- IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

[slightlyoffchilt]

"Hello.

You've reached the direct line of Doctor Frederick Chilton. As I am not available at the moment, you might assume I'm quite busy with something pressing. State your name and business, and I will return your call."

Comments

[slightlyoffchilt]

He gets you. Would he understand your need for emotional stability? For a romantic outlet? Especially when he isn't in direct competition?

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A long beat follows.]

Will Graham said that? [As if more than one Will openly discussed Chilton.] And did he explain the context of our relationship?

[inmyothertights]

It would hurt him. It would hurt him a lot.

I don't want to hurt him. I don't even want to really like Mandrake romantically. I'm just worried that I do, and I don't even realize it.

[slightlyoffchilt]

People are often guided by their habits -- the subconscious can be so persuasive. What are your romantic habits?

[inmyothertights]

Like...dating and sex and things like that?

[liverletdie]

Dr. Chilton, I have a question about a mutual acquaintance of ours. Do you have a few minutes?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Is this about Karla?

[Cut to the chase.]

Gideon didn't kill her, apparently.

[slightlyoffchilt]

The steps before that. The courtship.

[liverletdie]

It is, yes. [ Why would Gideon kill her... he wonders. ]

She hasn't been picking up my calls. She's missing, then?

[slightlyoffchilt]

She is missing. I was planning to see her yesterday, and she hadn't been answering her calls -- she wasn't in the office, either. She wasn't with you.

[inmyothertights]

Well, a lot of fumbling. Teddy and I hung out a lot at the comic shop and talked about superheroes. We fought crime together. I don't think we had anything conventional.

[liverletdie]

Obviously, if I haven't heard from her. We had plans tonight.

[ A pause. ]

Maybe she went home, then. A shame. She was growing on me. [ Beep Boop. Engage robot mode. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

You asked me, and I answered. Obviously. [Snidely:] Neither you nor her are emotionally stable enough to truly fester, as you might even know.

[liverletdie]

Emotionally stable, huh?

Well, thank you for the confirmation, Doctor. I appreciate the honesty.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You'd be surprised.

Then I would suggest, since you are more afraid of your subconscious propensity towards romance over any authentic interest in Mandrake as a romantic endeavor, that you veer away from subjects that resonate with your identity especially. Like superheroes.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm not sure how this would be surprising information, Tony. I think it might have hurt her, but you know -- she was doing the same thing to you, wasn't she?

[liverletdie]

I don't know what you're talking about. We had some fun times, but that's not something that would warrant any worry over emotional stability.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Which is precisely the emblem of instability.

[liverletdie]

What, that we weren't more than friends?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Puerile denial might be tolerated by some psychiatrists, but I find it tiring. "Warrant any worry over emotional stability"? That sentence alone proves your fear.

[liverletdie]

My fear? I have nothing to fear, Doctor. Friends come and go in the City -- Heropa -- it's a part of life, and one we should all be well-used to.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You're not afraid of people coming and going, Tony.

[liverletdie]

You know my fears that well? Then what am I afraid of?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Your own feelings for people. That emotional vulnerability -- it corrodes your perceived godhood.

[liverletdie]

Godhood? I don't have delusions of grandeur, doctor. [ Better to speak on this than what might be the truth. ]