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On The Future Of Mars
Nov. 14th, 2018 01:19 pm Three hundred and twenty years ago, humans arrived on Mars, bringing with them the grand traditions of violent capitalism and exploitation. The freedom settlers were looking for was to escape even the barest attempts at regulation by the Earth government.
We’ve never denied this history. We aren’t calling for any return to an ‘Old Mars’, however idealized we might be able to present it, we leave that sort of thing to ‘politicians’ who try to stir up support by pushing at present divisions and trying to create even more. We don’t call for any split between Earth and Mars. We would agree that Admiral Holdings isn’t some aberration, it fits perfectly with the ethos this planet has excelled at for so long.
The wealthy shareholders of Admiralty Holdings, and others who believe they’ll profit off them, say we’re resistant to progress, but AH is just a new gloss to old problems; we seek something that’s actually new, we don’t look for a profit margin.
In One, miners still work at jobs that frequently leave them badly injured, leaving families to fall over the thin line of subsistence to find there’s no net below them to protect workers once they’ve lost ‘value’. In Two, trying to find a place for augmentations and repairs can be a dangerous game, because when there’s no legal way to make what should be personal choices, there’s no regulation or recourse if anything goes wrong. In Three, it’s easy to see through the illusion of a practicing society if you don’t have the money that allows you to pretend to be part of it. There’s justice, medicine, protection - if you can pay for it; really the only true difference between the levels is how much all of those cost.
That was the Old Mars. That is still the ‘New’ Mars that Admiralty Holdings claims has come to replace it. You can see it in all their videos. Admiralty is good for Mars! They invest in progress! They’ve given us so many technical developments, to make it so much easier to make money! They take advantage of everything that’s comes from the regulation that Earth never really managed to impose. They up the benefits for the small percentage of the plant who are rich, while pretending it’s possible for you to join those ranks. They’ve made it a little more expensive to buy the police, so they can say that they’re cleaning up the streets without having to looking at the systematic problems that work to their advantage. Even if the stories of just how forcefully they conduct business were lies - something it seems hard to really believe, after all the evidence we’ve been able to share, in the brief spaces before they figure out how to clamp it down - then they’d still the problem, not any sort of solution.
The people of Mars need true change. The value of sentient life shouldn’t be measured by economic worth, but for those people who can’t imagine otherwise, there’s long standing proof that raising the quality of life creates a more productive world. Invest in schools, invest in cleaning up pollution, invest in creating objective justice; this is what will give you a better tomorrow. You’re afraid of crime? Consider trying to create a world where that doesn’t look like the best chance. Afraid of violence from those who have nothing? Work on erasing the gap instead of living with the cycle of disruptions and attacks caused by the blatant inequity and attacks on communities. When peaceful protests have to be presented anonymously to avoid persecution, it’s not the protesters who are in the wrong.
Mars can be better. Mars deserves better. Let all of us work together to create something truly new. Mars was the god of war, but only until we can achieve peace.
~ The Red Planet
We’ve never denied this history. We aren’t calling for any return to an ‘Old Mars’, however idealized we might be able to present it, we leave that sort of thing to ‘politicians’ who try to stir up support by pushing at present divisions and trying to create even more. We don’t call for any split between Earth and Mars. We would agree that Admiral Holdings isn’t some aberration, it fits perfectly with the ethos this planet has excelled at for so long.
The wealthy shareholders of Admiralty Holdings, and others who believe they’ll profit off them, say we’re resistant to progress, but AH is just a new gloss to old problems; we seek something that’s actually new, we don’t look for a profit margin.
In One, miners still work at jobs that frequently leave them badly injured, leaving families to fall over the thin line of subsistence to find there’s no net below them to protect workers once they’ve lost ‘value’. In Two, trying to find a place for augmentations and repairs can be a dangerous game, because when there’s no legal way to make what should be personal choices, there’s no regulation or recourse if anything goes wrong. In Three, it’s easy to see through the illusion of a practicing society if you don’t have the money that allows you to pretend to be part of it. There’s justice, medicine, protection - if you can pay for it; really the only true difference between the levels is how much all of those cost.
