96.7 - three hun dred six ty five de grees

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[at ten o'clock, Concrete Blonde's rendition of the now-familiar Leonard Cohen tune comes BLASTING out of the journals, at full volume, as loud as Harry can make it go. no one's ignoring him, this week. even if you've got your journal closed and locked in a drawer, you're probably going to hear him.

yes, him - not just the music. as the first verse really starts to get cooking, it's cut off by a loud, pronounced, mechanical whine... the only warning the residents get before their resident shock jock and newshound starts hollering into a megaphone aimed straight at the journal]

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! HEY, EVERYBODY! THIS IS NOT A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM! YA KNOW WHY NOT?! 'CUZ WE AIN'T GOT ONE! That's right, folks! If this had been a set of first-generation fuckhead assaults on the castle itself, and not just a few outposts, we'd ALL BE ON VACATION RIGHT NOW! And to top it all off, one of the crazy violent asswipes we had locked up down in the basement? POOF! Gone like rum balls at an Al-Anon meeting!

So, no, hey, you don't get any happy little list of new people, and you don't get to hear all the quaint, crazy shit we comparatively sane people got up to, and even more, you don't get to hear what I've found out from the folks who went wandering out into the Great Beyond. No. No, you don't. And you know why?

Because this is fucking unacceptable. With the exception of a handfulla people whose voices I heard pipin' up over the last couple've days to help out? YOU ALL FAIL. Yeah. Even those of you who went on the expedition. Even me. Yes, EVEN ME. You know why we're all sucking on a six-foot long, foot-wide faildick right now? Because NONE OF US have an emergency plan in case this kinda shit goes down. We're all so wrapped up in our little crazy "Oh, my friend's a cat" lives that we don't stop to think how fucked we are if we actually turn our backs for too long.

And believe me, I've talked to a few people who just came back with rock-solid, titanium-plated proof of just how utterly dry-boned on a paddle-less raft in Shit Creek made outta swiss cheese we could be if we don't watch it. So LET'S GET TO IT, Paradisa.

I wanna see some fucking initiative. Let's all get some kinda fucking plan worked out. I wanna hear from each and every ONE of you about what the HELL you intend to do with yourself if shit like this happens again - because let's face it, it will. As much as we all wanna stand around with our heads up our asses, enjoying the smell of our own shit and the castle's jizz, we gotta GET WISE. Somebody - or a group of somebodies - needs to step their ass up to the line and help getting our mutant ducks in line.

And before you ask, wisenheimers, don't even look at yours truly. Think about it. Do you REALLY want a teenager on a Irish Spring Diet to tell you where to go in case of emergency? Because, if you do? Well, sorry, I'm just gonna tell you that you can take your unprepared ass right on down to hell.

[he switches off the megaphone, finally, and sighs. the journal picks up one last grumble:]

Jesus motherfucking Christ, what a bunch of puke-guzzling sheep....

[before he turns on the stereo again, still at full blast. happy post-expedition, post-raid Monday, Paradisa.]


[Filtered to Hermione Granger; written]

Sorry if your ears are bleeding, but I had to make sure I had their attention. I've got the list of new residents if you're still collecting statistics.

[/Filter]

Comments

[eat-me-beat-me.livejournal.com]

Think they'll actually listen, this time?

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[he's still letting his boil-over degrade to a low simmer. letting out a slow, heavy sigh, he shakes his head, slams a hand down on the table, and then scrabbles his fingers across the wood, eyes still closed, until he finds his pack of cigarettes]

I dunno.

[another deep breath, then he opens his eyes and swivels around in his chair to face her, the anger replaced by its source: his genuine concern for the people here, and the state of their world - his world - the only one he's got at the moment]

But I really hope so.

[kungfuwitch.livejournal.com]

Enough people stood up and were ready to fight when I had my premonition... but you're right, we need a better system in place.

The only problem is that without having any idea where, or when or how anything is going to happen it makes it a little tough to plan for everything. I fight demons back home and we could never have a set plan because we never knew what was coming when.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

That's just my point! They stood up when you had the premonition, sure, but ... did we have any ideas? No! Not a fucking one! I stood out on the front lawn by the lobby doors last night flipping my shit because people were asking me what to do, and I didn't KNOW what to tell 'em beyond "Hey, I'm actually seein' a fucking wolf, this time, let's move it".

[he groans, and there's a soft thud from his end of the journal that's very likely a headdesk]

... We can't plan for everything, but ... I dunno. Maybe there can be base plans that we can run with on the fly? Generic stuff to at least make a start from?

[he's quiet for a moment, then:] Like ... I dunno. I keep thinkin' of those Venn Diagrams we used to have to make in class. Have a base scenario for a bunch of set situations, an' then where they overlap, different stuff can get done... Christ, I don't have the head for this strategic shit.

[hulloeverything.livejournal.com]

[Eleven chuckles, a little tiredly.]

Never before have I wished my journal came with a volume knob. Though, I have to say that sometimes you have to turn it all the way up to ensure everyone hears what you have to say.

