FRIENDR;

[enveloped]

	Friendr
«		»
	» Age: 42 » Seeking: Friendship & Networking / More » Preferences: Anyone / Men (30+) » Interests: Travel, Language, Architecture, Épée. » Bio: Humanitarian Interpreter / Cultural Mediator specializing in disaster relief & conflict zone management. Gifted. Father. Globetrotter. Dive leader. Cigar aficionado.
	base code by photosynthesis
	Cameron Waltz
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Comments

[bardish]

[ Jeff's looking at that text with a thoughtful little frown. On the one hand: he can admire that Mr. Waltz is actually looking at the ethics of the situation, and the impact he might have-- positive or negative-- on the citizens.

On the other: WHY IS MR. WALTZ TELLING HIM THIS? Is it to lecture him? Or to just confide his feelings because he's stuck in a new place and Jeff's the only familiar person?

It all depends on his tone, and he can't read that as easily through texts. God, he misses the days when people just called each other.

(Of course, nothing's stopping Jeff from just shooting him some voice messages. Nothing but good, old fashioned phone anxiety.)

Without knowing Waltz's tone, it's hard to know how he should respond. What tone he should use in kind. ]

ok then
For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing here.

I guess that's the nice thing about teaching Gifted kids who've got nowhere else to go:
there's really not a lot of moral ambiguity you've got to consider before taking the job

[ It's uh. A SINCERE ATTEMPT AT FRIENDLY CONVERSATION, even though Cam seems to take joy in making him feel small.

...because Jeff's an obnoxiously empathetic person. ]

[enveloped]

That's true. Unless your intention is to use your power over them for your own gain. It takes a mentor to create a child soldier.

[A pause, because Jeff has been... understanding, in his own way. Cam's glad he isn't here alone. There are far worse men than Jeff Calhoun.]

For what it's worth, I don't believe you would do any such thing.

Regardless of your teaching ability, I know you have good intentions.

[bardish]

Wow that was so close to being a real compliment!
it was only a LITTLE backhanded

[enveloped]

If you're looking for sugar, you're looking in the wrong place.

Try the corner store.

[bardish]

you don't want to send me there
I'll come back with all kinds of terrible snacks

[enveloped]

The one thing I learned from the art students in college: Never go shopping when you have the munchies.

My roommate was constantly broke.

[Yes, Jeff, he KNOWS you're a stoner.]

[bardish]

Sounds like a good lesson to learn
I never associated with the sort myself

[ Look. Jeff knows it's like the worst kept secret in the universe. He knows there's gossip about how "Mr. Calhoun is such a stoner." But he can't just go and admit it! NOT TO A PARENT OF ONE OF HIS STUDENTS. ]

[enveloped]

That's called disassociation.

You may want to see a doctor.

[bardish]

[ Okay, that gets a good laugh out of him. ]

Touché, Mr. Waltz

(look at that, I even made sure to use the fancy accent just for you)

[enveloped]

I'm flattered.

Are you also in the communal housing building?

I feel approximately twenty years too old for sleeping arrangements with teenagers who aren't my own.

[bardish]

God me too!
it's so WEIRD, man
I can't wait to move out

I didn't even do the dorm thing in college

[enveloped]

I'll be negotiating for private living accommodations in my contract. I need my own place if I'm going to be spending any length of time here.

Two days and I'm already at my wits end. I've worked battlefields less chaotic and more hygienic than our shared bathroom.

[bardish]

Wait, you can do that?
Shit i should've tried to negotiate

I can't stop doing the dishes
every time i think the kitchen's clean: BAM
more dishes
it's like i'm everyone's dad!!

[enveloped]

There are some benefits to being independently contracted. If they truly want me and all that I can bring to the table? They'll accommodate me.

You should review your terms after a few months. So long as they actually want to keep you, you'll have bargaining power.

I thought JJ was messy. I was wrong. These kids have laundry piles so high they would need sherpa to make the ascent. Not that they have any interest in making the attempt.

The best I can do is keep the windows open, and triage the worst of the chores.

[Literally the first criticism of JJ that Jeff's ever heard from his mouth.]

[bardish]

i appreciate the advice but MAN you really have no idea how little bargaining power teachers have without a union

[ HE SINCERELY DOUBTS HE CAN SWING A PRIVATE ROOM. ]

Wait i'm sorry what was that?
did you just admit JJ isn't perfect?

[enveloped]

You don't need a union, you need a strategy. Make yourself indispensable, then make your demands. You don't ask them for better terms. You tell them what they need to offer you to make staying worth your while.

[LONG PAUSE.]

Your lack of self-preservation is almost impressive.

[bardish]

yeahhhhh
You might be overestimating my ability to do any of that

[ Jeff knows he's TOO SOFT AND TERRIBLE UNDER PRESSURE to do any of that. ]

I prefer to think of myself as a man without fear

[ HAHAHA tell another joke, Jeff. ]

[enveloped]

Also known as a fool.

I won't argue with you there.

[bardish]

that may be a first

[ There's the mean hot dad he... barely knows and nearly likes. ]

[enveloped]

Don't make it the last.

All we have of our own world is each other.

[bardish]

yeah
Trust me ive thought about that

[enveloped]

And?

Care to enlighten me?

[Cam honestly has no idea how the mind of Jeff Calhoun works.]

[bardish]

So we should stick together even if one of us has a penchant for being a bit of a jerk sometimes

[enveloped]

Exactly.

Considering our shared circumstances, I think I can find it in my heart to forgive you. For now.

When we're home we'll revisit the discussion about my daughter.

[bardish]

No thank you that won't be necessary