tushanshu | 001 // video

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001 // video

[Hannibal stands centered in front of the camera, looking oddly calm and not disheveled in the slightest.]

I suppose I should make a proper introduction, and this seems the best way to do it although it's dreadfully impersonal.

I am Dr. Hannibal Lecter. I'm a psychiatrist, and was a physician for many years before my retirement from that field. However, if I've understood correctly we are facing some difficult times here, so I am happy to offer my medical services if needed. A shame about the rationing, too. Proper nutrition is essential, and there's nothing quite like a well-cooked meal.

But, regardless of the situation, I am very pleased to meet you all and I hope we can get to know each other better.

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Do you not usually have these things?

I could get it back home, but this is a lotta easy. Ain't gotta fight for nuffin', 'cept maybe wine.

Why?

You're a little young for wine. [But he gave psychedelic mushrooms to a teenager so he can't really talk.]

I'm just curious. I had to fight for food at times, but I spent a significant portion of my childhood in an orphanage.

[ Oooh. That's interesting--Give Gavroche a little time to settle on the chair. He hates using his comm, dammit. ] Ain't for me, but I drink a bit. It was for summin' else, but uh--he left all quick-like, huh?

Hey, lemme know, huh? What the orphanage was like?

If you say so.

It was large and hollow, full of brutes who would knock you down for your food and authority figures who couldn't be bothered to do a thing about it, but would not hesitate to punish you if you didn't sing the anthem. [In other words: it was bad. But, given the state of this young boy's dress and hygiene, Hannibal guesses he hasn't been brought up in the best environment either.]

[ He's shifting again--anxious. Pleased. This guy? He knows what it's like. There's nothing pitying, either, he's just describing things as a matter-of-factly. He knows what it's like to fight and how to come on top and even if Gavroche doesn't care about the anthem (though he's glad he didn't go to an orphanage because of it) he does like the way the guy speaks. ]

You're like me, huh? I could be like you, then! [ wow, that idea is PRETTY COOL. Even if he's dead ] You're a doctor and a psy-whazzat, how come you're so smart if you're an orphan?

[Hannibal was pleased as well, pleased that there seemed to be a point of connection here. It would be the perfect opportunity to take this boy in and...

...teach him some manners.]

I had good role models in my uncle and aunt, who came for me when I was thirteen. Being an orphan has nothing to do with intelligence, if you truly take interest in something you can study it without schooling. I studied mathematics by calculating shadows at different times of day, and drew from life whenever I could.

[ Oh, wow! This guy's awesome. Reminds him of Montparnasse, but not as scummy, even ] I learned how to read an' write 'cause I worked in a printer shop, that count? I taught m'self to swim, too, huh? In the Seine. So if summin' don't like what I did an' threw me in, I could rescue m'self.

Reading and writing is a good start. I would also suggest taking up an art - an instrument, or something like painting.

And, of course, proper presentation and manners are essential in academia. [TAKE A BATH]

I ain't interested in no acawhuzzat, huh? I got all I need to know up here, an' it works! My art ain't music or paintin' or poetry, nah, it's nuffin' like that 'cause it actually gets me money. Wanna know? Hey, wanna know?

He isn't sure he really wants to know.]

What is it?

M'really good at findin' things out. 'Cause--well, it's safe to tell you, 'cause you're gonna know what I mean. People, they ain't expect gamin to listen. They think we're all stupid 'cause we ain't got no parents. So you keep your ears open an' you can make a damn good livin'.

It is useful to be alert and observant where others fail to be, as long as you're careful. There are people out there who don't want you to find out certain things. [And he's one of them, but he won't say that.]

Oh, I dealt with that 'afore, monsieur. Besides, I don't care what's goin' on as long as there ain't no monarchy an' there's enough juulan in it, huh?

You're not concerned about the Emperor, then?

'Course M'concerned, 'cause Emperors, huh? They're like Kings. An' Kings are bad. But until the rest of the people wake up, there ain't much I can do.

The important thing to remember about Kings and Emperors alike is that while they may fancy themselves gods their power is entirely dependent on having people who will follow them.

Yeah--yeah, that's the thing! s'revolution, Monsieur. Onna 'em! I was in one, right? An' everyone fought an' some other people told me we won, too!

[ Oh gosh, you have him riled up now, Hannibal. ] It was hard, but we did it. I wanna do the same here, and I ain't afraid to say it--but we gotta wait until there are a lil more people than les amis and me, huh?

[Hannibal isn't much of a revolutionary, he just casually disregards anyone else's authority, for the most part. But, he can't say he'd object to seeing some smug monarch overthrown. He himself is nobility, but pays much more mind to one's actions than their likely inherited social rank.]

Patience is a virtue. But, there seem to be many here who are...less than satisfied.

There's also lotta people here that will defend it. I ain't gonna die again, nuh-uh. But if it's summin' I believe in, M'gonna haveta.

You wanna join the fight? You know what it's like, huh? You look fancy now, but I know--Gavroche knows, uh-huh. 'specially since you told me. Y'gotta get angry! Y'gotta get passion, huh? Whatcha got passion for, fancy clothes and nice hair?

I have a passion for enjoying and experiencing life to its fullest extent, something a ruler does not often encourage in their subjects.

I'm not much of a fighter [A lie, but he preferred not to advertise his physical prowess as catching others off guard gave him an advantage.] but we'll see if there's not something I can do.

'course there is, Fancy Man. Y'can do anyfin if you really want--I was fightin', huh? An' I did real good-like. n' you're bigger 'en me.

You can read, huh? We needed people that could in the fight, too. To spread, uh--flyers of stuff that's.. Whatcha call it, huh? flyers and bitsa papers what have encouraging words....

I can read and write in many languages, yes. And I suppose you'd need a medic, too. [Does he actually plan on doing anything with this revolution? Perhaps. If it ever happens, and it looks like they stand a chance at winning.]

We got one, but I guess two'll help. Coulda used you when I went 'bye, huh, Dr. Fancy?

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001 // video

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