Scene #8803: Golly Gee Father Berislav, What's A Union?

Owner	Pose
Angela	Angela did not request this meeting. Chesed did, in fact, and he is the one who authorizes the visitation. It is doubtful that Angela will be entirely oblivious to it-- she is trapped in the facility and has nothing but time--but that doesn't mean other Sephirah can't ask for meetings. Welfare is on the second floor down and requires passing through Control and Central to get there. The one meeting you at the entrance is...BETTY!. "Yay!" BETTY!, a 12 foot tall cyborg with multiple limbs down their chest and a big emoticon serving as their singular eye says while making a ^o^ face within that eye. "You came after all! Right this way! The Captain is going to be so happy~" BETTY! leads Berislav to Welfare, happily chatting about the time a Clerk started going crazy and shooting everywhere and she helped him calm down by clonking him on the head. "I LOVE helping people! <3" She says. The Welfare department has a skybox, strangely, that creates an artificial light source because the skybox obviously doesn't reach to the sky but DOES reach to an image of a sky shining down onto the rest of the floor. There is a kind of open cavernous feel to the department and even though the walls are artificial they have a rocky element to them. BETTY! leads Berislav through these halls into a similarly colored and patterned...cafe?...That seems to have been set up on this floor. The light is still cool and not quite well lit, but there is a full service cafe with numerous bottles of flavor doled up across the backwall of where Chesed, in his robotic form, holds a cup of coffee. 5rSeated at one of the tables is Fox, whom Berislav has met before. He is a man in what looks like kevlar inspired EGO Gear with a pistol sidearm and a Welfare Department armband. He is sitting on his lonesome, periodically fiddling with his revolver. A bit attached to it, perhaps. He wears glasses like Shajo but his are an EGO Gift provided by the Old Lady who resides on this floor. "So you made it," He says. "Sit wherever."
Father Berislav	"Do you?" asks Berislav conversationally, as he's led. "I'm glad to hear that--Betty, wasn't it? Sometimes, when people... really desperately need help, they can lash out at others without realizing it, like someone flailing and taking on water. Keeping a cool head in a situation like that isn't easy, but it's very necessary. It's good that you were there to help!" The priest, garbed in his usual cassock, looks up with mild awe at the artificial light of the Welfare department. It's an impressive amount of attention to detail, and not at all what Berislav expected of a 'Lobotomy Corporation.' Taking a seat opposite Fox, Berislav nods. "I'm pleased to be here, Fox," he says. "I understand that in some ways, this meeting has been a long time coming. After all, the company's particular approach to making the City better involves using its tools." An approach that he's not entirely unfamiliar with, as Fox would know from Berislav's exchange with Hokma. "It's a noble aim, but there are pitfalls associated with the methodology. Perhaps you could start by telling me about your experiences within not just within the company, but the larger City?" He crosses one leg over the other, hands folded neatly on the table. "How does work here compare to your other options? What are the pay and workload like, in a general sense?"
UFO Gang	As Betty leads Berislav through the welfare department, they pass a small circle of seated individuals. Two of them at the 'apex' of the circle are sitting peacefully in a seiza posture. A pink cloud surrounds one of them, but loosely. There is a singing bowl before them. The other cushions on the ground hold Agents, who are... trying to sit similarly. Some of them are meeting with more success than others, whether due to outfits, nervous twitches, or sore knees. As they move on, the pink cloud shifts and strikes the bowl. tonggg-g-g-g But that was a couple of minutes ago. NOW, most of the people who were meditating are filing into the cafe, probably to get a post-meditation snack or the delicious coffee you need to keep working through the day. As they clump into the queue, the two 'leaders' remain in the back. One of them - Shou, who from Berislav's perspective is just some blonde in a robe with a tiger-skin-looking waist - turns her head and looks, directly, at Berislav. Shou blinks several times, but her expression then brightens. After a short talk with Ichirin (the other person present) she moves towards Berislav's seated position, and indirectly Fox as well. She doesn't /speak/ yet but she's definitely /coming/ there. It might be a little menacing, but only the tiniest little bit. Shou is a peaceful soul, it seems.
