AUDIENCE FOR: Rupert

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

I mean...considering we didn't go where they went, and we don't know what actually happened unless they tell us, doesn't it make sense to cut out the middle man and ask directly?

[agleam]

Right, but... If it's like mine, it just showed up after they got back, so they probably don't know what it is either. I'm kind of hoping one of the staff might recognize it and tell me what it is. It definitely looks - unique.

[he rolls up his sleeve to show it.]

[guestservices]

[they will take a look!]

...unique is one word for it. Are you the only one who came out with something like this?

[agleam]

Out of my group, I'm pretty sure it's just me... I don't know about the others.

[guestservices]

Weird...wish I had an answer for you, but I'm drawing a blank.

[agleam]

That's okay.

[he waves a hand]

Are you alright, though? I mean, after everything that's happened the last couple of days.

[guestservices]

[there's a sigh to that.]

It's been a really long week, but I think we're managing okay...sort of nonstop from Thursday on. I feel like I should be asking you that instead.

[agleam]

Well, there's no harm in us both asking each other, right?

[guestservices]

Guess not. [that's a good point.] Pretty sure we're all kind of tired especially from today, but...we just have to keep going.

[agleam]

[he nods.]

Yeah. But... Sometimes it's easier to keep going if you get things off your chest.

[guestservices]

[...there's an "oh" of understanding under their breath.]

I'm okay if that's what you're trying to ask. These things happen. It was kind of a mess, but things can't be changed now.

[agleam]

[after a pause, he laughs, a little bit surprised in tone rather than amused.]

Of course I was wondering if you're okay, I asked if you were alright earlier...

[he nods, though.]

It'd be nice if things hurt less just because you can't change them, right? [...] But, can I ask you something?

[guestservices]

Hey, some people are just polite. [but they move on with a nod. sure, that would be nice, but it's not likely anytime soon.] I can't promise an answer. What is it?

[agleam]

Right, I get it. I was just wondering... If this kind of thing bothers you, then why are you here?

[guestservices]

[they tilt their head.]

A job's a job. Does it seem like it bothers me?

[agleam]

Yeah, but you seem smart. I'm sure you could find a job where this kind of thing doesn't happen... You said it was a mess.

[guestservices]

Well yeah. A man came back to life post-autopsy and then beheaded a teenage girl in front of an audience. What part of that isn't messy?

[agleam]

[closes his eyes for a second]

And as for what I said before that...?

[guestservices]

...I think you're always going to have parts of your job you don't like but you still have to work with. That's all.

[agleam]

Yeah, but normally that should be, like, paperwork. Not murder.

[guestservices]

[a pause.]

Rupert, are you trying to bait me into a specific answer by chance?

[agleam]

No. I just - don't understand why you don't seem to care about this more, I guess.

[guestservices]

A person's reactions, or lack thereof, doesn't exactly show whether they do or don't care about things. And anyway, maybe it's not really something you're meant to understand or worry about when there's a lot of other stuff happening here.

[agleam]

I know it doesn't. That's why I said you don't seem to, not that you don't.

[...]

Do you not have a choice but to be here?

[guestservices]

I'm not being held against my will or anything if that's what you mean.