Video

[blesseddumbfuck]

[Biff isn't cheerful today; he's wearing his most serious expression, though he hasn't been robbed of whatever genuine kindness he usually has when talking at length to the Barge.]

I want to talk about death. Or maybe compassion. Or both.

There is something I notice when we have so many new arrivals on the ship. Some of us who have been here for many months or years will tell the inmates that they're dead. Yes, it is true, we tell them that they have been given a second chance -

[He pauses, then holds up his hands.]

It is not a lecture. This is only me, talking.

[Sighing, Biff clasping his hands together as he tries to find a new starting point.]

Think of how you feel, to lose a loved one. Your sorrow is because you will never hear their voice again, never feel their hands or see their smile. That is a clean wound that will never heal.

Death is a terrible thing. It's natural, but it's terrible.

When we tell the inmates that they are dead, remember what that means. Think how they would feel, to come here and know they have lost everything. Think of all the adventures they will never have. Think of all the wine they will never taste, the food they will never eat. Think of the pretty girls who will never kiss them. The Barge gives us many things, but it isn't real life.

Life is over for many of them.

We should...at least learn their names before we become the bearers of such terrible news.

We should also consider these things before we raise our hands to kill one another, even if death isn't permanent here. You should not kill someone thinking they will come back.

One day, they might not.

[A beat. He moves on. His tone becomes dark and quiet, a far cry from the compassion he displayed a moment ago:]

I was a terrible person in that flood. I'm glad I stayed in my room.

Comments

[gotgreenmagic.livejournal.com]

...

Were you alive when you showed up here?

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

Yes and no. I was dead, and then I wasn't.

[gotgreenmagic.livejournal.com]

What.

I will give you misery guts, here. and then someone nicer.

[equalsfive.livejournal.com]

Some of us, comrade, would rather be dead than here by a long margin.

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

I believe you. This isn't about whether you want to be here, though. It's about how you're treated when you arrive.

[equalsfive.livejournal.com]

I'm merely saying that discovering you are here, and to be... put through this is possibly just as devastating information as discovering you're dead.

If not more so, in some situations.

someone nicer.

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

It is important to consider that what is mundane, every day information to us is perhaps quite shocking and traumatic for another to discover.

Although some must already know they have died when they arrive.

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

Yes, that is what I mean. I think we lose our compassion because we tell people so often, this is the Barge, you are dead, the dining hall is on level one. We forget.

I am sure some know, but we shouldn't assume.

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

No matter how many times you deliver news, you should never let it lose it's gravity. It's good to know not everyone forgets, though.

No, we should not.

[strangehistorian]

That's a great insight! I'll definitely edit the welcome pamphlet I'm working on to reflect it.

[Right now it says "Congratulations! You are dead!"]

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I could help.

[love-dont-roam.livejournal.com]

Me too.

...You really get it. About death, I mean. It's a welcome change.

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's like a in-joke. You had to be there at the time to get it.

[with_discipline]

The fact that they are here proves that they have not necessarily lost everything. You're point is a good one - but they have not simply died by being here.

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

I know.

It is still something we should be compassionate about.

[with_discipline]

On which I already agreed.

Private

[lotoftrouble.livejournal.com]

I wish I stayed in my room.

Private

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

What happened?

Private

[lotoftrouble.livejournal.com]

My other self was worse than I was when I arrived on this boat as an inmate.

[Private][Not!Comment.]

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Game. Over. All of the things he never did, never got to do. You really didn't know what you had until after it was gone. Cherish your life, Cherish your life. Cherish your life.]

[He opens the feed and closes it again. Attempted communication. Very nice Biff. Very nice.]

[Private]

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

...Hello?

[Private]

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[long pause. Then]

Sorry, hit the communication button by mistake.

...Good stuff though. What you said. Makes a lot of sense for most people.

[most_feared]

They're here against their will. They don't know where they are. They weren't present for the trial that found them in need of redemption. They don't know the requirements for that redemption. They're placed into the hands of strangers of questionable quality for that redemption.

It's rough for them. You're absolutely right.

[failedcreator.livejournal.com]

Sir, I do not trust your wily ways regard women, but on this manner you are quite correct. I thank you for speaking these words.

[blesseddumbfuck.livejournal.com]

Women should not trust my wily ways, either.

But I am being very faithful, if it makes you feel better.