Angela	BETTY! says, "That's why I bonk 'em! Eheheheh!" The cyborg's cheeks glow pink briefly before she makes her way back to the medical care center. Fox glances towards Shou, who technically is his subordinate, but he knows how things go with Outsiders. They do whatever they want. Fox sets the revolver on the table and leans back in his chair, kicking one leg up on top of it and then the other. He pushes up his glasses with an index finger while lookint at Berislav. "Me? I just wanted to pay off my student loans. Turns out I've been doing that for ten more years than I expected, Yuri said." He crosses his arms. "Guess they gave up hiding it. Really banking on this run by the look of it. Yuri also mentioned somethin' 'bout a Union. Wanted to ask you about that. Pay's not bad, being honest, but the work's dangerous. You know that. And we've all been here longer than we figured we'd be." Chesed says, "How do you like your coffee, Father Berislav? And you, Shou?"
Father Berislav	How do you like your coffee, Father Berislav? And you, Shou? "Mm? Oh, I'm afraid in that regard I'm 'basic,' as people say. I like it with sugar and plenty of cream," he clarifies, with a little smile. Berislav turns towards Shou, his reading glasses dangling from his clerical collar, hung snugly by the frame. "Shou, I presume? You can feel free to take a seat, if you like. It's not as if this conversation doesn't also affect you, after all." Yuri also mentioned somethin' 'bout a Union. Wanted to ask you about that. "Naturally," says Berislav, turning his attention back towards Fox, with a nod. "A union is a protective organization formed to give employees a little more leverage--it's much harder to tear a book, than it is to tear one page individually." "While I'm sure that most of the Agents and Clerks here want the City to be a better place, it's certainly true that your labor, collectively, is as vital to the company's goal as the Sephirah's. A union bargains collectively with management to ensure the fairest compensation and safest possible conditions." The priest shifts in his seat. "From what I understand, 'safest' does a lot of lifting in that sentence--some risk seems necessary, if this 'Enkephalin' is to be extracted at all. But, collectively, you, your fellow Agents and the Clerks can ensure that there is no unnecessary risk, and that..." He pauses, searching for words, his index drumming lightly on the table. "There is adequate compensation, not just in good times, but in the event that the worst comes to pass." "How often does that happen, if I may ask?"
UFO Gang	"Oh," Shou says to Chesed, "I'm not familiar with it. Is that what's making that delightful smell?" The coffeeslingers must have just ground some...!! "Whatever way is most preferred," Shou tells Chesed, with a smile. "Indeed," Shou tells Berislav. "I see that our reputation precedes us..." At the invitation, she moves to take a seat next to Berislav. She seems faintly troubled as that may have not been ideal. After this, she folds her hands on the table as Berislav speaks of... a union!!! Shou's brow furrows for a moment, but his description is quite adequate as a defintion, and so she listens pleasantly. Unnecessary risk is mentioned. This makes Shou look... Concerned. "Minamitsu and Nazrin spoke at some length regarding the... events," Shou says, presently. "They do seem as if they would be difficult to endure without assistance, or support, from your patroness." Angela, presumably. During an appropriate pause, Shou asks Berislav, genially and quietly, "May I ask what community you are with?"
