fandomhigh | Spy Tech, Class Two (17 Jan)

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spy tech

Spy Tech, Class Two (17 Jan)

Wednesday, January 17, Period 1

The only change in the classroom from last week is the presence of several boxes set on the floor near M's desk. The professor herself is standing near the projection screen, and addresses the class once everyone is seated.

"The first order of business today is to remind you that I require some manner of written excuse for any failure to attend class. Failure to attend class or to supply a valid excuse will result in disciplinary action."

A slide appears briefly on the screen:

CLASS ONE: ABSENCES

SCHRODINGER

LECTURE: "We begin our examination of espionage technology with what is probably the first item that comes to mind when you think of spies and gadgets -- the camera." As she speaks, slides appear on the screen to illustrate the lecture. "Cameras have evolved a great deal over time, and in the field of espionage they continue to prove extremely useful. Inventors have developed cameras that work underwater, from a distance, are miniaturized, can be hidden inside an item or article of clothing, and that work under intense light or low light conditions."

M pauses in the lecture and instructs Nadia to open up the boxes and pass around the items inside. "These infrared cameras -- and you'll each be receiving one on loan -- are designed to take photographs in complete darkness, without the benefit of a flash. This is a particularly useful item, as I'm certain you can imagine. The bright light from a camera flash would make a typical camera useless in situations which require the photographer to remain unobserved in a darkened room."

DISCUSSION: "Share with the class your ideas on how cameras are used in espionage, and why the industry can't make do with the ordinary cameras you can buy at the mall."

ASSIGNMENT: "Your assignment for next week is to take a minimum of five photographs with the infrared camera. Keep in mind two things: first, that these photographs must be taken in complete darkness, or they will not develop properly. Second, any obscene photographs that result from this assignment will earn you an automatic F for the class. And trust me, you're not going to be able to doctor the film to avoid being found out. You will turn in your cameras, film intact, next week, and I will have the photographs developed. If you have any questions about how the cameras work, please ask before you leave class. Also, remember to turn in your essay assignments from last week before leaving."

[ooc: If your character is from a time/world where they would have no idea how to work the cameras, ask M or the TAs to demonstrate. Also, for goodness sake, PLEASE get permission from any charcters you attempt to photograph for the assignment! ~~Please to be waiting for~~ OCD is now up!]

Syllabus
Class Roster
Linkdrop for classes

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Ask questions about the lecture or request assistance with figuring out the cameras.

Marty approaches M before class starts looking like he hasn't slept all night.

"Professor M? I won't be able to attend class today. My girlfriend has gone missing and no one has seen her."

There were very few excuses that M would have deemed acceptable for missing class. Marty happened to hit on one right off the bat.

"Kidnapped?" She gave Marty a narrow-eyed, assessing look. "Do you need help finding her?"

"I don't know," Marty said tiredly. "If she just wanted some time to herself or something I don't want to raise any alarms. If I don't hear from her by noon I'll be taking you up on your offer."

"You know how to get in touch with me," M replied with a curt nod. "And in case you need the permission given officially, you are excused from class today."

Hikaru comes up after class to ask about the camera, "So, you don't want us to take a picture of anything specific?" He fiddles with it a little.

"Nothing specific, no. What I want is for you to experiment with photographing in the dark, but the subject of your photography is up to you."

He nods, "Should whoever we photograph...be aware that we are doing it?" Even though he'd feel a little creepy doing it, Hikaru considered this a valid question since, if the purpose was to act kind of spy-ish then he didn't want to have something set-up.

M pondered the question for a moment. "I would suggest, Hitachiian, that it might be a good idea to either choose subjects whom you know would not object to being photographed, or to obtain permission. I don't want to have to defend my students' actions to the principal because someone took offense at being the unwitting subject of a homework assignment."

"Right." He nodded, already thinking of things he could do with this camera.

"What if I told you that I do actually have a reason for missing class, but that I am, in fact, under strict orders from my superiors not to tell anyone about why?"

M raised an eyebrow at Schrodinger. "I would expect you to provide some reason for me to believe that you have superiors who would give you such an order. For starters."

"Well, what sort of proof would you accept? I mean, they're heads of a secret organization and all."

"Are they?"

M wasn't sure whether to believe Schrodinger or not, but she certainly would be checking up on his story.

