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buywithme[Video clicks on, annnnnd PREFECT TIME! The Camera is set up on Prefect's desk, and he's sitting in front of it. He looks slightly agitated, as if he's just trying to think of something, but he can't get it to come to his mind. Finally, he speaks, but his voice is slow, careful. As if he's not quite sure if he wants to be saying this.]
We used to say that-- that god was dead, and that history was dead, and that we'd built the Factory on their bodies. So that was always how I used to think of God, as this... abandoned idea, that didn't matter anymore. Or as a historical figure. It was like saying the Queen of England was dead, or that Elvis was dead. They were these insignificant institutions that had no meaning to me. Honestly, I think we only even said that he was dead because it was catchy.
[Pause. Prefect is obviously thinking haaaard about this.]
I used to just ignore Howie when he talked about God. I think... in my head, he was like this person, who desperately wanted to talk about something that no one else anywhere cared about, and that nobody else wanted to hear about. People would get into arguments with him, and say things just to upset or offend him. Eventually people began targeting him and attacking him because he wouldn't stop talking about this completely pointless thing, but he kept on talking about it.
[He gives a helpless little shrug.] It took me a long time to make the connection between the entire way Howie lived his life, and that thing he wouldn't stop talking about. He was such a good warden, Comrades. In times when there really weren't any good wardens, he was always such a good warden. He was here for years, and in that time, no matter what happened to him, he is... literally, the only person on this entire ship that I can think of, who never acted out of pure selfishness. He was always driven by the belief that he had to do what was right. For his inmate... his friends, his enemies... for all of us. [He shakes his head, looking up slightly.] And that, Comrades, is absolutely unique here, and this thing that he believed in? That I only ever saw as this weird, unpleasant tendency? This thing that got him into trouble and made his life hard and that irritated me? That was the same thing that he got his strength from, and that made him believe that it was important to be that kind of person.
[Prefect frowns now, his forehead knitting slightly, as he looks down at his hands.] The thing he got from it... I don't know, I don't know if it made him happy. His life never seemed happy to me. It didn't make him stronger, or more convincing, or smarter than anyone else, but he never gave it up. It was like his faith made him... unstoppable. Indestructible. And it made him a better man than any of us.
[As Prefect speaks, his voice gets a little distant, forlorn even.] Sometimes, I think he must have felt about God, the way I used to feel about the Factory. Only for me... the Factory tore people down, it made them into components, or functions. For Howie, being God's creations elevated people. It made them more than what they were. [He has his arms wrapped around his stomach, and he's looking off Camera a little. His expression is almost sad. Finally, his eyes flick back towards the communicator.]
So, Comrades... I was wondering...
[Prefect visibly steels himself:]
...does anyone know what you have to do to become a Christian?
[Added after speaking to O'Brien, Private to Barron]
Comrade, do I owe you a drink?
We used to say that-- that god was dead, and that history was dead, and that we'd built the Factory on their bodies. So that was always how I used to think of God, as this... abandoned idea, that didn't matter anymore. Or as a historical figure. It was like saying the Queen of England was dead, or that Elvis was dead. They were these insignificant institutions that had no meaning to me. Honestly, I think we only even said that he was dead because it was catchy.
[Pause. Prefect is obviously thinking haaaard about this.]
I used to just ignore Howie when he talked about God. I think... in my head, he was like this person, who desperately wanted to talk about something that no one else anywhere cared about, and that nobody else wanted to hear about. People would get into arguments with him, and say things just to upset or offend him. Eventually people began targeting him and attacking him because he wouldn't stop talking about this completely pointless thing, but he kept on talking about it.
[He gives a helpless little shrug.] It took me a long time to make the connection between the entire way Howie lived his life, and that thing he wouldn't stop talking about. He was such a good warden, Comrades. In times when there really weren't any good wardens, he was always such a good warden. He was here for years, and in that time, no matter what happened to him, he is... literally, the only person on this entire ship that I can think of, who never acted out of pure selfishness. He was always driven by the belief that he had to do what was right. For his inmate... his friends, his enemies... for all of us. [He shakes his head, looking up slightly.] And that, Comrades, is absolutely unique here, and this thing that he believed in? That I only ever saw as this weird, unpleasant tendency? This thing that got him into trouble and made his life hard and that irritated me? That was the same thing that he got his strength from, and that made him believe that it was important to be that kind of person.
