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| Welcome To The Night You find yourself in London on a dreary, foggy night like any other. But what lurks in the shadows is the stuff of fantasies and nightmares, far from mortal reality. This game uses the cursed and immortal vampiric condition as a backdrop to explore themes of morality, depravity, the human condition, salvation, and personal horror. We are a writing and roleplaying community dedicated to telling complex and engaging stories. Your fate is your own. Mingle among the ivory-tower elite in the Camarilla, join the fight of the discontented and chaotic Anarch rabble, or set out independently and attempt to survive in London's nighttime underworld. Anything is possible in our World of Darkness. Create Your Account! If you're already a member, please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Respectful Memo; ATTN: Alarik | |
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| Topic Started: Thursday, 17. April 2014, 02:52 (1,147 Views) | |
| Jane Marlow | Thursday, 17. April 2014, 02:52 Post #1 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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MEOMORANDUM FOR RECORD To: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London From: Mr. S. Flint, Deputy Sheriff of London Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London Subject: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 10th of April 2014 To better understand the protocols of Blythe and more effectively adapt to standard arrest procedure, the Deputy Sheriffs would like to know why staked detainees are stored in a freezer. Respectfully, Jane Marlow-Diaz Sawyer Flint |
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| Sawyer | Thursday, 17. April 2014, 03:01 Post #2 |
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Friendly Neighborhood Vampire
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Sawyer held up the carefully typed paper with a sigh. "Well, a freezer's better than a furnace, ain't it?" Jane's withering expression indicated he was not helping. "Okay, okay. Inquire away. I hear oubliettes are a lil' warmer..." |
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| Jane Marlow | Thursday, 17. April 2014, 03:20 Post #3 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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"Look, I'm grateful he doesn't kill them or hang them from hooks or something. I just know there's a rationale behind this. There's practical reasons behind pretty much everything he does. And If we understand what they are, we can interact with them more effectively." |
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| Alarik | Thursday, 17. April 2014, 19:49 Post #4 |
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"Papers, Please."
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RE: MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD To: Mr. S. Flint, Deputy Sheriff of London Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London From: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London Subject: Re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 11th of April 2014 Deputies, Processing of detainees in cold storage is Standard Operating Procedure for several reasons: 1. Protection of the Masquerade: In the event of accidental discovery by kine, detainees will be assumed to be corpses whose well-preserved nature can easily be explained. 2. External Security: the secure environment of the cold storage area is less likely to be sought out by raiding parties attempting to 'liberate' the detainees, and the method of storage will further complicate any rescue attempt. 3. Internal Security: the physical restraints and psychological effects of (extended) cold storage make it difficult, if not impossible, for a detainee to affect an escape from the detention in the event that they somehow manage to dislodge the stake from their chest. 4. Interrogation: the psychological effects of cold storage may serve to 'soften up' detainees in anticipation of their interrogation. It should be noted that not all detainees are placed in Cold Storage. The guest room is used far more often as a holding area, and it is intended for low-risk detainees and/or detainees to whom a certain amount of deference is appropriate, such as ranking Camarilla officials, etc, at my discretion. The Oubliette may also be used, though it is a penal institution rather than a precautionary holding area, given the inefficiencies of extraction. Detainees held in the oubliette need not be staked. To date, only three persons have been placed in cold storage, two of whom only after they had been condemned to death during a fair trial conducted by yours truly, though before then-Prince Hamilton could certify the results of said trial. Miss Hauke was placed in cold storage based on her perceived aggressiveness. After the assault on my person by Lady A, I have become more cautious about trusting potentially violent individuals not to attempt to assault me or my ghouls when they are placed in a position to do so. I trust this memorandum answers your concerns. If it does not, you should not hesitate to make further inquiries. Regards, AB |
