Voice (Backdated to Sunday)

[rianofski]

This weekend has been fascinating, to say the least. While I'm well aware that most -- perhaps all -- of our current visitors will be returning to their respective worlds soon, I can't help but question the purpose of such an event.

[There's a pause.]

Why is it necessary to bring "guests" here, then immediately get rid of them? Is it simply an attempt at irritation? The potential opportunity for people who have missed each other to see each other once again, only to be parted? I'm well aware that the "deities" often have ill-conceived plans, but this particular turn of events strikes me as inherently pointless.

Comments

[carvingnickels]

The good ol' Rapture Family, of course. Altruism, through and through.

[rianofski]

Of course.

[He grinds his teeth, not wanting to ask the next question, but forcing himself to do so anyway.]

And I imagine her particular methods involve demonizing me as much as she possibly can?

[carvingnickels]

That's a pretty apt way of phrasing it. She likes to paint you as some sort of false god, leading the poor citizens of Rapture astray from their brotherly duties to one another and the greater good. I'm just waiting for my ticket out of there.

[rianofski]

[He scoffs.]

A false god. Ridiculous. It's as though she missed the meaning of nearly everything I said. How could I be a false god when the very idea of gods is ludicrous?

[carvingnickels]

Seems near everyone left in Rapture is spliced up beyond understanding things in more complicated terms than that. But ol' Lamb likes to refer to your, shall we say, golfing accident, [since he's already met Jack here and finds the idea of dragging himself into whatever problems might exist between them rather distasteful, especially if Ryan didn't know that he was the cause of his demise] as the 'death of the self', and a rebirth into her little cult of collectivism.

[rianofski]

She's far more insane than I thought.

[And dangerous, apparently.]

How, then, does a man like yourself stomach it? You and I have certainly had our differences, but I can hardly imagine you embracing her ideals.

[carvingnickels]

Oh, I profited from it as long as I could, right up until they turfed me out of the Sinclair Deluxe. I figure there's not much left in Rapture for someone like me, but getting out hasn't proved easy so far.

[rianofski]

You, losing the Sinclair Deluxe? The situation must be dire indeed; you were always a fixture of Rapture -- not always a pleasant one, mind you, but a fixture nonetheless.

[carvingnickels]

[Augustus chuckles at that; it's as much of a compliment as Ryan would ever give him, that's for sure.]

Lamb's renovations included replacing all the fixtures - the ones that were left, that is.

[rianofski]

I can't say I care for her ideas of renovations much.

[carvingnickels]

You and me both, chief. But she won't last long, even if her plans do fall into place. Rapture's falling more to rack and ruin by the day, it won't be too long before it's just a big neon tomb.

[rianofski]

I'm sure you can understand why the idea of it being a "big neon tomb" galls me, but I'd rather see it fall to pieces than linger on in the hands of that madwoman.

[carvingnickels]

At least you won't be around to see it, hm?

[rianofski]

Forgive me if I'm not overjoyed at the prospect of my death.

[carvingnickels]

Well, you have my condolences there.

[rianofski]

I doubt they're entirely sincere condolences, but I'll accept them anyway.

[carvingnickels]

Why, sure they're sincere. The death of my biggest client was quite a setback to me, I can assure you. But I managed, as I always do. But yes, do accept them, they're entirely free.

[rianofski]

Since this is the first and last time I'm likely to get anything free from you, I suppose I shouldn't complain.

[carvingnickels]

There, that's the spirit.

[rianofski]

And I imagine that just as soon as you go back to Rapture, you'll continue to "manage."

[carvingnickels]

Assuredly. My fortunes have been picking up recently, pretty soon it will be nothing but smooth sailing again. [Smooth sailing all the way to the surface, in his own private lifeboat. Nothing could possibly go wrong ... could it?]

[rianofski]

Always so optimistic. I can't help but admire it, even if I do find it slightly... misguided.

[carvingnickels]

Far better than the alternative, wouldn't you say?

[rianofski]

That depends entirely upon the situation.

[carvingnickels]

I'd say even with a good dose of realism, being able to put a positive spin on things is always better than a negative one. Helps work the situation to your advantage.