Chapter 8: Addictions

[Benjamin "Dionysius" Musaphia]

Benjamin turned to face the door as Li entered the room. "A schedule is what it is, Ms. Violette," he replied without humor. Luckily he had planned his own day with space for such delays.

"I have brought the lastest recommendations from the Government Council. Among the usual comments and assessments there's been a great deal of concern as to these clandestant dealings among some of the members of the Economic Council. Among other things large sections of the budgeting and accounting forms have been filed as privaleged business works and protected Manalist business."

Ben opened his briefcase and pulled out several thick folders, selected one without looking, and pulled out several pages. He'd memorized the contense well before he left his officie. It was his job after all.

"I'm sure you can see how this would give the Council, and myself as legal representation inparticular, some cause of concern."

[Li Violette]

"What sorts of clandestine dealings is the Governing Council concerned with? I know nothing of these things but would surely bring those to the attention of the Moderator at once. I have been busy dealing with rebel threats myself and have been far to busy to take notice of any suspicious activities going on here." I reply with concern. I grab a piece of paper and start jotting down some notes.

"This really is dreadful. No one can be trusted these days." I say as I write down a memo concerning the Governing Council's worries.

[Benjamin "Dionysius" Musaphia]

"I have no names, else I would have the truth myself by now." He stepped over to the desk and spread the papers out. "Close to twenty percent of the budgeted expenses for the Economic Council seem to be obfiscated behind privoledge of some sort or another.

In particular there is a chunk within your section that is listed as Economic Council business." He slid one of the pages towards Li, his face neutral. "What the money is spent upon does not concern me in the least, nor do amounts, or personal considerations. Concellment is all that matters to me, Speaker.

Everything goes on paper sooner or later. Naturally, I assumed you had nothing to do with any of this but since you are head of the Council it is policy that I inform you." He'd heard from various sources that the Speaker employed a band of hired thugs to enforce Economic Council business outside official channels. He so hated things being outside of official channels.

[Li Violette]

"Thank you for pointing out these financial matters. I think that every governing body always has this trouble with funds...they always seem to go somewhere. Misuse of funds is a terrible thing. Fortunately, this money is not from public taxes, as those have been done away with. Never the less, I will make sure that this is investigated." I reply to him. I make a note to myself that I am going to have to do some fund raising through other channels. This will make my work harder, but what can I do?

"Is there anything else that concerns you or that I can help you with today?"

[wyvernlord]

"I do what I have to do. Depending on the hunt, I tend to enjoy it. I like guns more than most unnanimate objects. To me, it's a great way to pass the time," Tyler replies. "What happened to the Horacio character?" Tyler wonders.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"Don't you feel bad though for the animals? Genetech probably does horrible and painful experiments on those animals." I reply to Tyler. I am not an animal rights activist by any means, but the suffering of animals still bothers me.

"I think those animals would be a lot happier or at least better of it they were left alone to just live their lives."

[Lena Eva Aysel]

Lena gnaws on her bottom lip, staring from the food that she should probably eat, and the box of chocolates. Real chocolate was so rare nowadays... She tries to remember the last box of chocolates she had gotten, and instantly wishes she hadn't. It had been from him, when her twin and her had come to civilization for the first time.

"Oh, for-" She stops her statement, remembering how wired this house was sure to be. She had almost made a very stupid mistake. Snatching the box, she flees back to her room. Plopping on the bed, she hums softly, beginning to relax. It was certainly nice to be alone sometimes, alone where she didn't have to pretend to be anyone but herself.

She begins to read the rebel newspaper as she chews one of the chocolates slowly, savoring the taste. It was one of the best things in her opinion that her village had lacked.

[Benjamin "Dionysius" Musaphia]

"Nothing new, in truth." Ben produced several more files filled with papers listing the latest of the Government Council's mostly repeated recommendations and suggestions in the handling of business and enforcement of law.

"As I'm sure you remember there are many suggestions involving the recent changes in France. And a few related to the alterations to Cuba. I believe nothing you have not seen before.

Do you have the paperwork from my previous visit prepared? The copies and originals must be filed properly."

[wyvernlord]

"You're probably right," I say as I force out a sigh. "The problem with today's world is that doing this is the only way I know how earn a decent amount of money. Genetech pays me well and, just between you and me, I actually give some of the money to the poor people I come into contact with as I travel," Tyler lies.

[Li Violette]

"I am aware of the situation in France and in Cuba. The Manalists have kept themselves out of Cuba for now, maybe it is too much hastle for them. As for the reports, yes I have them."

I pull the stack out of my top drawer and hand them back to him. "You know, the Moderator has discussed phasing out the Governing Council. It would be a real pity since I do value the suggestions that they make. I always try to put in a good word for the governing council, but...I do worry that one day he will just decide it is superfluous and be rid of it."

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"That's very nice that you give your money to poor people. The Manalists don't believe in charity so it is rare to find someone who is willing to help someone out that sort of way. I work at an orphanage as one of my jobs and I know that we don't have a lot of funding." I reply to Tyler.

Since I have been talking for a while and the news has gone on to something else, I take a seat now as I talk.

[Benjamin "Dionysius" Musaphia]

"If that is the mandate than I shall be compelled to comply with it. I doubt it will change my lot in life." Benjamin took the papers from the Speaker and placed them in his briefcase. He'd already arranged a place for them this morning.

"If the Governing Council disolves than I will be relocated to another position. I'll likely be the one who fills out the forms as to said relocation. And the distribution of the resources I once handled. And the staffing."

He paused as he closed his briefcase and looked at the Speaker with something like an actual emotion. Somewhere between amusement and pity.

"Your life is vasty different than my own, Lady Speaker. You must deal in the world of words and appearances. And your time is short, all things taken into account. For me the world is paper and letters and numbers and it continues into infinity."

From a side pocket of his case Benjamin produced a new form, a blank form written in strange letters. Though it was spelled in Mandarin and English (respectivally) odd symbols and loops passed between and around the letters and boxes.

"This is one of my special forms. Quite important to the flow of buisness." He offered the form to the Speaker. "In the event you discover elements of this matter which I must deal with kindly fill out this form, have to stamped by two of the Council notaries, and spend it to me. It will allow me to begin the process of filing the proper paperwork to resolve the issues."

He hefted his case and adjusted his tie once more.

"Well, I believe that is everything. My officie hours are listed on the form if you require assistance, Speaker. Good day."

[Li Violette]

"I am determined to accomplish more in my short life than most do in lives three times as long." I state confidently. "I will sign and notorize them. I am aware of your hours. Good day."

I am mildly shocked that he isn't concerned about the governing council, seeing as he came here to promote their interests. Well, no matter. Ariel will do as he sees fit when the time comes, and he is correct, his own job is not in peril. It would just mean different responsibilities, perhaps less responsibility really.

I look down at the reports he has left and start paging through them.

[wyvernlord]

"True, very true. I wonder if the world was different, say, a few hundred years ago?"

[Peter "Levitas" Barak]

"I don't know," replied Peter, releasing Tuvi's arm once they were away from Dinari and Alex. "I mean, thieves from the wastelands might attack one of the stores for resources but somebody demolishing a place doesn't fit. Anybody with power knows we're no push overs... at least we're not supposed to be. Maybe this whole thing with the mafia pushing us around is making other people test the water."