4. voice

[rickitikitarr]

All right, this is all good fun and games, kids, but I'm going to be the one who spoils it by asking the question.

What the hell is going on?

And, for that matter, if we're the ones apparently running the show now, is anyone steering the boat?

[Ricki does not want the barge to smash into a sun and everyone to burn up, even though he's currently in the inmate-reclaimed bar and part of him is rather enjoying the fiddling.]

Comments

[ Private : Voice ]

[surfaceshine]

Who's working a line?

He expects everyone to turn on him. So do I. No use lying about it or to ourselves about exactly how long this alliance is likely to last.

[ Private : Voice ]

[rickitikitarr]

Well, I'll leave him to you. If I try to have a civil conversation with him I'm going to end that earlier than it needs to.

[ Private : Voice ]

[surfaceshine]

You hate him that much already?

[ Private : Voice ]

[rickitikitarr]

I used to do some work.

[He starts to say, then decides, no, that isn't what he means.]

I've listened to his inmate-directed posts. Never spoken to him. It's just- I don't mind the ones who do what need to be done. I've got a respect for that. It's the glee that's indecent. Sadists. I have no respect for that, and no patience left in my life for pretending otherwise.

[ Private : Voice ]

[surfaceshine]

You know what the funny part is about that?

[This is a rhetorical question; Dean barely pauses, despite not sounding remotely amused.]

That's the part that makes me most sure of him. Not because I approve, but because that's what insanity does to you. You stop asking why you're laughing, and you just do it as often as you can.

[ Private : Voice ]

[rickitikitarr]

Well, if you have the stomach for it, then thank god.

[Because it makes one of them.]

I'll support you how I can.

[ Private : Voice ]

[surfaceshine]

I've got the stomach for quite a lot.

[This is grim fact, not something he's proud of, not a brag. He nods.]

I'll get back to you when I know something.