Seven Easy Steps to Being Able to Convince People You're a Spy : Week 1, Period 1

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

The class today was held in the Danger Shop for no other reason than it would make a list that Aly didn't actually have to write up.  Which was good because she got to class just before the students and was carrying a larger box that she was glaring at upon occasion.  She set the box down to the side with a strict admonishment to the inhabitants not to cry during class.

With a final glare at the box, Aly turned to greet the class.  "Morning all," she said with a bright grin.  "I'm Aly - which most of you already know, I think so I'll spare the usual speech about how if you call me Miss Aly, I'll be forced to make you very sorry."  She wrinkled her nose.  "It sounds like a Madam or something.  Professor or duani is fine if you'd prefer a more formal title.  The class we're in for the next seven weeks is 'Seven Easy Steps to Being Able to Convince People You're a Spy.'  If that's not something you're interested in, you're probably in the wrong class so check your schedule or get interested fast."

"No one can learn how to be a spy in seven classes.  Which is probably good because otherwise I'd be out of business both on the teaching end and the spying end.  But we're going to talk about how to mimic a spy and some of a spy's basic skills that can help you give a certain impression.  Unlike the class, last fall, we're barely going to touch on theory."  She grinned.  "Which makes me happy."

She hit a button and a list was projected by the

1. No matter where you are, act like you belong.
2. Behave purposefully.  Especially if you have no purpose.
3. Blend in.  Become a "gray man."
4. Develop assessment skills by practicing even in circumstances in which you are merely a bystander.
5. Learn to trust your instincts to make decisions.  Right or wrong at first, they will get better.
6. Never second-guess your decisions at the time.  Do analyze them later.
7. Be aware that you may be overlooking things in your surroundings, especially if they are familiar to you.
8. Accept the fact that some level of deception is a necessary part of the job.
9. Don't be embarrassed to be suspicious of other people's intentions.
10.  Improve your memory.

"So here you go.  The ten basic rules to being a spy.  Easy right?  Or maybe not quite so much.  There could just as easily be twelve or seventeen or a hundred and fifty rules, but ten is such a nice round number.  I'd like to spend today talking about these rules.  Ask me questions or discuss them with a partner.  Which one do you think is the most important?"

"Also so we all get to know each other, I'd like everyone to introduce themselves and tell a few things about yourself as well as your interest in spying.  And if you know anything about cats?  Throw that in too please."  She eyed the box in the corner.

[OOC: The ten rules were taken with gratitude from the Handbook of Practical Spying by Jack Barth.   OCD will be coming is up!]

Comments

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"You know what for," Seely said. "You and Karal both."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"You're confusing me with someone else," Gavin said but it was a lame excuse. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"Sure you do," Seely said, grinning cheerfully. "After all the help you gave Aravis to move my things."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Did not!" Yes, he stooped that low.

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"Your co-conspirators have already confessed."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin hesitated and then said, "I'm telling your girlfriend."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"Go ahead," Seely said, gesturing towards Aravis. "She's right here."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

She was right there indeed, but studiously not paying any attention to either of them.

Someone had heard the radio.

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Aravis," Gavin said, turning away from Seely. "Hey!"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis glanced up. "Yes, Gavin? Did you require something, or just feel the need to shout at me?"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I wasn't shouting." He had been. "I've got something to tell you. Your boyfriend made Karal and I look like ugly Hutts. For no reason at all!"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis hid a smile. "How did he make you look like...small houses?"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Hutts aren't houses," he said. "Well, they are, but I didn't mean it like that. Hutts are ugly, big, fat, green things. They're ugly. Which is what Seely made me and Karal by telling us clothing that was bad was really good. And we bought those clothes. And wore them! Well, I guess Karal wore them. We didn't wear them around each other or anything."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"You're responsible for the atrocious clothing Karal had lying out?" Aravis asked, turning her attention to Seely. The corner of her mouth twitched faintly. "That wasn't very nice."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"They helped you move my things," Seely said, grinning. "A little revenge was in order."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Did not!"

Of course, Gavin being Gavin, turned his attention back to Aravis and said way too loudly, "I thought you were keeping it a secret!"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Aravis said and shot a glare at Gavin. "I told you I acted alone."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"Karal's already confessed," Seely said, still grinning. "I know everything...well, almost everything."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"I didn't give you up," Aravis told Gavin, rolling her eyes. "It's your own stupid fault you're caught."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I'm not stupid!" He wasn't. Was he? "He made me wear orange pants!"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"And this is why you should pay attention in this class," Seely said, smirking. "Their kind of useful that way."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Aly was trying not to laugh as she made her way by them. "Why do I have a feeling that one of this class' homework assignments is going to be pull a prank and don't get caught?"

She shook her head at Gavin. "Con man? Really?"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"I didn't get caught," Aravis said primly. "I gave myself up of my own accord because it was funnier, but I didn't accidentally confess due to my own ineptitude at keeping a secret, Gavin."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I never said I was good," he admitted sheepishly to Aly. He wasn't going to admit HOW badly it'd gone. "I need practice."

Turning back to Aravis, he said, "I am not dumb, Cuddles."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"That is not my name," Aravis snapped."And the fact that you used it speaks well for your level of intelligence and will to stay in my good graces, really. That goes for you as well," she added, glaring at Seely.