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fandomhigh2006-11-14 01:04 pm
tricksy-spy.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2006-11-14 01:04 pm
Entry tags:
Through a Glass Darkly: Spies and Spying; Week 10 - Period 3
Aly was looking very, very amused as the class came in. For those following the home game, that and the fact that there were still piles of clothing, costumes, and makeup in the back might be a reason to be worried.
"Good morning all," she said with a smile as they sat down. "Last week we discussed disguises, and all of you put one together. This week, we're going to talk about what makes your disguise believable - your cover story." She grinned. "Yes, normally you do this the other way around. This way is more fun. What you're going to do today is make up a cover story - a legend in the technical term - to fit the disguise you devised last week."
"Spies rarely admit they're spies. Telling your mark that you're spying on them is hardly a way to gain their trust and find out their secrets. And before anyone points it out, this is definitely a rule I've been breaking since I've been here. But on the other hand, this isn't my world, and I'm not working as a spy here. At home, very few people know what I do. Or rather very few people connect me to the Queen's spymaster."
"When you go undercover, you will succeed only if you convince everyone around you that you're a different person. And you can only do that if every detail is consistent. Every single bit of information from the trash in your pockets to your glasses to your story has to match. If you're masquerading as a dissident student, you probably shouldn't be driving a fancy car or wearing expensive shoes. Be consistent. And blend in. The key isn't to be quirky and distinctive. The key is to be nondescript."
She moved over to the whiteboard and started writing down some bullet points.
"Very well then. You have two tasks for today. The first is to develop a cover based on the disguise you came up with last week. I don't expect anything too elaborate, but I want to know what you're thinking about. The second is a homework assignment. Next class, I like you all to hand in a paper detailing a cover that you could use. You can feel free to make the situation you're going undercover in, but I want the situation detailed, the cover, how you're taking what we discussed today in class into account, and the disguise you'd use. At least three pages, I'd think."
She looked around. "Any questions?"
[OOC: I don't know how much I'm going to be around as I still have a killer migraine, but I'll tag Aly in as much as possible. Credit again to the Handbook of Practical Spying for helping put together the lesson. OCD is up]
"Good morning all," she said with a smile as they sat down. "Last week we discussed disguises, and all of you put one together. This week, we're going to talk about what makes your disguise believable - your cover story." She grinned. "Yes, normally you do this the other way around. This way is more fun. What you're going to do today is make up a cover story - a legend in the technical term - to fit the disguise you devised last week."
"Spies rarely admit they're spies. Telling your mark that you're spying on them is hardly a way to gain their trust and find out their secrets. And before anyone points it out, this is definitely a rule I've been breaking since I've been here. But on the other hand, this isn't my world, and I'm not working as a spy here. At home, very few people know what I do. Or rather very few people connect me to the Queen's spymaster."
"When you go undercover, you will succeed only if you convince everyone around you that you're a different person. And you can only do that if every detail is consistent. Every single bit of information from the trash in your pockets to your glasses to your story has to match. If you're masquerading as a dissident student, you probably shouldn't be driving a fancy car or wearing expensive shoes. Be consistent. And blend in. The key isn't to be quirky and distinctive. The key is to be nondescript."
She moved over to the whiteboard and started writing down some bullet points.
- Develop your legend - your backstory. Keeping details close to your actual life - at least at first - can help you remember and sound truthful.
- Decide on a current cover: name, job, purpose
- Choose an appropriate look or disguise.
- Gather pocket litter or other props to support the disguise. Each item needs to be appropriate to the persona.
- Learn local customs, accents, slang.
- Match your vocabulary/language to your character's education.
- Use correct jargon for your assumed profession/role
- Know how much travel and life experience your character has.
- Avoid personal discussions about your pretend family.
- Close questioning sessions quickly. Avoid the questions by giving the information before it's asked for and by giving enough information to shut down further questions.
- If you think you're about to be exposed, get out of the one on one conversation. Invite someone to join the conversational group or suggest a coffee or trip. Anything to give you a chance to lower the pressure and get back into character.
"Very well then. You have two tasks for today. The first is to develop a cover based on the disguise you came up with last week. I don't expect anything too elaborate, but I want to know what you're thinking about. The second is a homework assignment. Next class, I like you all to hand in a paper detailing a cover that you could use. You can feel free to make the situation you're going undercover in, but I want the situation detailed, the cover, how you're taking what we discussed today in class into account, and the disguise you'd use. At least three pages, I'd think."
She looked around. "Any questions?"
[OOC: I don't know how much I'm going to be around as I still have a killer migraine, but I'll tag Aly in as much as possible. Credit again to the Handbook of Practical Spying for helping put together the lesson. OCD is up]
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