[He sighs]

I've been trying to set up a group of people to look after children in the castle should something happen... but that doesn't really help when the outposts explode.

Though... I do have one idea. When you have a moment, could you come by my TARDIS?

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the bleedin' ears, Doc, but. Well. It's like you said. People are selectively fucking deaf.

[there's a lot of sighing going on, tonight, apparently]

Yeah, another guy tried picking that up and reorganizing it while you were gone, I been meanin' to tell you. That Alan guy, the one who does the computer programming.

Hard Harry

[syntax-error24.livejournal.com]

[Don't worry, Dairine hears this loud and clear. And it sticks. Yesterday was harder on her then she lets on, and she can't shake the feeling that she personally failed. So today she's sulking in her room, journal open.

She'll just be writing a short filter, and replying in a very small, blank tone.]

Guess this means I don't get an episode.

Dairine

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[his tone's sympathetic - and very, very apologetic]

I'll find a way to make it up to you. For a start? You're one of the few people this wasn't directed at. I know you wanted to help, and you're new. None of this collective bucket of fail was your fault. You did what'cha could with what'cha had.

This is mostly me being angry that I've been here for almost a year, now, and it feels like nobody's doin' anything to watch everyone's backs, not just their own, despite the fact that it's getting really damn clear we're all in this together. Whatever it is.

[cheerupemoborg.livejournal.com]

The Peace Patrol?

Failures?

Perish the thought.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Pobody's nerfect, ackjass. This isn't about pissing on any specific group of people in general, this was a collective of FAIL.

So what's your goddamn excuse?

[youfallback.livejournal.com]

[The temptation to be ALL OVER THIS is almost too much for Carolina to resist. She wants so bad to stick herself in charge.]

That's one way to get our attention.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Question is: did it work?

[teds-up.livejournal.com]

[You get one syllable for that:]

Ohhh-hh.

[Hung his ass over on alcohol? You bet he is. Able to comprehend anything from that besides really fucking loud noises? You bet he isn't.]

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Hi. Welcome to The Fail Show, where you ALL LOSE. Here's our next contestant! Introduce yourself to the audience, champ!

[psych0p0mps]

[Aradia just turns down her audio input levels a bit until the noise is more or less over.]

i cant decide whether y0ure trying to delay the inevitable
0r t0 expedite it
0_0

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Doesn't matter what I'm trying to do. The fuck are YOU doing? Let's hear it, come on! [he snaps his fingers a few times.]

[thetrudger.livejournal.com]

JESUS CHRIST.

[There's a pause while Chaucer is checking his hearing.]

Call me Hard Geoffrey, because I'm hard of hearing now.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[that earns him a genuine laugh. well played, good sir]

But hey. You heard me. S'the important part, right? So what're you gonna do 'bout it?

[lord-wizard.livejournal.com]

I see your vitriol is in fine form this evening, Mark. [The snark comes a little tired, but snark it is]

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

And I see your snarky ass made it back in one piece. Not bad for your first crack at a subway system, huh?

Hard Harry

[courageous-wit.livejournal.com]

Sometimes shouting can be the only way to get people's attention. Though if a fire at the outposts and a break-out in the prisons doesn't get people fired up, I really don't know what could.

I still want to stand by my idea of communicating with each other without the use of these journals. Even if we put up filters, there's no guarantee that the wrong eyes won't see what we've written anyway. I've been working on my coins and I'll give one to you if you like.

I would love to see that list when you have time to give it. We found something during the expedition, and I'd really like to compare this new information with what Paradisa's been doing.

Hermione

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Coins? I don't think I heard anything about those, yet. Fill me in, while I find where the fuck my list got to?

[rustle rustle rummage. please stand by, station break]

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

It was a little more violent than 'poof' from my memory of it. [Yeah, she's still more than a little pissy about getting her ass handed to her, can't you tell?]

He won't stay out for long. I'll track him.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

So I saw, but I was going for dramatic interpretation, there. Better chance of an actual reaction from the masses, that way.

... You okay, Sarge?

[icarustattoo.livejournal.com]

Jesus christ, kid.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Sorry, Brock, he ain't here. .... I think his dear ol' Dad flew the coop on us, too.

[eat-me-beat-me.livejournal.com]

Think they'll actually listen, this time?

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[he's still letting his boil-over degrade to a low simmer. letting out a slow, heavy sigh, he shakes his head, slams a hand down on the table, and then scrabbles his fingers across the wood, eyes still closed, until he finds his pack of cigarettes]

I dunno.

[another deep breath, then he opens his eyes and swivels around in his chair to face her, the anger replaced by its source: his genuine concern for the people here, and the state of their world - his world - the only one he's got at the moment]

But I really hope so.

[kungfuwitch.livejournal.com]

Enough people stood up and were ready to fight when I had my premonition... but you're right, we need a better system in place.

