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Post by Bambi Engel on Mar 23, 2010 14:47:13 GMT -5
Bambi bit her lip as she put together her answer. "Well, reading for enjoyment isn't exactly a very pro-Manalist activity. I don't believe a lot of poor people are literate, though. Additionally, those who are richer are more likely to seek books in perfect condition as they're more likely to be collectors." She reasoned, going off the conclusions she had drawn previously.
She had carried light conversation with a few book-store owners in the past. The area was beginning to deteriorate in quality as the pair walked, giving Bambi confidence that they were heading in the right direction. She scanned the buildings they passed, looking for the tell tale sign books piled in a window.
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Post by Calithin Crest on Mar 23, 2010 15:24:02 GMT -5
"Hey!"
I am really shocked to see Princess Ingrid here. She chose a very precarious time to show up. I hope Max doesn't get dropped.
"You rule Denmark! That is so cool. I wish I ruled Denmark..."
I give her a sideways glance and spend a moment dwelling on this thought.
"Oh well. You should film a PSA with us!"
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Post by Princess Ingrid on Mar 23, 2010 17:12:01 GMT -5
Ingrid nodded. "Yes, I do. And you own Crest Mining, which is a close second."
"Actually, thats why I'm here. I heard that you two...er, three were filming some public service announcements, and I figured that I'd come see if there was anything I can do to help." Really, she just likes to appear on television. She pauses a moment, considering Max's position.
"Might I ask why there's an android holding you in the air?"
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Post by Peter "Levitas" Barak on Mar 23, 2010 18:46:56 GMT -5
"Well, it's not an active Manala activity that's for sure." He'd heard that people someone used books to learn about things so that they could use that knowledge to their advantage. It sounded alot like what he did with finding information by beating people up and getting them to tell him things except reading was less fun than violence.
Ah, but this presented a chance to have a little fun with Bambi at least. When he wasn't sure what to say, he felt that inspiring fear was a good option. "So how come you know some bookstores then, if it's such a non-Manala thing to do?" Peter asked with a grin. "Your not getting any 'old world' ideas, are you?"
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Post by Calithin Crest on Mar 23, 2010 19:23:01 GMT -5
"Yeah, I like my job. I could ruin many people's lives if I wanted to... I judge success by how many lives one can ruin at a given moment. You know."
I shrug and start thinking of how we could incorporate Ingrid into one of our PSA ideas. It's better having more people to work with, so I'm pretty excited.
"Max and the android were just practicing for a skit before you came in."
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Bonifaz Artz-Lehrer
Regular
Nihlist Terrorist Leader
Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
Posts: 146
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Post by Bonifaz Artz-Lehrer on Mar 23, 2010 23:18:27 GMT -5
When everyone is in the van, Bonifaz starts the vehicle and they leave the remains of the town in Georgia behind. Bonifaz knows it is going to be a long drive, but, hopefully, they can pass it peacefully and without annoyances. At least the road, despite its disrepair, is empty of cars in this area. Also, since there are no police to stop them....they can drive as quickly as they want. Of course, their speed is limited by the fact that they are driving a van. Thankfully, the van runs on Manala crystals so they don't have to worry about gassing up.
Bonifaz turns on the radio. It is dull news from M TV but every once in a while, there is a public service announcement about the flu. Bonifaz wonders how much it has spread. Since they have spent the last several days out of contact with civilization, he is out of the loop.
He also notices there is a little girl in the van with them. He feels annoyed with this. For many miles he doesn't say anything, since there is no point, but, he thinks she is a liability.
"That girl isn't going to be helping us, is she? Or are we just giving her a ride..." He asks those in the van.
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Post by Annika 25 on Mar 23, 2010 23:23:16 GMT -5
Annika puts Max down and quietly observes the newcomer. It is Princess Ingrid. Annika bows her head slightly and steps behind Max. "How is that? Do you like my performance?" She asks Calithin and Max. She of course wants to please both of them since she would hate to fail Global Bank by not doing as Max wanted. She folds her arms in front of her and waits for an answer. Her demeanor gives no hint of her aggression a few moments ago.
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Post by Max Alexander on Mar 23, 2010 23:26:32 GMT -5
"Practicing... right. More like hanging around." He smiled.
He walked over to Princess Ingrid, and being the English gentlemen that he was, lifted her hand up and kissed the end. "Now that i can formally say hello again. It has been awhile."
He turned to the set. "Yes, we are just making some service announcements. You can join in if you would like. A woman of your level would attract quite a bit of attention. People would surely listen!"
He turned back to the Android. "Great performance. But we can probably leave the whole picking me up part out."
(We posted at the same time, whoops!)
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Post by Dinari Dollar on Mar 23, 2010 23:35:16 GMT -5
Dinari is glad to be back in America. Because he acted quickly and shut down many public places, the flu seems to have slowed in the number of new cases reported each day. However, about a dozen people, mostly seniors, died when the flu spread through a residence area for the elderly. So, the worst might be yet to come.
Dinari is also happy when he gets a package delivered and it is small shipment of vaccines for Cat Flu. Now he can vaccinate some management who haven't caught the flu yet. He is ecstatic. Also, he received more anti viral drugs. He will give those out to some critical staff who already have the flu.
