Conversation · Volition

Soft, light brown eyes look back at you, directly into the space behind your eye sockets. You see the smoke rise from between her painted red lips. She's beautiful...

I have bad news for you.

What?

You know these guys?

Who, me?

Yes, you. He's talking about you, you boring stiff.

You too.

Me? What did I do? I'm merely a master thespian...

These guys are compromised. She's got them singing along to her tune. The little bleeps and bloops you trust for info -- you can't trust them anymore.

What?

Believe it.

Which ones exactly are affected?

There's no way of knowing. At the moment I'm afraid it's best to assume...

...all of them.

Bullshit, man, I ain't compromised.

Especially that guy. That guy's the most compromised one in here.

No fucking way, man, I just want a drag of that sweet Menthol ziggie.

Really? Quick, tell me what's under her jumpsuit?

GLORY. TRUTH. SOFTNESS. PROTECT HER. SHE WANTS YOU.

I take it back. He's got it pretty bad, but this next guy's on another level entirely...

She likes you. The Crownhead is a boring condom. He's jealous. This is human nature.

How did this happen?

How it always does -- through subtlety.

What can I do?

There's nothing you can do about it. You are how you are -- and she is how she is. Things will go as they do.

Can't you turn them normal again?

No.

What use is this then?

It's better to know you're being played than to be played without knowing it, is it not?

I've been talking to myself long enough. Let's get back to it.

Don't worry, it's only been four or five seconds. You've got this.

(Say it out loud.) "Miss, are you manipulating me?"

The silence broken, she exhales a little cloud of smoke and says...

"God, no!"

(Don't say anything.) Just close your eyes and let the moment pass.

For a second her face disappears from your cornea. Only a silvery negative remains.

Still smiling a tired smile.

Does this mean she's been lying to me?

Yes. Mr. Thespian here has been singing paeans to how truthful she is...

She isth a laedy most fair and juste!

In his defence -- to reduce him to such inadequacy, she probably had to employ half-truths more often than outright lies.

That is correct. And omissions too.

Can I trust that guy?

A little. They're all still of limited use, interpreting things to the best of their ability. Maybe they add flair or something? I wouldn't know. I don't add flair.

But when it comes to assessments of character and factual accuracy they are not to be trusted. Not with her.

Can I trust any of them ever again?

Don't be melodramatic. You can trust them. Just not with her.

A light green speck, and imperfection, on the outer rim of her right iris. It sparkles...

Okay.

Good. The less paranoid option. You can trust them. Just not with her.

I think it's safe to assume: yes. Mr. Thespian here hasn't been speaking up. If he were, I suspect there would be paeans to her truthfulness. Like this...

She isth a laedy most fair and juste!

...no? He's not going to show up? I'm sorry, your lie detection isn't working. It's not her doing, he's just totally inept. It looks like you're also an idiot. But that's not her fault.

No, not an idiot. You're just more of a sensitive type. Thinks with his heart. This woman's pain draws you in.

What is her plan?

You can't draw a sound conclusion. The one who usually does says...

She may want to control the information roll-out -- not to become a suspect. She may have a past she's escaping, unrelated to this case. You doubt it's something truly insidious.

See? It's oddly moderate. Probably compromised.

You are not afraid. This is a mere girl, she was someone's child but a decade ago.

...nothing? Someone else was supposed to chime in, weren't they? And then they didn't -- just me swooshing around in here now. Swoosh!