Flat Transcript - DE Text Explorer

ID	Character	Dialogue	Conditions	Links
0	None			1
1	None			2
2	Steban, the Student Communist			3 4
3	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["TASK.get_yourself_organised_cancelled"]	5
4	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["TASK.get_yourself_organised_cancelled"]) == false	7
5	Steban, the Student Communist	"Would you mind? We've got group business to take care of."		6
6	Echo Maker	"That means go home, gendarme."
7	Steban, the Student Communist			8 9
8	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_main_hub_reached"]	1827
9	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_main_hub_reached"]) == false	1834
10	Steban, the Student Communist	The two young men are either oblivious to or ignoring your entrance. Their attentions are fixed on whatever it is they're stacking in the middle of the floor...		1666
11	Steban, the Student Communist	"I think it's holding, Ulixes..."		12
12	Echo Maker	"It is, it's holding!"		13
13	Visual Calculus	It's definitely not holding. Those matchboxes are stacked so haphazardly it's like they want them to collapse.		14
14	Steban, the Student Communist	"Careful, careful!"		15
15	Steban, the Student Communist	"Damn. Hardly any difference..." The young man shakes his head, and then looks up at you with barely concealed irritation...		16
16	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're late."		17
17	Echo Maker	"He should know the meeting starts at 22.00 sharp." His companion looks up at you and squints.		18
18	Steban, the Student Communist			19 20
19	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("jacket_interisolar_white")	27
20	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("jacket_interisolar_white")) == false	83
21	Steban, the Student Communist			22 23
22	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckItem("book_nilsenism_introduction") and Variable["TASK.get_yourself_organised_done"] == false	25
23	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckItem("book_nilsenism_introduction") and Variable["TASK.get_yourself_organised_done"] == false) == false	24
24	Steban, the Student Communist	"The gendarme returns." The young man turns to you. "What do you need?"		143
25	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're back." The young man turns to you.		26
26	None			131
27	Visual Calculus	His eyes are tracing an invisible line back and forth from your jacket to his companion.		33
28	Drama	What a coincidence! You two have the same jacket. What are the odds?		29
29	Steban, the Student Communist			30 31
30	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_drama_coincidence"]	32
31	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_drama_coincidence"]) == false	34
32	Logic	Based on the prevalence of white Saramirizian suits in Martinaise? Extremely low.		34
33	Echo Maker	"Hey, Steban. Isn't that your jacket?"		28
34	Steban, the Student Communist	"It certainly looks like my jacket, Ulixes. Where did you get that, gendarme?"		35 36 37 38
35	You	"I just found it... in a room."		1667
36	You	"Must be a coincidence. I see these jackets all the time."	Variable["apt.student_drama_coincidence"] == true	40
37	You	"This jacket is RCM property. It's been confiscated as part of an ongoing investigation."		39
38	You	[Leave.]
39	Steban, the Student Communist	"'Confiscated'? Next he's probably going to say it was civil asset forfeiture..."		42
40	Steban, the Student Communist	"Unlikely. That's real Saramirizian twill. Only old Saramirizian communists and drug smugglers wear those anymore..."		41
41	Savoir Faire	He is neither of those, of course. He is simply a poor student, putting on airs. Also, he doesn't have the shoulders to fill out such a jacket.		45
42	Steban, the Student Communist			43 44
43	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["jam.siileng_rhetoric_civil_forfeiture"]	46
44	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["jam.siileng_rhetoric_civil_forfeiture"]) == false	45
45	Steban, the Student Communist	"See, Uli? It's just like Mazov wrote. How does it go again?"		47
46	Authority	Damn right. If he keeps mouthing off, you should take his pants too.		45
47	Echo Maker	"'Those committed to the rights of property are those most apt to violate them'." His companion nods emphatically.		48
48	Steban, the Student Communist			49 50
49	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_pseudonyms"]	52
50	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_pseudonyms"]) == false	51
51	Steban, the Student Communist	"I assumed it was Maurice who broke into my room, to play a trick on me. I didn't think I'd actually been raided by the RCM!"		58
52	Conceptualization	Just a minute. Steban... Ulixes... why do those names ring the faintest of bells?		53
53	Steban, the Student Communist			54 55
54	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"]	56
55	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"]) == false	51
56	Logic	Probably because they're the real names of 'Nasteb' and 'Exilus', the authors of that so-called essay about TipTop Tournée you read...		57
57	Conceptualization	You should get to the bottom of this, when you have the chance.		51
58	Empathy	There is surprise in his voice, naturally, but is that a note of excitement you also detect?		59 60 61 62
59	You	"So, do you want your jacket back?"		63
60	You	"Listen, comrade, it's not what it looks like..."		64
61	You	"Why do you sound excited to be raided by the RCM?"	Variable["apt.student_empathy_excited"] == true	65
62	You	"Look, man, it doesn't even fit you, anyway."	Variable["apt.student_savoir_shoulders_fit"] == true	66
63	Steban, the Student Communist	"Absolutely not. You have to keep it..."		67
64	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're right. It's better!"		67
65	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, gendarme, because this is perfect..."		67
66	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're right. It was a gift from my grandmother. But now you've got to keep it..."		67
67	Steban, the Student Communist	He turns to his companion. "Can you imagine the look on Maurice's face when he finds out the RCM has been kicking my door down?"		68
68	Echo Maker	"He'll shit himself! Positively."		69
69	Steban, the Student Communist			70 71
70	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	72
71	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	73
72	Steban, the Student Communist	"And now they've shown up in force to break up our meeting!" He rubs his hands together excitedly.		74
73	Steban, the Student Communist	"And now they've sent one of their agents to infiltrate our meeting." He rubs his hands together excitedly.		75
74	Kim Kitsuragi	The lieutenant sighs. "Something tells me these young men are not very experienced with law enforcement."		75
75	You	"Hold on, I'm not here to infiltrate your meeting. I want to join your meeting!"		76
76	Steban, the Student Communist	"The RCM wants to join us?" A quizzical expression...		77
77	Steban, the Student Communist			78 79
78	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	80
79	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	81
80	Kim Kitsuragi	"My partner, of course, is acting in a strictly personal capacity, not as an official representative of the RCM."		81
81	Steban, the Student Communist	"Interesting. Does that mean you've done the reading?"		82
82	None			106
83	Authority	One leader and one follower, the most ancient power dynamic.		84
84	Composure	There's a great deal of tension in this young man's shoulders, more than someone his age should bear...		85
85	Steban, the Student Communist			86 87
86	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_composure_tension"]	88
87	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_composure_tension"]) == false	1841
88	Composure	Meanwhile, his companion inclines toward him, eager to catch every word that dribbles from his friend's mouth.		1841
89	Savoir Faire	Just a moment -- could this be the former owner of a certain jacket you 'acquired' recently?		90
90	Drama	Don't let them see you flustered, ssssire. Play along...		91
91	None			92 93 94 95 96
92	You	"Before we move on, do you recognise this jacket?" (Show him the Saramirizian jacket.)	Variable["apt.student_savoir_certain_jacket"] == true and CheckItem("jacket_interisolar_white")	97
93	You	"You weren't exactly easy to find."		98
94	You	"What am I late for exactly?"		105
95	You	(Play along.) "My apologies, comrades. I had to be sure I wasn't being tailed... by our class enemies."	Variable["apt.student_drama_flustered"] == true	107
96	You	[Leave.]
97	None			33
98	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's the whole point, of course. We can't just have anybody waltzing in here. Martinaise is crawling with reactionary infiltrators."		99
99	Steban, the Student Communist			100 101
100	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.communist_room_broke_into"]	102
101	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.communist_room_broke_into"]) == false	103
102	Steban, the Student Communist	"There are RCM spies, for one. Just recently, someone even broke into my apartment, if you can believe it..."		103
103	Steban, the Student Communist	"To say nothing of Gottwaldians and Econoclards."		104
104	Echo Maker	The young man's companion reflexively snorts at the mention of Gottwaldians and Econoclards.		116
105	Steban, the Student Communist	"Are you saying you haven't done the reading for tonight?" The two young men look at one another.		106
106	Drama	Uh oh. No one said anything about reading. You'll just have to wing this one.		117
107	Steban, the Student Communist	"Mmmm." The young man considers you a moment...		108
108	Physical Instrument	He's taking your measure. Like an ideological boxer stepping into the ring.		109
109	Steban, the Student Communist			110 111
110	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_phys_int_boxer"]	112
111	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_phys_int_boxer"]) == false	116
112	Steban, the Student Communist			113 114
113	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["gates.manana_theory_combat"]	115
114	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["gates.manana_theory_combat"]) == false	116
115	Inland Empire	This must be the theory combat the boiadeiro warned you about! En garde!		116
116	Steban, the Student Communist	"We all have to take precautions, especially during these delicate times. What matters is that you've made it, and that you've done the reading."		106
117	None			118 119 120 121
118	You	(Just wing it.) "The reading, yes. I've definitely done that."	Variable["apt.student_drama_wing_it"] == true	122
119	You	"What is this reading? I thought this was a revolutionary group!"		123
120	You	"There must be some misunderstanding. No one mentioned any reading."		124
121	You	(Whisper.) "Kim, did you do the reading?"	IsKimHere()	125
122	Steban, the Student Communist	"You have? Excellent. Let's hear your critique then."		133 134 135
123	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, a revolutionary reading group. The most ideologically advanced materialist reading group in Martinaise. But it sounds like that's news to you..."		126
124	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, this is getting awkward. I'm not sure what you were expecting to find here then..."		126
125	Kim Kitsuragi	"No, detective. The only reading I've been doing is right here..." The lieutenant holds up his little blue notebook.		128
126	Empathy	There's profound consternation in his voice. You suspect it's about something bigger than your not having done the reading.		127
127	Echo Maker	"Maybe he can explain himself."		131
128	Esprit de Corps	He seems to be wagging the notebook at you, as though he suspects you may have forgotten why you're here.		129
129	Kim Kitsuragi	"I have not had time to seek out pretentious communist book clubs, nor have I done their 'reading'."		130
130	Echo Maker	"It doesn't sound like he's done the reading, Steban."		124
131	None			144 252 334 1740 444 1566 454 513 520 996 1191 1472 1473 1474
132	Steban, the Student Communist	"Go ahead." The young man gives you a half-smile. His companion sniffs.		131
133	You	"I liked... the characters and the plot."		136
134	You	"I thought the themes were... interesting."		137
135	You	"There were... too many words."		138
136	Steban, the Student Communist	"Characters? What characters are you talking about?"		139
137	Steban, the Student Communist	"They always say that when they haven't done the reading."		140
138	Steban, the Student Communist	"Too many... words?"		141
139	None			130
140	None			124
141	You	"Yes, but if the writer just cut a few I'm sure it would be fine."		142
142	None			130
143	None			131
144	You	"What exactly are you two doing here?"		145
145	Steban, the Student Communist	"In the most general sense, I would say we're cultivating revolutionary consciousness."		1662
146	Steban, the Student Communist	"But more specifically, we're running a reading group, the most rigorous and theoretically advanced materialist reading group in Martinaise."		147
147	Echo Maker	"Comrade Steban is a great discussion leader. One of the best at the university."		148
148	Logic	It's obvious they take this 'group' of theirs extremely seriously. Whatever you do, don't compare it to a common book club.		149
149	Half Light	YAWWWWN! Can you imagine anything duller than a bunch of binoclards yanking each others' knobs?		150 151 152 153
150	You	"Is this where I can square off in theory combat?"	Variable["gates.manana_theory_combat"] == true	154
151	You	"Sounds like a place for intense intellectual engagement. Exactly my kind of jam."	Variable["apt.student_logic_regular_bookclub"] == true	155
152	You	"Sounds just like a regular book club."		156
153	You	"Sounds like a yank-fest for binos."	Variable["apt.student_halflight_yankfest"] == true	157
154	Steban, the Student Communist	"We have been known to get into some spirited debates. But it's always in service of our larger intellectual and ideological project."		173
155	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's our whole thing. The world is so shallow, all noise and repetition. We're interested in genuinely radical critique."		173
156	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's really nothing like that." The young man scoffs. "A book club is a place for talking about the plot points of bourgeois social novels and sipping effervescent cocktails."		165
157	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's nothing like that. A yank-fest is a decadent bourgeois phenomenon, a pastime for over-educated office workers who lack proper revolutionary outlets for their social dissatisfactions and repressed sexuality."		158
158	Steban, the Student Communist			159 160
159	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere() and Variable["plaza.kim_said_stopped_obsessing"] == true	161
160	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere() and Variable["plaza.kim_said_stopped_obsessing"] == true) == false	162
161	Kim Kitsuragi	"Repressed sexualities are something of an idée fixe of his."		163
162	Steban, the Student Communist	"But now we're getting hung up on the pathologies of capitalism. Let's move on."		164
163	Steban, the Student Communist	"One of capitalism's more banal pathologies. But let's move on."		164
164	None			175 176 177 178
165	Steban, the Student Communist			166 167
166	Steban, the Student Communist		IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	172
167	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsTHCPresent("art_cop")) == false	168
168	Steban, the Student Communist			169 170
169	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	171
170	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	164
171	Kim Kitsuragi	"That doesn't sound so bad," the lieutenant says. "In any case, it's healthier than certain other after-hours pursuits I've seen officers engage in." He gives you a pointed look.		164
172	Conceptualization	Extremely different from discussing the aesthetic merits of avant-garde literature while quaffing a fine Mirovan red, eh, Art Cop?		168
173	Echo Maker	"Precisely. We're not interested in senseless parroting. We like to read critically."		174
174	Steban, the Student Communist	"Within the contours of Mazovian historical materialism, of course."		164
175	You	"I didn't realise they taught radical Mazovian theory in the universities."		247
176	You	“Kim, can we arrest these kids for truancy?”	IsKimHere() and Variable["apt.student_post_attendance"] == true	244
177	You	"Okay, so what does your reading group actually read?"		180
178	You	"I think I get the idea. Let me ask about something else."		179
179	None			132
180	Steban, the Student Communist	"We study all the foundational texts of Mazovian theory, of course. Just last week we finished the second volume of Puncher and Wattmann's 'Innocence of Capital'..."		181
181	Echo Maker	"Truly extraordinary."		182
182	Steban, the Student Communist	"And before that we spent six weeks on 'State and Plasm'..."		183
183	Reaction Speed	For some reason the word plasm catches in your ear like a piece of old wax.		184
184	Volition	Uh oh, you can feel your attention span rapidly deteriorating...		185
185	Steban, the Student Communist			186 187
186	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_concept_zone_out"]	188
187	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_concept_zone_out"]) == false	189
188	None			227 190
189	Volition	This is fine. You can handle a list. In fact, you find the tedium strangely soothing.		191
190	You	Force yourself to keep listening.		191
191	Steban, the Student Communist	"We've also read Wertmüller's 'The Mega-Structure of History,' and before that, 'Reál and Reality'..."		192
192	Conceptualization	Communist theorists love puns, in case that wasn't obvious.		193
193	Echo Maker	"Abelard's 'Un Pays Infernal'..."		194
194	Steban, the Student Communist	"The original Fizdale translation, not that watered-down revisionist garbage."		195
195	Drama	These two deserve the Order of Honour for Bullshitting. There's no way they've actually read all this stuff.		196
196	Echo Maker	"Obviously." He snorts.		197
197	Steban, the Student Communist	"But, of course, our special emphasis is on the theories of Ignus Nilsen and his followers, especially the infra-materialists."		198
198	Encyclopedia	One of Kras Mazov's closest associates, Ignus Nilsen was a leading political and military figure in the Antecentennial Revolution.		199
199	Steban, the Student Communist			200 201
200	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_encyclo_nilsen"]	202
201	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_encyclo_nilsen"]) == false	1547 1548
202	Half Light	Why do you always leave out the good parts? Tell him how he got his true name, right now!		205
203	Encyclopedia	Oh, right. During the disastrous retreat from Graad to Samara, Nilsen personally ordered up to 12,000 prisoners of war impaled on sharpened spruce trees in the Samaran backcountry. Thereafter his opponents began referring to him as the 'Apocalyptic Shrike'.		204
204	Encyclopedia	Today, Nilsen's reputation has waned in most parts of the developed world, with the exception of the People's Republic of Samara (SRV), where he is recognized as a founding father. His political philosophy is a variant of Mazovianism called Nilsenist-Mazovianism.		208 209 210
205	Steban, the Student Communist			206 207
206	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_halflight_true_name"]	203
207	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_halflight_true_name"]) == false	204
208	You	"Comrade Nilsen, father of the SRV." (Raise your fist.)		211
209	You	"Ignus Nilsen? He's not so popular these days, is he?"	Variable["apt.student_encyclo_nilsen"] == true and Variable["apt.student_halflight_true_name"] == false	212
210	You	"Isn't he the guy who had all those prisoners impaled on spruce trees?"	Variable["apt.student_halflight_true_name"] == true	213
211	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man raises his fist in reply and gives you a curt nod.		215
212	Echo Maker	"Only because certain moralists and their ideological lap dogs pretend to object to his more maximalist tactics... as though they've never committed any so-called 'war crimes'."		214
213	Echo Maker	"This gendarme talks just like a moralist. They love getting on their high horses about so-called 'war crimes'."		214
214	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man grimaces. It seems he's less than 100% comfortable with war crimes.		215
215	Steban, the Student Communist	"He also happens to be the greatest communist theorist after Mazov himself. It was Nilsen who first postulated the existence of ideological plasm, which forms the basis of infra-materialist theory."		216
216	Steban, the Student Communist			217 218
217	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_reaction_plasm"]	219
218	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_reaction_plasm"]) == false	220
219	Reaction Speed	Those words again! You've got to find out what this infra-materialist stuff is all about.		221
220	Electrochemistry	'Plasm', huh? Sounds like a hell of a drug. You might wanna ask about it.		221
221	Steban, the Student Communist			222 223
222	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_plasm_counter"] >= 2 and Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_understanding"] == false	225
223	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_plasm_counter"] >= 2 and Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_understanding"] == false) == false	1713
224	None			131
225	Rhetoric	Whatever it is, one thing's perfectly clear: These young students have a much deeper understanding of communism than you do...		226
226	Rhetoric	You could learn a thing or two from them, if you can convince them you're one of them.		1713
227	You	Let your mind wander.		228
228	Volition	Your attention detaches. The voices of the young men fade away. It's a cool evening, you notice.		229 230
229	You	Listen for night sounds.		231
230	You	Look around the room.		232
231	Volition	Out beyond the dull chatter, you catch the sound of a distant seabird, and of course the sound of the large stretches of canvas that cover the missing sections of wall...		1812
232	Volition	Your eye drifts over the detritus and mismatched furniture. It naturally gravitates toward the pieces of canvas that cover a missing stretch of wall...		1812
233	You	A patch of ocean turned on its side...		236
234	You	A woman's skirt swelling in the breeze...		237
235	You	A wild beast tangled in a sheet...		238
236	Conceptualization	That must be it. You imagine yourself in a small dinghy buoyed along gentle swells...		1664
237	Conceptualization	The thought is almost too much to bear. What you wouldn't give to glimpse the bare legs behind it...		1663
238	Conceptualization	Yes, an image to get the blood pumping. An unpredictable power, fighting to free itself...		1665
239	Conceptualization	Gradually, the pleasant sensation recedes. You turn your attention to the two young men, who appear just about finished.		242
240	Conceptualization	Slowly, too slowly, the pain fades from your side. You turn your attention to the two young men, who appear just about finished.		242
241	Conceptualization	You let the invigorating sensation course through you, then turn your attention to the two young men, who appear just about finished.		242
242	Echo Maker	"And before that, there was Abelard's 'Un Pays Infernal'..."		243
243	None			197
244	Kim Kitsuragi	"They’re not primary school delinquents, they’re university students. Attendance isn't compulsory. Besides, we’re not the skip squad."		245
245	Encyclopedia	The Counter-Truancy Task Force (or 'skip squad') is the division of the RCM that drives around in wagons looking for delinquent minors. It's generally considered a punitive assignment for under-performing officers.		246
