remains_npc (remains_npc) wrote in remains_rpg, @ 2016-06-08 17:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | # 2019 [05] may, joel kulseth, kitty gilmore, npc: angelica hemings, savannah posey |
Who: Joel Kulseth and an anonymous interviewer
When: May 9, mid-day
Where: An unknown location
What: An interview.
ANONYMOUS: I can't stress enough how much we appreciate your willingness to speak to us. I know our methods were questionable, to say the least, but it's of paramount importance that we not have this conversation near Austin. JOEL: Not like a have much of a choice really. It ain’t going to get me anywhere if I sit and scowl at you. ANONYMOUS: [nods to acknowledge Joel’s words were heard before asking:] Can you tell me about yourself? Are you originally from the city? JOEL: [aborts a laugh at the question] I sound Texan to you? Grew up in California, lived in Vegas for a while. Moved to Austin almost a decade ago. I was a vice cop, and the APD were looking to get their division up and running. Sounded like a good fit. ANONYMOUS: Where do you live? Do you currently work? JOEL: You picked me up off the street and drove half a day without knowing what I do? Like I said, I’m a cop. A lieutenant if we’re getting technical. I work and live in the Capitol building with my family - my wife and youngest daughter. ANONYMOUS: Can you tell me about food and water? Does your family have enough to eat and drink? Have you ever needed more than what you have? JOEL: Food and water is provided by the Capitol. The mayor and his people. I don’t know how they’re filling their storage areas, but we’ve never been short anything. They ration once in awhile, but I haven’t seen them do much of that. ANONYMOUS: What about the other shelters in Austin? Do you have any experience with them and what it's like to live there? JOEL: I’ve got some experience with UMCB. My oldest girl lives there, and they send officers over once in awhile, when they’re needed. We’ve got three established places - the Capitol, UMCB, and the LBJ library. The library doesn’t operate under the authority of the Capitol though. ANONYMOUS: Have you ever been to the LBJ Library shelter? What is the perception of that shelter from those living under Capitol authority? JOEL: [he hesitates, trying to read the meaning behind the question.] I was there once or twice while their first leader was still around. Cop business mostly. Can’t speak for everyone, but I’m sure more than a few think they’ve made a bad choice. Some could be afraid of what they’re doing, since they took up with a raider group for support. ANONYMOUS: Can you tell me about the Mayor? JOEL: What do you want to know? I didn’t vote him into office, and I don’t agree with a lot of what he does now. He’s got more power and authority than he should, if you ask me, and he’s turned Austin into a dictatorship. But he tries to make it look like it’s not. ANONYMOUS: What actions or policies do you not agree with? How do you think Austin has turned into a dictatorship and in what ways is the Mayor trying to mask this? JOEL: What do you know about his policies? I don’t agree with his lack of transparency, and I think his council is more like a figurehead than a group helping him manage anything. You know, I don't have proof on a lot of this, just gut feelings. ANONYMOUS: That’s all we need to know on that subject. Have you had any interactions with the Patrolmen? How do their duties differ from the APD? JOEL: Ollinger’s lackeys? Yeah, I’ve interacted with them. Most days they look like they’re his personal security, his errand boys. They’re not supposed to have the same kind of authority that the APD have, but it doesn’t seem to matter much, they do what they want. Including rifling around the department or wherever else the Mayor sends them. ANONYMOUS: Do you feel that justice has been obstructed by the Patrolmen? JOEL: Yes. ANONYMOUS: What about the Hellhounds? JOEL: What about them? They’re a motorcycle club, a raider gang. Austin’s big bad, if you believe what the Mayor says. But they don’t operate much different than MC’s did before the world went sideways. They were running drugs. Prax. But near as we can tell their supply got blown to hell. ANONYMOUS: Why do you think their supply of Prax was destroyed? Do you think the Mayor or the Patrolmen were involved in the destruction of it? JOEL: No, I think the Hounds destroyed it themselves. I haven't heard a word around the Capitol about the Mayor or his goons getting their hands in that fireworks show. ANONYMOUS: What was your knowledge of the Los Nahuales situation? JOEL: Limited. The APD was advised that they weren’t in our case files, and those of us that were really looking to do our jobs the right way took that to mean they didn’t want us looking too closely. Figured that meant there'd be consequences we didn’t like too much if we did. ANONYMOUS: Did you know that the Mayor was working with them? JOEL: I had a feeling. A lot of the cats carried around Capitol issued weapons, and the Hounds left us a real nice display on the lawn a while back. Didn’t have any proof of it though, not until you confirmed it. ANONYMOUS: Is there anything else that you think I should know? JOEL: No, I think I gave you enough. ANONYMOUS: And I think we have all we need. Thank you, Lieutenant. |
