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IcePickLobotomy

Sam & Jack Talk (Part 1)

Aug 28th, 2015
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  1. [20:01] Arkalest [Purdy fine]
  2. [20:01] Arkalest [Also i know]
  3. [20:01] Arkalest [Also also any place you have in mind]
  4. [20:01] Arkalest (This is less than a week before the marriage)
  5. [20:03] Sam (Uhh, Ark? Sam had that chat with Jo around the 21st, so this is prolly a week or two before the wedding at least. If Sam hasn't sent the invite out he'd give Jack at /some/ warning more than a week.)
  6. [20:04] Sam (Well, if you got a reason for that timeing I'll not argue the point at length here.)
  7. [20:04] Sam [Not really, probably somewhere where we won't be overheard at least.]
  8. [20:06] Arkalest (Nah yours is better.)
  9. [20:06] Arkalest [No such place buddy]
  10. [20:06] Arkalest [We can only choose how much is heard]
  11. [20:06] Arkalest [And by who.]
  12. [20:07] Sam [Righto, see you here then?]
  13. [20:09] Arkalest [The garage in the parking lot. I have set up shop there.]
  14. [20:09] Sam [Right, I'll be there soon.]
  15. [20:11] Sam heads off to Jack's garage
  16. [20:13] Arkalest He's working on a sleek quad-rotor drone that is sitting on a bench. Jack himself looks somewhat worse for the wear than you remember- His eyes are half-closed as he frets over the machine's internals, clad in a white jumpsuit.
  17. [20:13] Sam knocks gently on the doorframe as he steps inside.
  18. [20:13] Arkalest Howeve,r he manages to pull off a rather convincing if little smile when he notices you, turning around. "Long time no see, hombre."
  19. [20:14] Arkalest Jack drops his screwdriver on the table and walks over for a hug.
  20. [20:14] Sam returns the man-hug, clapping his friend on the back. "Yeah, too damn long."
  21. [20:16] Arkalest His hands are still calloused- And he's still somewhat tanned from all the time spent out in the Sun
  22. [20:16] Arkalest However, you notice bags under his eyes, and a breath that speaks of many cups of coffee
  23. [20:17] Sam "Working you hard too here?"
  24. [20:18] Arkalest "Eyup. " Your friend gestures at the drones. "My little kingdom here."
  25. [20:19] Sam "Well, sure as hell beats the old shack you had back home."
  26. [20:20] Arkalest "Nooot really. At least all that crap was easily repaired."
  27. [20:20] Arkalest He walks over to a cabinet under one of the tables and pulls out a thermos. "Coffee? Beer?"
  28. [20:20] Arkalest "Anything that isn't machine oil?"
  29. [20:20] Sam "Beer please."
  30. [20:25] Arkalest Another thermos- Jack retrieves two plastic cups and hands you one, filling it with a fizzy amber-coloured liquid.
  31. [20:26] Sam "Thanks." Sam reaches into his jacket with his free hand. "So listen, I hate to spring this on you with so little warning here, and such but. . . " Sam hands out a wedding invitation "I'm getting married on the 10th of March." he explains sheepishly
  32. [20:26] Arkalest He shrugs, eyes half-closed. "Okay."
  33. [20:26] Arkalest "Thanks god I had gotten a tux."
  34. [20:27] Sam "Ah, well. . . that went better than I had feared?"
  35. [20:29] Arkalest "Dude, /you/ are the one who does crazy bullshit. I was expecting you to like, get hitched with some weird alien hybrid- Like, a catwoman or a fishwoman."
  36. [20:29] Arkalest Sam: |............That is a far too accurate joke.|
  37. [20:30] Sam fixes Jack with a very long look.
  38. [20:30] Sam "Well, good thing catwoman don't exist then, no?"
  39. [20:31] Arkalest "You say that, but I've seen some of the shit Boston's doing."