246	None			164
247	Echo Maker	"Ha! As though you can call that pablum teaching."		248
248	Steban, the Student Communist	"One thing you learn quickly at university is that you're not going to find a real education in any lecture hall or discussion seminar."		249
249	Echo Maker	"We're post-attendance, basically."		250
250	Steban, the Student Communist	"Exactly. The only worthwhile part of the so-called École normale de Revachol is the library. That's where we've made our greatest critical strides."		251
251	None			164
252	You	"Did this reading group have anything to do with the lynching?"	Variable["apt.student_know_bookclub"] == true	253
253	Steban, the Student Communist	"Lynching? No. We're not an operational cell."		1668
254	None			255 256 257 258
255	You	"Okay, but what's your group's stance on the lynching?"		259
256	You	"Is your reading group affiliated with the Union somehow?"		288
257	You	"So what's your stance on crime in general?"	Variable["apt.student_asked_lynching"] == true	291
258	You	"Are there any operational communists in Martinaise?" (Proceed.)		296
259	Steban, the Student Communist			260 261
260	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["yard.hanged_communism_killed_him"]	262
261	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["yard.hanged_communism_killed_him"]) == false	269
262	Steban, the Student Communist			263 264
263	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	265
264	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	266
265	Kim Kitsuragi	"To be clear: Communism is not an official suspect in this investigation. Because it's not a person, you see."		267
266	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're saying you think the mercenary was killed by communism itself?"		267
267	Echo Maker	"Seems unlikely, from a strictly infra-materialist perspective..."		1538
268	Conceptualization	What are these levels they're talking about? This doesn't sound like any communism you've encountered before...		269
269	Steban, the Student Communist	"Our stance? What, does he want to know if the SRV has established a party line on lynchings in Martinaise?" The two young men look at one another.		270
270	Steban, the Student Communist			271 272
271	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["tc.srv"]	274
272	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["tc.srv"]) == false	273
273	Encyclopedia	The SRV refers to the People's Republic of Samara. Established as a socialist utopia by survivors of the Revolution, it has since degenerated into a bureaucratic workers' state under the decades-long rule of President Sapormat 'Sport' Knezhinisky.		274
274	Echo Maker	"Though historically speaking, the SRV has supported direct action against right-wing paramilitary squads, especially when they're doing the Indotribes' dirty work."		275
275	Steban, the Student Communist	"Good point. So as a provisional matter, I can say we support it."		276
276	Savoir Faire	It's not that the boundary between sarcasm and sincerity is porous with these two, it's that they actually seem to overlap, as though one is meant to conceal the other.		277
277	Steban, the Student Communist			278 279
278	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_sarcasm_sincerity"]	281
279	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_sarcasm_sincerity"]) == false	280
280	Savoir Faire	Are they being sarcastic? You feel like you're caught in some elaborate joke labyrinth, but it's impossible to see your way through.		281
281	Empathy	It's always that way. Beneath the crust of irony there's a molten sincerity that threatens to erupt forth... You may witness it yet.		282
282	Steban, the Student Communist			283 284
283	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_plasm_counter"] >= 2 and Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_understanding"] == false	285
284	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_plasm_counter"] >= 2 and Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_understanding"] == false) == false	286
285	Rhetoric	One thing is perfectly clear: These young students have a much deeper understanding of communism than you do...		287
286	None			254
287	Rhetoric	You could learn a thing or two from them, if you can convince them you're one of them.		286
288	Steban, the Student Communist	"No, we're an independent organisation," he says proudly. "We acknowledge and respect the Union's efforts, but our interests are more theoretical than Mr. Claire's."		289
289	Drama	He speaks the truth.		290
290	None			254
291	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's easy: Crime is simply the inevitable expression of the injustice and incoherence embedded within capitalism itself."		292
292	Savoir Faire	Delivered with the smug assurance of a schoolboy reciting a maxim he's committed to memory.		293
293	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's a symptom, in other words. Not a cause." He waves his hand as though this is all there is to say on the subject of crime.		294
294	Echo Maker	His companion can barely suppress a yawn.		295
295	None			254
296	Steban, the Student Communist	"No, unfortunately. The communards were hunted down and killed nearly to a man. All that's left of them are bones and old rifles."		298 299 297 300
297	You	"Right. They all got shot in the head, just like the anarchists."	Variable["pier.joyce_deluge_heard"] == true	301
298	You	"Like this one." (Show him the Belle-Magrave rifle.)	CheckItem("antique_rifle")	303
299	You	"This little guy is still going." (Show him the figurine.)	CheckItem("figurine_set_revolutionary")	302
300	You	"Well, that's too bad."		304
301	Steban, the Student Communist	"The Insulindian Deluge wiped out an entire generation of communists. Afterward, they were all bulldozed into mass graves." The young man looks slightly queasy at the thought.		329
302	Steban, the Student Communist	"Not exactly the second incarnation of Kras Mazov, is he?" The young man considers the figurine with a slight grimace.		321
303	Echo Maker	His companion's eyes widen as you hold up the ancient weapon.		305
304	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's a world-historical nightmare," the young man says gravely. "One from which we've yet to awaken."		333
305	Hand/Eye Coordination	He's practically itching to stick that thing in someone's face and pull the trigger.		306
306	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, like that one. I wonder how many of these are still lying around in cellars or sealed up behind the masonry." He knits his brows together, and then looks up.		307
307	Steban, the Student Communist	"Can I hold it?"		308 309
308	You	"Here." (Give him the rifle.)		310
309	You	"I'd prefer you didn't." (Put it away.)		311
310	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's heavier than I was expecting." The rifle rests in his open palms. Its position reminds you of something...		312
311	Steban, the Student Communist	"Of course. What would I even do with it?" He gives you a half-smile.		313
312	Shivers	The attitude of a priest bearing one of the holy relics of his faith. Though it is long out-of-service, its power is evident to him.		314
313	Empathy	He doesn't mean to show it, but the disappointment is plainly written across his face.		317
314	Steban, the Student Communist			315 316
315	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_shivers_rifle"]	318
316	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_shivers_rifle"]) == false	319
317	None			131
318	Steban, the Student Communist	When he's finished, he returns the rifle to you with a nod of appreciation.		320
319	Steban, the Student Communist	... though what, exactly, you can't say. He turns the rifle over again, admiring the glint of light off the oily barrel.		318
320	None			131
321	Steban, the Student Communist	"What's it for?"		322 323 324
322	You	"I'm holding onto it for someone."	Variable["TASK.offer_dolores_dei_figurines"] == true	325
323	You	"It kills fascists."		326
324	You	"What do you mean? It's just a nice figurine."		327
325	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, I see. That's certainly kind of you." He gives you a curious half-smile.		328
326	Steban, the Student Communist	"Right. Sure he does." He gives you a sly half-smile.		328
327	Steban, the Student Communist	"Right, of course it is." He gives you a sad half-smile.		328
328	None			131
329	Echo Maker	His friend, though, seems oddly unmoved.		330
330	Half Light	On the contrary, he appears to be savouring the thought of so many people shot in the head, regardless of their beliefs.		331
331	Empathy	Mark it, there's something sinister in that one.		1793
332	None			131
333	Inland Empire	When will you wake up? And what will you see when you do?		1793
334	You	"Where is the rest of the reading group?"	Variable["apt.student_know_bookclub"] == true	335
335	Steban, the Student Communist	"What do you mean? This is the reading group..."		337 336 338
336	You	"Shouldn't a group have, like, more people in it?"		340
337	You	"So there's just two of you?"		340
338	You	"Two's all you need. Me and Kim are the same way." (Turn to Kim.)	IsKimHere()	339
339	Kim Kitsuragi	"Kim and I..." the lieutenant mutters under his breath. He scribbles something in his notebook but adds nothing else.		340
340	Steban, the Student Communist	"We're in something of a rebuilding phase."		341
341	Echo Maker	"Some of our former comrades didn't have the ideological fortitude our work demands."		342
342	None			343 344 345 346 1669 347 348
343	You	"Okay, but what happened to them?"	Variable["apt.student_wheres_group"] == false	349
344	You	"What's so bad about the Gottwaldians?"	Variable["apt.student_wheres_group"] == true	360
345	You	"Who are the Econoclards?"	Variable["apt.student_wheres_group"] == true	377
346	You	"And what about the liberals? Are they liberals, too?"	Variable["apt.student_gottwald_school"] == true and Variable["apt.student_econoclards"] == true	395
347	You	"Did you say something about turnips?"	Variable["apt.student_wheres_group"] == true	398
348	You	"I've heard enough. Let's talk about something else."		406
349	Steban, the Student Communist	"Intellectual attrition is maybe the best way to describe it. Felix said he couldn't keep up with the reading on top of his classwork. And Zuzanna wanted to read texts other than Mazovian theory. Like novels, if you can believe it..."		350
350	Conceptualization	Imagine, the audacity of wanting to read a novel in a reading group!		1704 1706 1703
351	Steban, the Student Communist	"We've tried recruiting new members, but unfortunately the current intellectual climate is pretty hostile to infra-materialist thought. These days, if you're on the left, the ascendent schools are the Gottwaldians and the Econoclards."		352
352	Echo Maker	"Don't forget about Maurice and the turnips."		353
353	Steban, the Student Communist	He sighs. "Right, then there was the whole 'turnip' debacle."		354
354	Steban, the Student Communist			355 356
355	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_understanding"] == false and Variable["inventory.basic_guide_read"] == false	358
356	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_understanding"] == false and Variable["inventory.basic_guide_read"] == false) == false	357
357	None			342
358	Rhetoric	Whatever this turnip business is about, one thing is perfectly clear: These young students have a much deeper understanding of communism than you do...		359
359	Rhetoric	You could learn a thing or two from them, if you can convince them you're one of them.		357
360	Steban, the Student Communist	"They're the most depressing school of communism. They love writing long books with a patina of Mazovian theory to cover up their cheap psychologising."		1536
361	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's okay for Uli to say that because his dad is from Gottwald."		362 363
362	You	"What's so depressing about their theories?"		364
363	You	"What's so bad about psychologising?"		369
364	Steban, the Student Communist	"The Gottwald School believe that intellectuals as a class are incapable of sparking revolutionary change, so all they can do is critique capitalism from inside itself."		1675
365	You	"That sounds miserable."		367
366	You	"Sounds rewarding, actually."		368
367	Steban, the Student Communist	"It is miserable. That's probably why they're always committing suicide."		374
368	Steban, the Student Communist	"If it were, they wouldn't keep committing suicide."		374
369	Steban, the Student Communist	"Do you think all the problems in the world can be reduced to repressed sexual urges?"		1677
370	You	"Speaking from experience, definitely."		372
371	You	"Probably not."		373
372	Steban, the Student Communist	"I can tell you're a man who has his urges, but I can also tell you're no Gottwaldian." He smirks.		374
373	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, there you have it. You're not a Gottwaldian, then."		374
374	Steban, the Student Communist	"You see, the Gottwald School look like communists, they talk like communists, but scratch the patina and you'll see beneath that they're just depressed liberals who've read too many books."		376
375	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's why they spend all their time smoking cigarettes and writing long works of criticism that make you want to commit suicide."		365 366
376	None			342
377	Steban, the Student Communist	"For starters, they love talking about beans."		378 379 380
378	You	"Beans?"		381
379	You	"What's wrong with beans? I like beans."		382
380	You	"No beans for me. Can't stand the stuff."		383
381	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's right. Econoclards are obsessed with beans. They love thinking about beans, they love counting beans, but most of all, they love building models to predict how many beans there'll be in the future."		384
382	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, sure. But Econoclards are obsessed with beans. They love thinking about beans, they love counting beans, but most of all, they love building models to predict how many beans there'll be in the future."		384
383	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're no Econoclard, then. They're obsessed with beans. They love thinking about beans, they love counting beans, but most of all, they love building models to predict how many beans there'll be in the future."		384
384	Encyclopedia	Nota bene: 'Econoclard' is an extra-pejorative form of the already pejorative name 'Mazovian Economists', a moderate school of Mazovianism, which advocates a gradual transition to communism through carefully managed economic modernisation rather than violent social revolution.		385
385	Steban, the Student Communist	"They're by far the most bean-centric school of communism."		386
386	Empathy	Ah yes, the much maligned bean counters, ensconced in their think-tanks and highrises, believing they can save the world through a series of incremental, assiduously technocratic reforms...		387 388 389
387	You	"I don't get it. Are the beans a metaphor?"		390
388	You	"But isn't it good to know how many beans there are?"		391
389	You	"What's wrong with making progress through moderate economic reforms?"	Variable["apt.student_encyclo_econoclards"] == true or Variable["apt.student_concept_beans_metaphor"] == true	392
390	Echo Maker	"If only! They've got all the beans accounted for in their asset sheets, their quarterly budgets, their future projections. But for some reason there are never enough beans to go around, so we've just got to cut our bean rations in half..."		1537
391	Steban, the Student Communist	"See? You're already falling for that scarcity logic. You start off assuming there aren't enough beans to go around, so naturally you want to cut the bean rations in half..."		1537
392	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, please. There's nothing 'moderate' about their love for counting beans. If I were a Gottwaldian, I would probably diagnose them with Bohnenfixierung..."		393
393	Steban, the Student Communist	"You see, Econoclards claim to be communists, but in reality they're just liberals with hard-ons for spreadsheets."		394
394	None			342
395	Steban, the Student Communist	"Of course not. The only people who actually call themselves liberals are mouth-foaming reactionaries."		396
396	Echo Maker	"Basically indistinguishable from fascists. You'd need an x-ray machine to tell the difference."		397
397	None			342
398	Steban, the Student Communist	Another sigh. “It's an unfortunate story. You see, our ex-comrade Maurice is something of an economist...”		399
399	Echo Maker	“He’s studying macro- and micro-economics.”		400
400	Steban, the Student Communist			401 402
401	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	403
402	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	404
403	Kim Kitsuragi	"Wow, a real intellectual, it sounds like." The lieutenant arches his eyebrows.		404
404	Steban, the Student Communist	“Right, so a few weeks ago we were discussing the extra-physical capabilities of the revolutionary state, and Maurice said... what were his exact words, Ulixes?"		405
405	Echo Maker	"It was unbelievable. He said, 'Turnips don't care if they're grown by communists, moralists, or welkin. They grow just the same'."		407
406	None			132
407	Steban, the Student Communist			408 409
408	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_pseudonyms"] == true and Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"] == false and Variable["apt.student_discussed_article"] == false	410
409	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_pseudonyms"] == true and Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"] == false and Variable["apt.student_discussed_article"] == false) == false	416
410	Conceptualization	Just a minute. Steban... Ulixes... why do those names ring the faintest of bells?		411
411	Steban, the Student Communist			412 413
412	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"]	414
413	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"]) == false	416
414	Logic	Probably because they're the real names of 'Nasteb' and 'Exilus', the authors of that so-called essay about TipTop Tournée you read in La Fumée.		415
415	Conceptualization	You should get to the bottom of this, when you have the chance.		416
416	Steban, the Student Communist	"Basically, he was rejecting the whole foundation of infra-materialist theory."		417
417	Steban, the Student Communist			418 419
418	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.basic_guide_read"]	420
419	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.basic_guide_read"]) == false	421
420	None			423 422
421	Logic	What is this infra-materialist business they keep blathering about? You've never heard of anything like it.		424 425
422	You	"To be fair, the theory is pretty out there."		427
423	You	"Man, what an ignoramus." (Shake your head.)		426
424	You	"Remind me what infra-materialist theory says about turnips again?"		428
425	You	Just go along with it.		429
426	Steban, the Student Communist	"We're extremely disappointed. Maurice used to be a good friend of ours."		429
427	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'll grant you it can be overwhelming at first, but once you understand the basics, it's all quite intuitive..."		430
428	Steban, the Student Communist	"Simply that under suitably revolutionary conditions crop yields naturally increase relative to non-revolutionary crops. Which Maurice somehow has the gall to deny."		429
429	Echo Maker	"Zuzanna said that he has been hanging out with some non-communists lately."		431
430	Echo Maker	"Providing you haven't been hanging out with non-communists, like Maurice."		431
431	Steban, the Student Communist	"For us the question boiled down to: 'If you don't even accept the basic ideas of Nilsen and infra-materialist theory, why are you in the reading group?'"		432 433 434 435
432	You	"Right, and this Nilsen is...?"	Variable["tc.nilsen"] == false	436
433	You	"I totally understand."		437
434	You	"I don't understand at all."		438
435	You	"So you expelled Maurice from the reading group over an argument about turnips?"		439
436	Steban, the Student Communist	"Nilsen. Ignus Nilsen."		440
437	Steban, the Student Communist	"Of course you do. It's pretty basic stuff!"		435
438	Steban, the Student Communist	"Exactly. What educated person could believe that turnips grow at the same rate under capitalism and communism?"		441
439	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, it wasn't so much that he was expelled..."		442
440	None			198
441	Echo Maker	"It's a sad reflection on our educational institutions."		435
442	Echo Maker	"He just quit coming. We haven't seen him around for weeks."		443
443	None			342
444	You	"What were you doing with those matchboxes just now?"	Variable["apt.student_interfacing_matchbox_tower"] == false	445
445	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man frowns at the little pile of boxes on the floor.		446
446	Steban, the Student Communist	"Nothing, just messing around until the meeting started."		447
447	Interfacing	They're watching those matchboxes awfully intently for two guys who are just 'messing around.'		448
448	Steban, the Student Communist			449 450
449	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_interfacing_matchboxes_intent"]	451
450	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_interfacing_matchboxes_intent"]) == false	452
451	Interfacing	It's almost as though they were trying to create the most unstable structure they could...		453
452	None			131
453	Logic	With predictable results.		452
454	You	"Do I know you two from somewhere?"	Variable["apt.student_concept_la_fumee"] == true or Variable["inventory.fumee_rhetoric_names"] == true	455
455	Steban, the Student Communist			456 457
456	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.fumee_logic_anagrams"] or Variable["inventory.fumee_rhetoric_names"]	458
457	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.fumee_logic_anagrams"] or Variable["inventory.fumee_rhetoric_names"]) == false	459
458	Steban, the Student Communist	"You've read our article?" For the first time since you've met the young man, words seem to desert him...		460
459	Steban, the Student Communist	"I don't think so." The young man gives you a curious look. "Unless you've been hanging around the Cultural Studies faculty at the École Normale de Revachol..."		502
460	Echo Maker	"That I did not expect." His companion is blushing now, a sheepish grin on his face.		461
461	Savoir Faire	The energy in the room has shifted ever so slightly in your favour. They're afraid they've somehow embarrassed themselves in front of you.		462
462	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, don't keep us on tenterhooks! What did you think of the essay?"		463
463	Empathy	The delicate egos on these boys! Even though you're just some cop they're desperate for your approval.		464
464	Steban, the Student Communist			465 466
465	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_empathy_delicate_egos"]	467
466	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_empathy_delicate_egos"]) == false	471
467	Steban, the Student Communist			468 469
468	Steban, the Student Communist		IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	470
469	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsTHCPresent("art_cop")) == false	475
470	Conceptualization	Hey! You're not just 'some cop', you've got highly developed critical faculties! Now's your chance to show them off.		475
471	Steban, the Student Communist			472 473
472	Steban, the Student Communist		IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	474
473	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsTHCPresent("art_cop")) == false	475