Angela	Chesed raises an eyebrow when Shou informs him she is unfamiliar with coffee. "That would be the case," He manages. "My my, you are the first I've met that hadn't heard of coffee at all before. I'll have to prepare something smooth and light with just enough cream..." And it turns out that Berislav has a similar order in mind so Chesed works on it--eventually producing two cups of coffee with the cream and foam up top forming the Lobotomy Corp logo. He slides one towards Shou and another towards Berislav but there aren't any 'waiters' to bring the order directly so they'll have to go fetch it if they aren't already by the Sephirah Barrista. 5r"Ah, Lady Angela." Chesed says. "Unfortunately, Angela's chief goal is not sparing the Agents suffering or making it easier on them, it is to gather the requisite energy benchmarks by the end of the day. If it spares energy, she'll lock doors to prevent a clerk from escaping an Abnormality rather than spend the energy to open that door up." "It has been less of an issue because you friendly Outsidesr have ensured we often have no shortage of energy. Quite thankful for that." Fox just quietly listens. He doesn't seem to be the sort of person to give long speeches. Just say what he needs to say and move on. Fox looks at his revolver. "Sure does do a lot of lifting, Father." Fox says. "Mm... Hard to say how often it happens. The Train was pretty bad, took out some Agents and a ton of clerks. Walpurgisnacht--didn't kill a lot of people but it was...it was real draining. Then there was the incident with the Bishop, but can't talk much about that." He swings his legs off the table and then places his hands on top of it instead, leaning forward. "Come a long way. Seems late to risk the plan now, but by that same token it's a good time to reach, Chesed says. We get money, but money only means so much when we can't leave the facility, student loans or nah. The ones who are most loyal have nowhere else to go or found it was the only place they could be. The rest of us just eat it. I can get a crew going, but what should we be asking for for compensation?"
Father Berislav	May I ask what community you are with? "'What community?'" asks Berislav, tapping his chin. "Well, I'm an offworlder; part of the Watch, if that's what you're asking. I was a sympathizer and occasional asset for a few years years before I was considered an 'Elite.'" The quotes are audible. Berislav gets up and retrieves his coffee, and Shou's, handing hers over before sitting down with his own. Unfortunately, Angela's chief goal is not sparing the Agents suffering or making it easier on them, it is to gather the requisite energy benchmarks by the end of the day. "So I gathered," says Berislav with a sigh. They'd spoken privately--she'd alluded to a day in the future wherein he might be barred from visiting, for the objections he might raise. "A union isn't just in the best interests of the pr--of the workers," he says, "But it often ensures that the company operates more smoothly. Union jobs are in high demand, and being a power able to offer that to prospective workers would be a not insignificant step towards your stated aim of making the City kinder, immediately, rather than being dependent upon the completion of this project of yours." I can get a crew going, but what should we be asking for for compensation? "Being able to leave the facility would be a solid first demand," says Berislav, his hands squeezing together. Taking a sip of coffee, he further explains, "While I understand this is the only world you've ever known, and that the same goes for the management of this facility and the greater cultural context of the City, you should know that stipulation is unusually draconian by the standards of most worlds." Turning towards Chesed, "Your operational costs would increase in the short term," he expains, "As you'd need to bring in agents to cover and develop schedules. In the long term, however, the health of your employees would benefit and your costs will go down accordingly. Rest is not just a function of sleep, but of mental well-being," he says, lifting one hand to tap an index to his temple. "I do understand that these 'Meltdowns' are necessary for the project. I also understand, however, that many of these Abnormalities demand mental rigor of any Agent tasked with containing them. Your Agents and Clerks will find that easier to muster if they're allowed to have lives outside of this company."
UFO Gang	"The best that I could suppose is that it is something like tea," Shou answers Chesed with a smile. "I did not travel very much until quite recently." She breathes in; and breathes out. And then she frowns. "That is unfortunate," Shou says at Chesed's report. Her eyes turn towards Fox. (To Berislav, Shou continues parenthetically, "Ah, I had recognized your robes as like a monk's, forgive me if I am mistaken!") Shou's hands fold before her as she listens, but then there's an offering of a cup of coffee. Which is when... Unzan the cloud picks it up!! He floats over, somehow managing to look embarrassed about it, and sets it down near Shou. ("Thank you, Unzan," says that worthy.) Unzan flees back to Ichirin, who is milling about, and then Shou's eyes turn back forwards to the conversation. "It's not good to pursue either indulgence or austerities," Shou advises. "If seclusion such as this is not expected of all people in similar working places... then it should not be expected of you. Even vows of renunciation and rules of monastic rigor will often permit their abeyance for the sake of great moments in life, or to pursue services... I suppose you do not collect alms."
