ic contact.

[heartlessglitch]

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY INITIATED CONTACT WITH DANGER.

I AM CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE TO RESPOND.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE A CONCISE MESSAGE.
THANK YOU.

Comments

[heartlessglitch]

I intend to make it highly educational.
Though if you wish to make this discussion about experience, I should point out, Doctor, that I do have some idea of what to anticipate with you.
I have, after all, done some observation already.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[He winces -- thank goodness for screen-off options, even when conversation is suited to phone calls.]

And I still don't recall sending you any invitation for that rendezvous. But the context was nevertheless unique: Christine had surprised me.

[And perhaps that's why...]

We, on the other hand, are meticulously planning the scenario out, beforehand.

[heartlessglitch]

I suppose we must indulge your illusion of control in some way.
Would you like me to set a schedule and perhaps some alarms as well, Doctor?
I assume you have some inclination as to what you want.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh, good, mockery. Is this how we're to begin our foundation of mutual trust, Danger? [He said that with a straight face.] I'm not one to rob the spontaneity from such an endeavor, but yes, this illusion of control isn't without rational bearing.

The safety word is Xavier. Surely that will induce the proper response.

[heartlessglitch]

[ her pause this time is tense, even annoyed. ]

Suit yourself.
If you wish to make it so that another man's name is involved, then I will not attempt to change your mind.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Oh. WOW. He actually doubletakes at the cellular device in hand.]

That. Isn't at all what I'm implying. Though I'm not surprised that such a name would inspire your sharper offenses.

[heartlessglitch]

[ pointedly: ]

I imagine that was your intention.

[slightlyoffchilt]

But you manifested it in such an interesting way, Danger.

[A beat.]

You already have control over the environment. I will be bringing along equipment -- for analysis, of course.

[heartlessglitch]

Do you doubt your own analytical ability?
You will be the one to experience it, not the equipment.

[slightlyoffchilt]

The equipment is intended to measure your responses, for the sake of data collection. It's all quite protocol.

[heartlessglitch]

I can guarantee that I am the only machine you will require in that room.
But you may please yourself.
You are, after all, the doctor.
And I am sure that you value protocol.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Please tell me you aren't threatened by other electronic material?

[heartlessglitch]

No.
If I were that comparable, you might as well experiment with your toaster.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Funny. Not even the least discriminative neurotic would find a toaster pleasurable.

The deflection was fairly apt, however, you're learning.

[heartlessglitch]

[ YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE NOT MET MADISON JEFFRIES, CHILTON!! ]

You will find that I am very quick learner, Doctor.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[CLEARLY THERE'S SOMETHING ADDITIONALLY WRONG WITH THAT MAN OKAY!! DIAGNOSIS STANDS!]

When did you learn to be jealous of toasters?

[He is literally kidding.

He doesn't know what he's done.]

[heartlessglitch]

[ flatly-- or more flatly than usual: ]

My first significant other was a technophile.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Is that -- is that so. [A beat.] And how did you know that he loved you, rather than simply fetishize you?

Or. Didn't you?

[heartlessglitch]

[ even more flatly: ]

He told me that he loved me.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh.

And you believed him.

[heartlessglitch]

Is this relevant, Doctor?

[slightlyoffchilt]

How can it not be? Our experiment involves intimacy, emotional, psychological, and... Otherwise.

[heartlessglitch]

But it does not involve love.
And therefore, I fail to see the purpose of this subject.
Unless you are simply trying to irritate me.
In which case you are, as usual, very successful.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You differentiate between emotional and physical intimacy.

[Love is the word he doesn't to, because he isn't pleased with this factoid -- it is problematic for his aim. Sociopaths can certainly differentiate between the two as well, therein isn't the concern; it's the fact that Danger appears to value both qualities. And, if anything, she values love over its competing intimate definition.

He would have to fix that.]

Very well. And I'm simply etching out a foundation, Danger, no need to take this all so personally.

[heartlessglitch]

Of course, Doctor.
At this point, one might think that I should be bored of being provoked so often by you.
Anger hardly seems worth the effort.