Inbox [cerealia]

[cardboard_journalism]

"Sss, sss, sss.

You've reached the desk of Myriam Scuttlebutt.

If you're calling to submit a story to the Cerealia Times, please press 1.

If you're calling to inquire about employment with the Cerealia Times, please press 2.

If you're calling to make a complaint about a story in the Cerealia Times, you are free to hang up. Complaints will only be accepted as submitted letters to the editor, delivered in physical form.

If you're calling for any other reason, please leave a message after the beep."

[boop]

[if 1 is pressed]

"You've reached the extension for submitting a story to the Cerealia Times. Please describe your story after the beep. For reference, please include your name and contact information. You may also make your tip anonymously, or ask for anonymity. As a source, your anonymity is protected by law, and will not be revealed without your express permission.

Kahk-kahk... Keep in mind, you cannot be financially compensated for information you provide, for reason of journalistic ethics. ...no, really, journalists aren't supposed to do that."

[boop]

[if 2 is pressed]

"The Cerealia Times is in need of correspondents, reporters, photojournalists, and delivery personnel.

Correspondent: you are expected to respond to stories that break out in an assigned section of Cerealia, report the information at the scene, interview witnesses, and supply written stories. Mild literacy is required.

Reporters: you are expected to actively pursue assigned stories and conduct related interviews in a timely manner. Mild interpersonal skills a plus, but not essential. With approval, you will be free to investigate your own stories.

Photojournalists: you are expected to record newsworthy events on film. This may require taking shots under suboptimal conditions.

Delivery personnel: you are expected to transport, unload, and fold bundles of newspaper around Cerealia.

All of these jobs take long hours and are very demanding... but they're worth it. --Except for the delivery job, that's just busywork. Sss, sss!

Leave your contact information, desired post, and brief description of your experience, if any!"

[boop]

[action thread continuations can go here too!]

Comments

action;

[psycholawgy]

Some activity in school. I'm not sure, exactly.

Re: action;

[cardboard_journalism]

Oh, that's right... Some people still are going to school. Kahk-kahk. I almost forgot.

[says the girl who works at the school supply store]

action;

[psycholawgy]

I guess you wouldn't need to attend the high school here, huh?

Themis sure is advanced.

Re: action;

[cardboard_journalism]

I suppose I could've, but... we were already so close to graduating that we were practicing for the ceremony... so...

...

action;

[psycholawgy]

We'll be able to go home some time, okay? So don't worry about the future. You'll be able to graduate with Junie, Robin, and Hugh.

Re: action;

[cardboard_journalism]

You... you really think so, Athena?

action;

[psycholawgy]

I know it for sure!

action;

[cardboard_journalism]

You're so confident, Athena... kahk-kahk-kahk.

...w-well, I want to go back and get my box... we'll meet at the mall later?

--You sure you won't be in danger?

action;

[psycholawgy]

Someone has to think positive around here.

And sure. I need to finish some work, anyway. [ As for the safety issue... ] Don't worry about me. I'll call Archer or Simon if something happens.

Re: action;

[cardboard_journalism]

All right. I promise, I won't say bad things about Archer anymore. ...or print them.

[she'd get up and start to re-wrap her scarf then]

action;

[psycholawgy]

Then... send me a message when you're on your way to the mall. I'll start packing up so I can leave when you do.

action;

[cardboard_journalism]

[nods! ...because it's suddenly hard to talk]

[she'll sneak toward the door, tentatively looking out to see if the coast is clear before proceeding]

action;

[psycholawgy]

[ Ah. . . you are so weird, Myriam. ]

voice;

[feytality]

--oah! Which of these buttons do I press for---

[The sound of multiple numbers getting hit!]

Is this it? Hey, I think I got it! Hey, hey, I've got to talk to you about an article! I'm Maya--

[Another button, and she accidentally ends the call]

[WELL DONE]

voice;

[cardboard_journalism]

[OH NO, what had happened?? Had the girl been ambushed when trying to leave a hot tip? Was this CERES finally trying to silence a valid source?! Only one way to find out! She'd call back immediately!]