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| Jane Marlow | Friday, 18. April 2014, 02:29 Post #5 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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"We have an oubliette. I did not know we had an oubliette." "I told you we did." "I thought you were joking. You joke sometimes. I work in a building with a functional oubliette. An in use oubliette. Fucking hell. Oh my Christ." "Jane...are you okay?" "Yes. No. I don't know. I need to go inspect an oubliette. I need to go ask a stone faced security guard 'Which way to the oubliette, please?' Excuse me." Some Time Later "Sawyer." "Gah! Geeze, woman. Slap some ugly on you and call yourself a Nos." "Sorry. Sorry. I need your help." "You're not goin' to try to do something to the oubliette, are you? Because Prince Blucher is pretty keen on..." "No. No. I've accepted the oubliette. I am....working on accepting the oubliette. The oubliette will exist even if I'm gone. My job is to keep people out of the oubliette. I need you to think of a color." "A color. Okay. I've got a color." "Is it blue?" "Peach." "Peach? Who thinks of peach?" "Me. I think of peach. What're you tryin' to do?" "Read your mind." "...you might've asked permission first." "Well I can't do it yet. Think of another color." "Why are you so keen on this all the sudden?" "Because it's insane that a culture with people can read minds and control people's brains with their eyeballs needs to soften up detainees for anything, and I am going to construct an extensive latticework of humane alternatives to fucking thumbscrews." "Okay. Okay. I know you don't need to, but you might want to think about breathin'. Nice and slow. All right." "Okay. Breathing. Do you have another color?" "Sure." "Is it peach?" "No." "Shit. Fuck. Damn." "I think you may be expectin' a little too much a little too soon." "There was a gibbet." |
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| Jane Marlow | Saturday, 19. April 2014, 00:04 Post #6 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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To: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London From: Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London Mr. S. Flint, Deputy Sheriff of London Subject: re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 13th of April 2014 The attached memorandum did answer many of our concerns, and we very much appreciate the clarification. We have taken the time to familiarize ourselves with the guest room and the oubliette to further our understanding of Blythe House's many functions. While the current cold storage protocols are sensible and practical, given our experience in human and vampire law enforcement and incarceration, the Deputies would like to recommend certain adjustments. We hope these adjustments will further such important goals as protection of the Masquerade and Blythe House security. Said recommendations will be organized by the reasons listed in the previous memo that they address or are inspired by. The 'External Security' reason has been left out, as the Deputies consider this concern to be entirely addressed by the current procedures and have no recommendations for improvement as this time. 1. Protection of the Masquerade: Storing detainees in an apparent morgue is a clever and practical way to justify having apparent corpses on the premises. To fortify this justification, the Deputies would recommend changing the temperature to one more realistically suited to the apparent, Masquerade-safe purpose of the room. Currently cold storage is kept at below 32 Degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in freezing and crystals. However, most morgues storing corpses of such apparent freshness as our detainees, would have to be Positive Temperature cold chambers, holding steady to temperatures between 36 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Adhering to such standards will enhance the effect of this valuable Masquerade protection. We also are curious if Blythe House has a license from the Human Tissue Authority to store bodies, as such authorization might be justifiable give the House's association with the Science Museum of London, and would fortify any bureaucratic response to a Masquerade breach involving the discovery of cold storage. 2. Interrogation: The Deputies acknowledge that a brief period of incarceration in an unfamiliar and disconcerting environment is often advantageous in advance of an interrogation. We feel that cold storage was an appropriate destination for Miss Hauke, and that she was kept there for an appropriate amount of time. We are concerned, however, about the intended use of extended cold storage as a method of "softening up" or rendering detainees less capable of escaping. First addressing the benefit of "softening up" detainees: Based on our collective experience and research into interrogation techniques we feel very strongly that the psychological effects of extended* solitary confinement and sensory deprivation are actually profoundly detrimental to the goal of collecting accurate testimony from detainees. We believe such techniques are vastly inferior to the many other information gathering resources to which we have access. Sensory deprivation can cause hallucinations, anxiety, and reduced mental functioning. While these factors may possibly make a detainee more susceptible to pressure, they will also reduce the reliability of a detainee's testimony, resulting in false confessions and unreliable accounts, that the detainee may well believe are true because of his compromised