Making the best of it

[traken_master]

[The Master is in his room, tinkering with machinery. Thank to this latest oddity with the books, he now has the means to build robots to keep his rooms clean. He feels like talking, so reaches out and opens up his journal.]

You know, my friends, this strangeness with the books isn't all bad. I personally have found a cookbook and a book on robotics to be quite useful! Even the book on mathematics proved stimulating; the results reminded me of a place called Castrovalva!

[He pauses to tighten a joint, before continuing.]

Anyway, the Doctor, the one wearing celery, recently suggested to me that the Castle was motivated by schadenfreude, which means, for those who don't know that word, enjoying or getting satisfaction from other's misfortune. I think this highly likely. Therefore, we should not accomodate it. We should make a concerted effort to find something useful or entertaining about its peculiarities.

Don't worry, I'm not suggesting we become complacent. However, if we deny it what its goals, we may weaken it. We can try, at least.

Comments

[jimfromit]

I try to save manners for humans that earn them. There are far too many of them about with ideas above their station.

As much as it pains me to admit it we are playing the long game here. The only way we can make a considerable impact is by gathering information.

[traken_master]

The human race in general tends to get above its station, in my opinion. Some of them are acceptable, but Earth is a tiny, insignificant world.

Very good! You are right, of course. That is exactly what I intend to do, but there's no harm in annoying the castle, until then.

[jimfromit]

I'm disappointed there haven’t been many serious attempts to find out more about the castle, but I suppose this is what happens when you have a dull uninventive mind like ninety per cent of the people who pass through here have...they become complacent.

[traken_master]

I'm afraid you're correct, though I have spoken with some, who have at least made some attempt at discovering the castle's secrets. I can't help wondering, however, if the castle itself isn't partly to blame. It does seem powerful enough to affect minds directly. Even stupid people tend to want answers, when they are ripped from their homes.

[jimfromit]

Its basic psychology...the longer a prisoner is held captive, the less likely he is to think about escape and resigns himself to his fate.

But that’s only for the majority...Doctor Horrible’s recent exploits, after years of being here gives me hope that not all of these people end up gibbering simpletons.

[traken_master]

Let's hope you're correct. I'm sure some of them will prove helpful.

[jimfromit]

[There’s a long pause before he asks this.]

What have you found out so far about our fairy tale prison?

[traken_master]

Very little, unfortunately. Whatever form it takes, it has the personality of a petulant child. It's clever, in it's own way. It's aware of us, in a sense. It provides for us, but has no great liking for us. This world operates rather differently from most. Somewhere, there is a great source of power. Magic seems to work here, so there is an unknown science at work and any science unknown to my people is rare indeed.

[jimfromit]

I did say on my first day here it seems quite pleased with itself when it drags people from their timeline.

Oh but the things one could do if the power behind it all could be controlled...makes you giddy doesn't it?

[traken_master]

Indeed, though I'm concerned it might be the carrot at the end of the stick. Still, it's a prize well worth trying for.

[jimfromit]

I agree

Anything worth having always comes at a price.

[traken_master]

That is true. Too few people understand that basic fact.

[jimfromit]

It’s why most people are worthless and boring...because they just don't think!

Sure they're good for performing tricks now and again and make fun casualties but that’s about it.

I get the feeling you already know this though.

[traken_master]

I do, indeed. Most of them are little better than children, who need their lives ordered for them.