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]

[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.

[rianofski]

As long as one doesn't end up blindly optimistic, of course.

[carvingnickels]

Quite so. All that'll do is make sure you end up tripping over yourself.

[rianofski]

And here I thought we'd find it difficult to agree with each other.

[carvingnickels]

Oh, I don't think our views are as far apart as you'd like to believe.

[rianofski]

I'd ask what you meant by that, but I'm afraid you might have a point.

[carvingnickels]

Maybe it's best that I don't clarify, then. After all, I don't mean to offend. [Although he's still wearing that polite, somewhat amused smile, at the thought that being compared to him would be offensive.]

[rianofski]

Perhaps, though I doubt I would find it offensive.

[Oh, he knows they're similar. He just never wants to admit it.]

[carvingnickels]

Well, maybe my choice of words was wrong there, chief. But either way, I mean to enjoy what short time I have here, some place I can see the sky, and not have my last memory of someone who's been gone eight years be arguing over it.

[As someone who called him a spineless moral relativist? You can bet Sinclair would think Andrew would be offended by pointing out their similarities.]