A Conversation With Professor Ptica
An episode of The OB Presents
Thank you Professor for giving us some of your valuable time.
It's not like I had any choice. When the head office says "jump" you jump. Hopefully not out of the frying pan into the fire, so to speak.
That's very amusing Professor. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
Mind? Of course I mind! I'm busy, overworked, and under-rested. However I know that we have to do this. Let's get started so we can finish up and I can get back to something constructive.
Uh..well...yes, indeed. First of all, when you were discussing the time period of The Founding, your presentation used feet, yards, and rods as units of measure, but later on you used meters and kilometers. Will you tell us why?
It wasn't me who used them, it was Emil et. al. who did. To tell the truth what Emil actually used in his mind to measure distance was a percha. It was changed to feet, yards, and rods as it is highly unlikely that any student would have even the faintest idea of what a percha was. The idea of a meter hadn't been invented yet when they were alive. That was several hundred years later, thus the change in the units used in the time of Sara and Paolo.
Well then, let's continue. Since you're incredibly busy, I'll just skip to the more interesting questions, if that's all right?
Of course it is, I already... Oh. Never mind. Just get on with it.
Yessir. There's the matter of Blair Macklin teasing her husband about his being fooled by Paolo's "persona". Would you elaborate?
That's another fairly obvious one, but, oh well. Hiroshi Macklin was the King's spymaster for all foreign operations. He was supposed to be incredibly smart and incredibly sneaky. His failure to correctly interpret what was right under his nose, so to speak, provided his wife with a superb comeback for many years. She occasionally made a mistake too. Thus it was "nice" for her to have something to throw back at him when he teased her about such errors.
Mention is made of Hibiki and Yoko Macklin, when at the Registrar's Office, sitting with their "heads together". It has been pointed out that, since they were telepathic with each other, they had no need to do so, yet they did. Please tell us why.
That is not a stupid question, but rather one that shows some thought, at least if it was asked by someone from one of the hard sciences. If it was someone from social sciences, they need to go back to their freshman year and start over.
It is abundantly clear, no, let's back up a bit. I might as well be a bit more thorough this time.
It has been stated, many times during the presentations, that twins in the City are different. None of them can long be separated by a substantial distance from their twin without becoming ill, or worse. A small percentage cannot be separated by more than a few hundred meters for more than a few hours without the same effect.
Interestingly this is not a "bell shaped curve" but neither is it linear. The line from those who can tolerate a separation of more than a hundred kilometers for a week at a time, to those who need to be within a hundred meters for at least 20 hours a day might best be described as as bumpy as a cobblestone street.
Given that background, we can say that the Macklin twins definitely were on the short distance side of the line. They didn't need to be touching to communicate. They needed to touch for reassurance. Part of it seems to be related to the fact that over half of all twins born in The City had/have some degree of agoraphobia.
The Registrar's Office was a busy, crowded place. Sitting together helped them control their anxiety.
Oh. I see! Thank you very much Professor! To tell the truth, I was curious about that myself. (I suppose I should say that my own degree is in chemical engineering.)
Next I have a question that was asked by a fairly large number of our viewers. Rachel Bulambo manipulated a great number of people's minds in order to make sure that Raven and Johann were married three months before Lady Blue had originally planned for the marriage to take place. Would you elaborate please?
If you put it into the context of the times, it was absolutely necessary. We know that due to Lily's sterility Raven became pregnant the night she returned home rather than Lily, as had originally been planned. Were it not for that, Raven and Joahnn being married three months later would not have been a problem. I think that it should be obvious why that date was required for the conception. Count Augustine's son wouldn't have met Rosalie and Bernadette Kastner had their birthday party been a single day sooner or later. Now imagine what would have happened had the Count discovered that Raven had been three months into her pregnancy when she married Johann.
