[network] Night 378 | @Ecks | I am two and what is this | video [open]

[ecks]

[Many people here will recognize the inside of the sports shed on the campus of the elementary school. Newer people may not have seen Ecks's face before; she's a patchwork woman with a perpetually blank expression, and when she speaks (turning the tablet around as she does so, so that she's only visible for a moment at the start of the video) her voice is flat and inexpressive.

The new subject for viewing is a conical hat with the word 'DUNCE' written on it in big, red letters, which she has set on the floor of the building.]

What is this? What is a dunce? This hat is not comfortable or warm. What is its purpose?

Comments

[ecks]

Mm, yeah; you should practice.

[It's a decent impression.]

I got better at laughing and making my face do things when I practiced.

[devoutish]

It's not a matter of not knowing how, I'm afraid. I used to be very good at it.

[ecks]

...Did you forget?

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[He sighs.]

Yeah, I forgot.

[ecks]

You could practice....

[This does not sound promising.]

[devoutish]

I find it very difficult to practice in Norfinbury. Better to save my energy for other things, eh?

[ecks]

Things like getting up in the morning?

[devoutish]

Exactly that.

[ecks]

I am concerned that you are going to die if you are not able to get up in the morning.

[devoutish]

Well, Thankfully, I've always been able to.

Don't worry too much about me, Ecks. Eh? I'll be all right.

[ecks]

I am bad at doing what I am told to do when it is about having an emotion or not having an emotion.

[devoutish]

[... Well, okay; fair enough.]

That's all right; everyone's bad at that.

[ecks]

[This is a goddamn revelation to her.]

If everyone is bad at that why does everyone tell everyone else to have emotions?

[devoutish]

That would depend on the emotion. Which one are you thinking of?

[ecks]

When I am told not to worry, or not to be sad, or to cheer up, or to forget something, or to -- other things. Emotions like those.

[devoutish]

Ah, well, that's just reassurance, really. They're not orders. It's people just trying to make you feel better, that's all.

[Then he realizes what he's saying, and smiles ruefully.]

Trying to help you feel better.

[ecks]

...Do they think if I obey I can feel better?

[devoutish]

They think hearing them say it will make you feel better, because you'll know that they care about you.

[ecks]

...Ohhh.

That makes more sense.