474	Conceptualization	Time to meet these two on the intellectual battlefield. Why don't you show off those highly developed critical faculties of yours?		475
475	None			476 477 478 479 480
476	You	(Show them your edits.) "I actually had a few pieces of constructive criticism..."	Variable["inventory.fumee_made_edits"] == true	481
477	You	"To be honest, it doesn't sound like you know anything about motor racing."	IsTHCPresent("torque_dork")	482
478	You	"It sounded like a recycled university essay, frankly."	Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_term_paper"] == true	482
479	You	"I liked the parts about death and dismemberment. That's what racing's all about."	Variable["inventory.fumee_halflight_dismemberment"] == true	483
480	You	"It was a good article. You should keep developing your ideas."		484
481	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man takes the folded up magazine with some hesitation. As he reads over your annotations and emendations a look of deep concentration comes over his face...		487
482	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, I hope you'll let us know when your monograph is coming out..."		486
483	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, yes, that's the crux of our thesis. Ulixes is especially interested in capitalist violence."		500
484	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, of course that's just an initial foray into the subject. We're hoping to return to it for a more substantial treatment next term..."		485
485	Steban, the Student Communist	"In any case, I'm glad our piece found its audience. That's always the hope with these things, you know."		499
486	Echo Maker	"I bet he's never written a substantial essay himself. He's really got no right to critique. None at all."		489
487	Empathy	He has the look of a man spread naked on the operating table. He can feel the cool metal of the scalpel, the bracing sting of the antiseptic, and yet his expression isn't wholly unpleasant. A part of him actually seems to enjoy the attention.		488
488	Echo Maker	"What does it say, Steban? I can't see."		491
489	Empathy	Well, there you did it. You stung them, and to what end?		490
490	None			131
491	Steban, the Student Communist	"They're... good notes. A little brutal on questions of style, but he's not wrong about any of it..."		492
492	Steban, the Student Communist	"Would it be alright if I kept this for a while? I'd just like some time to think about your comments." He turns to you.		493 494
493	You	"Sure, you hang onto it."		495
494	You	"No, that's my only copy."		496
495	Steban, the Student Communist	"Thanks, I appreciate it."		498
496	Steban, the Student Communist	"Sure, right. I got the main idea anyway."		497
497	None			131
498	None			131
499	None			131
500	Echo Maker	"Really just violence in general. I find it fascinating."		501
501	Half Light	Something about this one makes you want to avoid dark alleys at night...		485
502	Echo Maker	"Perhaps he subscribes to 'La Fumée'."		503
503	Empathy	That's sarcasm. He does not expect you to subscribe to radical communist periodicals.		504
504	Steban, the Student Communist			505 506
505	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_term_paper"]	507
506	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_term_paper"]) == false	508
507	Conceptualization	Of course! They're the ones who produced that overwrought critique of TipTop Tournée.		508
508	None			509 510
509	You	"Aha, you two wrote the piece about motor carriage racing."	Variable["inventory.fumee_concept_term_paper"] == true	511
510	You	(Show them 'La Fumée'.) "Wait, you guys wrote for this?"		512
511	None			458
512	None			458
513	You	"Is the reading group accepting new members?"	Variable["apt.student_know_bookclub"] == true and IsTaskActive("TASK.join_reading_group") == false and Variable["TASK.join_reading_group_done"] == false	514
514	Steban, the Student Communist	"We typically only accept new members once per semester. There's this whole process, with essays and presentations on assigned topics..." The young man turns to his companion.		515
515	Steban, the Student Communist	"But given that we have some extra seating at the moment, I guess we could be convinced to expedite an application or two."		516
516	Echo Maker	"Steban, you can't be serious... for a gendarme?"		517
517	Steban, the Student Communist	"I am serious. As materialists we've got to adapt to conditions as they are. Besides, he'll still need to pass the interview portion of the entrance process..." He turns back to you.		518
518	Steban, the Student Communist	"... assuming he's even still interested, that is."		519
519	None			131
520	You	Convince them you belong in the reading group.	IsTaskActive("TASK.join_reading_group")--[[ Variable[ ]]	521
521	Steban, the Student Communist			522 523
522	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_composure_wc"]	524
523	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_composure_wc"]) == false	897
524	Steban, the Student Communist			525 526
525	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 3	527
526	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 3) == false	532
527	Steban, the Student Communist			528 529
528	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 5	530
529	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 5) == false	531
530	Composure	What's there to be scared of? You've really been cracking the books these last few days. You can go toe-to-intellectual-toe with any reading group in Martinaise...		533
531	Composure	Take a deep breath. You've done some reading these past few days. But you also know there's more to life than what you find in books...		534
532	Composure	Remember: Where most people go wrong is in thinking they have to hide what they don't know...		535
533	Encyclopedia	You've spent a not inconsiderable amount of time arranging the works in your mental library by theme and period. All the ideas and references you'll need are ready-at-hand.		536
534	Endurance	You've survived things these kids can't even imagine. They've got nothing on you.		536
535	Empathy	Another thing, these young men have the most exquisitely tuned insecurity receptors you've ever witnessed.		536
536	Composure	Now, chin up. You've got this.		537 538
537	You	"This is just the group I've been looking for. When do we start?"		539
538	You	(Crack your knuckles.) "Alright, let's do this interview."		539
539	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, you want to start now?" He looks to his companion, then back at you. "Sure, we can manage that..."		540
540	Composure	You've caught him off-balance. The momentum is already in your favour.		542
541	None			544 545 546 547
542	Steban, the Student Communist	"Go ahead and take a seat. Since we haven't had time to prepare an exhaustive questionnaire, I think we can keep this interview more freeform."		543
543	Steban, the Student Communist	"Why don't you tell us a bit about the books you're interested in, and we'll just see where the conversation goes."		541
544	You	"Like you guys, I really get into political and historical subjects."	Variable["doomed.book_gi_quiz_result_dei_is_greatest"] == true or Variable["inventory.suzerainty_game_finished"] == true or Variable["XP.hjelmdallerman_suffered_through_the_whole_book"] == true or Variable["inventory.hjelm_devil_read"] == true	548
545	You	"For me, it's more about finding the right thing for the right moment."	Variable["inventory.coldest_firsthub_reached"] == true or Variable["inventory.mullen_ripped"] == true or Variable["doomed.game_wirral_read"] == true	638
546	You	"I'm more into practical books. Books that help me understand the real world."	Variable["inventory.primer_read"] == true or Variable["inventory.palemed_finished"] == true or Variable["TASK.find_your_heraldic_bird_done"] == true	714
547	You	"Look guys, I've gotta be honest. I may not have 'read' many 'books', but that doesn't mean I don't have stories."		777
548	Steban, the Student Communist	"Absolutely. It's the only proper foundation to develop a real understanding of events." He nods in vigorous agreement.		549 550 551 552
549	You	"There might be something to that. I recently finished 'The Greatest Innocence'."	Variable["doomed.book_gi_quiz_result_dei_is_greatest"] == true	553
550	You	"That reminds me, Kim and I just played this interesting game, 'Suzerainty'."	Variable["inventory.suzerainty_game_finished"] == true	571
551	You	"But once you've got a political lens, you can read anything critically. Even those Hjelmdallermann books."	Variable["XP.hjelmdallerman_suffered_through_the_whole_book"] == true or Variable["inventory.hjelm_devil_read"] == true	608
552	You	"Listen, books are fine and all, but to be straight with you, they're no substitute for a real story."	Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 1	637
553	Steban, the Student Communist	"Hmm, don't think I'm familiar with it. Give us a quick summary, if you don't mind."		554
554	Steban, the Student Communist			555 556
555	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	557
556	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	558
557	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. You quickly gloss Lopez de Fuego's essential argument, peppering it with your own commentary and asides...		559
558	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. You quickly gloss Lopez de Fuego's essential argument, peppering it with your own commentary and asides...		559
559	Empathy	Like a river emptying into the sea, the discussion winds its way toward the character of the innocence herself.		560
560	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but then, any critical account of Dolores Dei's reign has to seriously reckon with her atrocities in Magritania and La Vuelta during the Mesque secession, don't you think?"		561 562 563 564
561	You	"Lopez de Fuego seemed to think she was pretty great regardless."		565
562	You	"Honestly, I did get the impression there was something inhuman about her."	Variable["church.stained_dolores_not_human"] == true	566
563	You	"Exactly. Lopez de Fuego totally glosses over all her mass murder."	Variable["church.stained_dei_murderer"] == true	567
564	You	"I'm a little rusty on my innocentic history, so it was helpful for me."		568
565	Steban, the Student Communist	"Total nonsense. The greatest thing Dolores Dei ever did was get blasted by her own therrier."		569
566	Steban, the Student Communist	"The whole innocentic system practically requires that. Without true gods we're made to set them up for ourselves." He nods vigorously.		569
567	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ha! It's good you were able to see through even that gauzy nostalgic pulp."		569
568	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'll say that beginnings are very delicate things. That makes it all the more important that you start with the right books."		569
569	Echo Maker	"If he wants a real critical history, he's got to read 'On the Material Conditions of the Mirovan Boilermakers'."		570
570	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's so good. Brutally revelatory."		602
571	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, right. We've been meaning to try that out."		572
572	Steban, the Student Communist			573 574
573	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	575
574	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	576
575	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. Soon you're engaged in a thoughtful back-and-forth about the relationship between theme and mechanics...		577
576	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. Soon you're engaged in a thoughtful back-and-forth about the relationship between theme and mechanics...		577
577	Encyclopedia	Best of all, your arguments are liberally seasoned with references to particular historical events and personages.		578
578	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but then my issue with these historical cube-pushers is that they offer the illusion of subjectivity even as they reinscribe the logic of colonialism itself..."		579
579	Steban, the Student Communist	"... though I'd love to hear your take on it."		580 582 581
580	You	"For me, games are mostly about spending time with a partner."		583
581	You	"I thought it was pretty fun. No need to intellectualise it too much."		605
582	You	"But by allowing players to recreate historical events, like the introduction of cocaine to Safre, doesn't it force them to question what 'subjectivity' means in a ludo-thematic context?"	Variable["apt.student_encyclo_references"] == true	1688
583	Steban, the Student Communist			584 585
584	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	586
585	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	600
586	Steban, the Student Communist			587 588
587	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["reputation.kim"] > 1	589
588	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["reputation.kim"] > 1) == false	598
589	Steban, the Student Communist			590 591
590	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.suzerainty_column_counter"] > 2	596
591	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.suzerainty_column_counter"] > 2) == false	592
592	Steban, the Student Communist			593 594
593	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.suzerainty_trade_war_counter"] > 2	595
594	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.suzerainty_trade_war_counter"] > 2) == false	597
595	Kim Kitsuragi	"Hmm. What is it they say about ties? That they're like kissing your sister... or in this case, I suppose, your partner."		599
596	Kim Kitsuragi	"He's only saying that because he got the better of me, somehow..."		599
597	Kim Kitsuragi	"He's only saying that because he likes getting thrashed like a schoolboy."		599
598	Kim Kitsuragi	"Yes, and it only took about four hours of our lives that we'll never get back."		599
599	Steban, the Student Communist	"Listen, this is a forward-thinking group. It's entirely your business, of course."		601
600	Echo Maker	"With his 'partner', he says."		599
601	Steban, the Student Communist	"Anyway, we also enjoy a good board game every once in a while. The other week Ulixes and I tried this new one where everyone is competing to manage their own Zone of Ecological Catastrophe. You should see the components."		1693
602	Steban, the Student Communist			603 604
603	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 2	632
604	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 2) == false	633
605	Steban, the Student Communist	"Of course. The one thing capitalism does better than every other ideology is novel and clever distractions. It's all one never-ending dopamine dripper."		606
606	Electrochemistry	Capitalism rules, is what he seems to be saying.		607
607	Echo Maker	"Drip after drip after drip after drip..." The young man's companion appears to be mashing his fist into his palm.		601
608	Steban, the Student Communist	"Interesting. Say more about that..."		609
609	Steban, the Student Communist			610 611
610	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	613
611	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	612
612	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. Soon you're in a lively back and forth on the political substrata of the Hjelmdallermann universe...		614
613	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. Soon you're in a lively back and forth on the political substrata of the Hjelmdallermann universe...		614
614	Half Light	Even if they won't admit it, these two love blood and sex as much as anyone.		615
615	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but don't you think that pornographic fascist mythology gets pretty tiresome after a few books?"		616
616	Steban, the Student Communist			617 618
617	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("shirt_hjelmdall")	619
618	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("shirt_hjelmdall")) == false	620
619	Steban, the Student Communist	He nods to your shirt. "No offence, of course."		620
620	Steban, the Student Communist			621 622
621	Steban, the Student Communist		IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	623
622	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsTHCPresent("art_cop")) == false	625 626
623	Conceptualization	Let them know your interest in muscleman literature is much more high-minded than they're giving you credit for.		624 625 626
624	You	"Oh, certainement. I'm more interested in them as cultural artifacts."	Variable["apt.student_concept_wc_high_minded"] == true	627
625	You	"No way, I live for that kind of stuff."		628
626	You	"Nah, it's just good escapist fun."		629
627	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, well there's certainly value in that kind of reading. Comrade Mazov says something on that note in his collected speeches..."		630
628	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ha! Of course you do. I just hope when you're reading it you've got a sturdy pair of gloves on..."		631
629	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, sure, we don't mean to deny the value of pleasure in reading."		602
630	Echo Maker	"'To find victory in the cultural war we must first scout the battlefield'."		602
631	Echo Maker	"Can't let any of the dreck rub off on you."		602
632	Steban, the Student Communist	"In any case, I think we've heard enough. We could use someone with your perspective in the group. With just a bit more theoretical foundation, I think you'll be making real contributions."		634
633	Composure	These kids are eating out of your hand, practically. Another quarter of an hour disappears. The questions come rapid-fire, but you have an answer for every one.		635
634	None			882
635	Composure	Now, you can sense things starting to slow down. The interview must be reaching an inflection point...		636
636	None			640
637	None			777
638	Echo Maker	"We prefer difficult books. Books that might destroy you, if you don't destroy them first."		639
639	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's enough, Uli. It's the gendarme's opinions we're interested in."		640
640	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but to Comrade Ulixes' point, isn't there value in reading really difficult books, just for the sheer challenge of it?"		641
641	None			642 643 644 645
642	You	"I tried reading this extremely depressing Graadian novel."	Variable["inventory.coldest_firsthub_reached"] == true	646
643	You	"To be honest, these days I prefer escapist stuff, like classic Dick Mullen."	Variable["inventory.mullen_ripped"] == true	662
644	You	"I'm more into works of pure imagination, like 'Wirrâl'."	Variable["doomed.game_wirral_read"] == true	684
645	You	"Listen, books are fine and all, but to be straight with you, they're no substitute for a real story."	Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 1	713
646	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, right. 'Sixteen Days of Coldest... Whatever'. What was your take on it?"		647
647	Steban, the Student Communist			648 649
648	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	650
649	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	651
650	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. You ably summarise the novel's characters and themes...		652
651	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. You ably summarise the novel's characters and themes...		652
652	Conceptualization	Even better, you're able to connect those themes to your critique of the novel's formal qualities, such as they are.		653
653	Steban, the Student Communist			654 655
654	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["XP.did_not_subject_yourself_to_graad_realism"]	656
655	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["XP.did_not_subject_yourself_to_graad_realism"]) == false	657
656	You	"... so anyway I had to give up. There was no point in subjecting myself to needless suffering."		658
657	You	"... but eventually I finished it, however much physical pain it caused me."		659
658	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's no wonder you couldn't finish it. Sounds like turgid bourgeois social realism." He nods approvingly.		660
659	Steban, the Student Communist	"Sounds to me like a typical bourgeois social novel, designed to assuage the egos of frustrated housewives and win international awards."		660
660	Steban, the Student Communist	"And Graadian realism is the worst realism. It's nearly as bad as Gottwaldian critical theory."		661
661	Echo Maker	"Makes you want to gouge your eyes out. Or better, gouge the author's eyes out."		681
662	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'm sure as a gendarme you have a very interesting take on the Mullen character."		663
663	Steban, the Student Communist			664 665
664	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	667
665	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	666
666	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. This is your area of expertise, after all...		668
667	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. This is your area of expertise, after all...		668
668	Esprit de Corps	That's right. These two young men naturally defer to your aura of authority, which you nevertheless wear as lightly as your halogen watermarks.		1694
669	None			670 671 672
670	You	"... but in the end Mullen is a reflection of a politico-legal institution that's irreconcilably divided between protecting 'the people' and defending the material interests of capital."	IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	673
671	You	"... but really I just like him because I'm a cop too, you know?"		678
672	You	"... but then the whole book fell apart before I could solve the mystery..."		679
673	Steban, the Student Communist			674 675
674	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	676
675	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	677
676	Kim Kitsuragi	The lieutenant doesn't speak, but you believe you detect a slight widening of his eyes, as though he never expected such a cogent thought to emerge from your mouth.		677
677	Steban, the Student Communist	"A compelling point, for sure. We'd probably be better off if more police officers learned to think so reflectively about their social function."		681
678	Steban, the Student Communist	"Makes sense. It's natural to seek out reflections of your own experience in literature when the politico-economic system doesn't permit genuine self-realization."		680
679	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's an unfortunate quality of pulp fiction. Much of it is written to be disposable both on an intellectual and a material level."		680
680	Steban, the Student Communist	"But at least crime literature as a genre is able to engage with the systemic failures of capitalism."		681
681	Steban, the Student Communist			682 683
682	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 2	708
683	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 2) == false	709
684	Steban, the Student Communist	"Wait, you play 'Wirrâl'?"		685
685	Empathy	And just like that, all trace of irony drains from his voice.		686
686	Steban, the Student Communist			687 688
687	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	689
688	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	690
689	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. Soon you're all animatedly debating the political subtext of character creation...		691
690	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. Soon you're all animatedly debating the political subtext of character creation...		691
691	Conceptualization	Come on, let's really impress them. Overturn the race-class paradigm. The more esoteric, the better.		692
692	Steban, the Student Communist	"... I'm just saying it's heavily implied that welkin are the bourgeoisie of the Wirrâl setting..."		693