There is no way in the world that someone as highly ranked as a count would have allowed his son to marry children conceived out of wedlock. The idea of marrying twins almost of itself "put the kibosh" on the marriage. Had the out of wedlock card also been present, there was no way it could have occurred. And that would have meant no Miranda to marry Richard Donetti, thus no Paolo, or Eugenia, etc.
Now, concerning your story about Freya and Bruno. Mention is made of clocks being exquisitely accurate. On Earth IV at that time, a really good clock would be accurate only to about 10 minutes a day, yet even in the beginning of their tale, the clocks were accurate to within a minute. Would you elaborate please?
Your question contains the answer. Consider WHERE they lived. Because of The City of The Bells, society had been much more stable as a whole than on any other Earth. That's the reason that clocks, medicine, and engineering, etc., were significantly advanced over any of the other Earths.
Of course, things were, and are, driven by exceptional individuals who crop up on each inhabited planet in the 'verses. The City also had Jason Fukui who developed the idea and mathematics of gravitational attraction to explain the motion of the planets almost three hundred years before Isaac Newton did so on the other Earths. Interestingly enough an Albert Einstein came up with the ideas of Special Relativity and General Relativity on all the Earths, but it was over 170 years earlier on that particular planet.
There's one other question concerning information from your supplementary classes. In them we are informed that Archbishop Comfort was Miranda's magery teacher. However, in App Soc VII Miranda referred to her teacher as a male. Will you explain please?
If you think about her personality, the answer is obvious. By the time she had been working for the Duchess for several years, she began to fhink that it was somehow unethical to tell the full truth about anything unless it was absolutely necessary. Thus her deception about her master's gender, even when discussing things with her closest friend. You could truthfully say (pun intended) that it was automatic.
There have also been a number of questions about Sara's sudden change of behavior in the months prior to Mario and Eugenia leaving on their first mission. In particular, a number of beings don't understand how it was that she was suddenly able to be more forceful in her dealings with Miranda and the others. One bit in particular seems to have 'confused' some of our viewers. Let me see...where is it? Oh yes, here.
When she was reassuring Eugenia that Miranda, Hiroshi, and Blair would not interfere with Genie's goal of doing well in the City Exams she said, "They won't dare after I'm finished with them." Would you please elaborate.
Indeed yes. A worthy question that one...for a change. What many beings don't understand even now is that "Sara" has always had an exceptionally forceful personality, perhaps even moreso than Miranda and Blair. We all know how Blair managed to maneuver people into going along with her without them realizing it, and Miranda essentially overwhelmed those she wanted to do things for her. Sara excelled at both. Even so, the primary difference is that she was far better at concealing the fact that those she wanted to do things were being manipulated at all.
Had any of the others objected to what she had decided regarding Genie, she intended to, oh, what's the phrase? I believe it is, "take off her gloves" and let the others know exactly where everyone stood. Had she done so, the others had about as much chance of opposing her as a snowflake does of resisting the sun in a desert.
Ahem... Yes. Just two more questions if you will please.
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"Lady Blue" was reviewing events, attempting to ascertain who or what had manipulated the memories of the people of the city -- with regard to the marriage of Raven and Johann. Let me get the wording exactly...just a moment. Ah yes, there.
She said, "Dwelling on an unchangable past was futile."
Wasn't the entire idea of the Temporal Engineers to change the past, or at least create a different one? In reviewing the recording of your most recent class, I recall your taking a physics major to task regarding the splinter universe hypothesis.
"Before I answer that, I need to ask you something. Will this interview be shown to new hires, or will it be restricted to those with higher clearances?"
Yes to both questions. That's why these last two questions are the last two. I'm informed that I need to edit the interview just before this point so it can be shown in basic training. The answers, and, for that matter, the knowledge that these final questions even exist, will be restricted. I haven't been informed of the level. It must include mine, since I couldn't ask them if I weren't allowed to hear the answers.
I see. And how long have you been with the OB?
