001M

[toobig]

video; [11:37PM]

 [Bertholdt writes his number down in the corner of a page he's editing, without thinking about it. He had gotten a headache from staring at the computer for so long, and was now curled up on his couch in his apartment, the flip side of the manuscript he's working on visible to the network, as well as all of his red pen edits and small notes. His handwriting is cramped but neat, small block letters that are easily readable, even mirrored. He doesn't seem to notice what's going on at first, too focused on what he's doing, but when he pauses to pushes his glasses up his sweaty nose he blinks and stares at the paper. He flips to the next one and finds that the same thing is happening.]

[It takes him a pretty long time to actually say anything while he's trying to figure out what's going on, and even then it's just:] 

... What? 

Comments

text;

[thorny]

How trite. I do hope that you've something better to offer us.

[is she talking about his glorious introduction or the contents of the manuscript? the world will never know]

[toobig]

[He blinks at the text that's suddenly appeared, and sighs a little. He'll have to redo this page entirely, what a hassle. He's not sure whether this person can hear him or not, but he's more comfortable writing anyway. So he'll write, after scribbling his pen against the paper a little,]

Something better? What do you mean?

[thorny]

Isn't it obvious? You can't really be so blind as to be unable to see the subpar fare you've offered up. It's practically insulting.

[toobig]

If you're talking about the manuscript, it might be a little subpar but the other choice was depressed, werevampire beauty queens.

[He's not joking.]

[thorny]

Oh, and here I'd been hoping that perhaps you had some literary merit. I'm quite disappointed to know this is the utmost you're capable of.

[toobig]

I don't write it, I just edit whatever the publisher sends over.

[thorny]

Even worse! You'd think that after such a miserable display you'd lie rather than dig yourself further into the cesspool of dull mediocrity.

[toobig]

[He looks a little sad, then. He's pretty mediocre, let's be real. Even random strangers on the internet think so. Bertholdt sighs softly.]

Do you need something?

[thorny]

An apology, at the very least. I'd ask you to provide us with something more interesting to make up with this humdrum display but that seems to be beyond your meager abilities.

[toobig]

It's been a while since I've had anything but teenage fantasy.

[There's a pause and the screen flips as he turns the paper on its front to continuing writing on the back, the type of the manuscript disappearing.]

You could do better?

[thorny]

You should have taken that hint as to your employer's opinion of your capability.

I think that a lobotomized monkey could do better than what I've seen thus far. But I suppose I shouldn't judge too harshly! The American literary scene is in a moldering decay for just this reason.

[toobig]

[He sighs, and there's just some scribbles for a while, while Bertholdt collects his thoughts enough to reply.]

I agree with you.

[thorny]

It's good of you to take responsibilities for your actions. You need all the redeeming qualities that you can get.

[toobig]

Maybe I'll... request something that isn't so horrible next time.

[Well maybe he'll try... probably... no...]

[thorny]

You'd have to be worth the sudden uptick in quality, however. Do you really think you'd qualify the way you are now?

[toobig]

I've been doing this for ten years, about. I can't magically make teenage romance good through editing, I don't write the source material.

I have the skill.

[thorny]

If this is all you have to show for ten years of work in the same field you'll forgive me if I seriously doubt that you possess much more than cursory skills.

[toobig]

So I'm bad at my job, is that what you want me to say?

[thorny]

Why would I have you repeat it? You've already shown us all quite well.

[toobig]

Maybe you're right.

[thorny]

I know I am.

[toobig]

Thanks.

[You're so good for his 1.5/10 self confidence rating.]

[thorny]

You're quite welcome. I try to make sure that all of the obvious things I point out are based firmly in fact.

[hell yeah she is. with a little work she can get that down to .5/10 if she's lucky]