mental state. Given that we have techniques that can force detainees to recount events accurately to their memory of them, any tactic that interferes with a detainee's memory should probably be looked at with skepticism and held in far reserve. Extended solitary confinement can cause delirium, severe confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, intense agitation, and an increase in violent behavior, often self-directed. This carries the above disadvantage, and rather than making detainees more manageable and pliant, such an experience is in fact likely to make them much more unpredictable and difficult to deal with. This danger is even more extreme for our detainees due to the possible violent outcomes of their almost universal anger management problems. A pliant, "softened up" state could much more easily and reliably be achieved by the application of Deputy Flint's ability to growl at people and make them submissive. Secondly, addressing the benefit of a reduced mental capacity in recapturing prisoners, we believe the unpredictability of the psychological effects of this experience render this an unreliable method. In fact, this treatment of our high-risk detainees might make them even more high-risk detainees. In 1890 the United States Supreme Court explicitly recognized the massive psychiatric harm and unreliable results of solitary confinement, reporting that it put some prisoners in a "semi-fatuous condition, from which it was next to impossible to arouse them, and others became violently insane." Other studies with corroborating reports have been attached to this memo, and your personal experience with Lady A's extreme behavior might be construed as further corroborating evidence, depending on her circumstances before the assault. So while one detainee might be rendered passive or even comatose, others might become severely unstable, and if they did attempt to effect an escape and somehow overcame the physical restraints, this would put them in more danger of frenzying and make any attempt to reason with them exceedingly difficult. Lastly, extended cold storage could be severely damaging to the psyche. If there is any chance that an individual might be released into normal society, as there was obviously not in the first two cases you mentioned but may be in possible future cases similar to Miss Hauke's, this would be highly problematic to our long term goals of keeping the peace and preventing frenzy in this and other domains, as individuals with mental disability and trauma often have more difficulty controlling themselves and purporting themselves in a lawful manners. (See: Entirety of Clan Malkavian) Given the above, the Deputies would like to draft a policy for cold storage discouraging its use on detainees for extended periods of time, and, should an extended stay be absolutely necessary, protocols for regularly providing the detainees with stimulation and human contact to prevent damaging psychological effects. * Extended solitary confinement/sensory deprivation is defined, in this context, as longer than two days, as experiments in sensory deprivation have shown that psychosis-like experiences are possible for some individuals after merely fifteen minutes of confinement, and medical uses of sensory deprivation (REST) universally limit sessions to 24 hours or less for precisely the psychological concerns we face. (Pleased see attached research paper Psychiatric Effects of Solitary Confinement by Stuart Grassian, transcripts from In re Medley 1890 United States Supreme Court Case, and research paper Detrimental Effects of Sensory Deprivation on Class M by Doctor J. Adler) 3. Internal Security: The advantages of the physical restraints of cold storage are obvious. The disadvantages of the psychological effects of (extended) cold storage have already been discussed above. Given this, and the fact that detainees are rendered entirely immobile due to the preparation requirements for cold storage (being staked), the Deputies would like to posit that if there are concerns about the possibility of a stake becoming dislodged, that physical precautions against such a thing occurring would be far more practical, effective, and dependable than psychological ones. The deputies do agree that the possible dislodgement of a stake is a very serious security concern. To address this, we suggest the following additions to pre-cold storage procedures: (a) That protruding pieces of the stake be clipped off on arrival at Blythe House, to prevent them knocking against anything external and possibly becoming dislodged. In addition, that the stake and the wound be wrapped with gauze as per typical first aid treatment of wounds, which will prevent any movement of said stake, be easily explainable on discovery as medical attention given to the individual prior to expiration, and visually discourage anyone from touching the staked area. (b) That all personnel handling bodies be trained in first aid techniques for moving injury victims, as these techniques are specifically intended to move limp bodies without disturbing injuries (in this case a piece of wood in the heart). Deputy Marlow-Diaz would be happy to give seminars regarding this. Respectfully, Jane Marlow-Diaz Sawyer Flint |
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| Alarik | Saturday, 19. April 2014, 01:04 Post #7 |
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"Papers, Please."
