AUDIENCE FOR: Rupert

[guestservices]

Comments

[agleam]

[he thinks about that for a moment.]

I know we can't change anything about what happened to him, or what's going to happen tomorrow. But - I don't think that's a reason not to care. I'd rather do the right thing than the easy thing.

[guestservices]

...when did I say not to care about it though? [it's a genuine question, at least.]

[agleam]

Well - you mentioned it was better to be removed, I kind of interpreted that as being removed enough to care less.

[guestservices]

Oh. Yeah, I guess I can see how you'd interpret it that way. But think of it more like being removed enough to not let yourself go crazy. Not getting stuck thinking of "what if we did this instead" or "what if I had said that".

[agleam]

...Right. Like, the difference between letting it motivate you to try harder next time, and just letting it make you hesitate because you don't want to get it wrong again?

[guestservices]

Exactly. See, I knew you'd get it.

[agleam]

Right. I'll see least try not to take the wrong things from this.

[guestservices]

Thanks. Not that I'm not used to people taking things the wrong way, but the effort's appreciated.

[agleam]

[he nods.]

Apart from wanting to see how you were doing, though... I did have a question.

[guestservices]

[they tilt their head.]

Okay. Lay it on me.

[agleam]

If something like today happens, where we don't find the right person... Does the shadow stay with them and force them to act again next week?

[guestservices]

...shadows kinda do their own thing, Rupert. It's hard to say what actually happens if you don't find the right person. Maybe it leaves, maybe it doesn't. That's just further entertainment for the Nightman, don't you think?

[agleam]

But there's gotta be an option between the two that he finds more entertaining.

[guestservices]

Not really. Both options lead to suffering somehow.

[agleam]

So... It's random, then. Or, up to his whim or whatever.

[guestservices]

[the driest tone:]

The hotel works in mysterious ways.

[agleam]

Somehow I get the feeling it isn't the hotel itself doing this.

[guestservices]

What, you don't think it has its own thoughts and feelings? That's very hotel-ist of you, Rupert.

[agleam]

Yeah, definitely not a word.

[guestservices]

How can you be so sure?

[agleam]

Is it a word where you're from?

[guestservices]

Sure is. Bet you feel a little silly now, huh?

[agleam]

I do not, because I don't believe you.

[guestservices]

I am absolutely hurt. Wounded. Slain.

[agleam]

You know, I can't see your face or anything, but somehow I feel unconvinced.