1st race

[bleak_midwinter]

[Spam]

[Tommy walks the halls as if they belong ti him- it's not too strange, since they often did, back home. He walks as if's surrounded by hard men with razors stitched into their hats, with guns in their hands. It's easy to take offense to, but he'll be quick to reassure if anyone does.

He visits the Deck first, to smoke and to let it sink in where he is. After that, he makes the rounds, exploring: the dining hall for a good meal, the bar for some whiskey (Irish; always), the engine room. He spends a considerable amount of time in the common rooms, too, trying to figure out the TV's.

At night he's back on the deck, as high as he can go, as different as scene from his dreams as the Barge can provide.]

[Video]

[He's been on the ship for a full day before he announces himself. You might have seen him, or you might not have; for all he moves as if he owns the halls, his suit is drab enough that he can blend in when he wants.

He's in his kitchen now; there are patterned tiles, an old-fashioned wood stove, a china cabinet. It's cozy, if outdated for most of the Barge's inhabitants. Without his hat on, Tommy's eyes are a clear, penetrating blue. His voice is low, with a strong Birmingham accent. He's smoking, and it's obscuring his face in the already low lighting from the oil lamp on the table.]

From what I can tell, this place is all about 'forgiveness'. Not forgetting, but forgiving-- inmates and wardens alike. How long should forgiveness take? Are there things you could never forgive? People you'll always forgive?

Has your opinion changed, since you've been here?

Comments

[bleak_midwinter]

I suppose that changes on on a case-by-case basis. Some people need to be forgiven; others need to forgive events, or people, or themselves.

[omar]

And you think that be the way for everyone up here?

[bleak_midwinter]

I doubt there's anything that goes for everyone.

[omar]

Supposed to be something in common for all us inmates, though, right?

[bleak_midwinter]

'Supposed to' isn't the same as 'is'.

[omar]

But you asking about what this place all about, ain't you?

[bleak_midwinter]

I'm asking about what the people who live here think.

[omar]

Ain't no forgiveness up here or down below -- that's what I think.

[bleak_midwinter]

What do you think this place is all about, then?

[omar]

It's a prison. Same as any other. Just with better perks and worser punishments.

[bleak_midwinter]

And a longer sentence.

[omar]

Not longer.

[bleak_midwinter]

I suppose that does depend.

Why are the punishments worse? [Because he knows how his men come out of prison- beaten, bleeding, broken open. He can do that, but he doesn't think that's what's being asked of him, here.]

[omar]

Oh, you'll find out.

[bleak_midwinter]

Hm. [He licks his lips, then leans over to extinguish his cigarette on a stone ashtray on the kitchen table. It's just the oil lamp giving off light in the room, now.]

So you don't believe that it's possible? The Admiral's idea of redemption?

[omar]

I didn't say impossible. I've seen it work the way he want it to.

[bleak_midwinter]

[He nods- that's something, at least. If a man like Omar says it can work, then Tommy has little reason to doubt that.]

But for you...?

[omar]

It don't seem likely.

[bleak_midwinter]

Well, here's to a long and fruitful stay for the both of us, then. [He raises a glass that had been standing just outside of the frame the rest of the conversation, and knocks back the last finger of whiskey.]

[omar]

Indeed.