text

[fingersandteeth]

Right. I have a few questions about all of this:

1. From what I can tell, we seem to be the Pokemon Mafia. At the very least, we're organized criminals. That said, why on earth are we calling ourselves *Team Rocket* of all things? It's not exactly a name engineered to strike fear in the hearts of many.

2. I realize that it's not likely a criminal organization would have vision or dental coverage, however: would it be possible to request prescription contacts for use when wearing my uniform?

3. Who should I talk to in order to maximize my chances of gaining employment in the radio tower after training is over? I understand that there's no way to check my references, but I can provide a resume, once I get a chance to retype it.

Comments

[uber_marionettist]

....

This really the hill you chose to die on?

I got all my shots, so get off my dick about it.

[fingersandteeth]

If he wants to work when he's sick, Carly, that's his prerogative.

[insidescoop]

[Alright that's it.] You know what.

I was going to leave it at 'I'll take your word for it'. I already know what I say won't change minds, [she adds lowly, a growl in her throat. She's reaching for the disconnect button as it is.]

So have fun together, you're clearly agreeing on all the best points!

[...click...]

[uber_marionettist]

....

What the hell was that?

[fingersandteeth]

... I'm. Not entirely sure.

[uber_marionettist]

I think I know what she's mad about, just not why she's got such a bug up her ass about it.

It's fine. I'll figure her out later.

You were saying?

[fingersandteeth]

Jesus. I think I've completely lost track.

[No wait, they were talking via text before. He can just scroll up.]

... no wait, what's the difference between being a little-g god and a big-G God?

[uber_marionettist]

Not the question I was expecting, but okay.

In one word: specificity. Or, in a few more words, it's the disparity between an individual existence and a monolithic one.

Godhood with the little g, you're still just another character in a bigger story. Maybe a powerful character, but still a character. An objectively limited being, subject to the authorial whims, biases, and omissions of your author or authors.
How do you know that the you that exists right now is the same as the you that existed even one second ago?

Little g? You don't know. And the potential for that difference is what we call individuality. Ask yourself: what makes an individual an individual? Is it the physical space you occupy? The boundaries of your ego, the electric synaptic sparks that animate the three and a half pounds of dogs' breakfast in your skull?

Big G, though.

Your perception expands beyond the second to second reality inhabited by individuals, the material of your skin separating you from the universe dissolves. Maybe not literally, but it doesn't need to. The invisible authorial voice, the third party transcription of each individual's thoughts, the vehicle of narrative significance and the subtext delivered invisible to those to whom it pertains... 'you' is illusory, because what you are is reality.

[fingersandteeth]

Jesus.

[Let Steven just. Take that all in. Wow. What the hell--?

Finally, though, he says,] And now you're just as mortal as the rest of us, huh?

That's got to be rough.

[uber_marionettist]

Let's just say it keeps me alert and motivated to book an exit.

[fingersandteeth]

Yeah. I can see why.

[uber_marionettist]

If you're looking to hang around, though, you're in good company. I know a couple'a folks what're dead back at point of origin.

But I have no clue how stable this place is, so you might wanna cross some digits it doesn't collapse into a black hole or evict you into the void of space--or just the void--when it comes down to it.

Just sayin'.

[fingersandteeth]

I mean, I'm not dead back home. But there's a kludged together imposter who's living my life for me and making an absolute disaster of it, so at least here I can be myself again. Whoever that is these days.

[uber_marionettist]

[Do I tell him that whoever he is probably isn't him?

Aporetic question, if I want to be honest, and another of those lies of omission I was really hoping to be done with now. ]

So are we calling this reinvention of the self or a journey of discovery?

[fingersandteeth]

God, I have no idea yet.