The only problem is that without having any idea where, or when or how anything is going to happen it makes it a little tough to plan for everything. I fight demons back home and we could never have a set plan because we never knew what was coming when.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

That's just my point! They stood up when you had the premonition, sure, but ... did we have any ideas? No! Not a fucking one! I stood out on the front lawn by the lobby doors last night flipping my shit because people were asking me what to do, and I didn't KNOW what to tell 'em beyond "Hey, I'm actually seein' a fucking wolf, this time, let's move it".

[he groans, and there's a soft thud from his end of the journal that's very likely a headdesk]

... We can't plan for everything, but ... I dunno. Maybe there can be base plans that we can run with on the fly? Generic stuff to at least make a start from?

[he's quiet for a moment, then:] Like ... I dunno. I keep thinkin' of those Venn Diagrams we used to have to make in class. Have a base scenario for a bunch of set situations, an' then where they overlap, different stuff can get done... Christ, I don't have the head for this strategic shit.

[hulloeverything.livejournal.com]

[Eleven chuckles, a little tiredly.]

Never before have I wished my journal came with a volume knob. Though, I have to say that sometimes you have to turn it all the way up to ensure everyone hears what you have to say.

[He sighs]

I've been trying to set up a group of people to look after children in the castle should something happen... but that doesn't really help when the outposts explode.

Though... I do have one idea. When you have a moment, could you come by my TARDIS?

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the bleedin' ears, Doc, but. Well. It's like you said. People are selectively fucking deaf.

[there's a lot of sighing going on, tonight, apparently]

Yeah, another guy tried picking that up and reorganizing it while you were gone, I been meanin' to tell you. That Alan guy, the one who does the computer programming.

Hard Harry

[syntax-error24.livejournal.com]

[Don't worry, Dairine hears this loud and clear. And it sticks. Yesterday was harder on her then she lets on, and she can't shake the feeling that she personally failed. So today she's sulking in her room, journal open.

She'll just be writing a short filter, and replying in a very small, blank tone.]

Guess this means I don't get an episode.

Dairine

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[his tone's sympathetic - and very, very apologetic]

I'll find a way to make it up to you. For a start? You're one of the few people this wasn't directed at. I know you wanted to help, and you're new. None of this collective bucket of fail was your fault. You did what'cha could with what'cha had.

This is mostly me being angry that I've been here for almost a year, now, and it feels like nobody's doin' anything to watch everyone's backs, not just their own, despite the fact that it's getting really damn clear we're all in this together. Whatever it is.

[cheerupemoborg.livejournal.com]

The Peace Patrol?

Failures?

Perish the thought.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Pobody's nerfect, ackjass. This isn't about pissing on any specific group of people in general, this was a collective of FAIL.

So what's your goddamn excuse?

[youfallback.livejournal.com]

[The temptation to be ALL OVER THIS is almost too much for Carolina to resist. She wants so bad to stick herself in charge.]

That's one way to get our attention.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Question is: did it work?

[teds-up.livejournal.com]

[You get one syllable for that:]

Ohhh-hh.

[Hung his ass over on alcohol? You bet he is. Able to comprehend anything from that besides really fucking loud noises? You bet he isn't.]

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Hi. Welcome to The Fail Show, where you ALL LOSE. Here's our next contestant! Introduce yourself to the audience, champ!

[psych0p0mps]

[Aradia just turns down her audio input levels a bit until the noise is more or less over.]

i cant decide whether y0ure trying to delay the inevitable
0r t0 expedite it
0_0

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Doesn't matter what I'm trying to do. The fuck are YOU doing? Let's hear it, come on! [he snaps his fingers a few times.]

[thetrudger.livejournal.com]

JESUS CHRIST.

[There's a pause while Chaucer is checking his hearing.]

Call me Hard Geoffrey, because I'm hard of hearing now.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

[that earns him a genuine laugh. well played, good sir]

But hey. You heard me. S'the important part, right? So what're you gonna do 'bout it?

[lord-wizard.livejournal.com]

I see your vitriol is in fine form this evening, Mark. [The snark comes a little tired, but snark it is]

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

And I see your snarky ass made it back in one piece. Not bad for your first crack at a subway system, huh?

Hard Harry

[courageous-wit.livejournal.com]

Sometimes shouting can be the only way to get people's attention. Though if a fire at the outposts and a break-out in the prisons doesn't get people fired up, I really don't know what could.

I still want to stand by my idea of communicating with each other without the use of these journals. Even if we put up filters, there's no guarantee that the wrong eyes won't see what we've written anyway. I've been working on my coins and I'll give one to you if you like.

I would love to see that list when you have time to give it. We found something during the expedition, and I'd really like to compare this new information with what Paradisa's been doing.

Hermione

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

Coins? I don't think I heard anything about those, yet. Fill me in, while I find where the fuck my list got to?

[rustle rustle rummage. please stand by, station break]

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

It was a little more violent than 'poof' from my memory of it. [Yeah, she's still more than a little pissy about getting her ass handed to her, can't you tell?]

He won't stay out for long. I'll track him.

[hard-talker.livejournal.com]

So I saw, but I was going for dramatic interpretation, there. Better chance of an actual reaction from the masses, that way.

... You okay, Sarge?