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back to the future - emmett brown

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[Doc is clearly imprisoned, seated upon the thin cot and looking very much unlike his usual self. He's quiet, which should be concerning enough on its own. Nothing that he can do right now, but hardly a situation he's accepting. He does not do well in captivity.]

In situations such as this one, it certainly becomes clear exactly how much we can come to take for granted. Dare to commit some harmless, curious tinkering... or to possess "suspicious technology"...

[And there's a hard frown.]

It should hardly come as a surprise that those motivated by a deeper curiosity, a need to question rather than accept, a drive to understand the workings of their surroundings, are among those looked upon with suspicion, regardless of any actions they may or may not have taken. There's certainly more than enough precedent established for such an action, over the course of human history.

[And he draws a breath.]

If I may ask of anyone who isn't currently incarcerated, would someone be so kind as to walk Everett? His meals are already taken care of, I have a bit of machinery to take care of that particular task, but it certainly won't do to leave him cooped up inside for however long I may be away.

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Doctor Brown.... You too? What reason could they possibly have?

And I'll be sure to walk Everett.

I'm afraid so. It seems the DeLorean may have gotten me into a bit of trouble.

[Hardly anything new.]

Thank you, Ken. I have no doubt that he'll be even more appreciative than I am.

You're not the only one, though. They locked Merlin-san and Charlie-san up without real reason. At this rate, why don't they just lock everyone up?

[He's still fuming, but nods.] I'm sure he will. Is your place unlocked so I can get to him? Or is there a key?

Edited 2013-06-15 03:11 (UTC)

I'm sure, in their own minds, they have reasons. Nearly anything can be deemed suspicious when viewed through a paranoid enough lens...

[He's not thrilled, either, certainly not with that news. And this next bit, he switches...]

[ private ]

There's a key just outside. If you examine the bottom right side of the letterbox that's mounted next to the door, you should find a small button. Press that button, and a small panel will release which has a numeric keypad on it. Enter the code 102685, and a small compartment will open, in which you should find a spare key.

A slight reimagining of the key under the doormat.

I don't think they could possibly have good, justifiable reasons.

And thank you. It's definitely, uh, careful. Not just anyone could get in.

There's certainly a difference between a reason that seems valid in one's own state of mind, and one that stands up as justifiable to those who are not so privileged as to have that particular view.

Just a bit of security - though that it hardly did much to deter the truly problematic.

Well, I wouldn't be agreeing with them, even then.

...the worms?

Precisely the point I'm making. By no means am I saying their reasons are valid in any way, merely commenting on the effects suspicion can have on the otherwise rational mind.

So it would seem, or anything else that may be sent by the deities or those who may lie further up their chain of command.

They're being overly paranoid, then. Picking on people who wouldn't have done anything to them if they just left them alone.

...shouldn't the fact their evidence was gathered by trespassing invalidate it? They shouldn't be going to such extremes. It makes me wonder if anything else is safe, considering how much they can bypass.

I very much doubt there is anything or anyone safe, presently. Their presumption seems to be guilt until proven otherwise.

Sadly, you're probably right. This is sickening.

What is suspicious about your technology? Did they damage anything? On what charges are you being held?

The DeLorean, apparently, is a cause for concern, as is my interest in the network devices. As for my laboratory, I can only hope that nothing has been damaged, or at least that it hasn't been damaged beyond repair. If something were to happen to the vehicle...

[Repairing it yet again is hardly appealing, and its destruction would be beyond disastrous. After he trails off on that thought, he brings himself back to the last of the questions.]

The charges, I'm afraid, aren't quite immediately apparent. I was questioned on my experiments and subsequently brought here.

Edited 2013-06-15 04:16 (UTC)

Permission to examine your laboratory, Doctor? If anything has been damaged, perhaps I can begin repairs.

Are you uninjured?

Yes, yes, of course - I would very much appreciate that. Ken will be by as well, as he's volunteered for the task of walking Everett for the time being.

Is there anything else that should be done? You are being held unfairly, clearly... maybe I could find a legal representative?

I suppose, if any such representative is available... though I can hardly say I have a great deal of faith in the City's legal system.

Remarkable, how much more effective things can seem, given the proper frame of reference.

I doubt that any legal system exists, but now is a good time to find out.

What frame of reference?

This one. I have to say, it has manage to give me a newfound appreciation for the way things are where I come from.

The legal system of the twentieth century doesn't permit the persecution of innocents, does it? And everyone is allowed legal representation?

Oh, yes, yes, of course. All points with merit, naturally, but no system is without its flaws, and no system works perfectly all of the time. The flaws are simply far easier to forgive with this context.

Suspicious technology, huh . . . They didn't even investigate before they threw you into jail?

I mean, I get that people would be freaked out at seeing something that they can't understand or explain, but I think they should check it out first before pointing any fingers.

It seems that they did - their questions certainly indicated a level of knowledge that would indicate as much. Though I can hardly say that I've conspired in any of the ways they seem to think I have.

Though as far as their reasoning is concerned, well, there's a great deal that unrest and suspicion can do to the mind, which can make most any course of action seem a reasonable precaution. History always has had a habit of repeating itself, and though it's hardly one of humanity's more preferable traits, such patterns are hardly exempt.

So you're basically pardoning your jailers. That's really nice of you.

I'm afraid you're quite mistaken on that point. An objecting understanding of the mind's vulnerability to paranoia, leading to delusion, is by no means a pardoning of any action.

So you understand, but refuse to yield because of your own principles . . . Well, that's still pretty nice. A lot of people refuse to even understand.

It's one of the more unfortunate patterns that those in power often react in such a way when they feel threatened. As a whole, humanity is capable of great good, incredible advancement, but still falls prey to such downfalls.

In fairness, I can't truly say that I can blame those who have trouble seeing past their own anger in this particular circumstances. Captivity is in itself a grave form of injury, psychologically and emotionally.

They locked you up for piddlin' around like that?

So it would appear, if the patterns of their questioning are any indication.

That's new. Bad luck too.

Very much so. It would seem our dear deities have developed a bit of paranoia in response to the recent change in political climate.

They're making themselves look paranoid. People take advantage of that.

Those making a grab for power certainly will. As much as this is an attempt to display their control, I have to say, it's rather apparent that their actions are rooted in panic.

No joke. I mean-- no offense-- but you're a little seasoned to do any real damage to anybody.

People who ask questions are dangerous.

[ That's how tyranny works. Get rid of those who wonder, and you've got no threats. ]

Hardly a new development, though one of the least fortunate ways in which history tends to repeat itself.

You're really familiar with it, then?

[ He only knows about thirty years back, really. Personal experience and word of mouth. ]

It's a phenomenon that has been well recorded in our history lessons where I come from, and though I can't say I've had prior firsthand experience, I have seen it take place from an outsider's perspective.

[ He's seen more than one war in his life. ]

Humanity is capable of such good, such advancement and accomplishment, incredible intellectualism, and yet how easily we can fall into irrationality when provoked. Apparently even beings who call themselves deities find struggle against their power to be threatening enough to lead to the same type of institutionalized paranoia.

I guess they're not that much greater after all.

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oh man I love doc

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