http://damned-intercom.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] damned-intercom.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] damned_institute2009-03-02 04:24 am

Day 39: Intercom, Evening

The Head Doctor seemed a little rushed as he spoke on the intercom, not taking as much pleasure as he usually did in describing the delicious food that would soon be served.

"Hello, everyone! Tonight is turkey night, which means turkey breast in a great turkey gravy with some nice turkey sides: peas, herb potatoes, a small garden salad, and for dessert, a slice of pumpkin pie. We of course have vegetarian substitutes available, as well as our usual assortment of drinks.

"...I believe that's it! I'll talk to you soon!"

The intercom clicked off abruptly.

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[identity profile] piggy-king.livejournal.com 2009-03-05 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
"Nice to finally know your name, Diego!" Porky said cheerfully, "Anyway, we might as well start your learning how to write as soon as possible, so let's start with your name!"

Porky picked up the journal and pen he had put down earlier and wrote "Diego" in big block letters on another one of the pages. Diego seemed to think that humans were stupid, so Porky felt it necessary to show him his place. After all, Diego was just an uncivilized animal, right? Porky held up the journal so Diego could see what Porky had written.

"That's how you write Diego, see?" Porky said as if he were talking to a child, "First there's 'D,' then 'i,' then 'e,' and then 'g' and 'o.' 'Diego.' Do you think you could try writing it yourself? If you can come over here and away from that bed, I mean. And no problem if you can't. I understand that it's difficult for you."

[identity profile] oober-tracker.livejournal.com 2009-03-07 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Diego stared at the pictures on the paper, then at Porky Minch, grudgingly impressed. That was the one thing he always thought humans had going for them, their idea of communicating through pictures scratched on the wall. While he was still annoyed at the whole evolution thing, it was also impressive that they'd taken the next step and turned sounds into pictures.

Maybe that was the only reason they'd evolved. They certainly didn't have anything else going for them.

But writing it himself? That was just a little bit too human for Diego. He'd teach himself how to walk because he needed to be able to move by himself, but learning how to write? How to scribble pictures humans made up so he could communicate with humans? Besides which, he'd never be able to wrap a hand around the tiny rock, much less keep it that steady. "No thanks," he answered with a slight smile. "I think I should focus on moving." He paused to look around. "How do you get out of here?"

[identity profile] piggy-king.livejournal.com 2009-03-07 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh. Looked like Diego wasn't quite confident enough to try his hand at writing. No matter. After all, there were other ways for Porky to assert his superiority.

"Ah!" Porky said, "Excellent question! Well, we humans invented something called a 'door' to keep all those pesky animals out. Couldn't have saber-tooth tigers and whatnot always barging in, you know? Anyway, you see this big different-colored rock, right?"

Porky pointed to the door out of M80. Oh, this was going to blow Diego's mind. Porky pushed on the door to emphasize how sturdy it was. Then, Porky reached for the handle and turned it, but didn't open it just yet.

"Well," Porky began, "You see this smaller, metallic rock? You give it a little turn and then a push, and voila!"

Porky opened the door.

"It's very effective at keeping animals out," Porky said cheerfully, "Most of them aren't smart enough to figure out how they work, so they have no choice but to go away. Anyway, now that exiting the room is taken care of, why don't we head out? I believe that it's already nightshift."