That was the Old Mars. That is still the ‘New’ Mars that Admiralty Holdings claims has come to replace it. You can see it in all their videos. Admiralty is good for Mars! They invest in progress! They’ve given us so many technical developments, to make it so much easier to make money! They take advantage of everything that’s comes from the regulation that Earth never really managed to impose. They up the benefits for the small percentage of the plant who are rich, while pretending it’s possible for you to join those ranks. They’ve made it a little more expensive to buy the police, so they can say that they’re cleaning up the streets without having to looking at the systematic problems that work to their advantage. Even if the stories of just how forcefully they conduct business were lies - something it seems hard to really believe, after all the evidence we’ve been able to share, in the brief spaces before they figure out how to clamp it down - then they’d still the problem, not any sort of solution.
The people of Mars need true change. The value of sentient life shouldn’t be measured by economic worth, but for those people who can’t imagine otherwise, there’s long standing proof that raising the quality of life creates a more productive world. Invest in schools, invest in cleaning up pollution, invest in creating objective justice; this is what will give you a better tomorrow. You’re afraid of crime? Consider trying to create a world where that doesn’t look like the best chance. Afraid of violence from those who have nothing? Work on erasing the gap instead of living with the cycle of disruptions and attacks caused by the blatant inequity and attacks on communities. When peaceful protests have to be presented anonymously to avoid persecution, it’s not the protesters who are in the wrong.
Mars can be better. Mars deserves better. Let all of us work together to create something truly new. Mars was the god of war, but only until we can achieve peace.
~ The Red Planet
Spoiler Alert Flood; for Tris
Apr. 2nd, 2018 02:24 pm( Memory for Tris )
There's a cry of pain and a moment later Erskine runs around the corner. He looks ragged in a way he never has on the barge; he's not wearing a suit but it's much more than that, a bone deep exhaustion. He raises a hand but Skulduggery is already splaying his and Erskine flies backward. Despite everything, he still rolls and is on his feet again in moments, straight into Skulduggery's gun. He freezes.
Valkyrie checks around a corner. Three people lie unconscious. Behind them is an open door and another unconscious person. A pair of shackles lie on the floor nearby.
"Why?" Erskine asks. “Why did you come? Why bother? You could leave me. Why don’t you? You can just walk away. And it’s not like I’ll have a happy life here. I’m probably going to be caught again, taken to Mevolent, tortured until I die. That’s the thing about Darquesse’s punishment – the agony was exceptional, but I was never going to die from it. Mevolent’s way seems a lot fairer.”
“You think we’d let you off that easily? After what you’ve done?” asks Skulduggery.
“You deserve a lifetime of agony,” Valkyrie says, rejoining them.
“I thought I did,” Erskine says. “But what Darquesse did to me … that’s what we’d label cruel and unusual. I can’t go back to that. I just can’t. You have no idea what it was like. You’ve no idea what something like that does to you. I’m exhausted. I need to recover. I need to get strong again.”
“You need to put those shackles back on and come with us,” Skulduggery says.
“No!” Ravel says, almost shouting, before visibly calming himself. “No. You’re not taking me back. Darquesse will find me and it’ll start all over again.”
Skulduggery thumbs back the hammer of his gun. “This is not a negotiation.”
Erskine offers a wan smile. “You won’t shoot me. You need me alive.”
“I’ll settle for wounded.”
“Go ahead. Wound me. Hope the wound slows me down but doesn’t bleed me dry. Hope it makes me more co-operative and not more stubborn.”
Skulduggery doesn't respond for a moment, and then he gives a shrug. “Very well,” he says, passing his hat and his gun to Valkyrie. “Hold these.”
Erskine chuckles softly as Skulduggery steps towards him, and flexes his fingers, readying his magic. Before he can raise his hands, however, the door opened beside him and four unsuspecting Children of the Spider walked out.
Alarm swept over their faces, and Erskine lunges at one and Skulduggery dives at another. Erskine might still be recovering, but while his dismantling of his opponents isn't as precise or as polished as Skulduggery's but it's still impressive. Even more impressive, perhaps, is the fact that he and Skulduggery work together without flaw, giving battle with the absolute assurance that the person by their side is doing their job. The Children of the Spider don't even have time to call for help, it's only moments before Skulduggery and Erskine are standing over four unconscious bodies.
“You’re going to need my help getting out of the city,” Erskine says. “I came here looking for assistance. It’s obvious I’m not going to get it, so I need to escape, too.”
“And when we’re out of here,” Skulduggery says, “you’ll surrender?”
