Just voice testing

[that_can_happen]

-1-

[You've heard from the brother of a friend of a coworker or something that there's this guy who hangs out at the local diner, and that people who do things for him get wishes. Or something. Apparently, if you tell him that you heard the pastrami sandwich here is good, he'll know that you want to talk about wishes.

Everyone has something they want. Maybe you should talk to him.]

-2-

[He gave you a task. It could be anything. From "Make 5 people cry" to "Become pregnant" to "Find someone with no family and kill them". They're not all morally repugnant, but unless you asked for something stupid like a sandwich, they will not be easy. Part of the deal was that you had to periodically come back and report your progress. Which is what you're doing today.]

Ah. How's it going?

Comments

[that_can_happen]

[He glances up at Viral for a moment, then folds up the newspaper he was reading and waits expectantly while taking a drink from his tea.]

[that_catshark]

[He sneers and rolls his eyes at the situation.]

I hear the pastrami sandwich here is good.

[Viral doesn't wait for an invitation and sits down, arms folded.]

This is stupid, for the record.

[that_can_happen]

You're free to think that.

[Beat.]

So what is it that you want?

[that_catshark]

...That's exactly the problem.

[He leans his elbow on the table and props his chin up by a fist.]

But before all that mess, what about you? How do I know you really can do what people claim you can?

[that_can_happen]

Oh I don't do things. I just give other people opportunities to do things. But I assure you, it does work.

[that_catshark]

Right, based on your word, I should just accept that it works. Why didn't I realize that sooner?

[that_can_happen]

You don't have to believe it works.

[that_catshark]

Of course.

[Though, if he didn't, then why was he here?]

I... don't know what I want.

[that_can_happen]

Most people have something in mind when they come to see me.

[that_catshark]

I don't understand how everyone can just... know what they want. Is it really so simple?

I want... to know what I want.

[that_can_happen]

I see...

And you think things will be better if you know what you want?

[that_catshark]

It beats this ambiguity of a life.

[that_can_happen]

So you want to find purpose in something?

[that_catshark]

I guess that's one way of putting it. My own purpose. Not... someone else's.

[that_can_happen]

Your own purpose, then. No great causes or crusades.

...That can happen.

[that_catshark]

... Just like that, you know that ... Never mind.

How does the rest of this play out?

[that_can_happen]

It plays out like this:

You help someone end their life, you get what you want.

[that_catshark]

... Kill someone?

[that_can_happen]

No, help them kill themself.

[that_catshark]

How's that any different than what I just said?

[that_can_happen]

They have to actually kill themslves, in the end. It just has to have been made easier by you.

[that_catshark]

Just anyone? Seems too easy, to me.

[that_can_happen]

Then you should be on your way to your new life in no time.

Be sure to drop by and keep me posted on the details too, by the way. That's important.

[that_catshark]

Nosy, aren't you? Why's that important?

[that_can_happen]

It's part of the deal. I need to know what you're doing and what you're thinking.