Matrix 05 ~ [Dictated]

[simulatedmedic]

[The journal is open, and someone is humming to himself, the sound of this delightful piece filtering through the journal.

After about two minutes, the humming stops, the owner presuming to start singing, but there's nothing but the music playing on in the background, which suddenly stops.]

Oh.

[A sigh.]

Well, that is just cruel and unusual.

Comments

[toobravehearted]

[His journal is open, of course it is, and he knows the music, although he's more of a Gilbert and Sullivan man these days than Verdi. When the EMH speaks, the Doctor pauses a moment before replying.}

That is rather the point of Rigoletto, I believe. Is there something wrong, Doctor?

[simulatedmedic]

Oh, nothing.

[A frustrated sigh.]

Just my muse being stripped away, it's nothing major.

[You can feel the sarcasm just hitting you in the face, gently. The EMH's tone is clipped.]

[toobravehearted]

[Oh, it's that tone, is it?] Being passive-aggressive doesn't suit you. [Actually, it rather does.] Did you forget the words?

[simulatedmedic]

Hardly

[It really does.]

There is nothing wrong. I just opened my mouth, and nothing happened.

[There's some rummaging, and more music plays.

In particular, the refrain of 'You are my Sunshine.'

And he sings it beautifully.]

There is nothing wrong with my vocal sub-routines.

[toobravehearted]

My word, that truly is a travesty for you to open your mouth and nothing to happen.

[But in all seriousness on hearing the refrain.] No, there isn't. You do have an exceptional singing voice, a gift. Do you know more from Rigoletto? Are you able to try another?

[simulatedmedic]

[Another heavy sigh, before this peice sounds.

And there's no sound from the Doctor.]

Nothing.

I think it's safe to say I've discovered my loss.

[And he sounds so not happy.]

[toobravehearted]

Rondine al nido. So it is not just Rigoletto.

I think it's safe to say that you have. I'm sorry. Cruel and unusual, yes.

[simulatedmedic]

The castle surely knows how important my musical endeavours were to attain my individuality. This is unacceptable. This is...

[He stops his rant there.]

And there's likely nothing I can do about it.

[toobravehearted]

I'm afraid not.

What do your subroutines and algorithms tell you about what you should feel or experience about Opera? If you would humour me, Doctor.

[simulatedmedic]

I enjoy it. As much as the next lifeform, of course. I was programmed with distinct humanoid interaction subroutines to enable me to sympathise better with my patients. To be something other than a blank slate.

...Opera helped me further that. It gave me a point of conversation, something to discuss with other people.

[toobravehearted]

[He's nodding.] No, to be impersonal in a profession such as yours would not do.

You may have lost your voice for Opera, but you still do have the taste.

[the_effect_she_has]

... what happened? [Because she was listening and she was rather liking it, honestly.]

[simulatedmedic]

It seems I'm unable to sing any opera.

[He's snippy, Katniss. Careful.]

[the_effect_she_has]

Oh, I'm sorry. That's a terrible loss.

[She pressed her lips together, before asking quietly.] Is that what is? Opera? It's pretty.

[simulatedmedic]

Yes, it is one of the more fascinating aspects of the musical world. One I hold quite close to my matrix.

One I'll never be able to do while I'm here.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She frowned, folding her hands together in front of her.] So ... can you still listen to it? Or is that you just can't sing it?

[simulatedmedic]

I can still listen to it, it seems, but that's hardly the point...

[the_effect_she_has]

I take it that it's something that means the world to you...singing opera. I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help. Can you - can you sing other things?