“Not a chance. But we can have that argument once we’re clear.” From somewhere close, running footsteps. A whole lot of running footsteps.
Erskine chuckles softly as Skulduggery steps towards him, and flexes his fingers, readying his magic. Before he can raise his hands, however, the door opened beside him and four unsuspecting Children of the Spider walked out.
Alarm swept over their faces, and Erskine lunges at one and Skulduggery dives at another. Erskine might still be recovering, but while his dismantling of his opponents isn't as precise or as polished as Skulduggery's but it's still impressive. Even more impressive, perhaps, is the fact that he and Skulduggery work together without flaw, giving battle with the absolute assurance that the person by their side is doing their job. The Children of the Spider don't even have time to call for help, it's only moments before Skulduggery and Erskine are standing over four unconscious bodies.
“You’re going to need my help getting out of the city,” Erskine says. “I came here looking for assistance. It’s obvious I’m not going to get it, so I need to escape, too.”
“And when we’re out of here,” Skulduggery says, “you’ll surrender?”
“Not a chance. But we can have that argument once we’re clear.” From somewhere close, running footsteps. A whole lot of running footsteps.
Spoiler Alert Flood
Mar. 22nd, 2018 02:53 pm( Video 1; elections, mark 1 )
( Video 2; the dead men )
( Video 3; Christmas with friends )
( Video 4; election mark 2 )
( Video 5; following the rules )
( Video 6; the supreme council )
( Video 7; finding clues )
( Video 8; ex-boyfriends )( Video 9; all about redemption )
( Video 10; solving problems like adults )
( Video 11; what's up Roarhaven )
( Video 12; a literal stab in the back )
( Video 2; the dead men )
( Video 3; Christmas with friends )
( Video 4; election mark 2 )
( Video 5; following the rules )
( Video 6; the supreme council )
( Video 7; finding clues )
( Video 8; ex-boyfriends )( Video 9; all about redemption )
( Video 10; solving problems like adults )
( Video 11; what's up Roarhaven )
( Video 12; a literal stab in the back )
Welcome to the Barge! Either you have some vague idea of what that means or you don’t. This helpful pamphlet is meant for you, however much you know. The friendly greeting is also probably meant for you but that’s more open to interpretation. For your convenience, it is split into some of the most common questions you may have.
Who am I and Why am I here?
That’s a question that plagues us all. Especially those of us with amnesia, identity issues or just bad memory retention. There have been many answers over the years. I’m pretty sure it was Plato – or perhaps Socrates, but definitely some Ancient Greek person – who argued that this question, like all others can be found by looking within yourself; ridding yourself of outside influences to achieve the understanding at everything that lies within. I’ve never been a big follower of that school of thought, but then, I avoid philosophy on principle.
Anyway, I don’t know your name (yet, probably) but I can still assign you to one of two broad categories because sometimes it seems that all groups can and will be broken down into broad categories. Specifically, you’re a warden or an inmate. You may not be sure which of these categories you fall into, here’s a quick way to find out:
1. Do you have vague memories of meeting a person who, at the time, looked normal enough and trustworthy enough to believe that they would grant you an unlimited wish in return for ‘graduating’ an inmate?
2. Do you have a sneaking suspicion you may have been killed and/or been on the verge of death and also don’t have memories of being told anything?
If you answered one, you’re a warden. If you answered two, you’re probably an inmate or a warden who has some sort of memory issue.
Your presence on this ship is both easier and harder to answer to answer. It’s easy because the ultimate answer is that some sort of amazingly powerful multi-dimensional being wanted you. It’s hard because that’s not really the sort of answer people like so there’s some other little details. If you’re a warden, some amount of desperation prompted you to take the offer. Or it sounded interesting. If you’re an inmate, you’re here to find redemption.
What do you mean? I haven’t done anything that requires redemption.
Go back a second and read the preceding paragraph’s opening line. The one that mentions the ‘amazingly powerful multi-dimensional being’. You might not think you require redemption, no one else might think you require redemption, you might not believe in the concept of redemption – that only matters on personal level. There’s unlimited dimensions, there’s no way of telling what the Admiral’s ‘morality’ might consist of. Have fun trying to figure it out!
Over time you might come to realize that you did require redemption. This may be because of personal growth or it could be a sign of Stockholm syndrome brainwashing. Either way, it can offer plenty of hours of (some might say) slightly repetitive debate. On the other hand, turnover rate is pretty quick so it’s probably new to someone.