ANONYMOUS: I can't stress enough how much we appreciate your willingness to speak to us. I know our methods were questionable, to say the least, but it's of paramount importance that we not have this conversation near Austin. KITTY: [She makes a face that nearly looks like a scowl.] To be fair you didn’t really give me much choice. It was either willingly come with your men or create some kind of scene. The latter seemed less favorable, so here I am. And why can this conversation not happen near Austin? ANONYMOUS: [holds up a hand] Please refrain from asking questions during the interview process. Everything will become clear in due time. Can you tell me about yourself? Are you originally from the city? KITTY: [she studies her interviewer for a long moment and then sighs.] Even though I’m positive you already know more about me than you’re letting on, for the sake of hopefully being released to go back to my life soon, I’ll answer. I’m Catherine Gilmore, better known as Kitty. The second child and only daughter of Thomas and Vivienne Gilmore, the latter a U.S. Congressman and presidential candidate before the world went to hell. I’m twenty one, I have two children and yes, I was originally from Austin. ANONYMOUS: Where in the city do you live now? Do you work? KITTY: [her voice is even, almost restrained as she answers.] I live in the Capitol building, but you know that already. And I work in the Department of Resources, filing paperwork mostly. ANONYMOUS: Can you tell me about food and water? Does your family have enough to eat and drink? Have you ever needed more than what you have? KITTY: [Confusions flickers across her features.] What exactly do you want to know about food and water? My family has enough, actually the whole Capitol does. ANONYMOUS: [with a nod] That will suffice. What about the other shelters in Austin? Do you have any experience with them and what it's like to live there? KITTY: Before I moved to the Capitol I lived in the Fox Grove High School, the shelter was established by teenagers mostly. We didn’t take aid from anyone and had to scavenge for everything. [she pauses.] I don’t have any first hand knowledge of the other shelters, besides visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson Library occasionally. ANONYMOUS: When you say Fox Grove didn’t take aid -- was this by choice or by necessity? To your knowledge, was aid ever offered by another shelter at any time? KITTY: By choice, we were a group of teenagers who didn’t want adults meddling in things. Or at least that’s the approach I think our council took. I don’t believe we were ever offered aid from the Capitol, or at least I never heard about it. Though I think there was a time when our leader was attempting some kind of alliance with the Hellhounds, though I was only in charge of taking care of the kids, so I don’t know much more than what I’ve just told you. ANONYMOUS: Why did you choose to leave Fox Grove and join the Capitol shelter? What is the current status of Fox Grove? KITTY: Things weren’t necessarily running smoothly at Fox Grove, it's hard to describe really, it was just clear that stuff was happening. So when my best friend expressed an interest in moving to the medical center, and I was really only saying at the school because of her and the father of my kids, I guess I finally decided to give in and move to the Capitol like my parents had been asking me to do for years. [sighs] Honestly, I don’t know. Rumor has it that things just got worse after people left. ANONYMOUS: In your experience of visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson Library, how did that shelter compare to the Capitol? Are you familiar with the shelter’s leader, or with their politics? KITTY: In some ways it’s similar, they have departments and people in place to run each of those departments. They have a leader and a council that makes the big decisions, but it also feels different, less like the people within those walls have forgotten what’s going on beyond them.[pauses and bites her tongue to keep from asking if they have Savannah here.] I am, more some their leader than their politics. I’m friends with her daughter, so while I can’t say I know everything about Savannah. I can say I do know her well enough to consider her more than an acquaintances. [takes another pause.] I’m not sure I would say they were aligned with the Capitol, but they had an agreement for the trading of water I believe, right up until the previous leader was killed by Olinger’s patrolmen. Now while I don’t fully understand the reason behind it, they've aligned themselves with the Hellhounds, I think because it allowed them to have access to water and cut ties with the Capitol. That’s all I really know though. ANONYMOUS: Your candor is appreciated. Let’s change gears -- can you tell me about the Mayor? KITTY: Unfortunately all I would be able to tell you about him is the public persona he projects. [a small laugh escapes her.] And I think we both know that politicians are talented at crafting their