In any event, he is happy...but, things aren't that easy. Production is behind and sales have plummeted with the closing of Allmart stores around the world. Even his amusement part, All Fun, had to close its doors to prevent the flu.
He wonders if they over reacted. Maybe those businesses could have remained open. Did they error in being ..overly cautious?
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Post by Annika 25 on Mar 23, 2010 23:41:36 GMT -5
"Yes, I can leave that out." The android agrees. She watches Max give the Princess a kiss on her hand. She observes that Calithin did not observe this ritual. She wonders why Calithin is far more casual or less respectful than Max. She has a hard time understanding human behaviors, so, she often spends her time trying to puzzle through the things that she sees. Perhaps because Calithin is wealthier than Max and the Princess, he can behave more casually. Annika is not sure of what is appropriate for her. So, she just stands there and stares blankly at everyone.
"How has your company been impacted by the H5N4 virus?" She asks Princess Ingrid to make conversation and because it is useful information that she can share with Global Bank.
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Post by Ariel Tal Shachar on Mar 23, 2010 23:48:24 GMT -5
Ariel is surprised when Li enters his office. He was about to leave and he figured her day must be over as well. He wonders what she wants. However, he remains expressionless. He fixes his eyes on her, trying to figure her out, or her intentions. It seems that she only wants to see if he needs any help. He can accept that.
"No, there is nothing more that can be done today. It is up to the Manalists and the business leaders now to halt the spread of the flu." Ariel says evenly, but with a slight tone of exhaustion.
He puts on his coat and walks past Li for the door. "So, no, I don't need anything. I thank you for your concern."
He waits with his handle on the door. He wants to go home and get some needed rest. However, she looks interested in talking or doing more work. He would like to make it obvious that their work is done without being rude.
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Li Violette
Regular
The Speaker
"Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy" -Mao
Posts: 172
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Post by Li Violette on Mar 23, 2010 23:51:42 GMT -5
"Very well. I guess I should get some rest. It has been a long day." I reply to him. He looks very uneasy, even tense. I give him a little smile, but, none is returned. I step closer to him and the door.
"Before you go...I was just thinking. I don't ...feel that Frederick is very trust worthy. Maybe he is hiding something. Who is to say that he didn't release this disease. It's helping his business, isn't it?" I whisper to Ariel. I raise an eyebrow and wait for his reaction to what I have said. I get the sense that he does not like Fredrick, and for good reasons.
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Post by Ariel Tal Shachar on Mar 23, 2010 23:57:13 GMT -5
"I have no opinion of Fredrick." The Moderator says evenly. This is a lie. He can't stand Frederick Rommel, but it is unprofessional and biased to say otherwise. "It is true that he stands to gain from this illness, but, it is not in his interest to undermine everyone and make enemies. He already has too many enemies because of the nature of his company. The export and uses of his products are highly regulated by the Manalists." The Moderator says, restating the facts. "It could very well be that this disease came from his labs, but I doubt it would be intentional. They research many diseases. Why release one now? Anyway, if it hurts the economy, it will hurt him as well. I believe he is more sane than to do such a thing." Ariel adds. But, he believes that he has already spoken too much about this. He will send the Invisible Hand to investigate the company. He will do this secretly and on his own accord. He would rather not share his opinions to Violette or anyone for that matter.
"But, it seems that you have some strong opinions about Frederick. What substantiates them?"
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Li Violette
Regular
The Speaker
"Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy" -Mao
Posts: 172
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Post by Li Violette on Mar 24, 2010 0:03:45 GMT -5
The Moderator gives a..moderate response to what I've said. I guess this can be expected from him. He doesn't generally trust people, which is probably good...it keeps him in power anyway.
"I have a stronger opinion of Frederick because I have observed that he seems to harbor some very...unique views, in the world today. He is sort of a conspiracy theorist of a sort. He has the paranoid idea that Jews are controlling the world. He has other...similarly irrational ideas about many things." I whisper.
I want to laugh. Somehow being so secretive and formal is very funny to me. This is not how human beings are meant to relate.
"But you are probably right. Why would he release such a disease now...and potentially harm himself or his own interests in the process."
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Post by Ariel Tal Shachar on Mar 24, 2010 0:09:26 GMT -5
"Many people have thoughts that do not agree with the Manalists or the prevailing ideologies of the day. I can't judge a person by their thoughts, since I cannot know the thoughts of others. I can only judge people by their actions. He has agreed to donate some of his vaccines and drugs to companies, in addition to selling them. He also visited me in my office and seemed willing to work with other companies on stopping the spread of the disease. I can only judge by his actions that he appears willing to cooperate. I have not observed behaviors to the contrary." The Moderator replies to Li. He feels mildly uncomfortable around her. He can tell that she is fishing for information or something. It angers him slightly. He can't trust anyone.
"I don't think you are here to talk about Frederick, anyway. What are your actional intentions? I'm very busy." The Moderator comes out and says. He pushes his glasses up his nose a little, since they have the tendency to slip.
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