quiteagooddonor | ONE. be curteous and present yourself well

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[The audio turns on and there's a short pause before a moderately young, eager British voice speaks.]

Hello! My name.. Well, it's Tommy D. I'm-- I'm a new warden here.

[His words become more careful.]

I don't-- I don't know if you know about The Cottages or White Castle or anything, but it really doesn't matter that I'm a student of Hailsham. It really made... it makes no difference in the end. [A beat.] I know I'm not the best out there, but if you give me a chance, I'll work hard and I expect I can surprise you.

[A pause and then he's back to his original chipper tone again.]

I heard that the inmates are assigned to us. Is that right? Do I.. Do I talk to the Admiral about it or is it automatic or... ? Sorry. I'm rubbish at this sort of thing. I promise I'll be better once I've gotten to know how it all works.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

una_persson

[Horror. What world is this. Granted, she's seen similar before, but Tommy's relative nonchalance about it makes her stomach tie itself in knots.]

Actually, I didn't know—I'm not familiar with any of those names. And I'm not ... not a Donor, like you mean.

[Beat.] What do you mean, Original?

From:

quiteagooddonor

Oh.

...

Uh. Maybe I've.. Sorry. I shouldn't have assumed like that.

[He switches on the video. Contrary to the icons, his head is shaved and he looks just a little pale and possibly sickly. Tommy gives a small wave.]

It might be better that you didn't know. In case you are one. Or were meant to be one. [A beat as he glances sideways awkwardly and then back again.] It's not something anyone wants to be.

From:

una_persson

[Una switches over to video as well. Just as well Tommy didn't arrive in the middle of the age-change flood, or he'd be confronted with, well, Miss Emily. As it is, it's a two-or-three-decades-younger version of Hailsham's headmistress he's seeing, and who's looking at him with concern.]

Where I come from, we don't have that system. But it's not unusual here for people to bear extremely strong resemblances to others.

Are you feeling all right? Do you need anything? We've an infirmary if you're feeling unwell.

From:

quiteagooddonor

[There's another awkward pause while Tommy squirms a little.]

I didn't realize this was that sort of place.

...

Hm? There was something else you sa-- Oh! No, I'm quite alright. It might take me a bit to recover, but it's.. it's fine. I'm actually responding quite well.

From:

una_persson

[A penny finally drops for Una and it cuts right through the rest of her puzzlement over what Tommy's saying.]

You're a donor yourself.

[Only marginally a question.]

From:

quiteagooddonor

Of course. All students of Hailsham are expected to begin their donations when the time comes. [...] We actually have quite a good reputation at Hailsham. Everyone else always sort of looked up to us.. or maybe they just looked up to Hailsham. Someone told me it was a better place than most of the others.

[There's a sudden tightness tugging at his lips.] I'm not sure that's true, but there you have it. It's.. you look like her. It would make sense that she would try it. Even if she was afraid of us.

[A pause.]

Wow. I've already told you a lot more than I'd intended. I'm sorry. I think you might be modeled after her, though. Miss Emily. I think they might have intended you for Donation in the beginning or something.

What, uh.. what year are you from?

From:

una_persson

[It takes quite a lot to really horrify Una and/or render her dumbstruck, and congratulations, Tommy—you've succeeded.]

...late twentieth century. You—you're talking about cloning, aren't you?

From:

quiteagooddonor

Maybe not then.

[He shrugs and grins.]

I think I've heard of it before. I'm not certain if it's the same as Donors, but I expect it's similar. I think 'cloning' is a bit more scientific, though.

From:

una_persson

I—yes, I suppose so. It might be the process by which Donors are—

[She can't bring herself to say "created".]

Born.

[Good lord, so uncomfortable. Not a common feeling for her.]

I know you said you were feeling all right, but you might want to see one of the doctors in the infirmary, just to be sure. They can monitor your ... recovery, and help you if needed.

From:

quiteagooddonor

Oh. We, uh. We aren't born, Miss Persson. We're raised. I guess you could say 'created' as well.

[This is all nonchalant fact for him.]

That's alright, thanks! I'm responding well and I wouldn't want to be spotted needing a carer when I've only just arrived.

From:

una_persson

[So unsettled by your nonchalance, Tommy, but doing a relatively good job of ot showing it.]

Ah, I see. You must excuse me; this ... donor system is quite alien to me.

In any case, no one will think the less of you if you need any help, not to worry.

From:

quiteagooddonor

I'm glad of that.

..Do you mind if I tell Eddie about the donors?

Are you certain?

From:

una_persson

Why should I mind?

From:

quiteagooddonor

In case you are one.

From:

una_persson

Tommy, I'm not. I'm fairly certain of this.

From:

quiteagooddonor

[Hesitantly and obviously missing the point.]

..Does that mean you're okay with it then?

From:

una_persson

[Also slightly missing the point, or at least moving orthogonally to it.]

It won't be the first time someone on the Barge has said that a person here resembles a person they've known at home.

From:

quiteagooddonor

Oh. Well. You don't look like her. You look like.. I think she was your Original is all. You'd still be your own person. And if you weren't raised to be a Donor, then.. well. There might not be any way for you to know it yourself.

From:

una_persson

[What is it with unpersuadable people from dystopian worlds this week.]

I'm pretty certain that I'm not ... Well, be that as it may, I don't mind if you mention it to Eddie.