So, where is ‘here’ and what’s it like?
I’m glad you asked that question. ‘Here’ is the barge; it is a prison ship that flies through space, generally. Of course, that could all be a misconception but that’s life, and/or death. For the purposes of this pamphlet, we’ll be taking it at face value. So, it’s a ship. It’s pretty big. It’s not that big (for more on this, go to the bottom and look under A few more quick answers). If you’re a warden, you can get anywhere. If you’re an inmate…you can probably get anywhere if you ask the right person. Note, sabotage may relieve some feelings but is ultimately pointless.
I won’t go into too many details about all the wonders the ship has to offer. After all, you may be stuck here for a while and there’s nothing like exploring a new place. It can relieve boredom for minutes at a time. But I’d be failing my duty if I didn’t share some important notes.
• You will be given a cabin. Sometimes it will be terrible. The question of whether this is because the Admiral’s a bastard or just incompetent is another one that can fill up many of those empty hours. You can have it changed, either by asking the Admiral directly if you’re a warden or by asking a warden. If you feel uncomfortable asking for things, there are empty cabins. Other people may also be using those empty cabins. Any problems that result are your own business and no blame can be laid on this pamphlet.
• There is food. It is pretty good, generally. This is as defined by beings that can consume food meant for humans. Those of you with other dietary requirements (blood, unicorn tears, mock turtle eggs) will be taken care of but I can’t vouch for the quality. People work in the kitchens to produce some of this food. A thank you or other sign of appreciation probably wouldn’t be objected to, there’s no need to be rude.
• There’s an infirmary. There’s a chance you’ll need it at some point (for more on this look under What the fuck was that?). Considering the turnover rate, no solid statements can be made about the staff. They’re likely to be competent enough in certain areas and probably don’t take any special joy in hurting people. No assurances can be made.
• There are places you might enjoy yourself. I can’t say what those might be, I don’t know you. The library is very impressive, there’s a card catalog. There are issues with said catalog but I have chosen to delete my several paragraph long digression on the nature of the library. I am willing to deliver it in person, on request.
What the fuck was that?
Shit happens. Really annoying people have a tendency to say this, often as a way to get out of either taking responsibility or giving an actual helpful explanation. I can’t promise I have a helpful explanation but that’s never stopped me from trying before. The barge is a ship, though unusual in many ways, it experiences many of the same things that an ordinary, incredibly shoddy and badly steered ship does.
There are floods, where you might be turned into a tree or be forced to speak only in lies or be replaced by an alternate dimension version of yourself who’s a superhero (those of you who are already superheroes will be replaced by versions of yourself who sell insurance). They don’t effect everybody and they don’t necessary effect the same people each time.
There are breaches, where you became part of a different dimension (or at least believe that’s what happened). Usually terrible things happen. Sadly, for people who want to try to figure out how this place works, that’s equally good proof for us actually being in a different dimension or for us being put into some sort of shared dream by the Admiral.
There are ports. Sometimes these are nice. Sometimes these aren’t. Sometimes you become someone else.
All of these effect (or don’t effect) inmates and wardens equally.
Sometimes, because of these effects or because some other reason, you die. Then you come back. Death isn’t permanent on the barge; you just feel terrible for a week or so. This is good and bad news. Good news for people who prefer being alive, bad news for people who contemplate the fact they could be killed over and over with no escape and/or people who like killing as a way of permanently getting rid of someone. Repeated for emphasis: people don’t die permanently. Please keep this is mind when issuing threats. Failure to do so may lead to embarrassment.
How do I escape/leave?
Yet another question that is more enjoyable to figure out for yourself. But for people who don’t appreciate the joy of research, a quick rundown. If you’re an inmate the only way to leave for sure is to ‘graduate’. There are arguments about what this means. There is no clear, straightforward answer. Have fun with that.
To help you ‘graduate’ you will be paired with a permanent warden who will be given a file detailing your entire life. Until then, you’ll be given a temporary warden every month who is given nothing except the joy of getting an excuse to talk to you.
A few more quick answers.
Q. Is it normal to get struck by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia mixed with a vague, unsettled horror at being surrounded by the vastness of space?
