Journalism Class - Monday September 19

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

This morning, Spider is properly dressed, looks far too awake and chipper, and is seated on the edge of his desk, reading what looks to be a short stack of print-outs. The cat is frolicking beneath some of the desks, chasing invisible two-faced mice and batting at anything she might find on the floor. There is a small box on one of the desks, neatly labeled 'Medusa St. Clair'.

Duce arrives at class just slightly over one hour early.

Engrossed in his reading, Spider glanced up only long enough to be certain he knew who was there, before going back to his reading. He crooked a finger at her and indicated the package.

Duce tilted her head, eyeing the box for a moment before realization dawned. "Ah. The bottle. Thank you. Wednesday would have our a.. butt on a plate if we didn't get that back."

"I enclosed a thank you note," Spider told her absently, still scanning the pages. "Please be sure to read it thoroughly."

Nodding, Duce takes the box to her seat and places it under the desk. "We'll be sure to do that." She then gets on with class per usual.

Waiting until he appears to have a full class for the day, Spider begins to speak, not looking up from his reading. "First things first. Because there's been some unrest on campus and a number of complaints from concerned students and staff, we've all been stripped of our weapons. Therefore, lesson one today is to please be fucking responsible or your fellow students and/or faculty will also be paying the price because Principal Connor believes in being fair. Now, unless you, like I, are accustomed to armed death squads breaking through your door and invisible assassins visiting on a regular basis, I don't want to hear a single goddamn complaint - not because I'm a company drone, but because I will regard it as gutless whining. If you can't defend yourself without a weapon or manage to improvise on the fly, then I have no confidence in your ability to defend yourself, period."

Looking up from his reading, he continued, "This all boils down to the simple fact that if some people exercised common sense and responsibility, we'd all still be armed. I'm hoping that if everyone behaves their damn selves instead of acting like a bunch of puling, spoiled brats, we might eventually be allowed to get our weapons back. However, childish or irresponsible behavior on the part of any one person, could easily get all weapons banned permanently, including from the firing range and fencing salle. Please do not fuck this up for the rest of us, and please feel free to spread the word."

The cat chose that moment to interrupt, leaping onto the desk and beginning a hunt for cigarettes. Spider found and lit one for her before turning back to the class and holding up a print-out. "I assigned no homework for this week because there's been a great deal of flux in the student body, so you can all save your extra-credit points to spend on skipping your homework next week. Instead, I'm going to offer you a chance to score big."

Spider fended off the cat as he stood and gestured to one of the screens where a website popped up. "This, my children, is The Weekly Tentacle. This is a class about Journalism and I feel that this is the perfect opportunity to get you to demonstrate that you understand what that means. Submit something to the Tentacle this week and if it turns up in the next issue, you get extra-credit. This will require spying, bribery, sneakiness and the ability to prove to me that you did the work and that whatever scurrilous gossip you actually submit has a solid basis in truth. For today, I think that class would best be spent articulating your views on the articles in this week's rag. Discuss."





((OOC: Spider's player is rather grossly sick this morning and probably will not make it into work and will instead go back to bed. He'll probably be available on AIM this afternoon, if that's the case, and the Townie backlog will be dealt with as will any other admin-type things that built up on his day off. Sorry, guys.))

Comments

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

Regarding the editorial about not being the center of attention, shouldn't the writer of said letter just find a new nemesis? I mean, there are plenty of kids at this school who would probably be more then willing to go toe to toe with the letter writer.

Go provoke someone, letter writer. I did last night *flexes still sore wrist* and that worked perfectly fine in order to gain me somewhat of enemy.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*notices that Crichton is in the classroom and feels embarrassed and angry she owes him an apology*

Quietly: Crichton. Are you willing to talk to me for a minute? If not, I do understand.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

No problem. We can talk for a minute.

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"You're missing the point, Crichton," Spider told him, raising an eyebrow. "It's called the 'gutter press' for a reason. This sort of rag is practically a tradition, and I wrote for one myself once. Of course, I used my own name, but that's how the hit men knew where to find me. The anonymity of this sort of thing is as traditional as the mud it flings. It doesn't exist to tell the truth or to expose its writers to conflict, it exists to bring attention to things that might not otherwise be discussed."

Spider shrugged. "I doubt very much whether or not the staff of this particular periodical are interested in a fight. They're trying to provoke a reaction and, judging by you, succeeding. Not everyone is interested in combat, particularly with the demonstrated tendency of half the school population to go for weapons instead of using their brains."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*Beka steps off the Maru into Dierdre's place and rushes to class*

Professor, I can't stay long because I'm just about to make a big score, but I wanted you to know that I'm still here and still participating in classes.

I heard about the weapons-ban. It seems to me that there's more at work here than a simple effort to keep people from getting trigger-happy. In this universe, weapons require permits. Some of us have weapons that don't even exist here. Like Professor Camulus's hand device, that I hope has been confiscated or I'll have to get into his rooms to do it myself. That makes it difficult to have them registered.

