SWITCHBOARD

[transmittable]

If you'd like to ask the Transmitter something over the phone, go right ahead! The Transmitter will answer the phone as soon as she's available. Leaving messages is impossible, given how old these phones are, but you should be able to reach her at almost all hours.

Comments are screened for privacy; all Patients are offered confidentiality, didn't you know?

Comments

[transmittable]

[ Ryoji receives a significant amount of feedback at first, but it's accompanied by the sound of deep breathing. Did she answer the phone and not know what to say? No matter. The feedback settles down into a...normal level of distortion and crackling. While her voice is a bit clearer, it seems the technology is still horrible, so this is what you're going to have to settle with. ]

...Hi. Hello, uh, Amiable.

[cadmiums]

[ He doesn't seem to mind any, plenty happy that she picked up.]

Hello! You can just call me Ryoji if you like. [ A beat.] Oh, or are you the one that gave me this title?

[transmittable]

Yes, we assigned all the titles. So, we hope it's understandable that they're what we're gonna stick to.

[cadmiums]

Well if you change your mind, I'm okay with it. [ He can kind of see the merits in both.]

You said you represented a collective...does that mean other people can listen in on our date?

[transmittable]

Well, they're kind of always listening. There's not much I can do to get them to...not.

[cadmiums]

I guess I don't mind if you don't. [ It's similar to a group date, he thinks.]

I'd like to get to know you more, but it seems unfair to ask you questions when you said you'd put a profile up. Unless you want to tell me something about yourself right now?

[transmittable]

Right. Um.

Can I ask a question first? Like, why you want to go on a "date" with the person responsible for putting you here?

[cadmiums]

Of course.

[ But there's actually a small period of silence as he thinks that question over.]

This isn't the first time I've woken up in a place I didn't know, with no idea of how I got here. Maybe I'm wrong but... I don't think is all your fault, so it wouldn't be fair to dislike you right away without getting to know you first.

[transmittable]

...I already find you strange, Amiable. You're far from anything I expected.

You are wrong, by the way. This is my fault. I'm to blame for your current situation.

[cadmiums]

What did you expect me to be like?

[ Another pause, as he fiddles with his scarf.]

For all of it, though? I understand you're the one in charge, and the one who will enforce the rules. But are you the one who took us in the first place, and decided what the rules would be?

[transmittable]

We... I expected someone not so...open.

We are the ones who decided you would be taken- or, decided someone would be taken, and we received you. The rules, they...those are less our idea, but we did adopt them, without much hesitation. So in that sense, yes, for all of it.

[cadmiums]

I like my title, I think it suits me. I wouldn't be very amiable if I treated you different from everyone else, I think.

[ Maybe that's simple but, it's how he sees it.]

Is there a reason for all of this?

[transmittable]

There is. It's...not for me to say. That's not how this is supposed to work. It may not be one you like, though.

[cadmiums]

I understand, I didn't expect you to tell me right away-- this is our first date after all.

[ More muffled sounds, as he plays with his scarf again.]

I still don't think it would be fair to judge you without the whole picture, so I won't.

[transmittable]

[ She breathes out in surprise. The crackling picks up again. ]

Still a...boundless surprise. I suppose I'll have to get used to it.

What... What would you like to know? It's been...a long time. Since I've been on a, um. Date.

[cadmiums]

[ She can't see it, but he's certainly smiling right now.]

Hmm, well profiles have likes and dislikes... Would you mind telling me what you look like?

[transmittable]

Wh-what I look like? Uh, that might be a bit...much, I think? I'm shorter than you are, and my eyes are brown. How's that?

[cadmiums]

That's fine! I just wanted an idea of who I had the pleasure of taking out on a date. Does that mean we won't get to see you anytime soon?

[transmittable]

Not if I have anything to say about it, which. I do.

...You know, there's not really much you can do on a date over the phone. Uh, sorry.

[cadmiums]

That's too bad, I'm sure you're beautiful.

Well I can still get to know you better, which is one of my favorite parts of a date.

[transmittable]

[ Feedback intensifies. ]

J- jeez, warn a girl before saying that stuff. Uh... If you say so.

[cadmiums]

I'll just have to warn you before I compliment you next time. [ Cause there will be a next time.]

I'd know for certain how beautiful you are if I could see you, but I can be patient. I have a good sense for these kind of things, you know.

[transmittable]

...You're not gonna flirt me into coming out, you know. I've- we've been planning this for...awhile. A sweet guy isn't gonna change that.

[cadmiums]

Maybe not.

But maybe if you get comfortable with me, you'll tell me a little more about what you look like. That would make me happy on its own.

[transmittable]

Sure. Keep trying, lover-boy.

So you get to know me better. What else would you like to know?