Father Berislav	Ah, I had recognized your robes as like a monk's, forgive me if I am mistaken! "Oh!" Berislav laughs, making a little handwave with one hand, and sipping with the other. "No, you're not mistaken. I'm a priest of the Episcopalian denomination of the Christian faith, albeit without a parish due to... disagreements with the church's doctrine." "I'm happy to tend to any spiritual needs you may have, regardless of my standing as clerici vagabundi--Jesus said, 'I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there.'"
Angela	Chesed says, "Mm." to Berislav. "But to be fair to her, if the mission is not accomplishd, all is for naught, no? She is not someone who will be wastefully cruel. ... I think." Fox considers the idea that a union could be better for the business as well. "Huh. So why don't businesses like unions then, if it's better for them?" HONESTLY a good question but Fox doesn't seem to understnad why companies wouldn't just do the most practical if also greedy concept as opposed to letting greed be wholly shortsighted. Wings aren't exactly noted for being fragile. "Mm. Doubt they'll be too keen on us making our way into the City with EGO Gear, they might bend a little on that one." Fox says. "Sure, I get it can be draconian. This isn't exactly a world with positive feelings about having Outsiders to deal with at all. Bet the only reason they accept it is because it's impossible to ignore." Not quite as extreme as the Titanomachia, at least, though Fox wouldn't know to bring that up. Berislav speaks about operational costs increasing. "Ahh, there it is. That's why they don't accept it. Why thnk of a year from now when you can be just dandy for half of one right now." He starts wiping down the counter with a cloth. "Of course, it would be lovely if the Agents could have lives outside of the facility. But I am not the one you'd have to convince." He winks. "Their concerns will be it being a security risk, first. Among other things I no doubt have not imagined." Chesed is fully focused on Shou's reaction to coffee, however, studying her--even as the pink cloud sets it down. He ... is accustomed to Unzan by now. Fox looks to Shou, "Hah? Alms? ... Well I figure I get what you're saying, mostly. Alright, we'll say 'lives outside the company' as our first demand. We can negotiate down to only Outer Worlds if they're worried about security." Fox bobs his head thoughtfully, frowning. "Probably worried about us just up and leavin' too. I was ... personally kinda ... wondering how long THIS work was intended to go on. It's been nearly a year since we unified and we're only halfwy there, but how long is 'the other halfway', you know?"
UFO Gang	Shou seems to be listening in to what Chesed and Fox are laying down. This is probably the first time she's hearing of a 'union' in this context. She sips her coffee -- momentarily surprised, her lips puckering slightly at its bitterness. Then she takes a second, somewhat longer sip. It must have met with approval... "It would seem that individuals who are kept here by force would not be good guardians," Shou answers Fox. "It might, perhaps, be an expedient means if one of the 'melt downs' were happening right then and there... I recall that the opening into this place was closed, during the crisis itself." Sip. "I understand that one might think: This will only be for a while... I can make it well later," Shou continues. "But such actions will inevitably bear bitter fruits." Having made this pronouncement, she looks to Berislav. "Oh," she says, "that's quite eloquent! I've heard of Christians here and there, though largely a few hundred years ago... Was Jesus the founder of your order?" This may be a topic for another day. At this point, however, Ichirin begins wandering over, having acquired coffee by some other means. She may have overhead some of the conversation! Indeed, she's looking at Fox, as if obscurely excited by -- something? What, working hard? EGO gear?
