1.1.01.01.027: speech is to be kept at a polite volume.

Rule 1.1.6.23.102: The raising of one's voice is permissible only at sporting events and only from the spectators. At all other times, speech is to be kept at a polite volume.

You might, I suppose, have noticed that... even if I'm angry, I don't raise my voice. [Unspoken comment about that Jane does, but Jane's not very ruleful.] Most the Previous - most of you - seem to raise their voices pretty easily. Even when cooking. [yes, he's heard Kitchen Nightmares]

You get angry and you argue.

I thought this rule made me comparatively polite.

But now, I'm wondering. It's hard to actually be angry without raising your voice a bit. You repress the desire to shout at someone, and repress the anger all at the same time. It's hard to argue without getting angry. It's quite difficult to force that calm.

So the solution is, you don't get angry. You don't argue, because you'll get angry. And then you'll raise your voice. And then you'll lose merits.

I realised, when talking to Victor recently, that that rule isn't about politeness. It's about control. As I don't have to follow it here, but I still do. It's habit, it's something you teach yourself to do, or you'll fail and be punished.

[slight pause]

I think I'll go practice my violin.

[Private to Una]

Um. You've talked to Tommy, right?

And he said he'd explained to you, or something, about his world and...

I thought you said Previous doctors didn't harm people. Or is it different because they don't think they're people, or...

Una, that's so wrong.

Sorry, that was supposed to be a coherent question. Which I've forgotten now.

((ooc: apologies for spam. this struck me and I wanted to do it pre-flood.))