693	None			694 695 696 697
694	You	"But humans have all the most reactionary skill specialities."		698
695	You	"Right, which is why the dweorgr are definitely the labouring class."		699
696	You	"I just don't understand why welkin get all the coolest sub-races."		700
697	You	"I reject the race-class paradigm. My personal build is a highly experimental welkin-pygmy hybrid."	Variable["apt.student_concept_wc_esoteric_race"] == true	701
698	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's a fair point. Personally, I've never understood the point of picking a human in the Wirrâl setting, but to each their own."		702
699	Steban, the Student Communist	"There's no doubt about it." He nods. "I just wish they had more flexibility with their sub-races."		703
700	Steban, the Student Communist	"I do hope they revise it in the next edition. But for now, I'm quite proud of the high welkin I built for our most recent campaign."		704
701	Steban, the Student Communist	"Combining the best race with the worst race... Not sure about the skill progressions, but I bet the role-playing opportunities are wild."		705
702	Echo Maker	"Completely counter to the spirit of 'Wirrâl'. What's even the point?"		681
703	Echo Maker	"I still like the hill dweorgr for their Master Ironworking feat."		681
704	Echo Maker	"Steban's welkin is so mega. He's got this umbral stave that gives him ungodly bonuses against shadowborn."		706
705	Echo Maker	The young man's companion says nothing, but the expression on his face reveals a begrudging respect for your experimental approach to character creation.		707
706	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's pretty awesome, I won't deny it."		681
707	Steban, the Student Communist	"But seriously, the next campaign, you've got to be there. I need to see this hybrid in action."		681
708	Steban, the Student Communist	"In any case, I think we've heard enough. We could use someone with your perspective in the group. With just a bit more theoretical foundation, I think you'll be making real contributions."		712
709	Composure	These kids are eating out of your hand, practically. Another quarter of an hour disappears. The questions come rapid-fire, but you have an answer for every one.		710
710	Composure	Now, you can sense things starting to slow down. The interview must be reaching an inflection point...		711
711	None			715
712	None			882
713	None			777
714	Steban, the Student Communist	"Aha, a real old-school pedestrian materialist. Alright, we'll play along..."		715
715	Steban, the Student Communist	"So what sort of practical works are we talking about?"		716 717 718 719
716	You	"I enjoy thinking about truly fundamental concepts, like the alphabet for instance."	Variable["inventory.primer_read"] == true	720
717	You	"I can't say how reliable it is, but I did just read a book on pale-centric medicine."	Variable["inventory.palemed_finished"] == true	735
718	You	"Just consider the cockatoo for instance. How much do you really know about what they're like?"	Variable["TASK.find_your_heraldic_bird_done"] == true	762
719	You	"Listen, books are fine and all, but to be straight with you, they're no substitute for a real story."	Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 1	761
720	Steban, the Student Communist	"Hmm, so you're saying you've got to have a certain practical foundation before you move onto more abstract topics. Okay, I'm following..."		721
721	Steban, the Student Communist			722 723
722	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	725
723	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	724
724	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. Soon you're subjecting even the alphabet to a meticulous archaeologico-materialist critique.		730
725	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. Soon you're subjecting even the alphabet to a meticulous archaeologico-materialist critique.		730
726	Steban, the Student Communist			727 728
727	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.primer_concept_international_language"]	729
728	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.primer_concept_international_language"]) == false	733
729	You	"That's in contrast with the International Language, which connects each letter to an abstraction."		731
730	You	"... but even abstractions as basic as letterforms must have some origin in material reality..."		732
731	Steban, the Student Communist	"A fair point. It also reminds me of one of Mazov and Nilsen's unrealized projects, a universal system of communist pictographs, one that would allow revolutionaries to communicate and organise across any language barrier."		733
732	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's true. I recall from one of psycholinguistics lectures that the letter 'A' is derived from the proto-Perikarnassian glyph meant to represent a reed hut."		726
733	Steban, the Student Communist	"Good god, have we really been talking about the alphabet for a quarter hour?" He looks down at his watch.		734
734	Echo Maker	"It appears so."		754
735	Steban, the Student Communist	"Interesting, I always thought that stuff was common folk superstitions repackaged as bourgeois spiritualism, but maybe I've been overly dismissive?"		736
736	Steban, the Student Communist			737 738
737	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	740
738	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	739
739	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. Soon you're debating whether a de-commodified spirituality is even possible under capitalism...		741
740	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. Soon you're debating whether a de-commodified spirituality is even possible under capitalism...		741
741	Savoir Faire	Probably not, is the answer. Which isn't to say it isn't sometimes still useful.		742 743 744
742	You	"... but in the end I did learn how to make a poultice..."	Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_birch"] or Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_whiskey"] or Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_aloe"]	745
743	You	"... anyway it mostly seems like a way to bilk desperate people for money when they don't have access to real healthcare..."		757
744	You	"... but then I still don't really get what this whole 'pale' thing is about, so..."		758
745	Steban, the Student Communist			746 747
746	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_birch"]	752
747	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_birch"]) == false	748
748	Steban, the Student Communist			749 750
749	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_whiskey"]	753
750	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.palemed_ing_whiskey"]) == false	751
751	Steban, the Student Communist	"To be perfectly honest, 'poultice' is one of those words I see around, but I have no idea what it means."		754
752	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh? Sounds nice, actually. Comrade Mazov himself preferred chamomile tea, as I'm sure you're aware."		754
753	Steban, the Student Communist	"Grain spirits are dangerous. That's why Comrade Mazov himself preferred chamomile tea, as I'm sure you're aware."		754
754	Steban, the Student Communist			755 756
755	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 2	775
756	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] >= 2) == false	776
757	Steban, the Student Communist	"A Gottwaldian would tell you that it's an inescapable fact of modernity that we can only repackage our collective history in increasingly ludicrous forms..." He nods.		759
758	Steban, the Student Communist	"There are so many theories out there, most of them ridiculous. But we'd be here all night if we tried to get into them."		760
759	Echo Maker	"Thank god we're no Gottwaldians."		754
760	Inland Empire	It's better not to know, that's what the wind is telling you.		754
761	None			777
762	Steban, the Student Communist	"Cockatoos? Fascinating. So tell us what you gathered from your ornithological researches."		763
763	Steban, the Student Communist			764 765
764	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2	767
765	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_books_discussed_counter"] == 2) == false	766
766	Composure	This is a good start. They're starting to loosen up. You feel relaxed and in control. This is a subject where you hold all the advantages...		768
767	Composure	Now's your chance to end this interview on a high-note. This is a subject where you hold all the advantages...		768
768	You	"... and that's how I discovered my heraldic bird."		769
769	Steban, the Student Communist	"I have to say, I never realised humans and cockatoos had so much in common."		770
770	Steban, the Student Communist	"It makes sense, though. Mazovianism stresses the essential continuity between humanity and nature, so anything you find in one should be reflected in the other. What's the exact quote, Uli?"		771
771	Echo Maker	"I believe it's 'Man is the mirror of the world'."		754
772	Composure	Now, you can sense things starting to slow down. The interview must be reaching an inflection point...		774
773	None			882
774	None			548
775	Steban, the Student Communist	"In any case, I think we've heard enough. We could use someone with your perspective in the group. With just a bit more theoretical foundation, I think you'll be making real contributions."		773
776	Composure	These kids are eating out of your hand, practically. Another quarter of an hour disappears. The questions come rapid-fire, but you have an answer for every one.		772
777	Steban, the Student Communist	"Okay, we'll bite." The young man and his companion look at one another, then turn back to you. "What sort of stories are we talking about?"		1735
778	You	"Let's just say the human body starts to do some weird things when it's been in a tree for seven days..."	Variable["TASK.perform_field_autopsy_done"] == true	785
779	You	"I'll tell you how I infiltrated the Wild Pines for my investigation..."	Variable["TASK.probe_drivers_about_drugs_done"] == true and Variable["pier.joyce_lynching_hub_reached"] == true	782
780	You	"Let me tell you about a little incident I had with this woman at my hostel..."	Variable["TASK.what_happened_between_klaasje_and_hanged_done"] and Variable["whirling.klaasje_i_wanna_have_fuck_with_you"]	783
781	You	"You ever heard of a thing called 'sudden onset acute amnesia'?"		784
782	Steban, the Student Communist	"Sounds like old-fashioned revolutionary espionage. Let's see where this goes..."		786
783	Steban, the Student Communist	"A story with an erotico-political angle. Let's see where this goes..."		786
784	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, we're getting into the psychiatric pathologies of life under capital. Let's see where this goes..."		786
785	Steban, the Student Communist	"You've got our attention. Let's see where this goes..."		786
786	Steban, the Student Communist			787 788
787	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	789
788	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	790
789	Kim Kitsuragi	"Yes, I'm rather curious myself."		790
790	Composure	You've got them. They're starting to loosen up. You're relaxed and in control. You deftly weave every piece of the story together...		791
791	Steban, the Student Communist			792 793
792	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_story_hanged_man"]	1559
793	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_story_hanged_man"]) == false	794
794	Steban, the Student Communist			795 796
795	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_story_jam_mystery"]	1563
796	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_story_jam_mystery"]) == false	797
797	Steban, the Student Communist			798 799
798	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_story_klaasje"]	802
799	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_story_klaasje"]) == false	803
800	Steban, the Student Communist	"... I'm just trying to imagine what it would have been like had he died in the summer..."		804
801	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but I still don't see what the lady driver had to do with the strike stand-off..."		823
802	Steban, the Student Communist	"... so is it typical for men of your background to use that, um, formulation?"		833
803	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'm just trying to imagine what it would be like to wake up with no concept of what money is..."		844
804	Steban, the Student Communist			805 806
805	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["yard.hanged_spoke_to_the_corpse"]	807 808
806	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["yard.hanged_spoke_to_the_corpse"]) == false	818
807	You	"Right, of course. I'm really talking about my top-notch forensics skills."		809
808	You	"No, I mean literally."		816
809	Steban, the Student Communist			810 811
810	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	812
811	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	813
812	Kim Kitsuragi	"The work he did on the autopsy was quite good, I can confirm."		813
813	Steban, the Student Communist	"So have you figured out his real identity?"		814
814	Composure	Another quarter of an hour disappears. The conversation bounces back and forth. Whatever their pretensions, it's clear these two have been craving something real.		815
815	Composure	Now, you can sense things starting to slow down. Time to wrap this tale up...		857
816	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, so there is a supra-natural angle to this case..."		814
817	Kim Kitsuragi	"Not pretty. Eventually the force of gravity would have caused the rest of the body to separate from the head. There would have been very little for us to work with..."		821
818	Steban, the Student Communist			819 820
819	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	817
820	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	821
821	You	"It would have been a mess, let me tell you. No way I would've been able to find the true cause of death..."		822
822	Steban, the Student Communist	"Wait, are you saying the hanged man wasn't really hanged?"		814
823	Steban, the Student Communist			824 825
824	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	826
825	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	827
826	Kim Kitsuragi	"In all fairness, the whole situation is rather complicated."		827
827	None			828 829 830
828	You	"That's just it, though. She was just one more pawn, just like how the Wild Pines rep tried to play me."		831
829	You	"Yeah, I'm still trying to piece the whole thing together, but I can't get it to add up yet."		831
830	You	"I'm not even sure there is a connection, but I needed to get the Pines' cooperation somehow."		832
831	Steban, the Student Communist	"Clearly there's a lot of ins-and-outs. It almost reminds me of a Dick Mullen novel."		814
832	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, right. You were playing the long game."		814
833	Steban, the Student Communist			834 835
834	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	836
835	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	837
836	Kim Kitsuragi	"A great question."		837
837	None			838 1554 839 840
838	You	"No, my brain came up with that all by itself."		1555
839	You	"You know, in a weird way, I think she was into it."		841
840	You	"Honestly, I think the main problem was my shirt. If it had been just a little cleaner, I probably could've pulled it off."		842
841	Steban, the Student Communist	"So you're saying it didn't suck to interrogate her later? I find that unlikely..."		814
842	Echo Maker	"Strange. I thought that women were attracted to a certain amount of revolutionary musk..."		843
843	Steban, the Student Communist	"Maybe it's a question of degree."		814
844	Echo Maker	"If you encountered it in a novel, you'd say it sounded like a plot contrivance, or like a fantasy."		845 846
845	You	"Listen, I wouldn't believe it either, but I swear it's the truth."		850
846	You	"But isn't the point that money is itself just a collective fantasy?"		847
847	Steban, the Student Communist			848 849
848	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	854
849	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	855
850	Steban, the Student Communist			851 852
851	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	853
852	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	855
853	Kim Kitsuragi	"Either that, or an extremely convincing act..."		855
854	Kim Kitsuragi	"Perhaps, but it's a fantasy that pays for things, like your hostel bill..."		855
855	Steban, the Student Communist	"No, it's just like Mazov wrote: 'The freeman of the future will be he who awakens in perfect ignorance of Capital'."		856
856	Echo Maker	"Wait, Steban, are you saying the gendarme is some kind of future communist?"		814
857	Steban, the Student Communist			858 859
858	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_story_hanged_man"]	866
859	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_story_hanged_man"]) == false	860
860	Steban, the Student Communist			861 862
861	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_story_jam_mystery"]	867
862	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_story_jam_mystery"]) == false	863
863	Steban, the Student Communist			864 865
864	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_story_klaasje"]	868 1684
865	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_story_klaasje"]) == false	869
866	Steban, the Student Communist	"... and we still don't know what happened to the rest of his armour..."		873
867	You	"... so anyway, my current theory is that she's somewhere along the coast."		870
868	You	"... so anyway, I think there's still a shot. But in the meantime I'm just focussing on my casework."		871
869	You	"... and anyway, even if you could somehow unpeel time, it wouldn't be the you you who gets rich from those investments..."		872
870	Steban, the Student Communist	"Makes sense. It doesn't seem like there's anywhere else she could have gone."		881
871	Steban, the Student Communist	"Makes sense. Based on my experience, you've got to let her see that you've grown, ideologically speaking..."		879
872	Echo Maker	"But that would imply that whenever you unpeel time you leave behind some kind of doppelgänger in now-time..."		875
873	Echo Maker	"It will turn up, I'm sure. In a way, it wants to be found..."		874
874	You	"Perhaps. But that thread of the story is still unresolved..."		881
875	Steban, the Student Communist			876 877
876	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	878
877	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	881
878	Kim Kitsuragi	"Good god, have we really been talking about 'unpeeling time' for a quarter hour?"		881
879	Savoir Faire	His "experience" with these matters is painfully limited, not that he realises it.		880
880	Echo Maker	"Steban's right. If it's going to happen, it will happen."		881
881	Steban, the Student Communist	"I suppose we'll have to leave it there. But listen, gendarme: We could use someone with your breadth of expertise. With just a little more theoretical background, I think you'll be able to make some real contributions."		882
882	Echo Maker	"Yes, I would say he's got serious potential at least."		883
883	Steban, the Student Communist			884 885
884	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_wc_mentioned_wirral"]	886
885	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_wc_mentioned_wirral"]) == false	887
886	Steban, the Student Communist	"Besides, it's inconceivable that we'd turn down a fellow Wirrâl enthusiast..."		887
887	Steban, the Student Communist	"And with that, welcome to the most ideologically advanced materialist reading group in Martinaise!"		888
888	Steban, the Student Communist	"Here's your first assignment. It's an overview of infra-materialist theory. A little basic, as you'll see, but one has to start somewhere."		889 890 891
889	You	"Guess it's time to see what this 'book' stuff is all about."	Variable["character.books_read_counter"] == 0	892
890	You	"I'll add it to my very extensive reading list."	Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 1	893
891	You	(Say nothing, just take the book.)		894
892	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's sweet how excited you are. Come back when you're done. We'll be here pretty much every night after 22.00."		895
893	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're going to fit right in, I think. Come back when you're done. We'll be here pretty much every night after 22.00."		895
894	Steban, the Student Communist	"Come back when you're done." He gives you a brief nod as he hands you the slim guide. "We'll be here pretty much every night after 22.00."		895
895	Steban, the Student Communist	"Do be sure to take your time with the reading. We'll be eager to hear your thoughts."		896
896	None			131
897	Steban, the Student Communist			898 899
898	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_wc_rejection"]	900
899	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_wc_rejection"]) == false	911
900	Composure	Nope, still no words. Your confidence account is overdrawn. What are you even doing here?		901
901	Steban, the Student Communist			902 903
902	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] < 1	904
903	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] < 1) == false	909
904	Steban, the Student Communist			905 906
905	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] < 4	907
906	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] < 4) == false	908
907	Rhetoric	Now you're just psyching yourself out. You've read plenty of books. Maybe try again once you've got your wits about you?		910
908	Rhetoric	Maybe now's a good time to call it an evening. Why don't you find a good book, clear your mind, and come back when you're refreshed?		910
909	Rhetoric	Have you considered reading a book? Those tend to have lots of words in them...		910
910	None			131
911	Steban, the Student Communist			912 913
912	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_composure_wc_failed_once"]	915
913	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_composure_wc_failed_once"]) == false	914
914	Composure	Is it getting warm in here? There seems to be a little pool of sweat forming in the depression of your lower back.		1678
915	Composure	Okay, you got this. You got this. Just... open your mouth, and say the words...		916 917 918
916	You	"Ehhk..."		919
917	You	"Uhhm..."		919
918	You	"Hrrrgh..."		919
919	Composure	What are those sounds? They're like the last mumblings of a mortally wounded badger.		920
920	Volition	There's nothing you can do. It's like your lips have been glued together.		921
921	Steban, the Student Communist			922 923
922	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	924
923	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	926
924	Kim Kitsuragi	"Everything in order, detective?" The lieutenant gives you a concerned look.		925 928
925	You	Nod your head yes.		929
926	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man gives you a concerned look.		927
927	None			941
928	You	Shake your head no.		948
929	Kim Kitsuragi	"That's a 'yes,' I take it? Can you give me an affirmative?"		930
930	Steban, the Student Communist			931 932
931	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 1	933
932	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 1) == false	938
933	Steban, the Student Communist			934 935
934	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 4	936
935	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 4) == false	937
936	Rhetoric	What are you worried about? You've read plenty of books. Why don't you take a little pause, come back once your mind's clear?		939 940
