VLDR: Convention of the Minds - WORST ENDING

[Cyantic]

He is aiming up a shot as he talks.

Consider this. You're a doctor, yes? And remember that there are three groups. Doctors follow the hippocratic oath. Remember that announcement trying to bar violence? Someone is practicing do no harm a bit literally.

You're also the only one I've heard with qualifications so far. Put that together... a 'law' banning violence by penalty of a... 15$ dollar fine, actual qualifications... you know?

...

We have interests? Civies? What are you on about, dude?

[Cyantic]

I guess for a record, the commissary is... a place. It's rather communist.

[PolyesterHomes]

Pam leaves the alder room and returns to the game room.

[Hawkwing425]

I... don't think we should try to force it yet. Maybe the others'll come around more easily that way. The last thing we want to do is deepen any divide. That's kind of why we're in this situation... because there IS a split.

Oh, that's what you mean. No, I haven't gone to make any laws. Abner can testify that I've been in here between when I left the lobby and when you showed up.

[Cyantic]

First 'law' that got passed was while we were all in the room, no? It's hardly like it matters, though. At least, not to me.

Besides that, I don't really care about a split. I'd simply like to leave, and I would like to convince any holdouts over that fact.

[ChubbyMooshroom9]

What are you all talking about?

[Cyantic]

CFC, or in other words, 'if we all vote for this, we all get to leave, and none of this is our problem'. Assuming a mad man can be held to his word, of course.

[PolyesterHomes]

Pam begins playing one of the pinball machines. Quotes and one liners from the machine periodically come out as they do so.

[Hawkwing425]

Well, not everyone in the group was in here when the law passed... if we really care to figure out who made that law.

[ChubbyMooshroom9]

Oh, that.

She doesn't even look, focused on the pinball game

I'm perfectly fine with that. I don't really have any care about this. My life's better than it honestly should be, so the sooner the better.

[Cyantic]

No, all twelve of us were here when that law was passed. Remember? People only left afterwards.

Yeah, bingo. We just need to figure out who the holdouts are and persuade them. We can get out of here in thirty minutes, tops.

[Hawkwing425]

Oh, uh... is that right?

[ChubbyMooshroom9]

I don't think you'll persuade them if you haven't already.

[Cyantic]

Yes.

We don't even know who they are, Pam. That's the issue. Once we know, we can probably sway them.

[Hawkwing425]

No, actually, we all split up a little before the law was passed. Not very long before, though.

[leeten]

Thinking that the laws have been passed by good people. We don't need to witch-hunt em if they don't come out.

Yeah, the sooner the better.

[Cyantic]

Not saying we have too. Simply saying it occurred to me. And well, it sounds like one law per group, and if two groups have passed laws... you see the bit, here?

No one had left before that point. Everyone was panicking about going alone.

[Hawkwing425]

Oh... wait. Are you talking about the buddy-system law?

[Cyantic]

Yes.

[ChubbyMooshroom9]

Yes.

We don't even know who they are, Pam. That's the issue. Once we know, we can probably sway them.

Well, if I heard right this is all some stupid thing about politics, right? People do stupid things in politics for their beliefs, regardless of who gets screwed by it.

She sighs, almost depressedly

I think you're just seeing it right now.

[Cyantic]

He shrugs.

So what? It's not like this has a payoff or anything - even if they're ideologues, they'll see reason to it being a set up.

[leeten]

We shouldn't be around long enough for them to matter anyways.

[Hawkwing425]

I got confused, my bad. I thought you were talking about the "do no harm" law. I didn't pass either law. I think a buddy system's a good idea, but I'm not going to force people to do anything.

[ChubbyMooshroom9]

He shrugs.

So what? It's not like this has a payoff or anything - even if they're ideologues, they'll see reason to it being a set up.

...

I hope you're right.

[Cyantic]

Do you have an alternative plan besides the coalition? I think that's the issue she's referring too - people are invested in their parties or whatever, and they want to grasp at an inane chance.

Not saying you were the buddy system law, but that was an example of people not needing to have left to pass it.