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To: Mr. S. Flint, Deputy Sheriff of London Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London From: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London Subject: Re: Re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 19th of April 2014 Deputies, Having reviewed the evidence, I approve of all recommended adjustments, in point 1) and 3), and charge you to work with the Blythe House security staff in implementing them post-haste. With regards to item 2), I remain unconvinced of the proposed restrictions on the extended use of cold storage as a method of "softening up" detainees. Resistance to Ventrue Disciplines is a function of mental fortitude, and sensory deprivation will usually enhance the effects of solitary confinement and denial of vitae in breaking down a Kindred's mental barriers, even if it does also increase the risk of frenzy. I assume that suggesting "Deputy Flint's ability to growl at people" as an alternative to sensory deprivation and prolonged isolation was intended humorously. I would advise you both to offer more serious alternatives. If you do, I will consider them, as I have your other suggestions. Regards, AB |
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| Sawyer | Saturday, 19. April 2014, 01:28 Post #8 |
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Friendly Neighborhood Vampire
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"Wait, that line is actually in there?" "Yes. I gave you a draft of the letter, didn't you read it?" " 'Course I did. Well, I mean, I skimmed it. Parts of it. Mostly." "Sawyer." "What? You can't expect me to actually read all this stuff." "But-" "Anyway, when's the wedding?" "... Huh? Wedding?" "Yeah, for you and the prince! It's touchin' really. I ain't never seen two people so united by a mutual love for unnecessary paperwork 'n memos. I do get to be the flower girl, don't I?" |
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| Jane Marlow | Saturday, 19. April 2014, 02:06 Post #9 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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After Jane finishes throwing everything on her desk at Sawyer... To: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London From: Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London Mr. S. Flint, Deputy Sheriff of London Subject: re: re: re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 19th of April 2014 Prince Alarik, We have drafted a new detainee processing procedural document, requisitioned necessary materials for it, scheduled a detainee handling seminar for next Tuesday, and made appropriate changes to the cold storage room. Everything necessary to implement suggestions 1) and 3) should be done by then, with the exception of requisitioning licensing from the HTA, which may take some time. We realize on reflection how the suggestion about growling might sound facetious--that was not the intent. Deputy Flint has a power that allows him to intimidate others into states of extreme passivity that would likely render them extremely susceptible to Ventrue Disciplines. However, he has clarified that it is only effective on living beings, rendering it less useful in this instance. With regards to item 2), given that most detainees in Blythe House are under our complete control and we can interview them as often as necessary, would it be permissible to try alternative methods of interrogation, such as conventional police interrogation techniques (good/bad cop, maximization, repetition, Reid's "Nine Steps") or use of telepathy, which would suffer none of the aforementioned drawbacks, are historically considerably more reliable as they do not lead to situations where subjects will delude themselves into giving false answers to stop the treatment, and in the last case would not even require that the stake be removed? More extreme measures would be possible afterward, should these techniques prove insufficient. Respectfully, Jane Marlow-Diaz Sawyer Flint Edited: Last paragraph to reiterate advantages of conventional police methods. Cause Jane is keen on those. Edited by Jane Marlow, Saturday, 19. April 2014, 02:27.
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| Sawyer | Saturday, 19. April 2014, 02:30 Post #10 |
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Friendly Neighborhood Vampire
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"You keep puttin' my name on these memos. And I mean, I'm diggin' the brainstormin' thing, 'n I'm happy to help, but this is your pet project, Vampire PETA. PETV? VETV? Something..." "It's important. And it will be more effective if we present a unified front. And it would be PETP on account of vampires are still people." "In the meantime, I downloaded an ebook on how to use thumbscrews!" "..." "Did ya know they're also called 'pillywinks'? Heh. Pillywinks. Ain't that the cutest name for a torture device you ever heard?" "..." "Anyways, they're loads easier to use than I thought. Just a vise, basically. Sometimes folks even put nails or studs inside of 'em for maximum pillywinks shenanigans!" "I am actually upset with you right now." Jane's dialog massaged slightly. Edited by Jane Marlow, Saturday, 19. April 2014, 02:45.
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| Jane Marlow | Monday, 21. April 2014, 05:13 Post #11 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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With a couple of edits removed, the final version is just left on Sawyer's desk. To: Sawyer Flint From: Jane Marlow-Diaz Subject: Pet Project London, 20th of April 2014 'A considerable number of the prisoners fell, after even a short confinement, into a semi-fatuous condition, from which it was next to impossible to arouse them, and others became violently insane; others, still, committed suicide; while those who stood the ordeal better were not generally reformed, and in most cases did not recover sufficient mental activity to be of any subsequent service to the community. Those prisoners who suffered from previously existing mental conditions emerged with them severely exacerbated, and typically suffered from an excess of the above symptoms.' - Psychiatric Effects of Solitary Confinement by Stuart Grassian Most Malkavians I have encountered who are still part of society are only semi-functional, and obviously will never be able to recover beyond that. My Sire used to be semi-functional, I have heard, and then something happened to him, and now he lives on the street and screams at billboards. The psychological trauma of being locked in a dark box alone for days is devastating. It is the sort of thing that moves people from normal to semi-functional, and semi-functional to street-screaming at billboards. And a huge subsection of our population, not only my clan, suffers from mental disorders. I was including your name because I did want to present a united front on a subject I thought you also cared about, and because I wanted to give you half credit for the productive suggestions. I apologize for putting your name on documents you weren't interested in being associated with. From now on I'll avoid that. In return, please do not mock things that I obviously care about. Jane |
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| Alarik | Sunday, 27. April 2014, 00:21 Post #12 |
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"Papers, Please."