937	Rhetoric	You're intimidated by all the books these kids have read, aren't you? Maybe a trip to the bookstore would do you some good.		939 940
938	Rhetoric	What is it? Are you scared because you can't remember a single book you've read?		939 940
939	You	Nod again.		941
940	You	Shake your head no.		941
941	Steban, the Student Communist	"Is everything alright? Is there something you're trying to say?"		942
942	Steban, the Student Communist			943 944
943	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	960
944	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	957
945	Rhetoric	What is it? Are you scared because you can't remember a single book you've read?		956 955
946	Rhetoric	You're intimidated by all the books these kids have read, aren't you? Maybe a trip to the bookstore would do you some good.		956 955
947	Rhetoric	What are you worried about? You've read plenty of books. Why don't you take a little pause, come back once your mind's clear?		956 955
948	Kim Kitsuragi	"As in, 'No, everything is not in order'? Can you give me a negative, detective?"		949
949	Steban, the Student Communist			950 951
950	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 1	952
951	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 1) == false	945
952	Steban, the Student Communist			953 954
953	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 4	947
954	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] >= 4) == false	946
955	You	Shake your head no.		941
956	You	Nod again.		941
957	Steban, the Student Communist			958 959
958	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["pier.joyce_logicloop"] == true or Variable["XP.doorbell_recording_heard"] == true or Variable["whirling.mirror_elchem_failed_once"] == true or Variable["whirling.lena_intro_wink_neuro"] == true	966
959	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["pier.joyce_logicloop"] == true or Variable["XP.doorbell_recording_heard"] == true or Variable["whirling.mirror_elchem_failed_once"] == true or Variable["whirling.lena_intro_wink_neuro"] == true) == false	967
960	Kim Kitsuragi	"It seems he's lost his words. A case of momentary aphasia, it looks like..." The lieutenant does not appear overly concerned.		961
961	Steban, the Student Communist			962 963
962	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["pier.joyce_logicloop"] == true or Variable["XP.doorbell_recording_heard"] == true or Variable["whirling.mirror_elchem_failed_once"] == true or Variable["whirling.lena_intro_wink_neuro"] == true	964
963	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["pier.joyce_logicloop"] == true or Variable["XP.doorbell_recording_heard"] == true or Variable["whirling.mirror_elchem_failed_once"] == true or Variable["whirling.lena_intro_wink_neuro"] == true) == false	965
964	Logic	It wouldn't be the first neurological episode you've experienced on this case.		970
965	Kim Kitsuragi	"In any case, a change of subject might help."		969
966	Logic	Momentary aphasia, it seems. Just one more neurological episode for the station lazareth to look into during your next check-up.		967
967	Echo Maker	"He looks like he's about to puke."		968
968	Endurance	There might be a little bile gathering at the back of your throat, but it's just a taste. The source of this issue is higher up the wire...		971
969	You	Nod your head.		972
970	Kim Kitsuragi	"These things happen with him sometimes. I recommend a change of subject."		969
971	Steban, the Student Communist	"Would it help if we changed the subject?"		969
972	Composure	This isn't going to work. Maybe there's some other way you could prove yourself to them?		973
973	None			131
974	You	It's because I don't do well in interviews.		983
975	You	Definitely not sweating, no sir. (Wipe the sweat away.)		979
976	You	I'm not nervous, I'm a superstar.	IsTHCPresent("superstar_cop")	980
977	You	Why is this happening? I thought I had my shit together!	IsTHCPresent("shit_together")	981
978	You	Why am I getting so worked up? They're just a couple of kids!	Variable["apt.student_composure_sweat_fail"] == true	982
979	Composure	Excellent work, now there's a glistening smear across your bare chest. Everyone will be able to see the evidence of your overactive sweat glands.		1679
980	Composure	Oh, totally. A superstar breaking out in a cold sweat.		1679
981	Composure	You did. You must be extremely nervous for some reason.		1679
982	Composure	Let's be frank, they're probably way smarter than you. You bet they've read more books than you can even name...		984
983	Composure	No, you're terrible at them. The thought of everyone looking at you, judging you, makes you want to heave, frankly...		1679
984	Steban, the Student Communist			985 986
985	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] < 2	992
986	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] < 2) == false	987
987	Steban, the Student Communist			988 989
988	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.books_read_counter"] > 4	990
989	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.books_read_counter"] > 4) == false	991
990	Rhetoric	You've been quite studious these past few days. You should be able to handle whatever they want to throw your way.		993
991	Rhetoric	Of course, if you're nervous it wouldn't hurt to read another book or two.		993
992	Rhetoric	Of course, it wouldn't kill you to crack open a book every once in a while.		993
993	Composure	The hardest part will just be working up the nerve to ask without soiling yourself.		994
994	Steban, the Student Communist	"Everything alright, gendarme? You look a little green about the gills..."		995
995	None			131
996	You	"Listen, there's got to be some other way I could prove myself to the group."	Variable["apt.student_wc_rejection"] == true and Variable["TASK.join_reading_group_done"] == false	997
997	Steban, the Student Communist	"'Some other way'?" He squints at you. "If you're not much of a reader, why are you so dead-set on joining this reading group?"		998 1000 1001 1002 999
998	You	"It's important that I further my critical studies."	IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	1003
999	You	"I've come so far, please don't turn me back now."		1004
1000	You	"I'm a completionist. I've got to finish what I start."	IsTHCPresent("honour")	1005
1001	You	"Because this plasm stuff sounds totally disco. I have to get to the bottom of it."	IsTHCPresent("superstar_cop") and Variable["tc.plasm"] == true	1006
1002	You	"Like Ignus Nilsen himself, I've come to foretell a Great Reckoning."	IsTHCPresent("superstar_cop") and Variable["tc.nilsen"] == true	1007
1003	Steban, the Student Communist	"I suppose we are all here to advance our studies in some form or another..."		1008
1004	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man sighs. "God, it's so pitiful watching a grown man beg. I can hardly stand it."		1008
1005	Steban, the Student Communist	"I do have to admire a certain tenacity, even when it seems to make no sense."		1008
1006	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, it is, and it only gets more disco from here..."		1008
1007	Steban, the Student Communist	"Hmmm. I thought I perceived some eschatological air about you..."		1008
1008	Steban, the Student Communist	"But to be perfectly frank, I just don't see it happening."		1009
1009	Echo Maker	"Steban, a moment..." The young man's companion beckons him into a private conference.		1010
1010	Steban, the Student Communist	"What... really? You're saying... but there's no way... uh huh... yes, okay, I'm listening..."		1708
1011	Steban, the Student Communist	"Alright, gendarme." He turns back to you. "Comrade Ulixes and I have conferred about it, and we've come up with an alternative way for you to convince us of your commitment to the group."		1012
1012	You	"What's that?"		1013
1013	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man gives his companion an uncertain glance. The companion nods his head vigorously.		1709
1014	You	"Hit you?"		1016
1015	You	"Why would I do that?"		1017
1016	Echo Maker	"It doesn't have to be a hard hit." He indicates his cheek. "Just enough to leave a mark."		1017
1017	Echo Maker	"The idea," his companion jumps in, "is to show Maurice and those other traitors that we're the only reading group hard core enough to tangle with the RCM..."		1018
1018	Steban, the Student Communist			1019 1020
1019	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["yard.cuno_fist_fail"]	1030
1020	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["yard.cuno_fist_fail"]) == false	1021
1021	Steban, the Student Communist			1022 1023
1022	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["gates.mhead_fight_failed_another_time"]	1031
1023	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["gates.mhead_fight_failed_another_time"]) == false	1024
1024	Steban, the Student Communist			1025 1026
1025	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["yard.cuno_punched_cuno"]	1032
1026	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["yard.cuno_punched_cuno"]) == false	1027
1027	Steban, the Student Communist			1028 1029
1028	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["gates.mhead_fight_success"]	1033
1029	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["gates.mhead_fight_success"]) == false	1034
1030	Half Light	Now's your chance to redeem yourself for that dive you took before the gremlin child.		1047
1031	Half Light	Now's your chance to avenge yourself for your embarrassment by the harbour gates.		1044
1032	Half Light	He won't be the first unweaned punk you've shut down. You'll make mincemeat of this fool's jaw.		1041
1033	Half Light	You've done it before, and against a much tougher opponent. You'll make mincemeat of this fool's jaw.		1035
1034	Half Light	This is what you've been waiting for! Time to lay his little punk-ass out.		1038
1035	Steban, the Student Communist			1036 1037
1036	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1053
1037	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1055
1038	Steban, the Student Communist			1039 1040
1039	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1054
1040	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1055
1041	Steban, the Student Communist			1042 1043
1042	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1052
1043	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1055
1044	Steban, the Student Communist			1045 1046
1045	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1051
1046	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1055
1047	Steban, the Student Communist			1048 1049
1048	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1050
1049	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1055
1050	Kim Kitsuragi	"Ah, we're replaying this little episode. Please, do try to stay on your feet this time."		1055
1051	Kim Kitsuragi	"This has certainly turned out to be a punchier case than I had anticipated."		1055
1052	Kim Kitsuragi	"Ah, so we're beating another youth only tangentially connected to the case. Spectacular."		1055
1053	Kim Kitsuragi	"Easy, detective. No need to treat this kid like he's some Son of Measurehead."		1055
1054	Kim Kitsuragi	"Ah, so we're beating the youth now? That's an unexpected development."		1055
1055	Volition	Of course, this isn't some punch-out competition. You just want to leave a harmless bruise.		1056
1056	Logic	Just theorising here, but if you don't have as much control over your muscle groups as you'd like, perhaps you could try something you know is bound to fail...		1057
1057	Steban, the Student Communist			1058 1059
1058	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_logic_spitballing_fail"]	1060 1061
1059	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_logic_spitballing_fail"]) == false	1065
1060	You	Wait, you're saying I could try to really lay this kid out, knowing I'll probably screw it up?		1062
1061	You	That sounds really stupid.		1063
1062	Logic	Precisely! It's brilliant.		1064
1063	Logic	Yes, stupidly brilliant.		1064
1064	Logic	Assuming you don't accidentally succeed...		1065
1065	None			1066 1067 1068 1546 1069
1066	You	"Kim, how bad an idea is this?"	IsKimHere()	1070
1067	You	"Hey, Kim. what if you hit him?"	IsKimHere()	1089
1068	You	Hit him, but not too hard.		1091
1069	You	"This is absurd. I don't want to hit you." (Cancel task.)		1180
1070	Kim Kitsuragi	The lieutenant looks at you, then at the young man. He seems to be giving your question serious consideration.		1071
1071	Steban, the Student Communist			1072 1073
1072	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["reputation.kim"] >1	1074
1073	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false	1075
1074	Kim Kitsuragi	"Speaking as an officer of the RCM, it is an extremely bad idea to strike a civilian without cause..."		1076
1075	Kim Kitsuragi	"Speaking frankly, it's a terrible idea. The RCM already has issues with wanton brutality and this is unlikely to ameliorate those concerns..."		1086
1076	Kim Kitsuragi	"However, if one were to strike a civilian, which again I would never recommend, one should at least follow the RCM manual's guidance on non-lethal strikes."		1077 1078
1077	You	"What does the manual say?"		1079
1078	You	"I don't need a book to tell me how to deck a guy."		1080
1079	Kim Kitsuragi	"It advises officers in physical altercations to rely on the open-palm strike, as opposed to the backhand, in non-lethal situations."		1081
1080	Kim Kitsuragi	"You see, that attitude is precisely why the field manual's guidance is so valuable..."		1079
1081	Kim Kitsuragi	"I can't recall the exact explanation, but it has something to do with the kinetic energy stored in the elbow. Basically, you're less able to control a backhanded slap, and therefore more likely to cause serious injury."		1082
1082	Steban, the Student Communist			1083 1084
1083	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_t500")	1085
1084	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_t500")) == false	1086
1085	Kim Kitsuragi	"Or even death, if, say, you happen to be wearing a set of armoured ceramic gauntlets."		1086
1086	Kim Kitsuragi	"At the same time, this is emphatically your thing, so do as you will."		1087
1087	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, gendarme? What are we waiting for?"		1088
1088	None			1065
1089	Kim Kitsuragi	"There's no what if, because I won't. This is your thing, remember?"		1090
1090	None			1065
1091	Steban, the Student Communist			1092 1093
1092	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_rc_not_too_hard"]	1097
1093	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_rc_not_too_hard"]) == false	1135
1094	Steban, the Student Communist			1095 1096
1095	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_rc_very_hard"]	1136
1096	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_rc_very_hard"]) == false	1098
1097	Physical Instrument	As with all applications of violence, the key is the appropriate amount of force exercised with absolute control on the part of the wielder.		1100
1098	Physical Instrument	If you were trying this against an actual opponent, it would be a meagre, embarrassing effort.		1099
1099	Logic	Fortunately, you're trying not to cause any real damage.		1100
1100	Steban, the Student Communist			1101 1102
1101	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_faln")	1116
1102	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_faln")) == false	1103
1103	Steban, the Student Communist			1104 1105
1104	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_bum")	1115
1105	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_bum")) == false	1106
1106	Steban, the Student Communist			1107 1108
1107	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_garden")	1114
1108	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_garden")) == false	1109
1109	Steban, the Student Communist			1110 1111
1110	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_t500")	1112
1111	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_t500")) == false	1113
1112	Interfacing	Ensconced in your ceramic armour, you barely notice the moment of contact. Striking the young man's face is almost indistinguishable from swatting away a fly.		1117
1113	Interfacing	At the moment of contact you feel the pads of your bare fingers brush the wiry hairs of the young man's beard, as though caressing a wad of kitchen wool.		1117
1114	Interfacing	The actual moment of contact is ever-so-slightly disappointing, as the feeling is dulled by the yellow latex shell that contains your hand.		1117
1115	Interfacing	At the moment of contact you feel the wool of your fingerless gloves entangling with the wiry hairs of the young man's beard. His eyes are wide as a pair of old silver coins.		1117
1116	Interfacing	At the moment of contact the high-performance gripping that covers the palm of your glove causes your hand to stick for an instant against the young man's cheek. As your hand pulls away, his pale skin appears momentarily to follow with it.		1117
1117	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man staggers back into the couch, eyes agog and momentarily dazed, but not seriously hurt.		1118
1118	Steban, the Student Communist			1119 1120
1119	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1121
1120	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1122
1121	Kim Kitsuragi	"Not the best look for the RCM, but I suppose it could've gone worse."		1122
1122	Echo Maker	"Steban? Are you alright?"		1123 1124 1125
1123	You	"Who's the baddest communist now?"		1126
1124	You	"You need this?" (Offer him Kim's handkerchief.)	CheckItem("lieutenants_handkerchief")	1127
1125	You	Say nothing.		1128
1126	Steban, the Student Communist	"That... was amazing. Uli, perhaps we should tangle with the gendarmerie more often." The young man rubs his cheek.		1129
1127	Steban, the Student Communist	"No, keep it. I feel... great, actually..." He turns to his companion. "Perhaps we should tangle with the gendarmerie more often."		1130
1128	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'm fine. Better than fine, actually." The young man rubs his cheek. "Perhaps we should tangle with the gendarmerie more often."		1131
1129	Pain Threshold	It doesn't hurt, yet. The rush of endorphins will keep the pain at bay for a while yet.		1132
1130	Composure	He isn't bluffing. He appears invigorated, as though he's truly experiencing life for the first time.		1133
1131	Authority	You've earned his respect. See how you've marked him?		1134
1132	Perception (Sight)	In the meantime, a small indigo flower begins to bloom just below his cheekbone.		1710
1133	Pain Threshold	That would be the sweet endorphin rush. You've granted him a natural high, at least until the hurt sets in.		1710
1134	Physical Instrument	A little ice on it will keep the swelling down. He'll be fine in a day or two.		1710
1135	Physical Instrument	TOO STRONG, KILLER.		1138
1136	Physical Instrument	OH YEAH, we're gonna spin this kid like a top!		1137
1137	Logic	Wait-wait-wait, you were trying not to do that!		1138
1138	Steban, the Student Communist			1139 1140
1139	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_faln")	1152
1140	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_faln")) == false	1141
1141	Steban, the Student Communist			1142 1143
1142	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_bum")	1153
1143	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_bum")) == false	1144
1144	Steban, the Student Communist			1145 1146
1145	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_garden")	1151
1146	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_garden")) == false	1147
1147	Steban, the Student Communist			1148 1149
1148	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("gloves_t500")	1150
1149	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("gloves_t500")) == false	1154
1150	Interfacing	Ensconced in your ceramic armour, you barely notice the moment of contact. But you do hear the distinct ting of your knuckles catching the young man's cheekbone.		1156
1151	Interfacing	Even through the yellow latex shell containing your hand you can feel the force of the impact against the young man's cheekbone.		1168
1152	Interfacing	En route to its target your FALN glove traces a strangely pleasing black-and-white blur through the air, like some kind of ultra-sonic weasel.		1161
1153	Interfacing	At the moment of contact you're reminded of a fight you once witnessed between two homeless men in an alleyway. Could it be that you've set out to recreate that moment now, right down to the smelly fingerless gloves?		1168
1154	Interfacing	You feel a bright pain as your bare knuckle collides with the young man's oddly prominent cheekbone. At the moment of contact his eyes are wide as old silver coins.		1168
1155	Rhetoric	Of course, it's not actually ultra-sonic, that's just an illusion produced by good branding. Still, the force you've unleashed really is tremendous.		1168
1156	Steban, the Student Communist			1157 1158
1157	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_kept"] or Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_confessed"]	1159
1158	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_kept"] or Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_confessed"]) == false	1160
1159	Inland Empire	Oh god, tell us you haven't done it again. Are you twice the killer now?		1168
1160	Inland Empire	Oh, no. Tell us you didn't really kill him.		1168
1161	Steban, the Student Communist			1162 1163
1162	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_interfacing_faln"]	1155
1163	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_interfacing_faln"]) == false	1168
1164	Steban, the Student Communist			1165 1166
1165	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1167
1166	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1169
1167	Kim Kitsuragi	"Good god, detective! What's wrong with you?"		1169
1168	Echo Maker	"Steban, can you hear me?"		1164
1169	Steban, the Student Communist	"Errrrck." The young man cradles his jaw and looks up, his expression blank.		1170
1170	Physical Instrument	You're both lucky you didn't shatter his cheekbone. He may want to count his teeth before he goes to bed tonight.		1171 1172 1173
1171	You	"Oh, god. I'm sorry about that."		1174
1172	You	"Let that be a lesson to you."		1175
1173	You	Say nothing.		1176
1174	Steban, the Student Communist	"Sorry? You nearly took my fucking jaw off!"		1177
1175	Steban, the Student Communist	"What lesson is that, huh? That the RCM are assholes? That they'll take your fucking jaw off?"		1178
1176	Steban, the Student Communist	"What? You're just gonna stand there after you nearly broke my fucking jaw?"		1179
1177	Perception (Hearing)	You think you can hear a slight popping sound as he moves his mouth.		1711
1178	Esprit de Corps	It certainly won't improve your precinct's image within the community.		1711
1179	Authority	That's right. You don't owe him any explanation.		1711
1180	Steban, the Student Communist			1181 1182
1181	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1183
1182	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1188
1183	Steban, the Student Communist			1184 1185
1184	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["reputation.kim"] >1	1186
1185	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false	1187
1186	Kim Kitsuragi	The lieutenant nods.		1189
1187	Kim Kitsuragi	"Thank god we avoided that fiasco, at least..."		1188
1188	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man can hardly conceal his disappointment. He was apparently looking forward to being punched by you.		1190
1189	Esprit de Corps	And yet you can't help but sense a slight disappointment on his part. It seems a part of him hoped you would hit the pretentious young communist...		1188
1190	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, if you're not going to play along, I don't think we have anything further to discuss. Good evening to you, gendarme."
