17th Letter; video

[discretion]

[It's late morning, and Franz is rather fetching in a gray three-piece suit. It appears he's stopped in the kitchen for a moment. It's a pleasant scene, nearly as put-together as a magazine scene.]

Maybe I'm just in a bit of a strange mood, but, I want to know - what are you thankful for?

I'm thankful that we, as Newcomers, have each other. And I invite any of you who've just turned up on this dreadful island to please feel free to ask me anything you'd like about life here. I'm sort of an expert.

[Franz looks thoughtful, and then amused.]

I suppose I'm also thankful that I got all of my shopping done ahead of time.

Comments

[discretion]

You could try the dating scene.

[rapturescreed]

I've tried that. There aren't many out there who suit my interest.

private||very difficult to hack

[discretion]

What's your type? Maybe I can find someone to suit your interest. [Because surely he has no ulterior motive in this.]

private||very difficult to hack

[rapturescreed]

[...What.]

I don't... perhaps now isn't the best time to look for someone...

private||very difficult to hack

[discretion]

I'd like to know why not!

private||very difficult to hack

[rapturescreed]

The last relationship I attempted to have did not go well. Perhaps it's better if I am not in one.

[discretion]

Okay, I'm going to be straight with you. [pfff]

You need a wife. And then adopt three more kids with her. That way, if you spend just ten minutes with each of them a day I'd have a whole hour to myself where I wouldn't worry about you calling me with some crisis.

[rapturescreed]

[Oh man, you didn't even give him time to crack a joke about that. Damnit, Franz.]

I wouldn't adopt three more kids just to spend a few minutes a day with them. [Come on.]

Finding a way is fairly difficult, in this city.

[discretion]

Oh, it's difficult? I hadn't noticed, I'm having such a great time all the time. Maybe you're doing it wrong.

[rapturescreed]

You're dating Daedalus Yumeno, it's not such a great feat to go on about. [A wave of the hand with that.]

Maybe you're just becoming too settled.

[discretion]

You're just jealous.

But you might be right about being settled. I should shake things up - maybe leave my current job and pursue my real interests.

[rapturescreed]

Trust me, I'm not. [Been there, done that, as they say.]

...What?

[discretion]

Damn it, Raul, you know what.

I died and you couldn't take care of yourself enough to replace me. It puts me in a bind, you know.

[rapturescreed]

I don't see how this could possibly be a bind.

[discretion]

--Let's try a different approach. Aside from the money, what do you think I get out of this job?

[rapturescreed]

The feeling of a job well done. That your are contributing to important things in the city.

[discretion]

In contrast, you have a servant at your beck and call pretty much 24-7.

Can you understand how that's a raw deal on my end?

Your work is important. I'm happy to be part of it.

But it's not what I want, and after my little accident, that's starting to matter more.

[rapturescreed]

So what is it you want, Franz?

[discretion]

I want to go to law school, full-time, so that some day I can work with you as an equal instead of a lackey.

[rapturescreed]

And what will you do, going to school, full time, for payment?

[discretion]

Daedalus promised to look after me. I have enough money put away it shouldn't be difficult. [Franz leaves out just how encouraging Daedalus has been, the way he made a gift of text books and application papers, all ready to go. He knows Raul might see that as interference, as Daedalus purposefully trying to take him away. And maybe it is that petty in part. But more than that, to Franz, it's a sign that Daedalus wants him to be happy.] If I need extra I can go back tutoring brats in French.

[rapturescreed]

...It seems like you've made up your mind already.

[discretion]

I made up my mind last December, if you'll recall.

[rapturescreed]

And yet you stayed on. What do I need to do to convince you to stay on again?

[discretion]

... I don't want to have this conversation via NV. Can we at least get plastered and argue about it in person like adults?