  40. [20:31] Sam takes a sip. "I've not, but I saw enough shit in Thalassa to not be sure if they /don't/ exist."
  41. [20:32] Sam |No, it wasn't a joke. He's telling me he knows.|
  42. [20:32] Sam |Question being /how/ . . . Oh Jack, what have you been up to old friend?|
  43. [20:34] Arkalest Sam: |Look around for clues- And ask yourself: How did end up in a garage in a private zone of the city of all places.|
  44. [20:34] Sam rolls his neck, and discretely looking around while doing so.
  45. [20:35] Arkalest Sam: You notice a series of newspaper clippings about technician deaths tacked to one of the few available wall spaces not occupied by blueprints.
  46. [20:35] Arkalest They're all seemingly incidents, and all related to low-paying, menial job.
  47. [20:36] Sam "So Jack, what have you been up to here." Sam asks with a purposeful glance to the clippings.
  48. [20:37] Arkalest "The usual. Crafting stuff, pulling out wires. Meshing together bits.." He follows your glance.
  49. [20:37] Arkalest "Yes, that."
  50. [20:37] Arkalest "This is a considerably dangerous job. "
  51. [20:38] Arkalest He crosses his arms. "Sure, not as dangerous as some, but...Things...Happen:"
  52. [20:38] Sam "Good work is rarely safe these days." Sam nods "Yes, yes they do indeed."
  53. [20:39] Arkalest "And this place is just shit."
  54. [20:39] Arkalest "So, so." He pinches his nose, sighing. "Shit."
  55. [20:40] Sam "I know the feeling Jack, Many a day have I simply wished I could return home to the peace and quiet of the farm."
  56. [20:41] Arkalest "Texas wasn't exactly a nice place either. it's just.." He handscales.
  57. [20:42] Arkalest "Bigger city, bigger problems."
  58. [20:43] Sam "We do what we can, and seek help for what we can't."
  59. [20:48] Arkalest He nods. "Wise words."
  60. [20:49] Sam "Words hard earned and long-learned."
  61. [20:52] Arkalest After half a minute of silence, he speaks up. "So. How's Thalassa?"
  62. [20:52] Sam "It's. . . . never a dull moment. Hot, humid, wildlife is exciting as well." Sam makes a scuttling motion with his hands "Jack, may I speak frankly?"
  63. [20:53] Arkalest "Go ahead."
  64. [20:54] Sam "Jo told me you two talked, she didn't say much but she hinted that there's something going on here. Anything I should know about?"
  65. [20:54] Sam does not speak with a accusatory tone but a friendly calm one
  66. [20:59] Arkalest He handscales again. "Bad or good news first?"
  67. [20:59] Sam "There's good news?!" Sam honestly sounds surprised
  68. [21:00] Sam "Bad news first I guess."
  69. [21:00] Arkalest "Well I might have killed a dude."
  70. [21:00] Arkalest He scrunches his face in cocnentration.
  71. [21:00] Arkalest "Or ten."
  72. [21:00] Arkalest "But it was one, in self defense."
  73. [21:00] Arkalest "And two, without guns, so."
  74. [21:01] Sam pats Jack on the back. "For what it's worth Jack, I'm in the same boat there."
  75. [21:01] Arkalest "I know."
  76. [21:02] Arkalest He just shrugs. "Shit happens, man."
  77. [21:02] Sam looks immensely relived. "Christ does it."
  78. [21:02] Arkalest "The good news is that because of my job I am on the fast track to being able to pay for a higher education, an apartment and a car."
  79. [21:02] Arkalest "Before you ask." Jack raises his hands. "I am no hired killer."
  80. [21:03] Sam "Jack, I wasn't going to ask, nor would I judge if that was the case."
  81. [21:05] Arkalest He raises an eyebrow. "Really?"
  82. [21:05] Arkalest "Like, really?"
  83. [21:05] Arkalest "Man no offense but they did a number on you. Did you see anyone for the PTSD?"
