Future Perfect

QUESTION: Which characters from Unjust Depths would try to levitate a slice of pizza into their mouth?

CANDIDATES:

• MURATI: A little too serious-minded for this kind of tomfoolery. Also if she tried the pizza would explode.

• MARYAM: Yes, but mostly as a prelude to offering Shalikova a slice in the same fashion.

• NORN: No, but she might taunt someone else with a slice.

• SELENE: She would think that was stupid, unless somebody else did it first, at which point she would try to do several slices at once just to show them.

• MAJIDA: She would try to levitate a slice into Raaya's mouth, who would recieve it with an uneasy mixture of gratitude and worry.

• EUPHRATES: Yes, but Tigris would make fun of her for it.

• TIGRIS: Not anymore.

• VICTORIA: Wouldn't even think about it.

• GERTRUDE: Yes, if she thought it would impress a girl (she would think this).
  SUBQUESTION: Who would be impressed that Gertrude could levitate a pizza slice into her mouth?

  • INGRID: Oh hell yeah.
  • NILE: "Impressed" is not the right word, but she would be happy that Gertrude was eating well and taking her mind off of work.
  • MONIKA: Disconcerted, mainly, but a little bit impressed.
  • VICTORIA: "No" (lying).
  • ELENA: Is currently trying to work out the appropriate communist response to seeing Gertrude levitate a slice of pizza into her mouth.

I accept the responsibility of living up to my title, with honor; to serve the Union, with distinction; to acquire correct understandings, with humility; and thus to lead the downtrodden masses by example. I agree to live and die a worker, without a name.

To speak face to face with the sorrows of humanity is different than arguing with it in one's head. Or perhaps-- that is simply an excuse.

I bet everything’s gonna go really great for Marina this week. I bet the Captain is going to think that Marina did a great job navigating a no-win situation and the Commissar is going to say “well, who hasn’t abetted a war crime. no big deal.” Just another unimpeachable achievement from our favorite GIA agent.