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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.
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.
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[Private][Not!Comment.]
Date: 2011-08-25 08:35 pm (UTC)[He opens the feed and closes it again. Attempted communication. Very nice Biff. Very nice.]
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 08:36 pm (UTC)[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 08:49 pm (UTC)Sorry, hit the communication button by mistake.
...Good stuff though. What you said. Makes a lot of sense for most people.
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 09:05 pm (UTC)[A beat.]
I thought maybe you wanted to talk to someone.
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 10:36 pm (UTC)Just commenting on what you said.
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 10:38 pm (UTC)Except Shego. She thinks I'm a fuckstick.
[Something in his tone suggests he's amused.]
You're Mark Hoffman, right?
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 10:48 pm (UTC)...yeah. Just Hoffman.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 10:53 pm (UTC)I am called Biff.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 10:55 pm (UTC)You don't look like a Biff. [Biffs are blond annoying super-hero types.]
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 10:59 pm (UTC)[There's laughter in his voice.]
My name is Levi bar Alphaeus, who is called Biff. 'Biff' is the sound made when someone cuffs you upside the head. My mother said I required it at least once a day from an early age.
So, I am Biff.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 11:04 pm (UTC)[You are odd Biff. Odd.]
Your parent shouldn't have fucking hit you.
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 11:10 pm (UTC)And I'm okay with that. I'm okay with almost everything. Life is better when you let yourself enjoy it.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 11:13 pm (UTC)I guess I kind of get the traditional Jewish parental thing. [Although he still sounds like he thinks you're crazy.]
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 11:26 pm (UTC)You are the one who was a cop, right?
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-25 11:51 pm (UTC)[He grins at that. Full on fucking grins.]
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 12:08 am (UTC)Of course, I've only known soldiers, and honor usually varied from person to person. I should tell you about Justus some time.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 01:02 am (UTC)...who's Justus?
[Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 09:07 am (UTC)Do you know those movies about the one good cop in the corrupt precinct? I think they're about Justus.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 06:12 pm (UTC)No, they're "Die Hard" and other films like that. The one good guy fighting against all the odds.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 06:15 pm (UTC)But he served everyone. Not only his fellow soldiers or Caesar. Always did what he thought was right.
[Thoughtfully:]
He tried to be a good man.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 07:02 pm (UTC)[Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 07:16 pm (UTC)He tried to help us, you know. He risked a lot. Many soldiers would never have considered helping the Hebrews. But he did. Even if he was bitter, he tried to do what was right.
Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 11:35 pm (UTC)[Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 11:44 pm (UTC)Re: [Private]
Date: 2011-08-26 11:48 pm (UTC)It is the job of a peace officer to dispense justice of any way, shape, or form.
Never mind that nobody pays attention and people fuck with you every goddamn chance that you get. That you're a pig and a miser and a monster even if you're not a serial killer.
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