second glitch

[perfectisnteasy]

[anyone listening to the journal today might pick up a very steady, consistent sound, almost like a metronome:

flip.
flip.
flip.
flip.

at odd intervals, there'll be a soft thud, a scrape, and then the flipping continues. anyone who ventures onto the second floor of the library will find the source of the sound: CLU seated at a table, behind a MASSIVE pile of books. there's a tall glass of some sort of glowing, blue liquid off to one side, but other than that, it's just him and the books.

to the uninitiated, it'll look like he's not even reading. he just turns a page, blinks, and repeats the process ad nauseam. but he's definitely reading, scanning each page and its contents quickly before moving on. occasionally, if a spread is dense with text, or a concept it details is completely foreign to him, he'll pause a moment before turning the page. but for the most part, he just. keeps. going. after he finishes one book in particular, he stops, and scowls down at the journal]

[he's careful to keep his tone light, though, because That Is How You Make Friends And Influence People.] These are the most inefficient systems. I don't see how any of you can cope. Don't you get impatient?

Comments

[perfectisnteasy]

No tech? Huh. [wait wait. maybe he can make this work for him
she doesn't sound as suspicious as the others. ... which means he may have found someone who can give it to him straight, in more words than Rinzler. valuable as the guy is, the silent type isn't what he needs right now]

Maybe we can make a deal, Maladict .... you tell me how this place works, I'll tell you about my Grid. 'Zat sound like something that'd work?

[mal_addict]

I think I can deal with that, Clu. Though I'd do it for free, you know.

[perfectisnteasy]

For free? [the happiness is plain in his voice - borderline gleeful, even] You're a keeper, aren't you....!

[mal_addict]

Sure. You may not remember me, but I remember you, and you're an old friend. I only mock my friends, I don't blackmail them.

[She chuckles] That's what I'm told.

[perfectisnteasy]

[mockery still isn't the best thing ever, but she's not an ISO, and she's willing to help him, so - maybe it's NOT for free, but he'll take it.]

Well, then, Maladict. Old friend ... [he says it wryly, because, well, he can't remember her - but there's none of that usual sheen of hidden malice behind the words] ... maybe you can start by helpin' me fill in a few holes.

[mal_addict]

Ooooh the slight sarcasm is back. I missed that.

Anyway. Give my a hole and I'll try to fill it.

...In a none dirty way.

[perfectisnteasy]

[and a sense of humor, too. this just keeps getting better. he chuckles... and decides it's time to get down to business. he'll just use that trick he's already read so much about]

[Maladict]

For starters, how'd we meet? What do you know? It's inefficient of me to go around repeating myself.

Clu

[mal_addict]

[La la la, some random time because TF can't seem to find it anywhere now]

I know that you're something to do with computers and you live in one or...something. It gave me a headache whenever you talked about it to be honest.

Maladict, to end

[perfectisnteasy]

Probably about as much of a headache as this place gives me. There's not a lot in the way of order, is there...?

[mal_addict]

Not even slightly. And just when you think it might find some order, it all goes to hell again.

[perfectisnteasy]

Well, it's a good thing I'm here, then. I've got my work cut out for me.

[mal_addict]

That you have. Let's not go overboard with it, though.

[perfectisnteasy]

There is no overboard, Maladict. You do the job until it's done. It's that simple.

I just can't figure out where to start. Might need a little help on that front.

[mal_addict]

...When you're concerned there is kind of a massive overboard. So overboard you've hopped right into another boat.

Well, I can help, but let's not start any...you know...horrible murdering. Because I shouldn't be getting involved in that sort of thing. I have to follow certain rules.

[perfectisnteasy]

This isn't about boats, this is about systems. You could stay on topic a little more, if you're going to help.

Horrible murdering? I don't know what you're talking about. [there are no ISOs here. wait. wait. are you telling him there are ISOs here?]

[mal_addict]

It's a metaphor.

Don't play dumb. We're not playing the perfect race game again.

[perfectisnteasy]

But the perfect system is my directive. It can't change. [he sounds equally bemused and frustrated at the thought that she'd even suggest such a thing]

[mal_addict]

Oh boy, we really are back to square one with this aren't we.