A. Yes, falling to the floor and letting out a primal scream is generally considered slightly melodramatic, though.
Q. What's this Earth place people keep talking about?
A. You have my sympathy.
Q. What about that thing where people disappear or fall into comas about?
A. If you're asking that question, you're already beyond introductory materials.
Q. I’ve run into people who I thought were just fictional characters in my universe, what should I do?
A. It’s depends on whether you want to be a dick or not.
Q. Are there cells?
A. Yes, they’re a little embarrassing. You even get to keep your communicator.
Q. Do you have any ‘little thoughts’ to share about the communicators?
A. There’s a special warden only filter. They probably don’t use it to talk about the inmates but they could.
Q. This seems to be directed a lot more for inmates than to wardens.
A. I’m not sure that technique counts as a question but I’ll imagine a questioning tone of voice. And you are correct. That’s because I’m not invited to the secret warden conferences and so can’t speak fully for them. Not that I’m say there are secret warden conferences but there could be. (Note to why I suspect there are not: more wardens would appear to have recently gotten into a physical fight)
Q. Was this supposed to be helpful?
A. Yes, and it succeeded admirably. I accept your thanks with the grace and modesty I’m known for,
Who am I and Why am I here?
That’s a question that plagues us all. Especially those of us with amnesia, identity issues or just bad memory retention. There have been many answers over the years. I’m pretty sure it was Plato – or perhaps Socrates, but definitely some Ancient Greek person – who argued that this question, like all others can be found by looking within yourself; ridding yourself of outside influences to achieve the understanding at everything that lies within. I’ve never been a big follower of that school of thought, but then, I avoid philosophy on principle.
Anyway, I don’t know your name (yet, probably) but I can still assign you to one of two broad categories because sometimes it seems that all groups can and will be broken down into broad categories. Specifically, you’re a warden or an inmate. You may not be sure which of these categories you fall into, here’s a quick way to find out:
1. Do you have vague memories of meeting a person who, at the time, looked normal enough and trustworthy enough to believe that they would grant you an unlimited wish in return for ‘graduating’ an inmate?
2. Do you have a sneaking suspicion you may have been killed and/or been on the verge of death and also don’t have memories of being told anything?
If you answered one, you’re a warden. If you answered two, you’re probably an inmate or a warden who has some sort of memory issue.
Your presence on this ship is both easier and harder to answer to answer. It’s easy because the ultimate answer is that some sort of amazingly powerful multi-dimensional being wanted you. It’s hard because that’s not really the sort of answer people like so there’s some other little details. If you’re a warden, some amount of desperation prompted you to take the offer. Or it sounded interesting. If you’re an inmate, you’re here to find redemption.
What do you mean? I haven’t done anything that requires redemption.
Go back a second and read the preceding paragraph’s opening line. The one that mentions the ‘amazingly powerful multi-dimensional being’. You might not think you require redemption, no one else might think you require redemption, you might not believe in the concept of redemption – that only matters on personal level. There’s unlimited dimensions, there’s no way of telling what the Admiral’s ‘morality’ might consist of. Have fun trying to figure it out!
Over time you might come to realize that you did require redemption. This may be because of personal growth or it could be a sign of Stockholm syndrome brainwashing. Either way, it can offer plenty of hours of (some might say) slightly repetitive debate. On the other hand, turnover rate is pretty quick so it’s probably new to someone.
So, where is ‘here’ and what’s it like?
I’m glad you asked that question. ‘Here’ is the barge; it is a prison ship that flies through space, generally. Of course, that could all be a misconception but that’s life, and/or death. For the purposes of this pamphlet, we’ll be taking it at face value. So, it’s a ship. It’s pretty big. It’s not that big (for more on this, go to the bottom and look under A few more quick answers). If you’re a warden, you can get anywhere. If you’re an inmate…you can probably get anywhere if you ask the right person. Note, sabotage may relieve some feelings but is ultimately pointless.
I won’t go into too many details about all the wonders the ship has to offer. After all, you may be stuck here for a while and there’s nothing like exploring a new place. It can relieve boredom for minutes at a time. But I’d be failing my duty if I didn’t share some important notes.
• You will be given a cabin. Sometimes it will be terrible. The question of whether this is because the Admiral’s a bastard or just incompetent is another one that can fill up many of those empty hours. You can have it changed, either by asking the Admiral directly if you’re a warden or by asking a warden. If you feel uncomfortable asking for things, there are empty cabins. Other people may also be using those empty cabins. Any problems that result are your own business and no blame can be laid on this pamphlet.
