http://saveyoulater.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] saveyoulater.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2009-05-10 11:14 pm
Entry tags:

Spy Games, Monday, Period 5

If Sarah didn't seem nervous as she waited for the class to assemble, that was only because she'd spent the last decade keeping cool on the outside no matter what went on underneath. Just teaching for the first time would be bad enough, but there was one student name on the roster that she had very much never expected to see here.

"Welcome to Spy Games," she said with a smile and a twist of her sweaty palms against her skirt as the time came for the session to begin. Her voice came out calm, sure, self-confident as possible. Thank God. "I am your instructor for the next two months. My name's Sarah Walker and, to get this out of the way, I am qualified to teach this class because I worked for the CIA for the last several years. My main focus was protection of national security data."

Anyone at the CIA could say that, but Sarah was hoping to ward off questions.

"If you're here," she went on, "I'm going to assume you want to be a spy, or at least want to know how to be a spy. Maybe you want to work for the government; maybe you just know a lot of people you don't trust. Whatever your experience, there are all kinds of applications for the stuff we're learning here. The syllabus and rules are on your desks, but some of the things we'll cover are lockpicking, disguise, persuasion, and weapons."

"But today, we're talking about basic undercover work," she went on. "If you're undercover, you're lying to everyone all the time. You lie about your name, your family, what you do for a living, maybe your politics, maybe your religion. But under all that, you can't change who you are. You're still you, but the details are different. And the secret of good undercover work is using that."

"For example, I'm not exactly the chattiest person in the world. If I go undercover for more than a few hours and I decide I'm going to be someone who can't keep her mouth shut, I'm going to get caught fast. I'll always have to think about the part I'm playing, and that's when people make stupid mistakes. And a big part of your job as a spy is not making stupid mistakes."

She cleared her throat, finally relaxing into this. "I understand the tradition for the first week of classes is introductions. We're doing that, but with a twist. If you've heard of the game 'Two Truths and a Lie,' we're going to play that -- except you must make one true statement about yourself, one false statement about yourself, and a third statement that can be either true or false. Your fellow students will guess how many lies you told, and which they are."

"Remember that if you're undercover, you're lying for a reason. And in this class, you have a purpose too. Tell lies -- and truths -- that will make me think you have it in you to be a good spy." She pointed out randomly. "You first."

Once the students were done with the game, she smiled before dismissing the class. "Your assignment for the week is to tell one lie. It doesn't have to be a big one or about anything that matters. Just tell it and see how it feels; we'll report back next Monday. And if any of you want to be TA, I could use one. And Miss Bartowski, please stick around too -- I have a quick question for you."

She was impressed how level her tone sounded on that last bit.

[OOC: First posted class of the semester! I will pick up tags in the a.m.]

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"I grew up in Texas," Claire said. "But my family is in California now. How about you?"

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Rome." Which probably explained that almost-undetectable trace of an accent.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
It most certainly did. Not that Claire was one to talk about other people's accents, with her touch of a southern drawl.

"That sounds way more interesting than Texas."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wouldn't know," Triela admitted with a sort of grin. "I've never been to Texas."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I've never been to Rome," Claire admitted. "But I figure it's got to be more interesting."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"You should visit sometime." Triela couldn't really offer to let Claire stay with her, but it was the thought that counted... right?

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm hoping to travel in Europe after I graduate high school," she said. At least, she hoped her dad would let her.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"If I'm in Rome when you come through then you should look me up."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"I definitely will," Claire promised. "I'm only starting my junior year, so it's a ways off."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"You and me both, then," Triela responded with a laugh.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, then, we'll definitely have to plan a post-graduation trip. In two years."

Shh, it wasn't too early to think about that kind of thing.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think that's a great idea." Assuming Triela was still around.