[Video | Computer]

[gobybessie]

[ It's a rather posh set up, like this was some professional solemn news broadcast or something. Though, to be fair, John does think it's very important. He's seated at his desk, arms folded in front of him, and a furrow to his brow. ]

There is a matter I wish to discuss with you.

People have been losing their jobs, been suspended from schools, and hunted down simply for being numbered. It's more than enough that in any other case you could bring it to court but, likely, the law is not entirely sure what to make of us. In the fine print, I suppose we aren't exactly covered.

[ But if you ask him, that's honestly absurd, and that's clear in his tone.

He takes a break to grab a cup of tea and take a sip. There's a shift in his eyes, into something exhausted. He's tired. There's a lot going on and he's not entirely sure what to do. ]

We tend to take the law into our own hands, but I think perhaps it's worth actually trying to work with it. If anyone else would like to try, I would be glad to have some help.

Any inputs or thoughts are welcome. I'd love to hear them.

[ And he cuts the feed. ]

Comments

[Action]

[gobybessie]

[ He raises an eyebrow in return. Really, he wouldn't say he's putting his own problems on the backburner. His problems are just as much a part of this Numbered versus law business as anyone else's, and if it could be sorted it would help not only everyone else but him too.

Plenty are worse off than him. He has the clinic, and unless he's forced to leave Locke, that's going to stay.

Though there is the matter of whether or not he'll be forced to leave Locke. ]

Yes? I'm fine. Really.

[ ... Okay, yeah, now that just sounds false even to him. Should have left that bit out. ]

[Action]

[greenisthenewblack]

[That gets him an even longer scrutinizing stare. Because, to be honest, none of them were 'fine', exactly. Him insisting that he was only makes Sheila more suspicious.]

With all due respect, John...

Bullshit.

[Action]

[gobybessie]

It sounded better in my head.

[ He sighs, and slowly takes a sip of his tea. But then ... ]

Are any of us truly fine, hm?

[Action]

[greenisthenewblack]

Why do you think I'm calling bullshit?

[Sheila pushes her hair out of her face, frowning a little.]

You should talk about it. To someone, if you're not comfortable with me. But I'm here if you need me.

[She hoped he'd talk to her, actually.]

[Action]

[gobybessie]

[ He's not sure there is anyone else. After he changed, any friends he had as his previous ... "form," he ended up losing and he hasn't regained contact with them, even after going public. He won't involve his family in this in any way, if he can avoid it. There is Emil, now, but ... they still have a lot of catching up to do. It isn't quite there yet.

Helped by the fact that they've lived together for a little while now, Sheila is one of the closest friends he has right now.

But he doesn't even know what he'd say. ]

To me it seems it's all the same old, same old. That we all share very equal thoughts on the matter.

[ It's nothing new. It feels reduntant to talk about it. Don't they all know? ]