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

[barehands]

That's horrible... Are you working with them by choice, at least?

[transmittable]

It's... My choices brought me here, alright?

[barehands]

Whatever happened... I don't think you deserve people doing something like that to you without your permission!

[transmittable]

What I deserve is...seriously another conversation entirely. Look, it's awful, but it's how it works for me.

[barehands]

[She hesitates; even if this conversation isn't face to face, it's pretty easy to tell she's frowning. The concern in her voice is deep.]

Isn't there any way you could get away from them? It isn't right.

[transmittable]

[ ... ]

There isn't. I want to, trust me. But there isn't.

[barehands]

I know we don't know much about the situation, but... If any of us figure out a way, we'll do our best to help you, okay?

[transmittable]

[ Immediately, sharply: ]

Don't. Don't- don't say that. Don't.

[barehands]

[There's a pause for another good few moments, and a swallow on her end.]

Sorry, I... I-I didn't mean to upset you, so - sorry.

[transmittable]

[ She sounds...agitated, kind of. The static and feedback fluctuate. ]

It's not- don't- you just, trust me, you don't want to- you don't want to try that. It's-

[ She takes a deep breath. ]

It's fine. It's- fine.

[barehands]

[She says it's fine, but...]

...Would something bad happen to you if we did?

[transmittable]

[ Bitterly: ]

I can't answer that.

[barehands]

When you say that... Is it because they would punish you somehow if you did?

[transmittable]

[ Defeated. ]

It's because it's the rules.

[barehands]

...I'm really sorry.

[transmittable]

...Don't be. I'm still the reason you're here. Just remember that.

[barehands]

But it sounds like you don't have much of a choice... If you did, would you let us go?

[transmittable]

[ ... ]

If there were any other way to achieve my goals, I- I wouldn't be doing this.

[barehands]

Is it your goals, or their goals?

[transmittable]

They get something out of this... I get something out of this... So, it's both.

[barehands]

Then it must be really important, what you're getting from it. I know you can't tell me what exactly it is, but...

[transmittable]

It is.

[ Her voice breaks. She sounds very tired. ]

It's... It's personal, but... It's very important.

[barehands]

...I didn't mean to remind you of something upsetting. I'm sorry.

[transmittable]

[ A wet laugh crackles with the static. ]

Everything about this is upsetting, it's- it's fine. You didn't.

[barehands]

Are you crying?