1191	You	"I'm ready... let's talk about infra-materialism."	Variable["inventory.basic_guide_read"] == true and IsTaskActive("TASK.get_yourself_organised") and IsTaskActive("TASK.return_to_steban")	1192
1192	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, let's get right to it."		1201
1193	Rhetoric	You'll be leading this conversation, so wherever you take it, they'll be glad to follow.		1194 1195 1196
1194	You	"I have some questions about the origins of this theory."		1197
1195	You	"I really want to hear more about these hyper-revolutionary figures."	Variable["inventory.basic_guide_stage_two_reached"] == true	1198
1196	You	"It's the theoretical parts I'm interested in. The third-level stuff."	Variable["inventory.basic_guide_stage_three_reached"] == true	1199
1197	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, it's a great story. You should check out Nilsen's journals if you ever have the chance."		1200
1198	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, yes. That's certainly one of the least developed parts of the theory, but also one of the most intriguing."
1199	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, yes. Or the fun parts, as we like to call them."		1202
1200	Echo Maker	His companion nods in agreement.
1201	Echo Maker	His companion leans forward, ready to jump in...		1845
1202	Echo Maker	His companion nods his head with expectation.
1203	Rhetoric	These two are full of interesting stories and rumours about Nilsen, Mazov, and their revolutionary exploits. Half an hour passes and the conversation gradually wends its way to some unexpected places...		1205
1204	Rhetoric	They're impressed that you dove right in to the most advanced parts of the theory. Half an hour evaporates and the conversation is still wending its way toward new and unexpected places...		1205
1205	Shivers	A cool breeze coming off the bay wraps itself around the Capeside Apartments. In a nearly forgotten part of that glorified construction site, surrounded by rusted pieces of scaffolding and walls of faded tarpaulin, a detective of the RCM debates the intricacies of an abstruse theory with a pair of university students...		1206
1206	Steban, the Student Communist			1207 1208
1207	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["cargo.mrlb_greet_done"]	1212
1208	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["cargo.mrlb_greet_done"]) == false	1209
1209	Steban, the Student Communist			1210 1211
1210	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["tc.rvd"]	1231
1211	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["tc.rvd"]) == false	1844
1212	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but if it's true that this individual possesses so much capital that light literally bends around him, then that must mean..."		1213 1214
1213	You	"That capital produces its own form of plasm!"		1215
1214	You	"That light itself is a bourgeois illusion!"		1216
1215	Echo Maker	"In 'Innocence of Capital', Puncher and Wattmann argue that communists must possess as little capital as possible, in order to keep their thinking undiluted by its influence..."		1217
1216	Steban, the Student Communist	"Or it suggests that capital, in sufficient quantities, must exhibit its own plasm-like qualities..."		1215
1217	Steban, the Student Communist			1218 1219
1218	Steban, the Student Communist		MoneyAmount() >=2000	1220
1219	Steban, the Student Communist		(MoneyAmount() >=2000) == false	1225
1220	Steban, the Student Communist			1221 1222
1221	Steban, the Student Communist		MoneyAmount() >=10000	1223
1222	Steban, the Student Communist		(MoneyAmount() >=10000) == false	1224
1223	Savoir Faire	Watch out. You call yourself a communist and yet you've been accumulating a suspiciously large share of capital in just the last few days. It's almost certainly distorting your thinking.		1226
1224	Savoir Faire	You've accrued a modest account balance over the last few days, but probably not enough to warp your thinking too much.		1226
1225	Savoir Faire	Nothing to fear. Judging from your account balance, you should be thinking extremely clearly.		1226
1226	Steban, the Student Communist			1227 1228
1227	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1229
1228	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1576
1229	Kim Kitsuragi	"Again, he was just a regular high-net-worth individual. There was nothing extra-physical about him..."		1576
1230	Shivers	Now the breeze has subsided. All is still except for the last bits of steam rising from the coffee pot.		1259
1231	Steban, the Student Communist	"... but my question is where does the RCM recruit all these hyper-revolutionaries to join this 'Remote Viewers Division'?"		1232 1233
1232	You	"It's less that you're 'recruited' into the RVD and more like you're called."		1234
1233	You	"And my point is that maybe these hyper-revolutionary individuals are more common than infra-materialism generally assumes..."		1234
1234	Steban, the Student Communist	"Fascinating..."		1235
1235	Steban, the Student Communist			1236 1237
1236	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1238
1237	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1239
1238	Kim Kitsuragi	"Yes, only the detective here would draw a connection between a made-up division of para-psychics and the addled ramblings of a defunct communist mage..."		1240
1239	Esprit de Corps	A fortunate turn that the lieutenant isn't here. Imagine what he would have to say about this.		1241
1240	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man ignores the lieutenant. "But I suppose it makes sense that some common strain of infra-materialist thought would persist in the RCM, even to this day, given its origins."		1576
1241	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man nods thoughtfully. "But I suppose it makes sense that some common strain of infra-materialist thought would persist in the RCM, even to this day, given its origins."		1576
1242	You	"... all I'm saying is if you want to get really extra-physical, pyrholidon is the way to go..."	Variable["character.habit_pyrholidon"]	1243
1243	Steban, the Student Communist	"..."		1244
1244	Steban, the Student Communist			1245 1246
1245	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1247
1246	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1248
1247	Kim Kitsuragi	"..."		1248
1248	Echo Maker	"..."		1249 1250
1249	You	"... anyway, I think I've made my point."		1251
1250	You	"... or maybe I'm wrong. It could really go either way."		1251
1251	Steban, the Student Communist	"Undoubtedly."		1576
1252	You	"... but I'm still trying to figure out how the pale fits into all this..."	Variable["tc.pale"]	1254
1253	You	"... so wait, you're saying that President Knezhinisky has never opened a book?"		1256
1254	Steban, the Student Communist	"The two phenomena are actually deeply intertwined." He nods. "Many infra-materialists believe that pale is actually a manifestation of nostalgia and historical inertia..."		1255
1255	Steban, the Student Communist	"Those same theorists have hypothesised that revolution may in fact create a counter-force that prevents the pale from expanding."		1576
1256	Steban, the Student Communist	"No-no-no. We're saying he doesn't need to open them, because he absorbs all the relevant content just by staring intently at the cover. It's a widely understood second-level effect..."		1257
1257	Echo Maker	"We've tried it ourselves, but thus far we haven't been able to absorb more than the preface and table of contents."		1576
1258	Rhetoric	The evening is winding down...
1259	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, on that note, I think we can call it an evening."		1553
1260	Echo Maker	"Yes. One of our better discussions lately, on the whole."		1261
1261	You	"Hang on, is that it?"		1262
1262	Steban, the Student Communist	"What do you mean, 'is that it'? You've done the reading, we talked about it, what more do you expect from a reading group?"		1263 1540
1263	You	"What if I have more questions, you know, about communism?"		1264
1264	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, you could always ask, I guess." The two young men look at each other a moment.		1266
1265	Steban, the Student Communist	"But it's getting late, so maybe pick the most important question?"		1267
1266	Echo Maker	"He probably won't get a better chance, honestly."		1265
1267	None			1268 1269 1270 1271 1272
1268	You	"Kim, what should I ask?"	IsKimHere()	1273
1269	You	"I need a minute to think about it."		1274
1270	You	Ask the most important question about communism.		1284
1271	You	"I changed my mind. I don't have any questions."		1278
1272	You	"Yeah, I'm good. No questions for me." (Cancel task.)	Variable["apt.student_changed_mind_last_q"]	1281
1273	Kim Kitsuragi	"Detective, how should I know what questions you have about communism?"		1275
1274	Steban, the Student Communist	"Come on. We have things to do in the morning."		1276
1275	None			1267
1276	None			1267
1277	None			1267
1278	Echo Maker	"He says he doesn't have any questions, Steban."		1279
1279	Steban, the Student Communist	"Are you absolutely sure? A communist can't be afraid to ask questions, just because they don't know what the answer might be."		1280
1280	Rhetoric	In other words, you'll forfeit their respect if you back out now.		1277
1281	Echo Maker	"See, Steban? I told you there's no such thing as a gendarme communist."		1282
1282	Steban, the Student Communist	"It seems you're right, Uli. I should've listened to you." He sighs, then turns to you.		1283
1283	Steban, the Student Communist	"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some group business to attend to."
1284	Steban, the Student Communist			1285 1286
1285	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_question"]	1287
1286	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_question"]) == false	1288
1287	Rhetoric	The question you mean to ask is both very complicated and incredibly simple...		1289
1288	Rhetoric	Alright, here we go. We're devoting all your available brain cells to coming up with a question about communism. Scratch that, to coming up with the question about communism, the alpha and omega of communism questions, and that question is:		1408 1409
1289	Endurance	Take a deep breath. Best to go one piece at a time.		1290 1291 1292
1290	You	"If communism is all based on theories that are impossible to prove..."		1293
1291	You	"If no one can agree what real communism even means..."		1293
1292	You	"If communism keeps failing every time we try it..."		1293
1293	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man waits patiently for you to finish.		1294 1295 1296
1294	You	"... and the rest of the world keeps killing us for our beliefs..."		1297
1295	You	"... and whenever we do try it just devolves into a corrupt farce..."		1297
1296	You	"... and we keep fracturing over theoretical disagreements..."		1297
1297	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes?"		1298
1298	Volition	Say it.		1299
1299	You	"... what's the point?"		1300
1300	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man considers your words for a minute.		1301
1301	Composure	You're witnessing his ironic armour melt before you. This is his true self you're seeing now.		1302
1302	Empathy	He's thinking about someone...		1303
1303	Steban, the Student Communist			1304 1305
1304	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_empathy_someone"]	1306 1307
1305	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_empathy_someone"]) == false	1572
1306	You	Wait, who is he thinking about?		1309
1307	You	Forget it.		1308
1308	Steban, the Student Communist	"The theorists Puncher and Wattmann -- not infra-materialists, but theorists nonetheless -- say that communism is a secular version of Perikarnassian theology, that it replaces faith in the divine with faith in humanity's future..."		1596
1309	Empathy	Hard to say. Someone dear to him.		1310
1310	Visual Calculus	Track his gaze. He's looking out past the broken wall, toward the opposite side of the Bay...		1311
1311	Steban, the Student Communist			1312 1313
1312	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_viscal_gaze"]	1316 1315 1314
1313	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_viscal_gaze"]) == false	1308
1314	You	Let the thought go.		1308
1315	You	What's there?		1318
1316	You	Toward the skyscrapers of La Delta.	CheckItem("postcard_la_delta") or CheckItem("map_of_martinaise")	1317
1317	Visual Calculus	They rise like electric obelisks in the night.		1319
1318	Visual Calculus	Many tall buildings, belonging to a district whose name escapes you.		1319
1319	None			1308
1320	None			1323 1324 1321 1322 1325
1321	You	"Who's in those skyscrapers over there?"	Variable["apt.student_viscal_gaze"] == true	1378
1322	You	"You're thinking about someone, aren't you?"	Variable["apt.student_empathy_someone"] == true	1379
1323	You	"Broken."		1388
1324	You	"Unfinished."		1389
1325	You	Say nothing.		1398
1326	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man looks at you a moment, then at his companion.		1328
