[This video is taken from a security camera in a small room. It resembles a police interrogation room, except there is no two-way glass and there are two armed guards near the door. A man sits on one side of the table with a clipboard in hand, while the smaller Mitsuru sits on the other side. He sits stiffly, glaring at the man yet saying nothing. This is not where he should be- but how...?
The interviewer waits a bit to see if Mitsuru says anything first, but then he goes ahead and starts the interview.]
3M-
[He frowns, and he looks at his papers more closely.]
My apologies. 4M. How are you feeling today?
[And this is where he gets mouthy as usual.]
Who are you and where have you brought me?
You are here for your intake interview, and I am the interviewer. How are you feeling today?
That answers nothing. Who. Are. You?
[Defiance. Anger. But caution, too, are visible in his expression.]
If you are looking for a specific name, then I am sorry to say that I cannot give you one. We use designations here, to protect everyone’s identities. You may call me ‘1Z’ if you wish though. Are you currently in any pain? Do you have any limitations to your mobility?
Kids aren't supposed to talk to strangers, you know.
And yet you are talking to me right now.
[That gets an arched eyebrow followed by silence.]
4M, I would like to get through this interview sometime today. There are many others I still have to get to besides you. Please answer the question.
[Mitsuru gives a disgusted look.]
You've given me no reason to.
The sooner we get through this interview, the sooner we can send you back to your world to finish your quest. Do you WANT to delay that any more than necessary?
[Silence. Registering that. And then:]
What do you know about me?
Enough to know that you do not want to be kept away from your home for too long. You have a lot to lose by that, don’t you?
[Another short silence, eyes narrowed.]
...Do you really plan to allow me back to that world after this?
[He clearly has his doubts, eyes flicking towards the guards briefly.]
It is a possibility, should you want that. Some stay here, others choose to go home. Which do you want?
As you said, there are things I must do. I’d need all my belongings back as well though.
We will give you your staff once you are taken to the work site. Everything else will be returned to you when it is time for you to go home.
[The interviewer flips through his notes, checking a few things.]
We certainly could have use of someone as strong as you. Are you sure you don’t want to stay on in a more permanent position? Otherwise you will be assigned to an eight-week camp.
[Surprise, and then fury.]
Answering questions is much different from eight weeks. What's this about a camp? “Assigned?”
Everyone who works here is assigned to a position. The summer camp is the shortest assignment we can give out to someone your age. It truly is a waste of your potential and ability, but if you want to get home fast then it is probably the fastest way to do so.
You've brought me to another world, and now you expect me to work for you?
Well, yes. [He says that like he’s surprised to even hear the question.]
[Mitsuru, meanwhile, is stunned to silence. When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet.]
What are you trying to make me do?
This Organization has three simple goals: Secure. Contain. Protect. You are quite strong and could help us fulfill any of those goals, but if you go to summer camp then you will be helping us with the ‘contain’ part.
And what does that actually entail?
Staying at the camp for eight weeks and making sure that anything within the camp doesn’t get out. When the eight weeks are done, you will get to leave.
What is included in “anything?” For wanting my help, you're being very vague.
[Something that's got him fairly annoyed by now.]
Anything means anything. Wildlife, people, anything that might be there. If it’s in the camp, it needs to stay at the camp until the eight weeks are over. You would be there as a backup to support the counselors if anything went wrong, basically. They will handle most of the work, but we need contingency plans in place in case anything goes wrong.
Of course, if that is not agreeable to you, then we can put you on another assignment. But that is the shortest assignment we have.
[He spends a long moment considering this.]
What's stopping me from finding my own way back? Eight weeks is a long time, and I don't remember owing you anything.
I might not even have that much time to spare.
Then I suggest you don’t waste time trying to find your own way back, and instead work with us. You could leave and try to find your own way back, and knowing your abilities you might succeed, but it will take you a lot longer than eight weeks.
And yet I still have no idea how you supposedly know any of this.
The Foundation has its ways of getting its information.
And you expect me to believe you?
You can believe whatever you like. But if you choose not to cooperate, then we will be forced to treat you as an uncooperative subject rather than a willing agent. Think carefully, 4M, because I am not going to offer it to you again. Your choices are camp, another assignment, or imprisonment.
[His eyes narrow into a glare, thinking it over, running through the various possibilities. But after a very, very long moment, he finally spits:]
Fine.
Finally, Christ. At least one of you has the sense to not attack us.
[The interviewer scribbles some more notes on his clipboard.]
