJ   it's

OJ   it's the truth

AD   (sigh)

AD   That doesn’t render the weight of the issue insignificant.

AD   Being disbarred is a highly serious matter.

OJ   so what?

OJ   that's all it takes to negate any scholarly merit?

OJ   is the status in the profession all that matters to you?

OJ   i didn't think being so intellectual meant being so shallow

AD   I didn’t say that.

OJ   so what are you saying, then?

OJ   if you're just going to shit-talk my dad, then say it straight to my face!

AD   ...

AD   There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding.

OJ   oh yeah?

OJ   what exactly am i getting wrong?

AD   Just because I disagree with your approach doesn't mean I won't cooperate.




> continue

OJ   well…

OJ   we’re renovating it actually!


You raise your eyebrow.


AD   Renovations.

OJ   the last guy who had it really did a number on that facility

OJ   still some work to do, but it’s basically up and running again

AD   With that location? And reputation?

OJ   we’re getting people!

AD   So I've heard. Is two all that impressive?

OJ   listen, just because people don't come by often doesn't mean you have to -

OJ   ...

OJ   what makes you say two?

AD   I have my connections.

OJ   what the hell does that mean

OJ   have you been to the lab before? is that why you seem -

AD   What matters is that this facility of yours is nothing to boast about, and you know it.

OJ   listen!

OJ   even if it looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere

OJ   we’re at least more accessible than people who charge a ton for specter treatment

OJ   it’s all accessible - just so my dad can do his research

AD   (sigh)

AD   Not exactly the most promising institution.

OJ   so that's your reasoning

OJ   it's not prestigious or well-established enough for your taste?

AD   I didn’t say that.

OJ   so what are you saying, then?

OJ   cut to the chase. don't talk so smart and fancy, just spit it out!

AD   ...

AD   There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding.

OJ   oh yeah?

OJ   what exactly am i getting wrong?

AD   Just because I disagree with your approach doesn't mean I won't cooperate.




> continue