Perhaps the Principal might be induced to create a special registry for weapons.

Second, the liabilities to the school for failure to protect it's students from death or dismemberment is enormous. The cost of insurance alone must eat our registration fees. As a space-trash merchant, I can understand that lessening the likelihood of claiming against that policy is a very good idea.

However, the Principal should probably keep in mind that we have dangerous beings on the grounds, and that some of us have enemies that would destroy the school to get to us.

I'm used to living in a place where not having a weapon was an invitation to death. Having one is always an invitation. The possibility that I might not make it to tomorrow is always with me. Given a choice, I'd rather have a chance at defending myself. But I can understand the reasons behind the decision.

Not whining. Just discussing.

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"Having been privvy to the weapons ban, it was instituted because of irresponsible practices and uses on the part of several teachers and students. This is supposed to be high school, not a war zone, and if a war zone is what people want, they're in the wrong place." Spider lit another cigarette for himself. "Guns and other weapons were freely allowed until people began discussing using them on each other. As we can't track all the rumors to find out which ones are true and not wanting student blood on our hands, they had to be taken from everyone. If you want to complain or discuss the issue, I'd say find a way to assure the principal that people won't be using said weapons on each other."

Spider blew a few smoke rings. "I haven't gone anywhere without a weapon for longer than you've been alive and have probably seen and caused more deaths than you've had hot breakfasts. If I have to find a way to cope, so can you."

[soldtoarmenians]

one lone member of the undead could hardly have presented that big of a threat

I really, seriously, and with History aforethought, beg to differ. I mean, said lone member of the undead almost sucked my entire timeline universe planet world-earth-thingie into Hell. Mostly because he was bored, I think.

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid that I have to agree with you there," Spider told him thoughtfully. "Not that we have undead where I come from, but we have lots of other interesting things. A single person can cause a great deal of havoc, given the proper opportunity."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

[ooc: Also because he thought it was really funny.]

[marieann-d.livejournal.com]

Rogue walks in, and takes a seat. In response to the weapons ban, she says, "I just don't really understand what this fuss about weapons is all about. In my world, the people without weapons are the ones you really needed to worry about--you never knew what they might be capable of. I mean, you know what a gun can do, but you don't know what the guy in the red shades is capable of. I think that here, that's also true. I mean, there are vampires, werewolves, possibly evil aliens, and I know there are mutants, none of whom need weapons. So, I just don't get it."

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"I've been persecuted heavily when my only weapon was the written word," Spider told her approvingly, "and I've brought down entire heavily armed governments with that one weapon. If a portal opens on campus and vomits forth the armies of hell... I can see wanting and needing a weapon. But if people are so insecure as to fear and hate their fellow students and/or faculty, I think it's time for them to quietly pack their bags and go home. This is a fucking high school, not a war zone, and the drama should not be punctuated with bullets or blades."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory quietly begins to brainstorm in the class, but all the examples she can come up with have to do with her own life.

Oh, God, I hope no one gets any dirt on me, she thinks.

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

((OOC: Bravo for a beautiful reaction.))

[positive-angel.livejournal.com]

Chihaya read the newspaper and felt sick. Who knew stuff like that was going on? He didn't, that was for sure.

The rest of the class, Chihaya sat trying to think of something to say to add to the inclass discussion.

As for contributing to the newspaper, maybe he could uncover the truth about the cockroaches in the kitchen. It was a possibility. He would need to look Kiki up and see if she's willing to help.

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

Jake shuffled in to the classroom, per usual. He gave the cappuchino machine a malvolent glare. He hadn't had the time to stop by the Perkolator before class, and this was agony. Tearing his eyes of the tempting, tempting coffee, he went to sit down. The professor looked busy, so he'd have to hit up someone else for the class assignement for the day.

He eyed his neightbour speculatively.

[fh_jackass]

Logan reads over the paper. He lets out a breath of relief after determining there's no mention of himself or his family.

"Pretty weak gossip rag, isn't it? Where's the faked photos? The shots of important personages in their underwear or pajamas? The paparazzi's clearly slacking off in this town."

[nightsmoonchild.livejournal.com]

He's exhausted. Always is after the full moon.

His eyes scan the page, honing in on the word werewolf in the basement. He squirms a little in his seat, hazel eyes darting around the room. What if they know... He feels his heart rate increase, adrenaline thumping.

The werewolf in the basement has either found or created a new friend. There appear to be two, if the howls and growls last night were any indication. Rumor also has it there's a weresnake somewhere on the grounds.

"Found or created?" he muttered, not loud, but anyone close might hear him. "How the hell could a new friend be 'created'?" He shoved the paper to the edge of his desk and got to his feet, eyes seeking out the professor, or someone in charge.

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus waits patiently in the hallway (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomhighdorms/76243.html), as per Rover's instructions.

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Finding himself cutting close to missing one of his classes, he leaves to check in with Spider later.

