1.1.01.01.001: due regard for the well being of others.

[needshumility]

[There is an awkward, stiff cough, and a shot of the eighth floor common room. A young, very smartly dressed, man appears on screen, and he straightens his tie, then offers a small wave,]

Hello!

This remote viewer is tiny, and... well, I never thought a remote viewer could watch you. Fascinating! [He grins, a touch nervously,] So if you're watching, hello! oh, I already said that...

I'm Edward Russett, but you can call me Eddie. I'm not quite sure whether this is the equivalent of Useful Work or a Pointless Task, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

Who are the local Prefects? What're they like? I imagine I'll be the Red Prefect here.

[awkward pause whilst he ponders whether to ask or not, then he directs the camera to a lightbulb nearby]

This is going to sound silly, but can I have some lightglobes? There's no natural light in my room. I... [slight nervous intake of breath. Dammit, night terrors.] I need a source of light.

Comments

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Every day. The only person with answers is the Admiral himself...and he's not talking. I know we have scientists aboard, trying to figure it out.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

...He doesn't answer? He keeps us in wilful ignorance?

He doesn't happen to have an infallible set of Rules that I haven't been informed about, does he?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Rules? No. I don't think anyone could enforce standardized rules on the wardens. Wardens do have their rules for their inmates, though.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Well, I suppose... no council means no Rules.

...Are there really no Rules?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

No. Well, we all follow a set of moral codes. Don't hurt people. Don't take things that aren't yours. But no formal rules.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Is that where you make the rules for your inmates from? Do all the inmates have rules? The same rules?

If they've got rules, why don't we?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

They've lived their lives by not following the rules. So we all have rules...it's just...normally wardens don't need to be told.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

And there are no inmates who have followed the Rules too strictly? For, perhaps, assuming they didn't need to be told?

I suppose not. Inmates wouldn't be rule abiding, that makes no sense. It was just a thought.

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

I'm sure there are. We have to be able to make the judgment for ourselves when it comes to what rules we follow or not.

There are natural consequences to our actions, after all, just as there are outside consequences. That's why it's a moral rule, rather than a 'written in stone' rule.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

But the way you phrased it made it sound like rules came before morality.

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Oh! Certainly not. I've learned better than that.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see.

Are there a lot of rules in your world?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

There used to be. Well, there still are, but it's not the same.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

What changed?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

An old way of government was replaced by a new one.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Yes, but what made that happen? Was there an epiphany, did something happen?

Do you remember both kinds of rules? Which are better?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

...it's hard to describe without knowing the history of my country. It just...fell apart. Places declared independence, the government was weak and couldn't maintain control.

And I do remember both kinds of rules. I like the rules we have now, but sometimes I wish that it all hadn't really happened. But only sometimes.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

...hm. What is your country?

So neither were infallible?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Russia. I'm sure...no...I know there's a book in the library if you're really curious about it.

No. No rules, no government, are perfect or infallible.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Is there? An actual book, and not just a barcode?

Did either make out to be?

Re: private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Of course there's a book.

Yes. The first time did. For a long, long time.

Re: private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I'm just going to loo...

[clatter

long pause before he grabs it.]

Sorry.