image, so my knowledge of the Mayor may not be all that helpful. ANONYMOUS: Let us be the judge of that. Please elaborate on whatever knowledge you have of the Mayor. KITTY: He comes across as an amiable man for the most part, attempting to be seen as the savior of Austin, sort of. But, and again I haven’t had much interaction with him. If you look close enough you can tell it’s just an act, that he is a man who likes control and is willing to go to great lengths to maintain said control. This is all observation of course, I apologize that I don’t have anything more concrete to give you. ANONYMOUS: Are you aware what role the Council plays in the governing of Austin? What are you father’s opinions on the current status of the city? Does he approve of the Mayor’s decisions? KITTY: I believe they’re supposed to function as Olinger’s cabinet, offering advice when needed and aiding in making decisions. [takes a moment to think.] My father hasn’t necessarily openly given me his opinion on that matter, but he has made it clear he does not agree with everyone decision Mayor Olinger makes. But all he can do is voice concerns and offer opinions, ultimately at the end of the day Olinger has the power to make whatever decision he would like to make. ANONYMOUS: Have you had any interactions with the Patrolmen? How do their duties differ from the APD? KITTY: [She shakes her head.] No, well, not besides passing them in the hallways of the Capitol from time to time. [a frown appears on her face.] And I wouldn’t know how their duties differ, just that they answer to the Mayor and seem to function like private security. ANONYMOUS: What about the Hellhounds? KITTY: What about them? They’re raiders. Austin would be a better place without them roaming our streets and starting some kind of war for God knows what reason. ANONYMOUS: Is there anything else that you think I should know? KITTY: I get the impression you may already be aware of this and who knows, I could be entirely wrong on this matter, but I believe there’s corruption in the Capitol. Because while we don’t want for anything, people in shelters that are not aligned with the Capitol sometimes barely scrape by or are forced to turn to the raiders to secure a water supply. [she pauses before she adds.] And the UMCB withholds medical treatment from anyone who isn’t Capitol approved and punishes doctors and medical personnel who might dare to do to go against that insane rule and provide medical aid anyway. ANONYMOUS: Who does the Capitol consider ineligible for medical treatment? How is their policy on this matter enforced? KITTY: Anyone not holding a Capitol issued ID. So raiders, ghouls, independents, they all get turned away from the Hospital. Though the former two I suspect don’t even bother to attempt to walk through the front doors. How their policy is enforced I wouldn’t know, besides them wanting to see ID I suppose. [pauses to fight down a wave of emotion as she thinks of the times she’s gone to the hospital, most with her children in tow.] Whenever I’ve gone I’ve always had to show ID, I even held one while I was living at Fox Grove. ANONYMOUS: Can you tell us how the medical personnel who circumvented the Capitol’s policy were able to treat patients? In what way were they discovered and punished? KITTY: They had a mobile clinic and would treat patients when not on shift. I think they maybe have supplied the clinic with items from the hospital, though I never asked for specifics so I could very well be wrong about that. How they were found out? Well, they had a personnel change at the hospital and it was shortly after that they they were told they were unable to leave the hospital because of recent discrepancies in inventory, I think. ANONYMOUS: In your position as an employee of the Department of Resources did you ever witness anything firsthand that supports the suggestion of Capitol corruption? KITTY: There were records that only a handful of people were ever allowed to see, and the notice that our department just recently put out didn’t make any sense. They’re limiting people taking food off site as if we’re running short on it, [she pauses while she meets her interviewer’s gaze.] But the thing is, I’ve seen those records, of what we have in stock and we’re not running short. I mean the Capitol has bacon for crying out loud. ANONYMOUS: [nods again, with an unreadable expression] Thank you, Miss Gilmore. That will be all. |