[krycek-rat.livejournal.com]

Krycek makes notes as he listens to various discussions, wondering if anyone ever thought that perhaps, given that this school seems to be very nearly an experiment of sorts (and by whom and for what purpose, he could venture several guesses), the rules should start out differently to accomodate the student body's diversity.

Though making things easy on even themselves doesn't seem to be recognizable logic to any group, so I can't say as it's terribly a surprise.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica reads the paper and makes some mental notes about possible authors. She wonders how long it will be before someone who is anonymously mentioned hires her to find out who is writing it.

[lady-jessica-bg.livejournal.com]

Hm. So much drama.

Honestly, I see nothing wrong with carrying weapons, but I have to agree that unwarranted attacks should be suppressed as quickly as possible.

Good Reporting Means Doing Your Homework

[dbiers.livejournal.com]

The weapons issue actually ties in with what we were discussing in Professor Cregg's COM 301 this morning (http://www.livejournal.com/users/prof_cregg/2895.html). Many of use entered this school without being armed, but we have weapons none the less. Whether through the gift of genetics, well-honed skill, natural talent, or pure dumb luck, we are able to influence or defend ourselves from the world around us.

*D'anna takes a look at a copy of The Weekly Tentacle and thinks a moment before responding*

Are we all really paranoid? I disagree. Distrust and caution when entering a new situation is comes standard issue, weapons or no, unless one is lacking full mental capabilities. It's a natural consequence of the desire for self-preservation.

If copies of the tape were only sent to faculty, then it begs the question is a faculty member running The Weekly Tentacle and if not, then who's the leak?

Mindrape is a strong but attention grabbing word choice. It is effective in that it will get people talking, however, I doubt that most of those involved in the events of the weekend (at any point) would agree with having that label ass-slapped on to their activities. Rape indicates unwanted violent, physical, sexual attack. Hypnosis is mild, mental suggestion that prey a person is free to reject. It then seems that given hypnosis was used not force, the person in question was a willing participant in what happened to him or her (on some level).

As none of us are native to Fandom High, aren't we all aliens then?

I cannot confirm or deny the existence of wewolves whatwolves werewolves at the school, but it does seem to have a disproportionate amount of caterwauling and yowling.

And if the activity on the second floor is any indication, then I think they're spot on about sexual escapades on campus.

As for the Agony Aunt pieces, what moron actually writes to someone who is known to respond in such an acidic manner? My money is on no-one. (Take that as you will.)

[ooc: 1. Now to read what everyone else has said. 2. If this doesn't work, I'm giving the fuck up and emailing you the bastard.]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe is surprisingly quiet as she listens to the discussion going on around her. Every so often she makes a notation on her notebook about something that has been said. She is sitting at the desk nearest Spider's and keeps looking from him to whomever is talking at the time. She has read the Tentacle and the fact that it's creators seem to be trying to incite even more trouble on campus is disturbing to her. When there is a break in the conversation, she finally speaks.

"It seems to me that this piece of trash is trying to set dividing lines between teachers and students and students and students. I have read this rag more than once and I have to say that it bothers me. This is the kind of thing that gives journalism such a bad reputation. A teacher giving a recorded conversation to other staff should stay between staff and they should decide how they should handle it. Mind rape is a term that is horrifying in it's use. Mind rape is a violent act and this piece of gutter-sniping filth is bandying it about like it's this week's vocabulary word." Phoebe takes a breath, but her eyes are glittering, the only tell-tale sign that she is angry and is bordering on furious.

"There is a wide variety of beings that form this school. Aliens, humans, vampires, werewolves, demons, mutants and witches. Even the humans that go here are unusual in some aspect. It pisses me off that the creator of this seems to be wanting to draw lines between each group of people or species. Seeing the comment about students and teachers ganging up on an alien teacher can only cause more people to turn on aliens who are here with us. Are they trying to turn this school into a war zone." She shakes her head. "As for the weapons ban...there are dangers that not even the biggest gun can fix, so why the uproar about the weapons ban? We are a school, are we not? I am not for or against the ban, but I can see both sides to it. The thing is, most people are very resourceful and if they feel they are in danger, they will defend themselves...sometimes violently."

She looks at Rogue. "I have to agree with Rogue. Sometimes, it's the people without the weapons that you have to be wary of. If someone is going to harm you, they will, no matter what weapon you're carrying."

Phoebe looks at Spider and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, sir, but I cannot even think of trying to submit something to the Tentacle. The idea sickens me because I know that no matter whether it's true or not, the worst gossip I could dredge up would find its way into print. Besides, there are other things I should be concentrating on, correct?"

Phoebe goes silent and starts taking notes on everyone else's views again.

[macanaut.livejournal.com]

Mac looked around, so far she had manage to miss the mayhem around school, though it wasn't like she left her room all that often. It was slowly filling up with the new, foreign, bits of technology that she had been able to acquire from other students. She needed the extra credit points, so maybe she'd grab Veronica and see if they could do some snooping. "At least when people around here had guns and such, they usually carried them openly. It made them easier to avoid."