mistconduct | Issue #15

Issue #15 - Voice

[Private to Cassel, morning]

Hey, Solo, we're going training today. Survivor 101, you and me. Call me back, we can mess around in the gym after lunch today.

[Private to Cassel, lunchtime]

Hey; didn't see you at lunch. You okay, man? I saved some fries for you but they're going to get gross and cold. Call me back.

[Private to Cassel, dinnertime]

Seriously, dude, pick up. Not cool.

[Private to Cassel, past dinner]

Okay, so I just went to your room, and what the fuck? Where are you? Fucking call me.

[Public, around eleven p.m.]

Christ, has anyone heard from Cassel Sharpe yet? I haven't talked to him since Tuesday and he's not picking up. I've tried like four times today and I'm freaking out a little, here.

Fucking hell, someone tell me they've seen him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He didn't tell you?

[...And then she closes her eyes.]

Of course he didn't. I'm sorry, Chris, I should have let you know. He's in Zero.

Who didn't tell me?

What the fuck? Barbara, why is he in Zero?

Kon. I thought Cassel would have asked, but - [No, probably not.]

He's not hurt, I promise. Beyond that, I think it's something he should tell you.

Fuck Kon. Fucking christ I hate him so much. That fucking asshole. I'll kill him. I'm sitting here panicking that Cassel fell over the side and...fuck him.

He better not be. Fucking christ what the fuck is going on around here..

No you won't. [The rebuke is firm, but not particularly fierce. She understands that Chris is angry; she would be, too.]

I talked to him myself. Trust me, he's okay.

Aaaaah god damn it I want to. I really, really want to.

Can you let me in to see him? I can't get into Zero on my own.

I'll need to talk to Kon. [She raises a hand.] I don't want to get either of you into any more crap, okay?

Forget it. I'll ask someone else.

Chris. If I let you see him, and it's not allowed, it might extend his stay.

Or maybe if I punch Kon I'll be put in Zero next to him.

Yeah, but punching Kryptonians really hurts.

[Softly.] You think Cassel would want that? You getting yourself in trouble over him?

Yeah, but I really don't care.

No, but....no.

[She smiles, a little.]

No. So don't.

Kon isn't doing this just to be an ass, Chris. Trust me, if he were, I'd at least slap him upside the head.

He really should have told you, though.

He should've. He just doesn't give a fuck. And then he wonders why the fuck I don't like him around Cassel.

[After a moment, gently.] You think maybe he feels the same way about you?

He fucking SEES that me and Cassel are best friends and he doesn't tell me he's in Zero becaus he knows it'll piss me off. How fucking petty is that? He's a warden, he doesn't have to make himself into more of an absolute shithead. If Cassel were hurt, I'd fucking at least let him know in the span of three goddamn days.

I don't think it was about pissing you off. I think he might believe Cassel is better off without your influence.

He's wrong, obviously, but if he's got Cassel's best interests at heart, you've at least got something in common.

He does think that. He thinks that 100% absolutely and it pisses me off.

No, I think he's got his girlfriend's best interests at heart and then does whatever the fuck she tells him to do.

It'd piss me off, too.

[Barbara shakes her head.] I don't think so. Cassel knows he screwed up, Chris.

Well, he needs to stop being a self-hating jackass, then.

Well, yes, but in this case -

[Her voice lowers.] You can hurt people without ever raising a hand to them, Chris. You can fuck up their lives with a few words.

No, I know. My warden gave me that lesson already.

[Her eyes widen, slightly, and the furious scowl is there and gone in a flash.]

That was shitty of him, too.

[She never curses like this with anyone else.]

Holy shit, Barbara. I don't think I've ever heard you curse.

[A rakish grin.] See? You are a bad influence.