49 years Professor. I know I'm a relatively new staff member, but I can assure you of my silence regarding any classified information you may reveal.
(Ptica glanced at the monitor on her desk. The being there nodded.)
"Very well young lady, I'll tell you. The answer is fairly straightforward. What we discussed was hogwash. Pure, unadulterated idiocy. I took advantage of the fact that, while Camir was studying physics, he couldn't possibly have yet learned that the idea of universes splitting off when the past is changed is impossible.
"Nobody, not even Lady Blue, can change the past. The past is the past. Thus the statement that you quoted is correct. In fact the existence of the Temporal Engineers was her fabrication. Think about it. If you can't change the past, how could you arrange such an "experiment" as the City?
If you look at the introduction to App. Soc. VIII, you'll see that I mentioned the "ostensible" cause of the founding of The City.
Ah. I see. A very broad hint indeed. Then the actual reason for the founding of The City was...?
"As to that, the entire reason for The City to....
(Out of the corner of her eye, Ptica saw the being in the monitor shake its head.)
"Apologies. I've been informed that your security clearance is not high enough for you to hear the explanation."
As he looked at her he saw frustration and a bit of anger in her eyes.
"I will tell you that it is not because you're not trusted that I cannot give you the answer, at least not right now."
His eyes shifted to the monitor again. Some text had appeared on the screen.
"You'll need to advance two grades before I, or anyone else who knows, can fill you in on the particulars. While you may be fairly new with the OB, you've surely been with us long enough to know that that's the way some things are, right?"
She nodded, slowly, but showing acceptance.
Yes Professor. I can appreciate that. I don't like it, but as you say, that's irrelevant. What I can do is work very hard to get those two grades though.
Well then, the final question. After Hiroshi and Sara have discussed her winnings after the graduation exams, she mentions that they (assuming that she meant herself and Paolo) would need a much larger sum of money to accomplish a certain goal. Can you tell us what that was about?
Ptica combed her crest feathers with her left true-hand. "Unfortunately I'm not able to answer that question either, and it's not because you have an inadequate security clearance. I don't know the answer myself. I'm told that even my security clearance is "much too low" for me to be entrusted with that information. Like many others, I had originally assumed that it was something related to their project to improve the lot of twins in The City, which required substantial funds.
However, I now know that that was only the beginning of...well...whatever it was. The only thing I have been told, which, to be candid, irritates me as much as my refusal to answer your previous question is probably irritating you is this: The program to aid twins that they eventually put into motion required less than 3% of the funds they eventually expended on...whatever it was.
"I assume that I may someday discover or be informed of the answer, or perhaps not. We shall see in the fullness of time. However, since there is still a security lockdown on this particular topic today, nearly 1200 years later, I suspect that there is some part of that particular project that is ongoing. As to what it might be, well, they can't stop us from wondering, right?
"By the way, what is your name? Perhaps we shall encounter each other again. If so, it would be most impolite to hail you by shouting, 'Hey you!', not to mention the damage I might cause if I were to do so in a crowded area."
She carefully stowed her recording apparatus, made sure that the security locks were sealed, then straightened and smiled, "I'm known as Afrara to most species. Even some of my own have trouble pronouncing my true name."
Picking up her bag, Afrara began to turn, then put it back down and once again faced the professor. "Actually I have a question of my own. Why did Lady Blue bounce around like that when she discovered that Jason could speak to the twins with his mind?"
She hastened to add, "I don't mean why she said what she did. If the other things are classified above my level, that must be at even a higher level. What I mean is, why did she bounce like that?"
Ptica made an emphatic "hush" gesture. She walked over to Afrara, stretched out a wing, and touched her arm lightly. Then she took her into No-Time.
Afrara was shocked to see that, rather than a formless space with no definite borders, which was what she was familiar with, they appeared to be in an office. It was one that looked much used and much more comfortable that the professor's office at the university.