1327	Empathy	He's not accustomed to exposing his doubt like this.
1328	Steban, the Student Communist	"What could it hurt? Alright, let's give it another go..."		1608
1329	Rhetoric	Before long, a modest tower begins to rise from the pile of matchboxes...		1330
1330	Hand/Eye Coordination	You place every box with the utmost delicacy and precision.		1331
1331	Steban, the Student Communist	"Easy, Uli..."		1332
1332	Steban, the Student Communist			1333 1334
1333	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["reputation.communist"] > 10	1335
1334	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["reputation.communist"] > 10) == false	1336
1335	Echo Maker	"It's holding, it's holding..."		1819
1336	Echo Maker	"Damn it to hell!"		1616
1337	Echo Maker	"Alright. You go next, Steban."		1339
1338	Echo Maker	"It's my fault, Steban. My hands were shaking... Nerves got the better of me."		1612
1339	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man pushes back his shirt sleeves, revealing the pale flesh of his forearms.		1340 1341
1340	You	"Easy now..."		1345
1341	You	Say nothing.		1345
1342	Steban, the Student Communist			1343 1344
1343	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["reputation.communist"] > 20	1631
1344	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["reputation.communist"] > 20) == false	1346
1345	Steban, the Student Communist	"Is it... it's holding... it's holding!"		1342
1346	Steban, the Student Communist	"Aaagh! Shit!"		1348
1347	Steban, the Student Communist	"Alright, gendarme, your turn."		1349
1348	Echo Maker	"It's alright, Steban. That was still very close. One of our best performances yet."		1620
1349	Interfacing	You've got this. Theories aside, they're only matchboxes.		1624
1350	You	"Ghost of Mazov, give me strength..." (Proceed.)		1352
1351	You	Take a deep breath. (Proceed.)		1352
1352	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's... it's..."		1353
1353	Steban, the Student Communist			1354 1355
1354	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["reputation.communist"] > 30	1356
1355	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["reputation.communist"] > 30) == false	1357
1356	Steban, the Student Communist	"My god, is it really holding?"		1358
1357	Steban, the Student Communist	"..."		1359
1358	Echo Maker	"It is, it is..."		1360
1359	Echo Maker	"..."		1638 1639 1640 1641
1360	Rhetoric	There, in the middle of the floor, the winding spire quivers with an improbable energy...		1650
1361	Steban, the Student Communist	"Don't apologise. As I was saying, if it were easy, it wouldn't require so much plasm to work."		1615
1362	Visual Calculus	There's no way it should stay up like that. How is the weight being distributed?		1363
1363	Steban, the Student Communist			1364 1365
1364	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_logic_no_way"] or IsKimHere()	1366
1365	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_logic_no_way"] or IsKimHere()) == false	1367
1366	Inland Empire	But it is! It is!		1367
1367	Rhetoric	For a long moment, no one says a word. You're all three transfixed.		1368
1368	Echo Maker	"..."		1369
1369	Steban, the Student Communist	"..."		1370 1371
1370	You	"..."		1373
1371	You	"... what do we do now?"		1372
1372	Steban, the Student Communist	"Shhh. This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen..."		1373
1373	Steban, the Student Communist	"..."		1659
1374	Echo Maker	"..."		1375
1375	Steban, the Student Communist	"... and there it goes..."		1376 1658 1377
1376	You	"That was weird."		1660
1377	You	Say nothing.		1661
1378	Steban, the Student Communist	"My mums." The young man looks surprised. "She works in one of those skyscrapers, but it's not like you think... she's a cleaning lady..."		1380
1379	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, in fact... my mums." The young man smiles sheepishly. "She works in La Delta... in one of those skyscrapers, but it's not like you think... she's a cleaning lady."		1380
1380	Steban, the Student Communist	"But how did you... oh, never mind. I guess I'm easier to read than I thought..."		1381 1382 1383
1381	You	"Why do you call her 'mums'"?		1384
1382	You	"She's given up a lot for you."		1385
1383	You	"You want her to live in a better world."		1386
1384	Steban, the Student Communist	"Because I always have. Though I try not to do it too often now... it's kind of embarrassing, isn't it?"		1387
1385	Steban, the Student Communist	"We all have to make sacrifices for the future. Maybe that's what I was trying to get at earlier..."		1387
1386	Steban, the Student Communist	"I want us all to live in a better world. But yes... she's a part of it... I guess we're all a part of it..."		1387
1387	Empathy	You made him self-conscious now. He's practically paralysed.		1395
1388	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, that's a good way to think of it, broken, but not irreparable."		1390 1391
1389	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, that's a good way to think of it... a work-in-progress."		1390 1391
1390	You	"It's a nice thought."		1392
1391	You	"I don't know if I believe it, though."		1393
1392	Steban, the Student Communist	"A thought can be a very powerful thing. That's the whole idea of infra-materialism..."		1394
1393	Steban, the Student Communist	"You've got to believe in something. Otherwise, what are you doing?"		1394
1394	Empathy	His words aren't really directed at you. He's wrestling with himself now...		1395
1395	Echo Maker	"Steban, it's getting pretty late."		1396
1396	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're right... We should clean this up and get going." He gestures to the matchboxes.		1680
1397	None			131
1398	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man appears lost inside his own thoughts...		1399
1399	Shivers	A cold wind whips at the canvas. From far below, the sounds of waves smashing themselves against the rocks. You are exposed.		1400
1400	Steban, the Student Communist			1401 1402
1401	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_shivers_exposed"]	1403
1402	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_shivers_exposed"]) == false	1603
1403	Steban, the Student Communist			1404 1405
1404	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquippedGroup("jacket")	1406
1405	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquippedGroup("jacket")) == false	1407
1406	You	Pull your jacket tighter.		1395
1407	You	Rub your arms with your hands.		1395
1408	You	(Whisper.) "Are women bourgeois?"		1410
1409	You	Oh god, that's bad. Surely I can think of something better.		1466
1410	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man gives you a slightly confused look, as though he's sure you asked something else and he simply misheard.		1411
1411	Volition	No, he heard you crystal clear.		1412
1412	Perception (Hearing)	Somehow it sounded even worse out loud.		1413
1413	Endurance	You only said what everyone else was thinking. Look around -- do you see any women here?		1414
1414	Echo Maker	"He wants to know if women are bourgeois, Steban..."		1415
1415	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, I heard him. Give me a moment." He takes a deep breath, then turns to you...		1416
1416	Steban, the Student Communist	"What makes you ask that question, above any other?"		1417 1418 1419 1420
1417	You	"Because they can't handle me."		1421
1418	You	"Because I can't handle them."		1422
1419	You	"Because they won't let me forget the life we used to have together."	IsTHCPresent("caustic_echo") or IsTHCPresent("white_mourning")	1423
1420	You	"I don't know! It's just what my brain told me to say."	Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_avoid"] == true	1424
1421	Steban, the Student Communist	"Maybe your problem is that you think it's their job to handle you..."		1429
1422	Steban, the Student Communist	"Maybe your problem is that you think they're yours to handle..."		1429
1423	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, gendarme. Your problem isn't ideological, it's personal..."		1429
1424	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's because your brain is floating in ideology, gendarme. It's practically drowning in it..."		1425
1425	Steban, the Student Communist			1426 1427
1426	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["character.habit_alcohol"]	1428
1427	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["character.habit_alcohol"]) == false	1429
1428	Electrochemistry	Is "Ideology" some kind of high-proof liquor? Because that's the only thing your brain is floating in.		1429
1429	Steban, the Student Communist	"You asked that question because you're still under the influence of ideology. That's natural. You're like a fish that's only now discovering that her whole life has been dictated by the movements of sea currents."		1430
1430	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's what ideology is. It's like there are these invisible forces everywhere, pushing and tugging you this way and that, and you don't even know they're there."		1431 1432 1433
1431	You	"What does this have to do with communism?"		1434
1432	You	"What does this have to do with women?"		1434
1433	You	"Is it even possible to imagine a world without ideology?"		1435
1434	Steban, the Student Communist	"Everything, man. That is part of the communist project, to destroy the ideological structures that reduce men and women to these hollow shells of identity."		1436
1435	Steban, the Student Communist	"Of course it's possible. Just extremely difficult. You practically have to be a world-historical individual to do it."		1436
1436	Steban, the Student Communist	"Do you know the story of Dobreva and Abadanaiz?"		1437
1437	None			1438 1439 1440
1438	You	"You mean the Revolutionary Lovers?"	Variable["gates.manana_communist_revolutionary_lovers"] == true	1443
1439	You	"I thought that was just some gibberish you made up for the passphrase."		1441
1440	You	"I don't know what you're talking about. Who were they?"		1442
1441	Steban, the Student Communist	"No. They were the Revolutionary Lovers, the Dual Commissars of Revolution in Insulinde."		1601
1442	Steban, the Student Communist	"The so-called 'Revolutionary Lovers'. They were the Dual Commissars of Revolution in Insulinde."		1601
1443	Steban, the Student Communist	"Not just lovers, they were the Dual Commissars of Revolution in Insulinde."		1601
1444	Steban, the Student Communist			1445 1446
1445	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["gates.manana_communist_revolutionary_lovers"]	1447
1446	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["gates.manana_communist_revolutionary_lovers"]) == false	1448
1447	Encyclopedia	It's too bad they wound up equally dead on some nameless island in Ozonne...		1449
1448	Encyclopedia	What became of them, though? There seems to be a blank paragraph in the history books...		1449
1449	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's from them we get the notion of dual-leadership, the décomptage, Revachol's truly great contribution to revolutionary thought. I believe it even persists in some form in the RCM, even to this day."		1450
1450	None			1451 1452 1453 1454 1789 1455
1451	You	"It's too bad they died like all the rest of the communards."	Variable["gates.manana_communist_revolutionary_lovers"] == true	1456
1452	You	"What happened to them, Dobreva and Abadanaiz?"	Variable["apt.student_encyclo_blank"] == true	1456
1453	You	"Is that true, Kim, about the décomptage?"	IsKimHere()	1460
1454	You	"So... you're saying women are only bourgeois because of ideology?"		1457
1455	You	"I need to take some time to think about all this..." (Conclude.)		1458
1456	Steban, the Student Communist	"They died on their own terms, like real revolutionaries. There's a lot to say for that."		1465
1457	Steban, the Student Communist	He sighs. "There's more to it than that. People still make their own choices. It's a matter of being aware what's influencing them."		1459
1458	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man nods but says nothing. He appears to be distracted by something...		1461
1459	None			1450
1460	Kim Kitsuragi	"I had no idea its origins went all the way back to the Revolution itself. But it makes sense, in a way..."		1464
1461	Composure	He's wrestling with some question of his own.		1462
1462	Empathy	He's lost in his own thoughts. You wonder what silt you've stirred in the bottom of his soul.		1463
1463	None			1680
1464	None			1450
1465	None			1450
1466	Rhetoric	Maybe in another life, but not this one. Face it, this is the question that's been simmering inside you all along.		1467
1467	Inland Empire	No-no-no! This was supposed to take your mind off the other thing!		1408 1468 1469
1468	You	Hang on, I thought I was really getting into the theory back there!		1470
1469	You	Maybe I should keep this one to myself.		1471
1470	Rhetoric	Sure, you spent some time getting lost in your theoretical labyrinths, but this has been the beast at the centre this whole time...		1408 1469
1471	Rhetoric	It's too late. You've already opened your mouth to speak...		1408
1472	You	"That's enough for tonight. Will you still be here if I have more questions?" [Leave.]	Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_concluded"] == false and Variable["apt.student_first_exit_done"] == false and Variable["TASK.join_reading_group_done"] == false	1475
1473	You	"Well, I guess I'm off." [Leave.]	Variable["TASK.get_yourself_organised_done"] == true and Variable["apt.student_epilogue_finished"] == false	1477
1474	You	[Leave.]	(Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_concluded"] == false and (Variable["apt.student_first_exit_done"] == true or Variable["TASK.join_reading_group_done"] == true)) or Variable["apt.student_epilogue_finished"] == true
1475	Steban, the Student Communist	"Sure, we're here most every night." He shrugs. "Maybe we'll catch you again."		1476
1476	Echo Maker	"Sleep well, gendarme."
1477	Steban, the Student Communist	"Wait a minute, if you don't mind..."		1478
1478	Steban, the Student Communist	"We wanted to get your opinion on something: a few little changes we we've been thinking about."		1479
1479	You	"What kind of changes?"		1480
1480	Steban, the Student Communist	"Nothing too major, I think. We were talking, potentially, about relaxing some parts of our admissions process..."		1481 1482 1483 1484
1481	You	"Hmm. It probably would help if you didn't make people go through a whole interview just to join."		1485
1482	You	"Maybe you should ditch the passphrases and meet in a coffeehouse."		1486
1483	You	"Have you considered changing up the reading list?"		1487
1484	You	"No, you should keep it the way things are."		1488
1485	Echo Maker	"That's interesting. I thought people loved group interviews."		1489
1486	Echo Maker	"Hmm. I thought the cloak-and-dagger routine made us seem more appealing."		1489
1487	Echo Maker	"I suppose we have read through most of the infra-materialist canon by this point."		1490
1488	Echo Maker	"Exactly what I've been saying. On fundamental matters there can be no compromise!"		1491
1489	Steban, the Student Communist	"I thought so, too, but perhaps we overdid it, just a little..."		1497
1490	Steban, the Student Communist	He sighs. "You're right. It probably wouldn't kill us to read more conventional historical materialism."		1492
1491	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'm not saying we abandon our beliefs. I just think it would be better if our group had more than two regular attendees."		1493 1494
1492	Echo Maker	"As long as we maintain the appropriate critical distance."		1497
1493	You	"Good point. Two's not really a 'group,' is it?"		1495
1494	You	"Nah, two's the best number. Three's when they start cramping your style."		1496
1495	Steban, the Student Communist	"Plus, all these empty chairs are a little sad, aren't they?"		1497
1496	Echo Maker	"Precisely my point. It's about quality, not quantity."		1497
1497	Steban, the Student Communist	"There was another thing: We were also debating putting up some posters around town."		1498
1498	Echo Maker	"Though some of us maintain that advertising is an unacceptably bourgeois tactic."		1499
1499	Rhetoric	That's what makes it so beautiful. The irony is unbeatable.		1501
1500	None			1505 1506 1507 1508 1509 1510
1501	Steban, the Student Communist			1502 1503
1502	Steban, the Student Communist		IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	1504
1503	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsTHCPresent("art_cop")) == false	1500
1504	Conceptualization	Ahem. As a noted art cop you definitely have an opinion on this.		1500
1505	You	"As someone who's dabbled in murals himself, I support this plan."	Variable["TASK.add_even_more_beauty_to_the_wall_done"] == true	1512
1506	You	"As something of an art critic myself, I support this poster plan."	IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	1511
1507	You	"Think of it this way: you're appropriating bourgeois methods for revolutionary ends."	Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_appropriation"] == true	1513
1508	You	"Sounds like something Cindy could help with..."		1514
1509	You	"Posters are great. Who doesn't like posters?"		1515
1510	You	"Yeah, posters are pretty bourgeois."		1516
1511	Steban, the Student Communist	"Glad to hear it. I was thinking we might be able to get Cindy to design the posters..."		1717
1512	Steban, the Student Communist	"Ah, it makes sense. There's already a sub-theme of radical street art running through our reading group..."		1716
1513	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, I like that. We're dismantling the structures of capital with their own tools..."		1715
1514	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's exactly what I was thinking..."		1717
1515	Steban, the Student Communist	"Exactly! I was thinking we could print them in the old communard style, with huge slogans..."		1715
1516	Echo Maker	"See? Even the gendarme agrees."		1517
1517	Steban, the Student Communist	"I suppose that would open us up to charges of hypocrisy... not to mention it might make us look pretty desperate for new members..."		1518
1518	Echo Maker	"When nothing could be further from the truth."		1519
1519	Steban, the Student Communist	"Right. We'll have to table this question until we've considered the potential downstream effects."		1718
1520	Composure	... and just like that, their ironic defences are back up.		1523
1521	Steban, the Student Communist	"Plus, I've got the perfect place in mind..."		1522
1522	Steban, the Student Communist	"Put some more coffee on, Uli. We've got a long night ahead of us. We should probably get Cindy in here too..."		1524
1523	Steban, the Student Communist	"In any case, we've kept you long enough. Goodnight to you."		1534
1524	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh! And, gendarme. One last thing..."		1525
1525	Steban, the Student Communist			1526 1527
1526	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_question"]	1529
1527	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_rhetoric_rc_question"]) == false	1528
1528	Steban, the Student Communist	"I've been thinking about what you asked before, about women, you know..."		1530
1529	Steban, the Student Communist	"About that question you asked earlier. It reminded me of a certain poem that you might appreciate..."		1535
1530	Steban, the Student Communist	"Not that it's any of my business, but it sounds like this question is really tearing you up inside."		1721
1531	Steban, the Student Communist	"So, good luck with that, I guess."		1534
1532	Steban, the Student Communist	"'In dark times, should the stars also go out?'"		1533
1533	Steban, the Student Communist	"Anyway, goodnight to you."		1534
1534	None			1474
1535	Conceptualization	Ah, so he has read something besides his books of abstruse theory!		1719
1536	Echo Maker	"A gang of cheap psychologists and intellectual midgets." His companion sneers. "Typical Gottwalders, in other words."		361
1537	Steban, the Student Communist	"... and next thing you know there are budget cuts, so now we've got to cut the bean rations in half again..."		393
1538	Steban, the Student Communist	"Comrade Ulixes is right. The amount of plasm required to strike down an ideological enemy outright is enormous. We're talking second-level effects, at a minimum."		1539
1539	Echo Maker	"Or even third."		268
1540	You	"Nothing, I just thought there would be more..."		1541
1541	Steban, the Student Communist	"More what?"		1542
1542	You	"I don't know. More... something?"		1543
1543	Steban, the Student Communist	"It seems like there's something on your mind. Maybe a question you mean to ask?" The young man turns to his companion, then back to you.		1266
1544	None			887
1545	None			887
1546	You	Hit him as hard as you can.	Variable["apt.student_logic_spitballing_fail"] == true	1094
1547	You	"Wait, who are these infra-materialists?"		1549
1548	You	"I know who Kras Mazov is, but who is this 'Ignus Nilsen' guy?"		1551
1549	Steban, the Student Communist	"You're not familiar with them? It's... pretty advanced stuff. You may not be ready for it yet, gendarme." The two young men exchange skeptical side-glances.		1550
1550	You	"Okay, but then who's this 'Ignus Nilsen' guy?"		1551
1551	Steban, the Student Communist	"Only Kras Mazov's most trusted lieutenant, the Evangelist of the Revolution, and the founding father of the People's Republic of Samara."		1552
1552	Encyclopedia	It's hard to overstate how unimpressed he is that you've never heard of this world-historical individual.		215
1553	Conceptualization	No, wait! Can this really be the end? You feel like you've just gotten to the real stuff.		1260
1554	You	"It's embarrassing, but at that point my political consciousness was still pretty rudimentary."		1555
1555	Steban, the Student Communist	"Perhaps some vestigial sexual objectification from your pre-revolutionary consciousness." He nods.		1557
1556	Rhetoric	No, it was an artifact of your pre-ideological consciousness.
1557	Echo Maker	"It happens to the best of us."		814
1558	Kim Kitsuragi	... even the lieutenant seems engrossed, despite your revealing details of an RCM investigation...		800
1559	Steban, the Student Communist			1560 1561
1560	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1558
1561	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	800
1562	Kim Kitsuragi	... even the lieutenant seems engrossed, despite your revealing details of an RCM investigation...		801
1563	Steban, the Student Communist			1564 1565
1564	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1562
1565	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	801
1566	You	"The matchboxes... you were trying to make the tower from Nilsen's journals."	Variable["apt.student_interfacing_matchbox_tower"] == true and Variable["apt.student_interfacing_moment_passed"] == false and Variable["apt.student_tower_done"] == false	1567
1567	Steban, the Student Communist	"So you really did read all the way to the end." A sheepish grin. "Yeah, Uli and I were trying to see whether there was enough plasm between the two of us to hold up a few matchboxes..."		1568
1568	Empathy	Saying it out loud makes him realise how foolish it sounds.		1570
1569	Steban, the Student Communist	"Right. Basically an infra-materialist parlour game. Let's forget about it."		1606
1570	Echo Maker	"It was just a little informal experiment. No reason to take it too seriously."		1605 1571
1571	You	Say nothing.		1569
1572	Empathy	There's something going on in there, but his innermost sanctum is still beyond your reach...		1308
1573	You	"Wait, you're saying communism is some kind of religion?"		1580
1574	You	"But what if you don't believe there is a future?"		1581
1575	You	"But what if humanity keeps letting us down?"		1582
1576	Steban, the Student Communist			1577 1578
1577	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_shivers_breeze"]	1230
1578	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_shivers_breeze"]) == false	1579
1579	Shivers	Has it gotten cold in here? Your arms seem to be covered in gooseflesh.		1259
1580	Steban, the Student Communist	"Only in this very specific sense. Communism doesn't dangle any promises of eternal bliss or reward. The only promise it offers is that the future can be better than the past, if we're willing to work and fight and die for it."		1574 1575
1581	Steban, the Student Communist	"Then you don't believe in the historic role of the proletariat, which also means you reject the basis of historical materialism."		1583
1582	Steban, the Student Communist	"Nobody said fulfilling the proletariat's historic role would be easy." A tight smile. "It demands great faith with no promise of tangible reward. But that doesn't mean we can simply give up."		1584 1698 1585
1583	Echo Maker	"It means you're not a communist, in other words."		1597 1598
1584	You	"Even when they ignore us?"		1586
1585	You	"Even when they shoot at us?"		1587
1586	Steban, the Student Communist	"Even then."		1589
1587	Steban, the Student Communist	"Especially then."		1588
1588	Echo Maker	"And of course, we'll be shooting right back."		1595
1589	Echo Maker	"Mazov says it's the arrogance of capital that will be its ultimate undoing. It does not believe it can fail, which is why it must fail."		1595
1590	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes. Whereas we understand that we'll almost certainly fail, which is what allows us the chance to succeed..."
