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]

[ Calls to the Transmitter mean, since the phones are outdated like the PA system apparently, feedback and static, and of course distortion. Luckily, this is nothing like Tuesday's incentive announcement; it's the Transmitter's voice, with all that implies. You can actually probably hear her a little clearer than on the PA? Regardless, she answers swiftly. ]

Yes, Committed? What's up?

[imaginex]

[This is the first time Sakura's done this, so there will be a pause before she answers]

It's about rule 7... there were some things I hoped to clear up, like...

If it's ever possible to have two victors.

[transmittable]

A question about Rule 7... Well, we can't clarify too much.

[ There it is again, the "we," but it's casual enough. ]

But we can say it's possible. If two people invoke Rule 7 successfully, both would win.

[imaginex]

[Breathe, Sakura, breathe-- keep calm]

I-I see... on the same night, I assume?

[transmittable]

That'd be a good assumption.

I can't give you any tips or ideas on how, of course. That's...not part of my job.

[imaginex]

[Oh jesus]

N-no, no, please, I wouldn't want you to do anything like that...

It's just. Um...

[Well, she can't say "I would never kill anyone, I'm just here asking random questions", can she?]

I figured the more I know about the rules, the better I'll be able to protect myself.

[And Rin. Rin, too]

[transmittable]

Just heading off those questions before they become relevant, you know?

[imaginex]

Yes, exactly.

If I'm going to be stuck here, I might as well... learn everything there is to learn.

[A pause]

But thank you, you were very helpful.

[Way more than Sakura expected]

[transmittable]

You asked good questions.

[imaginex]

Mmm.

And I do have one more, if you don't mind.

... Would it ever be possible to... transfer victory to another Patient?

[Is sacrifice allowed?]

[transmittable]

No.

[ Instantly. ]

No, that's not allowed.

[imaginex]

I see.

[Can't be disappointed if you ever expected it in the first place]

Sacrifice isn't allowed?

[transmittable]

As I told Sororal, there's no switching allowed. Be it taking someone's place or handing off your victory to someone else.

[imaginex]

Does doing so interfere with the purpose of this experiment?

[transmittable]

You're set on calling it an experiment, aren't you...? Can't say if it does or doesn't.

[imaginex]

We've been given more incentives to kill people here, and now the Risen will get to watch and see what happens.

Cause and effect. [An experiment in her eyes, though she's not going to argue. Though on that note:]

Are you feeling better, Transmitter-san?

[transmittable]

...Yeah. Yesterday was...much more low-key. Infinitely preferable to feeling like your insides've been blended up and turned into a smoothie.

[imaginex]

... Did something happen to you?

[Her shock is honest. That was not an answer she expected]

[transmittable]

[ She chuckles. ]

That whole thing on Tuesday happened to me. I didn't have a fun time.

[imaginex]

... I admit, some of us were worried about you.

[transmittable]

I know. ...I've gotten a few messages to that extent. It's... I didn't expect it.

[imaginex]

Well, it was quite a shock to us, hearing you like that. Whatever we think of these circumstances, you haven't been cruel about your position over us.

[transmittable]

I try not to be. I don't...want to, really.

[imaginex]

[So she's heard. It's the only reason Sakura doesn't despise her, really]

I'm sure you can't answer many questions about it, but... were you forced to take this job?

[transmittable]

I... I can't answer that.