Father Berislav	So why don't businesses like unions then, if it's better for them? "Because the overwhelming majority of them value short term profit over anything else," says Berislav, nodding at Chesed. "Especially those that answer to shareholders. Lobotomy Corporation is highly unusual, as companies go, in having a stated aim other than profit motive and the myth of infinite growth." Probably worried about us just up and leavin' too. Berislav nods again. "Possibly," he says. "Although places like the City tend to make that prohibitively expensive in both time and effort." "As for security concerns and the... anxieties of the greater City," He takes another sip, and hmms thoughtfully, peering briefly into the drink. "I'm sure that stringent non-disclosure clauses could allay the former, and an equipment check policy upon leaving the company the latter. The ideal is that conditions at Lobotomy Corporation would be so much more preferable than those in the rest of the City that no Agent or Clerk would jeopardize their position; and that, conversely, the company has clearly outlined policies and procedures to point to in the unlikely event that it does happen." It would seem that individuals who are kept here by force would not be good guardians. "That's often the case," says Berislav. "The company stands to benefit immensely from the effect of greater... well, agency, for its employees." Was Jesus the founder of your order? "In a manner of speaking," says Berislav with a slight smile. "But that would venture into theology and source criticism--an entirely different conversation. We should discuss it over tea, sometime!" Turning back to Fox, Berislav offers some other suggestions. "Compensation for loved ones and family members in the event of a death on the job, if that's not already provided," he says, listing them out with his fingers. "And a third issue, I'd recommend--something that you can afford to part with, to allow the company a 'win.' Given the... unprecedented nature of this sort of organization within the City, let alone the company, I think an approach which appears conservative without actually being such is the wisest, politically. Naturally, I'm happy to help with any organizing and negotiations."
Angela	"Jesus came up a little in our research into the Holy Refulgence but it didn't mention anything about fighting kaiju so I think the text's a bit outdated." Fox says. He picks up the revolver again, spinning it, thinking. What could he give TO the company to let them say it's a win. It's not a bad idea but this isn't a world where the common worker has much to negotiate with. Indeed, with Outsiders like Shou around--people willing to work part time even in a place like this--he isn't sure just how replaceable the company thinks they are Chesed seems to smile (he odesn't have lips, but there's this sense of one all the same) when Shou enjoys the coffee. "You're free to come by for whatever blend you might be up for. I hate to say it, but what you've got there--is specially made for those new to coffee. You might like something stronger next time." Fox marvels at Shou. "Figured you'd be a bit more like Petra since you came here willingly and all, but that's...not bad thinking. So long as we hit the quotas, there's no good reason to have a fuss about what we might want to live a little easier." He looks bakc to Berislav, spinning in his chair to make that happen. Ichirin seems excited. By what?! He doesn't know. But he's kinda getting the bite himself. He's been pretty sour on the company for a while, so this idea appeals to him--especially after he sees what Agents have been coming back like lately. "Can brainstorm this some, but you got any ideas what would be a win for a crew like this?" An ideal situation inside the company so leaving seems like a dumb idea, Fox thinks. It's crazy. But is it possible?
UFO Gang	While Berislav explains the true menace of the cosmos, CAPITALISM, Ichirin plunks down and sips her coffee. As does Shou. Bunch of coffee sippin' nuns here. Nodding along with what Berislav says, Shou says, "That would be a delight. Thank you, brother," to Berislav, which is at least in the right ballpark. Nod along, listen to it. Ichirin says, "Who?" when Fox speaks up, but Shou quietly explains things. Shou tells Chesed, "Is that so? In fact, I like this. I have been used to tea; it isn't the same kind of beverage, exactly, is it? But it's similar. I would love to see how it is made." Then to Fox, to whom she says, "Ms. Soroka? I think well of her... but I imagine that we have several significant differences." And then Ichirin leans forwards because she heard the magic word. "You wanna be all smiles to them, as he was saying, but what you want to do is figure out where you want to actually be at the end -- and then make everything," a pause, "thirty percent more than that!" "That is curiously precise," Shou tells Ichirin. "I learned it long ago, when I was still human," says Ichirin. "If you get too big, you're either going to make the other bargainer angry or you're going to look like a jerk. But thirty percent -- you can go with a quarter, or a third, which are pretty close -- that's unrealistic... but it's realistically unrealistic!" Shou seems to consider this. "So all you have to do is figure out what's thirty percent more than what you really want!" Ichirin concludes.
