☞ 022. (video)

[wouldnotkindly]

[For those who know him, Jack is looking somewhat unrecognizable again today. Instead of his usual sweater-and-jeans ensemble, he's dressed to the nines in a three-piece suit, and while the jacket is currently draped over the back of a chair, it altogether seems to fit his broad frame maybe a little too well. He looks more interested in the lit cigarette in his hand when the video begins, but by the time he starts to speak, he makes direct eye contact with the camera, his stare more self-assured than perhaps it's ever been.]

The great chain of industry cannot be pulled wantonly by any one man... It does not bend to any higher authority, whether that of the government or any god, but can only be moved by each man struggling in his own endeavors, free of and unfettered by any regulation that would aim to hold him back.

[By this point, if it weren't for his face and voice, his only recognizable characteristic would be the chain link tattoos on his wrists, visible past his rolled-up shirtsleeves. He pauses to take a drag off his cigarette, and gestures with it as he continues.] Or so it should be, at least in a city of this scale. Even in a world far removed from my own — not just my own, but your own, whatever worlds each and every one of us has been stolen away from — the metaphorical hand of the authoritative elite strangles us just as tightly.

But I see no reason why this should keep any one of us from taking action — from pursuing our own ideals in the face of those who seek to keep us in misery. I notice a number of you who already do just this, and I commend you for it, but why not all of us? Should the threat of a curse or the dangling hope of returning home prevent us from striving for innovation, for fortune, for the absolute pinnacle of what we as people can be? Or should we be content to lead our lives as the deities see fit?

[He leans back a bit, giving a soft sigh.] This City cannot compare to my Rapture... In size, maybe, but never in beauty or grandeur. I'm sure many of you would rather return to your own homes, as well. But there's simply no reason why we shouldn't make the best of this place while we're still here.

[He pauses again, and for a moment, the expression on his face flickers with a lapse of his earlier confidence. But it's quickly gone, and he takes a final drag off the cigarette before he stamps it out and speaks it again.]

Turlough, milyj moj. We are still on for tonight, yes? I'm still hoping to make up for last time.

( ooc: as was mentioned over on the plotting post, Jack is currently afflicted by The Years That Never Were and believes himself to have been raised by Andrew Ryan. so basically, he's become mister junior objectivist entrepreneur! whoops. )

Comments

[rudeandginger]

[...huh?]

What are you on about?

[wouldnotkindly]

Turlough. [Jack greets him with a wide grin.] No need to be coy, I'm only looking for a yes or no answer. Preferably a yes, though.

[rudeandginger]

I don't remember us having plans. And I was more reacting to the lecture you started with.

[And the suit.]

[wouldnotkindly]

Of course we do. And why? Is there some reason I shouldn't share my father's philosophy with the people?

[rudeandginger]

[Turlough's not an idiot, and he's been here long enough to recognise someone under a curse. Doesn't mean he can't probe a little to work it out.]

Take after your father in a lot of ways, do you?

[wouldnotkindly]

[Jack doesn't mind the change in subject, at least not for now; he can still preen a bit, after all.]

I'd like to think so.

[rudeandginger]

Brilliant. [He mumbles under his breath before switching to a slightly more upbeat version of his regular voice.]

So where are we going tonight?

[wouldnotkindly]

Ah, just a little place out on the town, a little more out of the way than our usual fare... [His smile edges into a slight smirk.] It's no Kashmir, but I was hoping for somewhere more...secluded than last time.

[rudeandginger]

[He's going along with it now, fishing for answers.]

Last time wasn't so bad, was it?

[wouldnotkindly]

Oh, it was wonderful. Until father decided to invite himself along.

[There's a pause.] You do remember, don't you?

[rudeandginger]

Of course I do, don't be ridiculous. I was choosing not to focus on that bit.

[wouldnotkindly]

Ah, of course... [He chuckles softly.] Just one of the things I adore about you.

So. The usual time, yes?

[rudeandginger]

[The suit is all well and good, but you better leave off the 'adoring' bit if you want to get any tonight, Jack.]

We have a 'usual time'?

[rianofski]

[Oh look, it's your proud papa right here.]

You're absolutely right, son. It does no good to complain endlessly about the situation we find ourselves in, when we could make the best of what we have right here. We should not shy away from striving for the best, even when the circumstances seem less than ideal. Innovation and discovery can happen anywhere.

[wouldnotkindly]

[And Jack just smiles in return.]

Exactly the point I was trying to make, batya.

[rianofski]

You made it well. But how likely to do you think these people are to listen to you?

[wouldnotkindly]

Not very. [He sighs.] But if even one person takes heed, that'll be enough for me.

[rianofski]

A lofty goal. Perhaps someone will see the light, as it were, and allow themselves to break free of the authority of the City. Despite our unfortunate situation, we are still men, not parasites content to give up on their own aspirations.

[wouldnotkindly]

Perhaps, yes... But no corner of the world is lacking in parasites, not even in this world.

[rianofski]

Indeed. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this one was more teeming with them than most. There's something about a difficult circumstance that brings out the parasitic nature in many.

Though I've never worried about that with you.

[wouldnotkindly]

[His smile thins a bit, but doesn't falter apart from that.]

No, you certainly haven't.

[rianofski]

Is there something wrong with that statement?

[wouldnotkindly]

Of course not. [Look, he's still smiling.] What would give you that impression?

[rianofski]

Something in your tone.

[wouldnotkindly]

Well... [He shakes his head.] Whatever it was, it must have been completely unintentional.