Conversation · Gary, the Cryptofascist

You're underestimating corporate espionage, Gary.

"Wait, what kind of technological advantages are we talking about?"

"Come on, officer, everybody knows about it." He rubs the back of his head, looking down. "The stuff they've got, most people here can't even dream of it..."

He's just discovered that he can't think of any examples, though.

"That's crazy, man."

"You think that's crazy, just wait till you learn how they've managed to get so far ahead of us..."

"How, then?"

"Isn't it obvious? Someone's been feeding them a little trickle of tech down from someplace no-one else can reach..."

"From the pale?"

"No, why would they be... No, I'm talking about the future! The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has major ripples all along the timeline..."

"That creates a loop, right? The more advanced tech they send here, the more advanced they become in the future, which means that by smuggling ever more advanced tech down to the past... I'm sure you can see where this is heading."

Within this self-contained logic-bubble, -- a loop -- he is not wrong.

"Wait, so how did they start the loop in the first place?"

"Now that is a paradox," he smiles an all-knowing smile, like he just explained everything.

A statement, seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense, and yet perhaps true. Or perhaps not.

"Then we have already lost." (Look down at your clenched fist.)

"I don't know officer... I think Future-Revachol might also have a few aces up its own sleeve. The people are starting to wake up, you see."

"Oh, people are noticing, Gary. They've probably dispatched a team already." The pen in the lieutenant's hand glides on the rough paper of his notebook.

"Not to the present, of course, to past-Gary. They prefer to deal with problems before they become unmanageable. Just something to think about."

"Hahaha..." His laughter is quick and nervous. "I mean I'm basically just repeating what I heard on 'Truth Hunt' or read in 'Paradox B.' I'm just a messenger, and not even that, really!"

"And I suppose none of this would help you manipulate time personally, in any case. So why don't we just forget this whole business?"

Mmmm... the most beautiful smell in the world, fear.

You notice the lieutenant flinch and rub his forehead as if hit by a sudden migraine.

God I hope he meant it sarcastically. If not, I don't really see how he can continue being a police detective.

"Unfortunately, I suppose this still doesn't help you manipulate time personally." He shrugs. "Sorry about that."

"Though I suppose this still doesn't help you manipulate time personally. Perhaps you should consider digital castigation?"

"Though I suppose this still doesn't help you manipulate time personally. Perhaps you should consider the Semper Maa?"

"That said, if you're interested in manipulating time personally, I suggest you consider the Semper Maa or digial castigation."

"Yes, that's the only explanation that makes sense."

"I'm telling you," he nods confidently. "The truth can't be contained, people are starting to wake up and take notice."

"Gary, that's insane. You are an insane man, sick in the head."

"Hey man..." he spreads his arms wide. "No one likes to hear it, but I'm not here to give you a false sense of security. It is what it is. People are starting to wake up and take notice."

"You lost me there with the paradox."

"You lost me there with the loop.

"From the future?"

"Exactly, officer." He leans in closer. "The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has major ripples all along the timeline..."

"That secret inaccessible bunker near Land's End!?"

"That old thing...? No, the future. The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has major ripples all along the timeline..."

"From the blue door in the Whirling!?"

"The blue...? No, the future. The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has major ripples all along the timeline..."

"Give me some examples, Gary."

"Oh, you know like... uhm..." He exhales loudly and continues to massage his neck. "Stealth aerostatics, blaasma-powered weaponry, all kinds of deep-secret projects..."

There's no such thing as blaasma-powered weaponry, because there's no such thing as 'blaasma.'

"But that's nothing. Just wait till you learn how they've managed to get so far ahead of us..."

"You're right, I can't even begin to imagine what you're talking about."

"Believe me, it's there. Technology so advanced it defies description..." He's avoiding your gaze.

Because he's only now discovering he has no idea what he's talking about.

"What's their secret, then?"

"From the void?" He gives you an intent look and crosses his arms. "I don't think that's it. I think there's a much more sinister explanation..."

Cannibalism?

"By developing an aesthetics of pure functionality, separated from traditional notions of beauty?"

"You know, I don't think that's it." He shakes his head. "I bet there's plenty of beauty over there, art and inspiration too, but that's not why they're winning..."

"Save it for the phyrro-heads," he says with a dismissive hand-wave. "No way that's the reason!"

"I'm sure they have a strong central government keeping things running smoothly."

"Like clockwork, I'm sure, no doubt about it. But is that really enough to take such an astronomical lead? I don't think so..."

"Officer, wake up." The man snaps his fingers in front of your face. "No way that's the reason why they're winning the race!"

"By funnelling a larger percentage of their country's budget to research?"

"Absolutely!" He nods enthusiastically, shooting a quick glance at the lieutenant. "That definitely helps, but that alone? I don't buy it..."

The man forces out an unpleasant and artificial laugh. "C'mon, officer, you know that's not it. No way!"

"By all joining in solidarity, everyone doing their part to keep the big machine moving?"