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To: Mr. S. Flint, Deputy Sheriff of London Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London From: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 26th of April 2014 Deputies, At this point, I feel that it is crucial to differentiate between two very distinct types of detainees: those from whom information must be extracted for the purpose of an investigation, and those whose activities are in direct opposition to the goals of the Camarilla: a peaceful, rules-based Kindred society. The former should be treated with all regards and respect for their dignity. The latter must either be won over or crushed. Whereas you as deputies are, for the most part, tasked to deal with the former type, I as Prince feel a certain responsibility for the latter type. When dealing with a dangerous enemy of our peaceful, rules-based society, the object is to engender self-doubt in that person and, if indeed he is guilty of some form of subversion, to encourage him to further implicate and discredit himself to the point where legal action becomes a possibility. Although physical coercion may (in rare cases) be employed, subtle means of psychological manipulation are far more effective. Isolation, sleep deprivation, disorientation, humiliation, restriction of vitae and threats against the subject and their loved ones must always be combined with generous promises of leniency and rehabilitation if the subject complies. Indeed, after fewer than 48 hours of incarceration, Miss Hauke has agreed to forsake her rebellious politics and join the Camarilla in exchange for several concessions on my part, which I have generously indulged. (These being: permission to sire a particular childe, a monopoly over betting on the racing tracks, a recognised status within Clan Ventrue and several minor baubles.) Ultimately, my goal is a Domain where Camarilla Kindred can live their lives free of harassment and fear, by ensuring the conformity of the less amiable parts of Kindred society. When applied judiciously and consistently, such techniques will persuade such Kindred to accept Camarilla authority in return for living a peaceful unlife, a concept known as 'anticipatory obedience'. By making an example of the rebellious and provocative few, we can ensure peace and stability for the vast majority of Kindred that willingly obeys the principles of our society. Regards, AB |
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| Jane Marlow | Tuesday, 6. May 2014, 22:30 Post #13 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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A couple of days later... "Hey. Sawyer. Can we talk for a minute?" "Sure." "Am I right in assuming you really don't want to be a part of my petitions to Alarik to handle prisoners humanely?" A long silence before his terse answer. "Something like that." Jane sits down. "Can you elaborate a little? With the Malia thing, I felt like we were pretty much on the same page. Acting in concert. Your reaction to the memo exchange caught me by surprise." Her tone is curious, and calm in a controlled sort of a way. "I do feel badly about using your name without your express consent. I shouldn't have assumed." "There's a girl in the freezer right now. She's twenty-five. Her name's Emiline Kensington. She's an orphan. She's a secretary and a pianist. Her favorite piece is Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. I read her file." He paused. He needed a cigarette. He needed to not be having this conversation right now. "She's been there nine months. She's as good as dead. There ain't a damn thing we can do about it. One of us will take her head off sooner or later. And that's the world we live in." Feral yellow eyes fixed her with an uncomfortable stare. "Maybe you can change how things are handled. Good on you for tryin'. You certainly believe you can make a difference. But I can't. And I gave up on carin' about the semantics of things like that a real long time ago." "It's one thing to make sure nobody's disappearin' into a fireball down in the bowels of Blythe House or what have you. Preventin' that sure seems like progress. But don't forget what we are, Ms. Marlowe. We aren't cops. Some day, you're likely to play executioner to any one of the folks you think you're protection' or savin'. Am I bad person for wantin' to be numb to that? Probably." "For what it's worth, I don't think that makes you a bad person," Jane said, gesturing to Sawyer. "That's a completely reasonable response. A healthy response. I remember you describing your credentials for this job. It sounded like you did a great deal of what you're warning me about. Executions and hunts. I imagine that's like being in a warzone. People develop coping mechanisms." "And yes. I'm aware of Emiline," Jane said quietly. Very controlled. She'd picked her time for this conversation. She had a handle on herself. No freak out about gibbets today. "She's the main reason why I started with this. Even if we could do anything for her now, I'm not sure she'd be functional anymore. Unless she's in torpor, maybe. I admit, I'm not sure how that process works. Maybe there's a shutoff mechanism for vampires who are staked for too long, and I'm actually worrying for nothing." "I'm actually not sure I can make a difference," she admitted further. "I'm here to see if I can. Right now, I'm exploring. I'm seeing how much I can affect. How open Alarik is to change when it's presented in a medium he's comfortable with. We'll see how it works out. This