1591	Steban, the Student Communist			1592 1593
1592	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["coast.exec_viscal_succeeded"]	1594
1593	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["coast.exec_viscal_succeeded"]) == false	1604
1594	Half Light	Why do you see the two of them with their backs against a bullet-pocked wall, all of a sudden?		1604
1595	Volition	So young. So unbearably young...		1591
1596	Steban, the Student Communist	"I have to say, I've never entirely understood what they mean, but I think maybe the answer is in there, somewhere."		1573 1574 1575
1597	You	"What are you then?"		1599
1598	You	"Okay, but what if you know there isn't going to be a future?"	Variable["church.andre_redc_hyperdrive_on"]	1600
1599	Steban, the Student Communist	"Something else..." The young man shakes his head.		1602
1600	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'm not sure I get what you're driving at. Of course there will be a future, even if the form it takes might appear unrecognisable. That's the spiral of progress."		1602
1601	Steban, the Student Communist	"Julia Dobreva came from Graad. Jean Abadanaiz was born in Revachol. She was brilliant, charismatic, a revolutionary comet. He was her partner and stabiliser, the planet who kept her in orbit."		1444
1602	Steban, the Student Communist	"I guess you could say we believe it because it's impossible." He looks at the scattered matchboxes on the ground. "It's our way of saying we refuse to accept that the world has to remain... like this..."		1320
1603	Shivers	Somehow you only now realise that the temperature has been dropping steadily for the last half hour.		1403
1604	Inland Empire	Their faces, blurred yet frozen as though in ambrotype. You were never that young, were you?		1602
1605	You	"We should try again, all of us."		1326
1606	Interfacing	The charge in the air has changed. You allow the moment to pass.		1607
1607	None			131
1608	Steban, the Student Communist			1609 1610
1609	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1611
1610	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1329
1611	Kim Kitsuragi	"I'll sit this one out. I don't think you want my skeptical materialism interfering..."		1329
1612	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's fine, Uli. That's enough parlour games for one night. We should clean up."		1822
1613	None			131
1614	None			1612
1615	Echo Maker	"Undoubtedly."		1643
1616	Steban, the Student Communist			1617 1618
1617	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1619
1618	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1338
1619	Kim Kitsuragi	The lieutenant says nothing, but a bemused grin crosses his face.		1338
1620	Steban, the Student Communist			1621 1622
1621	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1623
1622	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1614
1623	Kim Kitsuragi	The lieutenant says nothing, but his expression suggests otherwise.		1614
1624	Steban, the Student Communist			1625 1626
1625	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1627
1626	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1628
1627	Kim Kitsuragi	Even the lieutenant is watching intently now.		1628
1628	None			1629 1350 1351
1629	You	"This is tall enough, better not to risk it."		1632
1630	Steban, the Student Communist	"Come on, gendarme. Real progress requires great risks."		1636
1631	Echo Maker	"Yes. This is the closest we've ever gotten."		1821
1632	Steban, the Student Communist			1633 1634
1633	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1635
1634	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1630
1635	Kim Kitsuragi	"What are you talking about, detective? You can't give up now."		1630
1636	None			1628
1637	Steban, the Student Communist	"Either way, that's enough parlour games for one night. Thanks for humouring us."		1714
1638	You	"Shit."		1645
1639	You	"Fuck."		1645
1640	You	"I'm sorry."		1361
1641	You	Say nothing.		1642
1642	Steban, the Student Communist	"Well, it may be that we've found the outermost limit of our capabilities under the prevailing regime."		1615
1643	Steban, the Student Communist	"Alternatively, it could be that our own ideological fervour is still insufficient."		1646
1644	Echo Maker	"Harder to believe, but still possible..."		1637
1645	Steban, the Student Communist	"For a second there I thought we had it. Just goes to show how constrained we are under the limits of the prevailing regime."		1615
1646	Steban, the Student Communist			1647 1648
1647	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1649
1648	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1644
1649	Kim Kitsuragi	"Yes, the problem is almost certainly your lack of commitment, and not, say, gravity."		1644
1650	Steban, the Student Communist			1651 1652
1651	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1653
1652	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1362
1653	Kim Kitsuragi	"This is impossible, right? There's no way it's really staying up like that..."		1363
1654	Steban, the Student Communist			1655 1656
1655	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1657
1656	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1374
1657	Kim Kitsuragi	"..."		1375
1658	You	"That was miraculous."		1660
1659	Shivers	A low pressure system is gathering itself over the bay. It's begun to tug violently at the tarpaulins...		1654
1660	Steban, the Student Communist	"No." He looks up. "It was exactly what's supposed to happen. We should treat it that way."		1840
1661	Echo Maker	"That was remarkable."		1660
1662	Echo Maker	"Yes, that's probably the best way to describe it."		146
1663	Pain Threshold	The more it hurts, the more you have to have it.		240
1664	Savoir Faire	In another life, you might've made a fine seafaring man. Who knows, you may become one yet.		239
1665	Half Light	The beast is you, a mass of teeth and claws and violent urges.		241
1666	Perception (Sight)	Matchboxes, it appears.		11
1667	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yeah, I'm sure you did. That's real Saramirizian twill. Only old Saramirizian communists and drug smugglers wear those anymore..."		41
1668	Echo Maker	"We think of ourselves as more of an intellectual vanguard."		254
1669	You	"What about Cindy, is she part of the group?"	Variable["apt.student_wheres_group"] == true	1670
1670	Steban, the Student Communist	"Cindy is... how to describe her role..."		1702
1671	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, that's exactly how I would put it. And naturally we support her radical counter-liberal aesthetics."		1672
1672	Echo Maker	"But she refuses to submit an essay, so we can't call her a member of the group per se."		1673
1673	Steban, the Student Communist	"That doesn't stop her from using the room for studio space, of course."		1674
1674	None			342
1675	Logic	In other words, they have lost faith in their own relevance.		375
1676	Electrochemistry	One-thousand percent, yes.		371 370
1677	Logic	No, of course not. That's reductive in the extreme.		1676
1678	None			977 976 975 974 978
1679	None			1678
1680	Steban, the Student Communist			1681 1682
1681	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.basic_guide_interfacing_matchboxes"]	1683
1682	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.basic_guide_interfacing_matchboxes"]) == false	1397
1683	Interfacing	Of course, the matchboxes! You'd very nearly forgotten to ask about them. Now may be your last chance...		1397
1684	You	"... but I've done some reflecting and these days I consider myself a feminist."	IsTHCPresent("radical_feminist_agenda")	1685
1685	Steban, the Student Communist	"That's a fascinating trajectory, for sure. It's good to hear that you can still grow ideologically even at an... um... advanced age."		1687
1686	Echo Maker	"Yes, a fascinating case study..."		881
1687	Empathy	They really have no idea how old you are, much less what it means to age.		1686
1688	Steban, the Student Communist	"Interesting. So you're saying that in a certain sense the game plays the players as much as they play the game?"		1689
1689	Echo Maker	"Hmm. Then what does that make the game designers?"		1690 1691 1692
1690	You	"Superstars."		601
1691	You	"Malevolent deities."		601
1692	You	"Just people working a job, like any other."		601
1693	Echo Maker	"The irradiated waste tokens have this great metallic ochre sheen."		602
1694	Steban, the Student Communist			1695 1696
1695	Steban, the Student Communist		IsTHCPresent("art_cop")	1697
1696	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsTHCPresent("art_cop")) == false	669
1697	Conceptualization	This is your chance to show off your own critical faculties. Show them what an introspective cop looks like!		669
1698	You	"Even when they laugh at us?"		1699
1699	Steban, the Student Communist	"Even then."		1700
1700	Echo Maker	"Mazov tells us to laugh at the monster that hides behind false hopes and pieties."		1595
1701	Echo Maker	"Precisely. It's only beneath the cold light of scorn that deep truths are revealed..."
1702	Echo Maker	"... something of an ideological auxiliary, perhaps."		1671
1703	You	"Maybe you just haven't found the right group yet?"		351
1704	You	"Novels, unbelievable." (Shake your head.)		1705
1705	Echo Maker	"See? Even a gendarme gets it."		351
1706	You	"I like a good novel every now and then."	Variable["XP.hjelmdallerman_suffered_through_the_whole_book"] == true or Variable["inventory.hjelm_devil_read"] == true or Variable["inventory.coldest_firsthub_reached"] == true or Variable["inventory.mullen_ripped"] == true	1707
1707	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, sure. But you can always join a book club if that's what you're into."		351
1708	Empathy	A note of real uncertainty in his voice.		1011
1709	Steban, the Student Communist	"I want you... to hit me."		1014 1015
1710	Echo Maker	"Yes, this worked out quite nicely." He seems immensely pleased with himself.		1544
1711	Echo Maker	"It seems the face of violent reaction has revealed itself..."		1545
1712	None			132
1713	Steban, the Student Communist	The young man sighs. His companion looks about furtively.		224
1714	Echo Maker	"We should probably clean up..."		1839
1715	Echo Maker	"Hmmm, it does sound pretty cool when you describe it like that."		1521
1716	Echo Maker	"I suppose that makes it a historical inevitability, beyond contradiction."		1521
1717	Echo Maker	"Hmmm, I guess no one could accuse Cindy of having a bourgeois aesthetic."		1521
1718	Logic	Effects like... having more people in their reading group?		1520
1719	Steban, the Student Communist	"It was written by a young communard who was killed on the barricades during the Coalition landings. The story goes that he wrote it on the last night of his life, keeping watch from the barricades in the middle of the night. I don't have the whole thing committed to memory, but there's a line in it I think about sometimes."		1720
1720	You	"What's the line?"		1532
1721	Pain Threshold	You're holding it together, somehow, despite everything...		1722
1722	Steban, the Student Communist			1723 1724
1723	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_pain_holding_together"]	1531
1724	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_pain_holding_together"]) == false	1725
1725	Pain Threshold	It is tearing you up. It's like there's a tiny hateful beast shredding your very soul...		1531
1726	Composure	Take a deep breath. You've done some reading these past few days. But you also know there's more to life than what you find in books...
1727	Electrochemistry	Give 'em sex and drugs! They're clearly not getting any on their own.		1739
1728	Steban, the Student Communist			1729 1730
1729	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["TASK.what_happened_between_klaasje_and_hanged_done"] and Variable["whirling.klaasje_i_wanna_have_fuck_with_you"]	1727
1730	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["TASK.what_happened_between_klaasje_and_hanged_done"] and Variable["whirling.klaasje_i_wanna_have_fuck_with_you"]) == false	1739
1731	Steban, the Student Communist			1732 1733
1732	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["TASK.probe_drivers_about_drugs_done"] == true and Variable["pier.joyce_lynching_hub_reached"] == true	1734
1733	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["TASK.probe_drivers_about_drugs_done"] == true and Variable["pier.joyce_lynching_hub_reached"] == true) == false	1728
1734	Drama	How about a tale of adventure, intrigue, and derring-do?		1728
1735	Steban, the Student Communist			1736 1737
1736	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["TASK.perform_field_autopsy_done"] == true	1738
1737	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["TASK.perform_field_autopsy_done"] == true) == false	1731
1738	Esprit de Corps	A real-life procedural, complete with gory details...		1731
1739	None			778 779 780 781
1740	You	(Point to the art supplies.) "What's with the paint stuff?"	Variable["apt.student_art_supplies_seen"] == true	1742
1741	Steban, the Student Communist	He sighs. "Yeah, it's hers. She just sort of... moved it all in a few months ago."		1751
1742	Steban, the Student Communist			1743 1744
1743	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_cindy_supplies_seen"]	1741
1744	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_cindy_supplies_seen"]) == false	1745
1745	Steban, the Student Communist	He sighs. "That's Cindy's stuff. She just sort of... moved it all in a few months ago."		1751
1746	None			1747 1748 1749 1774
1747	You	"Do you like her art?"		1750
1748	You	"You want me to kick her out for you? I've served an eviction or two recently."	Variable["church.andre_arrest_order_given"] or Variable["church.soona_evicted"]	1755
1749	You	"Now I'm wondering, what's the deal with this place?"		1781
1750	Steban, the Student Communist	"Oh, sure. It's definitely interesting, I would say..."		1786
1751	Echo Maker	"She said if she's going to make truly radical art, she needs a suitably radical workspace."		1752
1752	Steban, the Student Communist	"And I don't think she could afford rent at an actual studio."		1746
1753	Steban, the Student Communist	"Hmmm, I guess you could call her latest stuff a sort of counter-bourgeois calligraphy. She's got a real taste for radical slogans."		1754
1754	Echo Maker	"It's too bad she hasn't developed the theoretical foundation to do truly radical work."		1787
1755	Steban, the Student Communist	"I'm not sure it would do very much good. She's sort of... impervious to authority."		1760
1756	Authority	It's true. And let's not bring up that shameful oinking episode.		1766
1757	Steban, the Student Communist			1758 1759
1758	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_authority_law"]	1761
1759	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_authority_law"]) == false	1756
1760	Authority	That's only because you haven't really laid down the law with her yet.		1757
1761	Composure	Seems unlikely you'll be able to 'lay down the law' with a child who made you oink like a pig...		1762
1762	Steban, the Student Communist			1763 1764
1763	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_logic_law_oink"]	1765
1764	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_logic_law_oink"]) == false	1766
1765	Authority	Let's never bring up that shameful episode again.		1766
1766	Echo Maker	"Besides, it would look pretty bad if people thought we were collaborating with the gendarmerie."		1782
1767	None			1746
1768	None			1746
1769	Steban, the Student Communist			1770 1771
1770	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_interesting_means"]	1838
1771	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_interesting_means"]) == false	1753
1772	You	"Wait, I thought 'interesting' was what people said when they don't have anything real to add?"		1773
1773	Echo Maker	His companion's eyes widen with interest. He has a cold smile.		1776
1774	You	"Okay, let's move on."		1810
1775	Half Light	It's like you sucker-punched him with your words.		1780
1776	Steban, the Student Communist			1777 1778
1777	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["gates.manana_theory_combat"]	1779
1778	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["gates.manana_theory_combat"]) == false	1775
1779	Logic	If this is what the Union man meant by theory combat, you've just scored a decisive blow.		1780
1780	Steban, the Student Communist	"Come on. It's not that I don't have anything to say about Cindy's art. It's more that I'm... still working out the details. It's a complex question, you've got to take your time with it..."		1818
1781	Steban, the Student Communist	"'The deal'? At a fundamental level I guess you could call it the shattered bones of a dream crushed by capital."		1801
1782	Steban, the Student Communist			1783 1784
1783	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1785
1784	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1794
1785	Kim Kitsuragi	"No doubt."		1794
1786	Reaction Speed	'Interesting' -- isn't that just binoclard for 'I don't have a real opinion'?		1769
1787	Steban, the Student Communist	"I think she'll get there, though. She's still looking for a subject equal to her ambitions."		1768
1788	Echo Maker	"That's really good, Steban. You should save that for an essay."		1795
1789	You	"What does this question say about me?"		1790
1790	Steban, the Student Communist	"Yes, that's the question you should be asking yourself."		1792
1791	None			1450
1792	Echo Maker	His companion nods, but offers no further solace.		1791
1793	Steban, the Student Communist	A moment of silence. They're waiting for you to speak.		332
1794	Steban, the Student Communist	"Good point, Uli."		1767
1795	Steban, the Student Communist	"Thanks, Uli. When the idea is sound the words just sort of flow."		1798
1796	You	"If this place is the shattered bones, that must make us the bone weevils."	Variable["apt.student_concept_work_with_this"] == true	1799
1797	You	"Okay, but what is this place?"	Variable["apt.sunday_luxury_apartments"] == false	1805
1798	Conceptualization	Yes, now keep developing the idea.		1802 1796 1806 1797
1799	Steban, the Student Communist	"Mmm, yeah that's not bad."		1800
1800	Echo Maker	"Not as good as Steban's original idea, though."		1809
1801	Logic	A feeble and hopelessly mixed metaphor.		1788
1802	You	"Actually, I think that's a mixed metaphor."	Variable["apt.student_logic_mixed_metaphor"] == true	1803
1803	Echo Maker	"Hmph. Leave it to the gendarme to enforce bourgeois stylistic values."		1804
1804	Steban, the Student Communist	"Besides, it's just a first draft."		1809
1805	Steban, the Student Communist	"It's an old construction site." He looks around. "They've been trying to restore these apartments for years, but as you can see they haven't made much progress."		1808
1806	You	"I heard these used to be luxury apartments. Million reál views, that sort of thing."	Variable["apt.sunday_luxury_apartments"] == true	1807
1807	Steban, the Student Communist	"That could be." He nods. "It would explain some of the more ornate detailing. But we're speaking in world-historical terms here. What this place represents, not what it merely was."		1808
1808	Echo Maker	His friend yawns, evidently bored by literal reality.		1809
1809	None			1746
1810	None			132
1811	You	(Let it go.)		1753
1812	Conceptualization	The way they billow in the night breeze reminds you of something...		1813
1813	Steban, the Student Communist			1814 1815
1814	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_concept_breeze"]	233 234 235
1815	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_concept_breeze"]) == false	1816
1816	Conceptualization	It reminds you of something, but you can't think of what. Oh well, let's see if the students are still going...		1817
1817	None			242
1818	Empathy	You've flustered the poor boy. Now he's got to say something.		1753
1819	Logic	For the moment.		1820
1820	Rhetoric	The higher the tower goes, the quieter the room seems to become. Aside from the occasional comment, the three of you are completely absorbed by the task.		1337
1821	Rhetoric	It's almost exactly as Nilsen's sketch imagined, a physical manifestation of the dialectical spiral of history.		1347
1822	Steban, the Student Communist			1823 1824
1823	Steban, the Student Communist		IsKimHere()	1825
1824	Steban, the Student Communist		(IsKimHere()) == false	1826
1825	Kim Kitsuragi	"Well, I think we're probably finished here, detective."		1613
1826	Rhetoric	Yes, it's probably time for you to take your leave as well.		1613
1827	Steban, the Student Communist			1828 1829
1828	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckEquipped("jacket_interisolar_white") and Variable["apt.student_jacket_discussed"] == false	1830
1829	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckEquipped("jacket_interisolar_white") and Variable["apt.student_jacket_discussed"] == false) == false	21
1830	Steban, the Student Communist	"You know," the young man looks up at you as you enter, "if you wanted to borrow my jacket, you could've just asked..."		1833
1831	None			131
1832	Steban, the Student Communist	"But no matter. What's on your mind?"		1831
1833	Savoir Faire	It looks better on you, anyway. He never had the shoulders for it.		1832
1834	Steban, the Student Communist			1835 1836
1835	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["apt.student_left_pre_main_hub"]	1837
1836	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["apt.student_left_pre_main_hub"]) == false	10
1837	None			1827
1838	None			1772 1811
1839	None			1822
1840	None			1714
1841	Steban, the Student Communist			1842 1843
1842	Steban, the Student Communist		CheckItem("jacket_interisolar_white")	89
1843	Steban, the Student Communist		(CheckItem("jacket_interisolar_white")) == false	90
1844	None			1242 1252 1253
1845	Steban, the Student Communist			1846 1847
1846	Steban, the Student Communist		Variable["inventory.basic_guide_stage_three_reached"]	1204
1847	Steban, the Student Communist		(Variable["inventory.basic_guide_stage_three_reached"]) == false	1203

Conversation 980: APT / STUDENT COMMUNIST

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