Act 1, Scene 1: Pleasant Boy

[opening_act]

[ A notification on your phone goes off, letting you know the purchase of your meeting with Exael has gone through.

There is an attachment. Where are you, when you open it? ]

Comments

[afailedmurder]

That was an unpleasant scene after the haunted house game. Are you all right?

[opening_act]

I'll heal! I've already mostly healed.

[afailedmurder]

It's a bit disheartening to think that you can graduate only to still be pushed around. Was that the only option available to you? Is it for us?

[opening_act]

Oh, no, there's two main options but there's a lot of ways it could go.

[afailedmurder]

I'm very interested in hearing that, but first I'd like to ask: Is this conversation part of the show? Are we being watched right now?

[opening_act]

Not unless my apartment's been bugged. There's no reason for it to be broadcast.

[afailedmurder]

In other words, you can speak candidly and without fear of repercussion?

[opening_act]

[ cheerily ]

I'm never afraid of repercussions!

[afailedmurder]

...Because they won't be serious for you, or because you don't care if they are?

[opening_act]

Some of one, a little of the other?

[afailedmurder]

I see. Does that mean there isn't anything you'd prefer to say off the record?

[opening_act]

I'm not really interested in talking about myself. I already know all about me.

[afailedmurder]

I'm interested in talking about whatever you are. I was more wondering if it would be worth my while not to record our conversation.

[opening_act]

Well, now that you've told me you'd record. . . But really, it depends.

I want to know what you want, off the record.

[afailedmurder]

I don't have anything else on me to take notes. But I'm not recording now, and I won't if you would prefer I not. You can check my phone or hold onto it if you like.

[holds it out to her]

There are many things I want to know. The two options you mentioned before and many questions that begin with "why" and "how." But I assume the others will be grilling you on such topics, and I assume there are approved answers that the "execs" have approved of, or will at least tolerate you giving us. There's no reason for anything like that to be off the record.

I'd really like to hear what you want. Are you sure you don't have any interest in talking about yourself?

[opening_act]

[ hmm she's going to take his phone and check what powers he's bought instead of checking if he's recording ]

It sounds like you want something to hold over me!

[afailedmurder]

[Immediately got foresight, after a bit potions, and very recently shrinky/growy.]

How could I hold it over you if I don't have any evidence of it? Besides, I am acutely aware of the power imbalance here. I would prefer to stay on your good side.

[opening_act]

I thought you might be an enterprising boy, not just a pleasant one! I have faith in you.

[ Hmm. Holds out the phone to hand it back ]

[afailedmurder]

[takes it and slips it into his cloak]

Thank you. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations.

Well, for now I would like to hear the alternate to graduation. You've piqued my interest.

[opening_act]

You've misunderstood. [ said as if she speaks in a remotely clear manner ] They're both graduation, you know? But what happens after is really different.

Do you want to go home?

[afailedmurder]

I should think so. As far as I know, I was doing quite well for myself.

[opening_act]

Then you can still aim for graduation! That's a valid graduation gift.

[afailedmurder]

What are the graduation requirements?

[opening_act]

That the production staff thinks you're ready to. There's no one hard and fast thing.

[afailedmurder]

I see.

[considers for a moment]

You mentioned before that you weren't interested in talking about yourself because you already knew all about yourself. Was there something you were hoping to learn from talking to an idol?