entire memo exchange is kind of an experiment for me. And yes. I know that if I keep this job, I'm going to end up if not actually killing people, at least directly responsible for their deaths. I understand rationally everything you're always warning me about. We're not cops. I won't like a lot of the answers I get." She smiled very faintly. "Unfortunately, a rational understanding of the situation doesn't always prepare you for finding in-use torture equipment. And certainly not for being asked to use it. I'm honestly not sure what will happen then." He listened quietly and passively, feeling much older than he actually was. When his response finally came, it was as resigned as ever. "This ain't my fight. That's all. I'm not gonna stand in your way. An' I'd give you any sort of help you asked for. But I don't do crusades. I've just about given up on those. I wasn't sure how I was s'posed to tell you that when it all meant so much to you. ‘Copin' mechanisms' or whatever you call ‘em? Toss humor on that list, too. Toss bein' an insufferable ass underneath it. Whatever works. Or used to work." "Anyways. You've wound up servin' a prince with at least practical considerations. Maybe not morals, per say. But he's willin' to listen, 'n both of y'all bein' fluent in memo sure as fuck helps. S'pose that means your experiment was a success." "And if the day comes when you're asked to do somethin' you can't stomach? Somethin' you /shouldn't/ stomach? Maybe that's why there're two of us." A slight sigh. "My hands aren't clean. Yours should stay that way." There was nothing patronizing in those last two sentences. Just simple, resigned admittance of facts. Jane smiled slightly as Sawyer called himself insufferable. It was the first expression all conversation that didn't seem heavy with self-control and caveats. "Thank you. I was going to call you out on being a bit of an asshole once I was done being understanding." She nodded along as he explained his perspective. "I spend most of my life trying to dial myself back from crusade mode. I don't mean to drag other people into it, but obviously I do sometimes. Simon used to call me out for that. And yeah. I have hope for the Prince." Sawyer's last comment briefly broke through some of the control she was exerting over herself to remain level through the conversation. Ever since visiting the oubliette, she'd nursed a quiet, terrible fear of some day being forced by responsibility to return there and do exactly what Sawyer was offering to take her place in doing. There was a part of her that said that it wasn't right to put that on him. But the relief she felt at even the possibility of that nightmare being taken off her plate was so intense that it burst obviously onto her face. she had to take a moment to compose herself. After she'd taken that moment, she said "Thank you," quietly. |
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| Jane Marlow | Saturday, 10. May 2014, 18:09 Post #14 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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Jane required a little time to recover her memo writing composure after discovering that almost all of the Google results for 'anticipatory obedience' referred to Nazis. But after that: To: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London From: Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 1st of May 2014 The detainee handling seminars are concluded. Some attendees expressed interest in further seminars on other police procedures and skills. With your permission I would like to schedule further classes on Hostage Negotiation, Intradepartmental Communication, and Advanced Search & Seizure. Hostage Negotiation to prepare for possible worst case scenarios. Intradepartmental Communication to improve coordination between various groups while of course preserving the formal separation of concerns/information outlined in form 41B on Blythe House security. Search & Seizure because while all the personnel are fine at basic frisks and processing individuals, there are some gaps in their knowledge about how to handle unconventional cases (vehicles on premises, individuals found carrying toxic substances, etc). All the paperwork for the HTA is submitted and we're looking at a couple months processing time. As your majesty has pointed out, there are important distinctions between types of detainees, and they each require distinct approaches for handling. I would suggest we divide them into three categories: (1) Detainees from whom information must be extracted for the purpose of an investigation. (2) Detainees who have been arrested for crimes against the Camarilla, but who we hope may be rehabilitated in some way. (3) Detainees who have been arrested for crimes against the Camarilla, and who are going to be removed permanently from society through execution. I believe I am in accord with Blythe House regulations and your majesty when I assert that detainees who fall exclusively into category (1) should be handled with direct oversight from the office of the Deputy Sheriffs with a focus on effective and reliable methods of information extraction and attention and respect to their dignity to the greatest extent possible. In regards to members of group (2), it is inarguable that criminals with vampiric abilities present a serious threat to society and need to be treated with that in mind. Because of this, obviously sometimes extreme measures are called for. However, these are individuals who we have incarcerated with the express goal of rehabilitation and