Character Interview

“What are your hobbies, Miss Kylie?”

“Well, that’s a loaded question, ain’t it? Don’t seem like it, but with this stupid little lie detector attached – which by the way is not staying on one second more than with anyone else – it could be something real dirty and I couldn’t lie about it. Might be fun to see you squirm… but no, I’ll be good. I like drawing. I used to draw little mice snorting meth during planetary management class. That make me insane, doc? Would a sane person draw cheese and mouse traps? How about you stop with the chit-chat and get on with the real questions before you make me crazy?”

“You seem hostile. What put you on the defensive?”

“You being a condescending ass. Next question, please.”

“You do realize you’ve got a lot riding on this and it might be a good idea to be a bit more respectful?”

“I said ‘please’. Anyway, I know that better than you think. But I also know that if I put one foot out the line of what I really think, this little thing will go beeping like hell and I’m in prison. So I’m being open. Nothing to hide, nothing crazy or rebellious here. I know what’s up, so get on with it.”

“Fine. Can you imagine any circumstances under which you would defect and act against The Rule’s interests?”

“Yes. Not many, but yes. And anyone who says no is either lying or really uncreative.”

“Tune down the sarcasm, tune up the details. What circumstances?”

“Well, not money. That’s no good if I’m dead. Don’t have any family I care to tell the time of day and my friends can take care of themselves, so you don’t have to worry about someone using them to get to me. If that stupid water policy goes through, that might be enough, though…?”

“You just lied.”

“Well, duh! I’m not going to get killed so the trench babies get some extra water - geez.”

“So the circumstances in which you -”

“You’re impatient.”

“Like you said, I’m not keeping you on the detector any longer than anyone else. You’re making that difficult.”

“Fine, fine! As I was saying… if The Rule did something that would hurt the people I know, like that ‘no sleeping on the airways’ one a few people said they heard rumors of a few months ago, I might do something about it. Course that could be in The Rule’s interest, to rescind it quick. I lived in those airways half my life and I know that if you’re there, it’s because you have to be. Ain’t no-one chooses it when you got another option. It ain’t fun, it’s survival. Some of my friend’s are still there, waiting until I get enough creds to get ‘em out. Hence the coming here – no matter how much of an annoyance it might be, 50 creds is 50 creds. And 50 creds can mean a life, maybe two.”

“Tell me about your friends, what makes you so loyal to them?”

“…let me ask you a question. Imagine someone you relied on for years. The only one who went with you to get food, who slept by you, who talked with you. Imagine they were on the airways. Would you get them out? I’m not a heroic person. I don’t give a damn about trench babies, or the air slaves. But it doesn’t take a heroic person to do what they can to avoid the guilt of not trying to help the only friend they’ve known. If you can’t understand that, you should be thrown in prison. I’m not loyal, I’m just human.”

“You seem attached to your humanity – would you be willing to participate in the species exchange if you were ordered to?”

“Humanity ain’t a species, doc. God knows humanity ain’t a species. You can be humane no matter what you are - you just gotta know that some things can’t be given up. That’s all.”

“…I don’t think you’re a threat. Would you like some coffee on your way out?”

“With a double shot of whiskey.”


Entry in "What a Character!"  [E]
Word count: 687