ANONYMOUS: Ms. Posey, I can't stress enough how much we appreciate your willingness to speak to us. I know our methods were questionable, to say the least, but it's of paramount importance that we not have this conversation near Austin for your own safety. SAVANNAH: [scowls] I wasn’t given much of an option. And while we’re talkin’ about safety, being ripped away from my brother didn’t make me feel safe, nor does bein’ driven God knows how far away to an unknown location. But by all means, keep pretendin’ this is for my benefit. ANONYMOUS: You could clam up right now, if you wanted to. You have the right, of course, at any time, but you likely know that already. I don't want to derail, though. [A pause, then:] We're in Denver, Colorado. Or what used to be Denver. And if Olinger -- [the name is spoken with obvious venom] -- knew what we were about to discuss, he'd blow Austin to pieces. SAVANNAH: That explains why it took so long to get here. [Frown deepens] But what do you mean he’d blow it up? Last time I checked, Austin bein’ bombed was a little ‘been there, done that’ [she rolls her eyes]. ANONYMOUS: Austin wasn't the only place that was bombed right at the start of the uprising, Ms. Posey, and he's got the capability to do it again. Your flippant attitude towards the possibility doesn't negate the fact that I'd really like to not see your city go up in smoke. SAVANNAH: So explain to me why the mayor of Austin has the ability to blow up the city. Because we’d been told it was the US Government who’d done that to us. But if it was actually the man who was supposed to be protectin’ us and advocating for our well bein’ then he’s even more corrupt than I thought. ANONYMOUS: [A grim smile appears on her face, briefly] 'More corrupt' would do well to sum him up. Unfortunately, you're right to believe the US Government dropped the initial bombs. They happened all over the country, with varying levels of success. The man calling himself 'Mayor of Austin' was given the gas by the former President as a means to control the zombie hordes within the city. It was an ill-advised decision made especially so when the 'Mayor' decided he'd rather use it to lord over his people whenever he was feeling threatened. [Another pause, then:] I'm not going to lie to you, Ms. Posey, the man who served as President during the first year after the uprising made some horrible, terrible choices about what happened to Texas. Must've been his stubborn Yankee pride coming out to play, especially after we lost New York. We've done the best we could to get into Austin and remedy the situation, but we weren't about to risk y'all being blown up to bits or disabled by the gas. SAVANNAH: [speaks in a scarily calm manner] So you’re tellin’ me that all this time you’ve been out here? You have government and means of communication? You have hot water and fresh food? And I’ve been tryin’ to keep fifteen hundred people alive, living in a library? Who is in charge now? I want to speak to them, because this is absolutely unacceptable that people in Austin has been livin’ the way we have for nearly the past three years. ANONYMOUS: Ms. Posey, you won't be hearing any arguments from me about whether your living conditions are unacceptable or not. Olinger greatly misrepresented the state of Austin for years, and the previous President never thought to question it. [an angry, almost helpless look flashes across her face briefly before she continues on, suppressing the emotion:] Nothing we've done is good enough, but we've been doing our best to negotiate the city-wide hostage situation you've been in for the last two -- almost three years. [another pause, then:] My name is Angelica Hemings. I'm the President of the United States. SAVANNAH: I hope you realize holdin’ a title like that ain’t gonna earn you my respect, given what my city and people have been through. [sighs] So what is being done? Why am I even here? ANGELICA: We're moving in. The jig is up, so to speak, and we've finally got all the pieces in play that will allow us to do so without the risk of retribution, but we need to make sure that our plan will work. We've been collecting as much insider information as we can from our men and women in Austin -- most of them in the Capitol -- but no one knows the ongoings and corruption quite like you. This operation needs to be executed successfully. To that end, Ms. Posey, I don't assume to have your respect, nor do I need it. I solely need your cooperation and information. SAVANNAH: I want to go home and I want to see my family again. And-- [pauses] I want to know how you’re going to be held accountable movin’ forward. Once Olinger is out of office, who are you plannin’ to be in charge? Because the truth is, none of y’all know what we’ve been through and no one is gonna respect an outsider comin’ in, tryin’ to run the show. Especially once they learn you’ve been out here all the time and essentially left us fendin’ for ourselves. If you have an acceptable plan, then I’ll cooperate. ANGELICA: Well, I was hoping you'd be able to assist with that. If you know anyone within Austin who could serve as interim Mayor once that man has been removed from power, I'm all ears. SAVANNAH: [bites back a wry expression] I might be able to think of a few qualified candidates. ANGELICA: I'm also prepared to present to you, right now, a high-level overview on the aid and support plan that we've drawn up. City-wide electricity and potable water will be gridded out, and weekly food and water supplies will be provided until we can set up a working economy within the city. We plan to send forces to collaborate with your police force -- if you believe they can be trusted -- to reclaim more of the buildings throughout the city and alleviate the crowding. Your thoughts and input would be much appreciated. SAVANNAH: Well-- [she let out a long sigh then squares her shoulders] We better get started then. |