• There is food. It is pretty good, generally. This is as defined by beings that can consume food meant for humans. Those of you with other dietary requirements (blood, unicorn tears, mock turtle eggs) will be taken care of but I can’t vouch for the quality. People work in the kitchens to produce some of this food. A thank you or other sign of appreciation probably wouldn’t be objected to, there’s no need to be rude.
• There’s an infirmary. There’s a chance you’ll need it at some point (for more on this look under What the fuck was that?). Considering the turnover rate, no solid statements can be made about the staff. They’re likely to be competent enough in certain areas and probably don’t take any special joy in hurting people. No assurances can be made.
• There are places you might enjoy yourself. I can’t say what those might be, I don’t know you. The library is very impressive, there’s a card catalog. There are issues with said catalog but I have chosen to delete my several paragraph long digression on the nature of the library. I am willing to deliver it in person, on request.
What the fuck was that?
Shit happens. Really annoying people have a tendency to say this, often as a way to get out of either taking responsibility or giving an actual helpful explanation. I can’t promise I have a helpful explanation but that’s never stopped me from trying before. The barge is a ship, though unusual in many ways, it experiences many of the same things that an ordinary, incredibly shoddy and badly steered ship does.
There are floods, where you might be turned into a tree or be forced to speak only in lies or be replaced by an alternate dimension version of yourself who’s a superhero (those of you who are already superheroes will be replaced by versions of yourself who sell insurance). They don’t effect everybody and they don’t necessary effect the same people each time.
There are breaches, where you became part of a different dimension (or at least believe that’s what happened). Usually terrible things happen. Sadly, for people who want to try to figure out how this place works, that’s equally good proof for us actually being in a different dimension or for us being put into some sort of shared dream by the Admiral.
There are ports. Sometimes these are nice. Sometimes these aren’t. Sometimes you become someone else.
All of these effect (or don’t effect) inmates and wardens equally.
Sometimes, because of these effects or because some other reason, you die. Then you come back. Death isn’t permanent on the barge; you just feel terrible for a week or so. This is good and bad news. Good news for people who prefer being alive, bad news for people who contemplate the fact they could be killed over and over with no escape and/or people who like killing as a way of permanently getting rid of someone. Repeated for emphasis: people don’t die permanently. Please keep this is mind when issuing threats. Failure to do so may lead to embarrassment.
How do I escape/leave?
Yet another question that is more enjoyable to figure out for yourself. But for people who don’t appreciate the joy of research, a quick rundown. If you’re an inmate the only way to leave for sure is to ‘graduate’. There are arguments about what this means. There is no clear, straightforward answer. Have fun with that.
To help you ‘graduate’ you will be paired with a permanent warden who will be given a file detailing your entire life. Until then, you’ll be given a temporary warden every month who is given nothing except the joy of getting an excuse to talk to you.
A few more quick answers.
Q. Is it normal to get struck by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia mixed with a vague, unsettled horror at being surrounded by the vastness of space?
A. Yes, falling to the floor and letting out a primal scream is generally considered slightly melodramatic, though.
Q. What's this Earth place people keep talking about?
A. You have my sympathy.
Q. What about that thing where people disappear or fall into comas about?
A. If you're asking that question, you're already beyond introductory materials.
Q. I’ve run into people who I thought were just fictional characters in my universe, what should I do?
A. It’s depends on whether you want to be a dick or not.
Q. Are there cells?
A. Yes, they’re a little embarrassing. You even get to keep your communicator.
Q. Do you have any ‘little thoughts’ to share about the communicators?
A. There’s a special warden only filter. They probably don’t use it to talk about the inmates but they could.
Q. This seems to be directed a lot more for inmates than to wardens.
A. I’m not sure that technique counts as a question but I’ll imagine a questioning tone of voice. And you are correct. That’s because I’m not invited to the secret warden conferences and so can’t speak fully for them. Not that I’m say there are secret warden conferences but there could be. (Note to why I suspect there are not: more wardens would appear to have recently gotten into a physical fight)
Q. Was this supposed to be helpful?
A. Yes, and it succeeded admirably. I accept your thanks with the grace and modesty I’m known for,
Erskine Ravel
