Mail Call for McManus

[Will Stanton]

"...Do you know where it is? We could go looking for it."

[Samantha McManus]

"Professor Weaver has it. She's trying to make certain it's... safe to put back in me."

[Will Stanton]

"Do you have something to use until you get...it...back?"

[Samantha McManus]

She hesitated to answer for a moment.

"...context. Memories."

[Will Stanton]

The image of Will nodded.. "That's why you're staying cooped up, right? You don't...don't trust yourself?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Almost the opposite. I'm too sure of myself. I know how I'm expected to act, and I know how I want to act, and... I'm having trouble finding reasons not to."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, how do you WANT to act? You taught me there's nothing wrong with cutting loose every once in a while, or I wouldn't have mailed myself here."

[Samantha McManus]

"You've... heard what I want to do."

[Will Stanton]

"CAn't you find some sort of outlet?"

[Samantha McManus]

"It's been said that... I ought not remain this way for long."

[Will Stanton]

"...or else you you'll do something you'd regret when you...'turned back'?"

[Samantha McManus]

"How familiar are you with Freud?"

[Will Stanton]

"I haven't had a chance to meet all the new students.


...Joking, joking, I've read Civilization and whatnot."

[Samantha McManus]

"If you want to be clinical, I've had the superego carved out of me. That leaves me more or less a sociopath."

[Will Stanton]

"...But, like, temporarily, right?" the greeting card said, sounding a little nervous.

[Samantha McManus]

"That's... the hope."

"You'll have to excuse me. Right now there's a rather vocal part of me that's shouting that there's nothing wrong with me."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, you're aware enough to call it sociopathic, so that's...that's good, right?"

[Samantha McManus]

"I have the context of things. I have the memory of how I ought to act. It just feels more than a little hollow."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, take it easy, put your feet up, and rest up? You said Nailah was on it, she knows what she'd doing.

If there's something I can do, as a stopgap ... I mean, I'm no telepath or magician..."

[Samantha McManus]

"It might just be best if you catch me afterwards. I'm... sorry."

[Will Stanton]

"There's no need to apologize. None at all. I just wanted to check in on you."

[Samantha McManus]

She gritted her teeth, something in her still bristling at the notion that anything was wrong with her.

"...I don't need your pity, Mister Stanton."

[Will Stanton]

"Who said anything about pity?"

[Samantha McManus]

"You think I'm broken, just like everyone else. That's not what happened. I beat her."

[Will Stanton]

"You were just saying that she took something from you! I thought you might appreciate, y'know, someone there until cooler heads prevailed."

[Samantha McManus]

"Cooler heads? Is that what you want? Cooler heads would have left her out there until she struck again."

[Will Stanton]

"I think you're being hyperbolic, and need to relax a little."

[Samantha McManus]

"When we're 'whole' we're standing still. Paralyzed."

[Will Stanton]

"That hasn't been my experience with you.

Besides, you don't want to do, like, stupid actions, right?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Don't be insulting," she snarled.

[Will Stanton]

"I'm trying to be the voice of reason, not insulting."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well the voice of 'reason' isn't in attendance," she sneered. "I don't need you filling her shoes."

[Will Stanton]

"Sam, think about what you're saying. I could totally guardian angel for you, or whatever the hell it's supposed to do, until you're better..."

[Samantha McManus]

"You don't know what you're asking."

Then, taking the card in her hands, it seemed the headmistress was determined to... fold Will.

[Will Stanton]

"Sam, listen to me! I'm just trying to help!"

[Samantha McManus]

"I've an idea where you can help best, Mister Stanton." She made a few more folds.

[Will Stanton]

"Mmmf? Mmmf!"

[Samantha McManus]

Finishing shaping the card into a paper airplane, she opened the door and sent Will flying on the breeze.