Father Berislav	Can brainstorm this some, but you got any ideas what would be a win for a crew like this? "You mentioned that you were fine with the pay. I can't guess as to the situation of any other agents, but a common tactic in bargaining is to start higher than you actually intend to receive, as our friend here notes." He smiles at Ichirin. "Incidentally, I don't think I caught your name. I'm Father Waters Berislav. 'Father' is an honorific, and not necessary if you prefer to avoid it." Turning back to Fox, he continues with his suggestion."'Higher pay' could be your ace in the hole, there--let's say her 'thirty percent' figure, to draw attention, and then a gradual fade from there, while retaining the other two demands." "If it goes well, you'll leave with a little more pay, and the two demands you actually want. If it doesn't, then you, your fellows, the company and the City will learn about the many means and benefits of collective action." He finishes his coffee, and gently sets the cup down. "With luck, it won't come to that."
Angela	"Waters huh." Fox says. "...Yeah, I guess I didn't introduce myself when that business with the demons was goin' down neither." His player is now going to have to remember this for all the upcoming Faith scenes. Good luck!! "Name's Fox. No last name relevant. Worked hard to get my higher education and then figured working for a Wing would make it easy street. I was an absolute dope." He smirks a little bit, scratchin his forehead with his revolver in a manner that would be careless if it was an actual gun and something you should definitely not do at home, kids, but this particular gun is an EGO Weapon--it's not going to misfire if he doesn't will it. "Sounds good to me. Maybe for the rest--we better work it out off site. You--" A nod to Shou. "Come along too if you want. Cause there's still one problem we gotta figure out." Namely, how to survive long enough to reach the negotiating table. Fox nods to Berislav. "But it could work. Farther then they've ever come before, they won't wanna screw it up now, I figure. Being th Captain of the Welfre team might feel like a real job after this." Chesed, meanwhile, offers to Shou, "I'd be happy to teach you all I know about coffee. At least enough to get started. I'm afraid I do not know as much about tea, but if you're ever down in Extraction I'm sure Binah will talk your ear off about it."
UFO Gang	"Oh, so you're not arguing over pay," says Ichirin, who is briefly confused. She then bows her head to Berislav -- Shou does the same. "Ichirin Kumoi! And this is Unzan." She means the pink cloud. "It is good to be formally introduced... hm hm... 'Father'!" Shou says, perhaps amused at the title, or just generally genial. "That's a good thought," Ichirin says. "If you guys don't care about the pay but act as though you do... you could give way on that, and present the illusion of compromise!" She makes a little fist-pump. "And he's right!" "Has it felt like a false job?" Shou asks Fox, before turning her head to look at Chesed. "Oho~. Then, I would be pleased to study the way of coffee with you, Chesed." Back to Fox, though. Shou says, "Of course. I would be pleased to aid you. I am sure that with loving-kindness, everything can come to an agreement." Shou is probably going to be disappointed in her expectations.
Father Berislav	Ichirin Kumoi! And this is Unzan. "I'm delighted to meet you both," he answers sunnily. Sounds good to me. Maybe for the rest--we better work it out off site. "Certainly," says Berislav, smilingly. "There's more to discuss than just demands, after all, and an undertaking like this won't be finished overnight. I'd be happy to meet wherever is most convenient and safe for you." He frowns, thoughtfully, his mind occupied with something else for a moment. "I think this was a very productive meeting, all the same--but I do have business elsewhere." Elsewhere in the City, that is. Standing from his seat at the table, he bows slightly at the waist, his silver cross dangling briefly before it lies again flush with his chest when he rises. "Thank you for meeting with me today, Fox," says Berislav. "I believe Betty can see me out?" he asks.