eventually returning them to society. While your majesty's uniquely inspired reeducation initiatives will certainly in most cases be less traumatic than physical coercion, isolation in particular runs an extreme, clinically proven risk of causing permanent trauma that would present a serious obstacle to successful reintegration into society. I would turn your majesty's attention to the disquieting pattern of kindred, Malkavians in particular, evidencing severely degraded ability to interact rationally and effectively with the world and a significant increase in instances of frenzy following significant emotional/mental trauma (Please see attached report on individual examples of this in New York and London). As a member of the law enforcement branch of this government I feel my responsibilities extend beyond simply responding to unlawful activity, and into anticipating and preventing future unlawful activity. In this case the criminal recidivism would stem not from criminal intent but from mental disability--a consequence that we as an institution can take measures to minimize or prevent. It is with this consequence in mind that I strongly recommend that use of isolation and sensory deprivation be used in extremely careful moderation on any detainee with any chance of returning to society. Based on my research, I would recommend the following standards for inducing the state of self-doubt and cooperation your majesty finds desirable, but avoiding trauma: one day for sensory deprivation (or 12 conscious hours measured with attention for when the detainee will be aware) and three days solitary confinement. Solitary confinement within the parameters of these safeties was enough to persuade Miss Hauke to be cooperative. Any detainee still uncooperative after this time would almost certainly benefit more from one of the other options your majesty mentioned as they have, by virtue of reaching this mark, proved resistant to this one. Alternatively, close monitoring of detainees whose behaviors or thoughts can be detected would be an appropriate and possibly superior substitute for hard time limits, when Blythe House has the skills and manpower necessary for this. Respectfully, Jane Marlow-Diaz Spoiler: click to toggle
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| Alarik | Sunday, 11. May 2014, 00:45 Post #15 |
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"Papers, Please."
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To: Ms. J. Marlow-Diaz, Deputy Sheriff of London From: HH Alarik Blucher, Prince of London Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Memo Regarding Storage of Incarcerated Individuals London, 3rd of May 2014 Deputy Marlow-Diaz, Having reviewed the proposed curriculum, I hereby give my assent to it, and ask you to proceed forthwith. Your efforts to professionalise the Blythe House staff are very much appreciated, and I would ask you to coordinate closely with the incoming new Chief of Blythe House Security when she settles into the office. Introductions will be made at the earliest opportunity. With regards to your proposed distinction between type 2 and type 3 detainees (Ref: missive 01-05-2014) I must express some doubt as to its validity. Reintegration into Kindred society is always the initial goal of the Blythe Houses humanistic policies. It is only when such policies fail that alternatives (banishment, blood hunt, etcetera) come into the picture. The suggested restrictions on the use of isolation and sensory deprivation and increased responsibilities of the Office of the (Deputy) Sheriffs may nonetheless be implemented. Interrogations may be assigned to the Office of the (Deputy) Sheriffs on a case-by-case basis on the provisio that the Office of the Prince must remain fully informed at all times of detainees' progress, and that no irreversible actions, such as release, are undertaken without prior consent. Finally, I have decided that you will be instructed by me in the Discipline of Domination, to assist you in the interrogation of prisoners. In lieu of two major boons that would normally be charged for such an education, I will accept your continued loyalty to me personally, and your continued dedication to the office you presently hold. A training session that will use my Chief Executive Assistant as a low-grade test dummy will be scheduled forthwith. Please contact him for the logistical details, as he has access to my agenda. Regards, AB |
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| Jane Marlow | Sunday, 11. May 2014, 02:54 Post #16 |
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Vampire Damage Control Professional
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"...waah." "..." "...ngwaah." "Okay. You've been lookin' at that paper, makin' little whinny moanin' noises for like, five minutes. Is this you finally gettin' a paperwork headache? Is re: number six finally too much for memo for Miss Marlow?" "...mrrwaah." "You catch the alliteration at the end there? Much memo Miss Marlow?" "Yeah." "I'm classy like that." "You are. I, on the other hand, have mandatory dominate lessons with the Prince." "...shit, I should start writin' reports with reports about the reports. Maybe he'll finally take me fishin'." |
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| Alarik | Wednesday, 21. May 2014, 21:21 Post #17 |
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"Papers, Please."
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((Continues here!)) |
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1:21 AM Jul 11