"It's generally my policy to require something in writing to excuse an absence, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Would there be anything in your school file that might lend credence to your story?"

"Maybe. I haven't seen my school file. I could get a written sample from my boss."

_{[[Er... I'm not sure. Millennium probably made something up for Schrodinger, but it does probably involve some sort of cover story about a secret organization. Possibly vampire hunting.]]}

Re: Talk to M

mi6-m.livejournal.com - 2007-01-17 19:01 (UTC) - Expand

Jack got M's attention after class. "I just wanted to check with you about what you consider to be obscene," he said, giving her a charming smile.

The charming smile was a nice try, but M had long been steeled against charm. "For our purposes, obscene will be defined as anything that's likely to come in a plain brown wrapper."

Jack ran a hand through his hair, and kept up the smile, but it was little less overtly charming, and a lot more genuine. "A plain brown wrapper in what time period? And will we get the photos back?"

O...kay. Time period?

There was a pause while M considered how best to answer that question. "I suppose instructing you to use good judgement would be too much to ask. Then let's say I will not accept photographs that deliberately depict graphic nudity or sexual acts, nor will I accept photographs that the average person with a modicum of common sense would find offensive. If you're not certain whether your subject would fall into that category, you'd be best to assume it would. And yes, the photographs will be returned to you, but not displayed in class."

Another pause, and then she added in a wry tone, "And no, before you ask, I do not consider barechestedness to be 'graphic nudity'."

The last bit made him laugh. "Okay, that makes sense. Thank you. And I wasn't trying to be difficult," he added, grinning at M. "Some things it's worth getting clarification on, especially here."

Re: Talk to M

mi6-m.livejournal.com - 2007-01-17 21:16 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Talk to M

anextimeagent.livejournal.com - 2007-01-17 22:38 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Talk to M

mi6-m.livejournal.com - 2007-01-18 01:56 (UTC) - Expand

Annette walks smartly up to M, smiles and says, "Good morning, M. I was curious. We are to be sneaky, right? In our picture taking? Because I was thinking -- What if we caught say, someone cheating on someone else, boyfriend girlfriend, it doesn't matter. Now, would that be considered obscene or justice served? Cause I would want to know if I was being cheated on." Annette may have watched too many private detective shows on television.

"And are you the only one who is going to view these photographs?"

Lovely. Two classes under their belts, and already M's students were fancying themselves superspies. "If you're asking my permission to use this class as an excuse to catch your boyfriend in the sack with your roommate, then my answer is that the choice of subject matter is on your shoulders entirely. I do not want a parade of angst-ridden teenagers at my door because someone caught them engaging in illicit affairs and they want to complain to me about the lack of fairness in my assignments."

She paused, because Annette did raise a good point, as reluctant as M was to admit it. "The only people viewing the photographs besides you will be myself, and possibly Blank and Santos. Unless the images explicity depict someone engaged in an activity that would be considered an immediate danger, I expect the photos will remain confidential, and will not be used as material for blackmail. Does that answer your question, Hargrove?"

"Oh..oh no, M. I don't have a boyfriend! I was just speaking hypothetically. I should have said that." Annette had to clarify that point quickly.

She nodded. "It does, M. Thank you." However, Annette stood still, shuffling her foot.

"So, if the only ones to view the photographs are you and possibly the TA's, then is it safe to say that our photo's could contain material that could be construed as possibly obscene, given the fact that these photographs are to be taken at night? All sorts of situations occurr in the evening and would it not better help us to experiment with our espionage capabilities? Being secret and all?"

Raising an eyebrow at Annette, M replied, "If your photographs appear to accidentally contain obscene material, I will consider excusing it on the grounds that you were unaware. However, my suggestion would be to do your best to avoid photographing in a situation which is likely to result in that sort of material."

She smiled and nodded. "Got it. Thank you, M!" Annette was excited as she walked back to her desk.

Hopefully she could catch somebody or something doing something entirely picture-worthy, while she herself was undercover. Maybe hiding in a tree or something. Oh, and wearing black camouflage! Maybe a stocking cap over her head, black gloves, sturdy boots. Or the roof! Maybe she could dangle from the roof and wait for the perfect opportunity!

If one wanted to become a spy, one had to learn patience!

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