  84. [21:07] Sam "Yes, really." Sam is earnest "I was seeing a therapist in Thalassa before that even. And honestly? I can ill-afford moral condemnations at this point."
  85. [21:07] Arkalest "Oh well. " He shrugs. "That's life, watchu gonna do 'bout it."
  86. [21:09] Sam "Look, I know that. . . this doesn't look good, but. . . well, do you know the stakes here?"
  87. [21:13] Arkalest "I do, Sam."
  88. [21:16] Sam "And saving humanity is my /first/ goal Jack. All other concerns come after." There is a sense of resigned despair when Sam says that. "Well, I'm glad you got a well-paying job, even if I wished it was safer, but that's your choice to make."
  89. [21:19] Arkalest He sighs. "Sam, I am just an info broker and drone technician. I don't even put my life on the line all that much."
  90. [21:20] Sam "And yet you had to fight for your life all the same. I do not know what side you are fighting for, but I trust it's the right one."
  91. [21:21] Arkalest He snorts. "There are no right sides, Sam. It's all about who fucks up the world less."
  92. [21:23] Sam "Always so cynical Jack, though I suppose that's fine. I've always fallen more inline with fanaticism myself."
  93. [21:26] Arkalest Jack lowers your head. "Are you that desperate for a reason to die?"
  94. [21:27] Sam "No, not anymore, but if I can spend my life to save humanity. . . it is such a small price in the scale of things Jack."
  95. [21:28] Arkalest "You always were a romantic." He scoffs, crossing his arms. "You might change things in the short term, but the thing is, Sam- Dead people don't get to change the fate of the world in the long run."
  96. [21:29] Sam "I know Jack, and I would much rather life than die, but I am prepared to give my life if that is what is required of me."
  97. [21:29] Sam *live
  98. [21:34] Sam "Though. . . Death didn't take the /first/ time he came calling, so who knows?" Sam winks
  99. [21:36] Arkalest He shrugs. "Whatever you say, Sam. "
  100. [21:36] Arkalest "I dunno what the fuck you fought against, but I can tell you that you are lucky to have survived a near death expeirence, and that's it."
  101. [21:37] Arkalest Jack lowers his head. "My point still stands. "
  102. [21:40] Sam "That it does." Sam taps his leg "I owe you a apology Jack as well Jack."
  103. [21:40] Arkalest "You can martyr yourself all you want, but then what?"
  104. [21:40] Sam "Then I leave a widow Jack, that's what. I mean it when I say I'd rather not die, but. . . I am at peace with the idea that I /may/ have to."
  105. [21:42] Arkalest "That's good." There is no trac of irony in his voice- Or mockery
  106. [21:44] Sam "BUt. . Look, I mentioned I was seeing a therapist. . I uh. . I was, still am to some degree, suffering from depression. I. . . I never told anyone, and I lied to you, Izzy, and my grandfather about it. . . I'm sorry Jack."
  107. [21:45] Arkalest "It happens. I...." He sighs, lowering his head further. "I had my doubts, hombre. "
  108. [21:46] Sam nods
  109. [21:47] Sam "I . . I should have said something, trusted you to be the friends that you are, rather than. . . letting my own fears rule me. I . . I'm sorry I never said anything, never let you or Izzy help or even know."
  110. [21:52] Arkalest "You always were the martyr, man. "Another deep sigh. "Anyway, that's in the past."
  111. [21:54] Sam "I know, but. . that past has a habit of catching back up." Sam slides over his contact information to Jack. "I don't know how much we can offer each-other here, but I don't think we are on opposing sides here. And as i said, I'm not going to turn away help if I can get it."
  112. [21:58] Arkalest "I will think about it, man."
  113. [21:58] Sam "That's all I can ask of you Jack."
  114. [22:02] Sam "And. . . if nothing else Jack, feel free to call if you want to catch up or something. We can't let the little things fall to the side, you know?"
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