We will begin processing the paperwork now. Camp starts at the end of the week. You will be able to stay here until it is time to move to the camp. Now then, should you need any accommodations…
[The video probably continues on from there, but that’s where it cuts off.]
no subject
The interviewer waits a bit to see if Mitsuru says anything first, but then he goes ahead and starts the interview.]
3M-
[He frowns, and he looks at his papers more closely.]
My apologies. 4M. How are you feeling today?
[And this is where he gets mouthy as usual.]
Who are you and where have you brought me?
You are here for your intake interview, and I am the interviewer. How are you feeling today?
That answers nothing. Who. Are. You?
[Defiance. Anger. But caution, too, are visible in his expression.]
If you are looking for a specific name, then I am sorry to say that I cannot give you one. We use designations here, to protect everyone’s identities. You may call me ‘1Z’ if you wish though. Are you currently in any pain? Do you have any limitations to your mobility?
Kids aren't supposed to talk to strangers, you know.
And yet you are talking to me right now.
[That gets an arched eyebrow followed by silence.]
4M, I would like to get through this interview sometime today. There are many others I still have to get to besides you. Please answer the question.
[Mitsuru gives a disgusted look.]
You've given me no reason to.
The sooner we get through this interview, the sooner we can send you back to your world to finish your quest. Do you WANT to delay that any more than necessary?
[Silence. Registering that. And then:]
What do you know about me?
Enough to know that you do not want to be kept away from your home for too long. You have a lot to lose by that, don’t you?
[Another short silence, eyes narrowed.]
...Do you really plan to allow me back to that world after this?
[He clearly has his doubts, eyes flicking towards the guards briefly.]
It is a possibility, should you want that. Some stay here, others choose to go home. Which do you want?
As you said, there are things I must do. I’d need all my belongings back as well though.
We will give you your staff once you are taken to the work site. Everything else will be returned to you when it is time for you to go home.
[The interviewer flips through his notes, checking a few things.]
We certainly could have use of someone as strong as you. Are you sure you don’t want to stay on in a more permanent position? Otherwise you will be assigned to an eight-week camp.
[Surprise, and then fury.]
Answering questions is much different from eight weeks. What's this about a camp? “Assigned?”
Everyone who works here is assigned to a position. The summer camp is the shortest assignment we can give out to someone your age. It truly is a waste of your potential and ability, but if you want to get home fast then it is probably the fastest way to do so.
You've brought me to another world, and now you expect me to work for you?
Well, yes. [He says that like he’s surprised to even hear the question.]
[Mitsuru, meanwhile, is stunned to silence. When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet.]
What are you trying to make me do?
This Organization has three simple goals: Secure. Contain. Protect. You are quite strong and could help us fulfill any of those goals, but if you go to summer camp then you will be helping us with the ‘contain’ part.
And what does that actually entail?
Staying at the camp for eight weeks and making sure that anything within the camp doesn’t get out. When the eight weeks are done, you will get to leave.
What is included in “anything?” For wanting my help, you're being very vague.
[Something that's got him fairly annoyed by now.]
Anything means anything. Wildlife, people, anything that might be there. If it’s in the camp, it needs to stay at the camp until the eight weeks are over. You would be there as a backup to support the counselors if anything went wrong, basically. They will handle most of the work, but we need contingency plans in place in case anything goes wrong.
Of course, if that is not agreeable to you, then we can put you on another assignment. But that is the shortest assignment we have.
[He spends a long moment considering this.]
What's stopping me from finding my own way back? Eight weeks is a long time, and I don't remember owing you anything.
I might not even have that much time to spare.
Then I suggest you don’t waste time trying to find your own way back, and instead work with us. You could leave and try to find your own way back, and knowing your abilities you might succeed, but it will take you a lot longer than eight weeks.
And yet I still have no idea how you supposedly know any of this.
The Foundation has its ways of getting its information.
And you expect me to believe you?
You can believe whatever you like. But if you choose not to cooperate, then we will be forced to treat you as an uncooperative subject rather than a willing agent. Think carefully, 4M, because I am not going to offer it to you again. Your choices are camp, another assignment, or imprisonment.
[His eyes narrow into a glare, thinking it over, running through the various possibilities. But after a very, very long moment, he finally spits:]
Fine.
Finally, Christ. At least one of you has the sense to not attack us.
[The interviewer scribbles some more notes on his clipboard.]
We will begin processing the paperwork now. Camp starts at the end of the week. You will be able to stay here until it is time to move to the camp. Now then, should you need any accommodations…
[The video probably continues on from there, but that’s where it cuts off.]
[One left to go!]