[Prefect frowns now, his forehead knitting slightly, as he looks down at his hands.] The thing he got from it... I don't know, I don't know if it made him happy. His life never seemed happy to me. It didn't make him stronger, or more convincing, or smarter than anyone else, but he never gave it up. It was like his faith made him... unstoppable. Indestructible. And it made him a better man than any of us.
[As Prefect speaks, his voice gets a little distant, forlorn even.] Sometimes, I think he must have felt about God, the way I used to feel about the Factory. Only for me... the Factory tore people down, it made them into components, or functions. For Howie, being God's creations elevated people. It made them more than what they were. [He has his arms wrapped around his stomach, and he's looking off Camera a little. His expression is almost sad. Finally, his eyes flick back towards the communicator.]
So, Comrades... I was wondering...
[Prefect visibly steels himself:]
...does anyone know what you have to do to become a Christian?
[Added after speaking to O'Brien, Private to Barron]
Comrade, do I owe you a drink?
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no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:25 am (UTC)You have got to be kidding me, comrade.
This is just a...
Do you feel alright?
((AT SOME POINT it's assumed that Barron will hold Prefect's hand, but commenting from before then))
Date: 2011-08-10 12:30 am (UTC)[PAUSE]
But actually, Comrade, I don't feel that good either. I feel kind of... I don't know. Restless. Like there's something I need to do, but I don't remember what it is.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:33 am (UTC)Hm. I'm not sure I can think of anything.
Check on your inmate, perhaps? Some clothes you haven't washed? I really don't know. Regain your sanity?
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:40 am (UTC)I think... I want to see the world like that, Comrade.
[Pause. That first bit kinda pinged with him. It was definitely something to do with Barron.]
Maybe I was meant to take Barron to the pub.
[OH, MAYBE HE CAN INVITE O'BRIEN! Oh, no, wait, he probably shouldn't drink with O'Brien if he can help it.]
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:44 am (UTC)Although I'm afraid I can only really speak for Protestantism.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:46 am (UTC)That might have been it, you know. I think he mentioned something to me about you having promised a drink.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:46 am (UTC)[Pause]
So... is there a quiz you have to take? Or an evaluation of some kind?
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 12:50 am (UTC)I do make him a lot of promises. Thank you, Comrade. I'll contact him now.
Private - POST BARRON-STUFF
Date: 2011-08-10 12:59 am (UTC)I do have a digest that might consolidate the facts for you, if you're interested.
Private - POST BARRON-STUFF
Date: 2011-08-10 01:03 am (UTC)[Aww, we're BONDING C:]
I would really appreciate that, Comrade. Thank you.
Private - POST BARRON-STUFF
Date: 2011-08-10 01:09 am (UTC)I'm walking up from another level, comrade. I'll meet you at your room and we can walk together. It will save me a trip.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:09 am (UTC)[HE MISSES HOWIE ALREADY.]
Private - INTO SPAM.
Date: 2011-08-10 01:12 am (UTC)[Annnd sure enough, Prefect is now sitting in his room, twiddling his thumbs and waiting for you.]
1/2
Date: 2011-08-10 01:13 am (UTC)[BIGGEST GRINNNNN.]
2/2
Date: 2011-08-10 01:13 am (UTC)[GOODBYE, GRIN :C]
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:18 am (UTC)[PREFECT MISSES HIM TOO.]
...Do robots believe in God?
[BECAUSE THAT'S OBVIOUSLY WHAT YOU ARE, RINZLER.]
SPAM
Date: 2011-08-10 01:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:22 am (UTC)SPAM
Date: 2011-08-10 01:24 am (UTC)Good to see you, Comrade! We're going to your room, aren't we?
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:27 am (UTC)But being Christian is actually quite simple: it only requires that you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and follow his word as written in the Bible. Once you do, you can be baptized into the church.
Becoming a Catholic is a bit more complicated. I believe they do have quizzes.
SPAM
Date: 2011-08-10 01:30 am (UTC)FaberPrefect. At least temporarily.]Do you have a light? I've been without a cigarette for too long.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:36 am (UTC)What I think you are looking for is the feeling, sir, the essence of being a good Christian, and to that I say: love. Love often, do no harm to others, and forgive when harm is done to you. There are other things that make a person Godly, but that faith in the goodness of God is meant to fill our hearts with love.
In the end, it is supposed to inspire us to be better - always be charitable, kind, and fair, though one does not need to believe in a Heavenly Father to strive to be that way.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 01:38 am (UTC)And, do you have a Bible I could borrow?