Hello? This is Myriam Scuttlebutt, editor of The Cerealia Times! Are you all right? It sounded like you got cut off suddenly! Hello?? Hello???

voice;

[dishonorstudent]

Told ya there's some shady shit goin' on at CERES.

Seen the murdershow broadcast?

voice;

[cardboard_journalism]

Is this Ryuko? Kaaaahk. How could I miss it? Yes, I saw it. Even got to ask the new CEO some questions. Sss, sss, sss.

voice;

[dishonorstudent]

So finally doin' your job, huh? Askin' the right questions?

Re: voice;

[cardboard_journalism]

Kahk-kahk! Who asked you?! Anyway, yes!

We'll definitely be printing an extra edition about this, you can read their comments later.

--What about you? Hmm?

Text - IC: 1/17

[complices]

[ Shortly after this, Myriam will find one text message in her inbox. ]

This is Mosley.

It seems as if you like to go on, don't you? I would advise a more succinct voicemail message. "Myriam Scuttlebutt. Submitting a story? Press 1. Employment? Press 2. Anything else? Wait for the beep." Was that truly so hard? And then your other messages, even worse, Also, what is that noise you keep making? You might want to check that out.

Nevertheless, Ms Recreare has informed me you are inquiring after CERES's Public Relations Manager. That is me.

Text - IC: 1/17

[cardboard_journalism]

Thank you for your advice. We will take that into consideration. Please note the Cerealia Times, and me, Myriam Scuttlebutt, are attempting to "build our brand" and frequently receive unsolicited calls. Hence, the need for a more "in-depth" message system.

[Sss, sss, sss!]

That's right! Do you have any official statement to make on behalf of Ms. Recreare or the CERES' corporation at this time? We anticipate an Extra edition will be published shortly.

Perhaps you would like to provide information for a proper obituary for the previous CEO?

[complices]

We do encourage all sorts of enterprising here at CERES, so I understand. Still, it is quite a hassle to get through.

And a statement on what? You've already questioned our CEO. If you had anything new to ask, I can give our thoughts but otherwise, on the matter of Julius Vincere's murder, there isn't any new information at this time.

An obituary:

Julius Vincere, 32, was killed in an apparent homicide occurring in the early hours of the morning this past Saturday, January 17th. He will be missed by both friends and family alike and respected in death as a true visionary and honored CEO. A memorial service will be held off planet for those closest to him but any Cerealians wishing to pay their respects may visit the CERES established memorial at the local shrine located within the Pleasure District.

"After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." - Unknown

[cardboard_journalism]

Yes, surely I did talk with her. She's very adept. CERES is clearly in good hands.

[good, possibly blood-stained hands...]

I mean a formal statement from CERES as an organization regarding the scene. "CERES is very shocked by this unjustified murder and mourns the loss of CEO Julius Vincere." Blah blah blah. "We look forward to announcing the person responsible is caught as we begin our investigation." Blah blah blah. "We anticipate changes as new CEO Miss Bellona Recreare restructures the company and ask for your patience." --You know. Put your best PR-spin on it!

Though if you want me to just reiterate what Miss Recreare said I'll do that.

[complices]

You asked for an obituary, not a press release, Miss Scuttlebutt. Please be more clear in the future. I still do suggest using what I wrote, I thought it was very poetic. You can even credit me, if you'd like.

Otherwise, I would not dream to hold my words above Ms Recreare's. If she's already given you a statement, again why did you request me?

[cardboard_journalism]

Good point... [oof, scratch that line of questioning, then]

Absolutely! The obituary you provided will be printed. Thanks!

Actually, there is one issue I was wondering if you could clarify. Miss Recreare made the point that us relocated are "visitors," to quote her. Which is fair enough.

What if, and pardon me for using hypotheticals, but what if someone relocated wished to voluntarily abandon plans to return home and instead live here permanently? Would there be a pathway to do this, and perhaps, leave the colony?