Fertelli in the Waiting Room

[Thanos]

David will speak, at some length during the bath, about the Trinity, what she means about the Saints, and in general get to know her views concerning their shared faith.


----------------

At the hospital David smiles and says, "Thank you. Good afternoon as well. You have a very sharp eye, if you don't mind me saying so. What brings you into a place like this?"

[Wired*Nun]

Joanne tells David a few things about her viewpoint, though she seems to be concentrating more on the bath and preparing for work.

"The Church is a mixture of puity and corruption - but corruption spreads and must be fought, while purity must be nurtured. Too many people place their faith in things of the Church that are not necessarily of God. For example, I don't believe in Canonizing of persons anymore, or in doctrines of infallibility, transubstantiation, or other things that grew out of Tradition rather than Scripture. That doesn't mean I'm a protestant or have abandoned my roots - but I don't see the Roman Catholic Church as having a monopoly on truth, and much error. The fact that Opus Dei - that means 'Work of God' - actively and indescriminately hunts and murders all supernatural beings, including Nephilim, means my reservations are also rooted in concerns for survival."

**********************

Fertelli notices a Mason's ring on the man's hand. He replies to David, "Thanks. My name is Ramdin. I'm a researcher at the Library of Congress. A friend of mine needed a ride up here, so I gave it. And you?"

[Thanos]

"Off duty officer, who is waiting for a friend to get off work. Glad to see there are people out there that will take the time to go out of their way for a friend. So what kind of research do you do over at the biggest library in the world?"




[Edit: ooops]

[Wired*Nun]

Ramdin smiles, showing even white teeth, undoubtedly the product of a great orthodontist. "Anthropology and archaeology. I also do some work with the Smithsonian on artifacts. So, you're a police officer? Did you get involved in that mess up in Baltimore? I bet you got a call in the middle of the night, anyway. I know how that is - I worked for the Baltimore DA for a short time before I found my niche."

"A friend..." He leans in slightly and gives a conspiratorial wink. "The receptionist or the doctor? Either one looks like a fair catch."

[Thanos]

"Sorry, names David. Yeah, that mess in Baltimore was not very friendly. No call for me though, I am still on leave recovering from an early unfriendly incident. The Doctor helped me through that, so I am a little partial to her."

"Your work sound interesting, at least to a beat cop like myself. I was never much into books in my youth, but as I have grown older I am finding that so much is interconnected to our history. Knowing it, would bring great insight to the present and perhaps help us plan for the future. I haven't been in the museum since I was a kid and even that is a blur to me now...."

[Wired*Nun]

Ramdin replies, "And I have hardly been out of them, or spent any time on the streets lately. We come from different worlds...but a long time ago, in India, I was familiar with the streets and a life of difficulty. It's good not to have to worry about some of those things now, isn't it, David?"

[Thanos]

"Sometimes, yes, but the old instincts to keep looking over your shoulder don't seem to fade away. Part of surviving and I have to say it has come in handy more than a few times, I would even wager to guess for the both of us?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Ahh, but mine are rusty. I escaped that life due to the kindness of the British Empire, and now have little reason to fear for crimes or misdemeanors. Make no mistake, we ordinary fellows appreciate the work you do on our behalf - putting fear and respect into the hearts of evildoers, I daresay. It leaves us free to pursue our more esoteric researches. For that, I am personally grateful, truly. I'd pin a medal on you if I could."

He pauses. "So...pardon me if I'm too forward, but have you known the Doctor long? I've been acquainted with her for a few years, since she helped me with some of my own adjustments."

[Thanos]

"Actually, only a few, very full, weeks. I moved down here from New York less than a year ago. I haven't had a lot of time to make new friends. Thank you for the giving your respect to our law enforcement. I don't know if we put fear into the hearts of evildoers, but they certainly try and keep what they do on the down low so normal people don't see it. You know, if the media doesn't report something...nobody knows about it. One of the reasons I think the political system in this country is broken. Often the networks decide what to run and often the more important part is when to run it on the news or in the papers."

"Do you deal with that part of history in your research?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Not so often. Most of my researches are directed at times before common literacy, the printing press, or news as we know it. And common proclamations were often lost to history, generally being inscribed on low-quality materials. But the principle of control of information has been around forever. Many times it was the ruler versus the rumor; even Caesar had to appease the mob, and ever the lowly decurion tried to keep order and administer a rough justice. There is a reason that the baton, rather than the sword, became the symbol of leadership, morphing throughout history into sceptres or Field Marshal's or Sergeants-Major accoutrements. For this legacy, I salute you." He lifts his hand in a semimilitary wave.

"So do you see the media as lackeys of the politicans, or vice-versa?"

[Thanos]

"Neither, unfortunately. There are other influential powers beyond the politicians that are working towards their own ends. They influence the media and the politicians. Those politicians that move in the direction wanted are supported directly or indirectly by the media. I don't know the details, obviously, or I could suggest actions to be taken, but that is what seems to be taking place. What do you think?"

[Wired*Nun]

"I think that there is more under the sun than is dreamt of in our philosophy, Horatio. I think that as soon as we believe we know the answers, we prove ourselves wrong. I believe in the journey, and leave the destination to itself. I believe the deeper down the rabbit hole you go, the more hole you find."

He reaches inside his coat, drawing out an elegant wallet. He fingertips a card to Fertelli.

Vivishnu Ramdin, J.D., PhD it says, with an office address downtown and a couple of phone numbers.

"Give me a call sometime...if you need a good lawyer, or maybe an archaeologist. Or if you want to do a little off-duty security work. There is always something available for men of your gifts."

He stands up as the man and woman come out of the office.

"Good day, Officer Fertelli. Be well." He doesn't offer to shake hands, but leaves with the other two.