1st lookup | voice

[decideformyself]

I must admit that prison is turning out to be a much more interesting place than I had expected. I can't say I'm enthusiastic about these brutal, sadistic public displays or the necessity to scrounge up money to keep myself alive on a weekly basis, but I suppose I'll have to tolerate it for the time being.

I am looking forward to learning more about prison life and survival. Does anybody have any tips?

Comments

[decideformyself]

How fitting. Should I assume that the inmate turnover rate is quite high?

[starcharted]

Well.

[ This would be hard to explain. ]

The people here who end up dead -- they don't exactly... stay that way.

[decideformyself]

Meaning?

[starcharted]

I know it sounds impossible, but -- they come back. Not sure how, mind you, but it has happened more than once and I have no doubt it will again. I'm trying to figure out how.

[decideformyself]

This merits further investigation. What else can you tell me about this? How long does a typical resurrection take?

[starcharted]

There isn't much I do know yet; only that no matter when a person is killed they wake in their beds the next morning as though it had been nothing but a fleeting nightmare.

[decideformyself]

Intriguing. Very intriguing! If what you say is true, we're essentially immortal!

[starcharted]

Unless it's decided you're more of an asset dead than alive...

[decideformyself]

In which case it would be laughably easy to dispose of us.

[ He idly runs a hand along his collar. ]

Then it would be in our best interests to prevent ourselves from being seen that way.

[starcharted]

It would be, yes, though I'm not too keen on the idea of sitting back and leaving mysteries unsolved either.

[decideformyself]

Nor am I.

We're meant to serve as entertainment, correct? In that case we should strive to be as entertaining as we can, so as to maximize our value.

[starcharted]

I would be inclined to agree if in most cases that didn't lead to someone being hurt.

[decideformyself]

Is one not better off hurt than dead?

[starcharted]

I'd rather choose neither of the above.

[decideformyself]

Well, yes, ideally.

[starcharted]

I suppose I've always had impossibly hopeful expectations.

[decideformyself]

I hope you aren't let down too badly. Since we are friends now.

[starcharted]

See? You're getting the hang of this friendship thing already.

[decideformyself]

Splendid! This subject won't be at all difficult to grasp.

[starcharted]

Oh, it's not always easy. Sometimes it's actually rather complicated. It's always worth it in the end, though.

[decideformyself]

Anything worth learning about is.

[starcharted]

I suppose so, yes. There's few things better in life than discovery.

[decideformyself]

[ U GET ME ]

Yes, exactly! Nothing is more exciting than learning something new.

[starcharted]

[ AND U GET ME ]

It's brilliant, isn't it? Even in here there's things to be learned. It never really stops no matter where you go.

[decideformyself]

It truly is.

Shall I keep you informed of any intriguing discoveries I make in my research?