While Afrara tried to take everything in, the professor hurried around the office, throwing this switch, and turning that dial. Then she set out three of the most complex scrambling devices Afrara had ever seen and connected them in a series, so as to magnify their effects. Just one would have cost her three or four years salary.
The professor grinned at her surprise. "There is no security level needed to hear the answer to that particular question. It's been asked before, and probably will be many times again. However you should NEVER answer anyone who asks it of YOU. At least not till you have a space similar to this.
"That being has an exquisite way of picking it up when beings talk about her. It doesn't appear that she hears everything, but I don't want to take the chance that she might hear what I'm about to say. She also has a reputation of being just a bit touchy now and then. I'd rather not ever have her mad at me, and, since I can't predict how she'd react, a few precautions seem to be indicated."
Ptica took a deep breath and said, very quickly but distinctly, "She bounces like that because, although she is known to be several tens of thousands of years old, she has an incredibly childish streak. Also her sense of humor is very very low, if you take my meaning. Were she to hear you talking about her like that, well, I don't think you'd like the consequences.
"Oh, when we get back, go ahead and ask me something else. It doesn't even need to be particularly coherent. I just don't want anyone to suspect that we were 'elsewhere'."
She bustled around again, disassembling the scrambler connection, then turning off everything she'd just turned on. She did a quick visual check of the area then took them back to "now".
There is just one other thing Professor, a matter of style rather than content if you will. I find the teaching profession most interesting, especially considering how many varied techniques are used by those of various species and temperaments.
"Yes, yes, get on with it."
I've studied the recordings of your introductory remarks from a number of years when you taught AS VII. What piqued my interest is that in all five of those I scanned, you said essentially the same thing when explaining why modern terms were used. You didn't want to have to translate from "two different dialects of ancient Italian."
"Yes, and your point, if you have one, is what?"
All classes are taught entirely in Multi, and all dialogue in videos is dubbed into Multi as well. There was no need to mention anything other than that some terms were not historically accurate and were modern equivalents used to make the dialogue less awkward. The only reason I can see for you using that particular phrase every time you teach that particular class would be to start your students thinking about the inconsistencies in the presentations. Those few words would seem to be the underlying "seed" that blossomed into groups forming to investigate what was really going on.
Afrara looked at Ptica with an expression that was, almost, challenging.
Ptica nodded. "An interesting idea. Thank you for coming Afrara. It wasn't entirely a waste of my time. Goodbye."
Ptica turned her back and resumed whatever it was she'd been doing when Afrara arrived. Afrara shrugged, took herself out of the office, then carefully closed the door.
Once she'd sealed the office and checked her scramblers, Ptica turned once again to the being she'd communicated with during the "interview."
"This one was more interesting than most of the others. I wonder how many of them have realized that the primary purpose of these 'interviews' is to have someone who is not directly a superior review their performance. I suspect that by the time Grgur has finished with her she will have come to some 'interesting' conclusions."
"You may well be correct Ptica, though I'll wager that she never says a word about her suspicions to anyone else."
"You're probably right. Even so I intend to follow her career from here on. At the very least, it should be entertaining."
She paused and combed her crest feathers. "It's too bad that we won't know, but I also wonder when she's going to start to ask herself why her final questions were on the approved list when there was no possibility that they were going to be answered."
With that said, they said their good-byes and turned to other tasks. Like everyone else in the OB, they always had more pending work than any being could keep ahead of. Both of them secretly hoped that they were at least adequately treading water.
On her way back to her office, Afrara decided that she'd edit the interview into three different forms before she submitted them for approval. As for what she'd just heard about Lady Blue, she wasn't even going to record it in her archaic paper diary. Rather, she would imprint it in her memory so she could pull it up whenever she so desired.
Over the next 80 or so years, whenever things got excessively tense, she could sometimes be heard laughing like a maniac for no obvious reason. Her subordinates assumed that it was some odd quirk of her species, or that she'd finally lost it, just like every other supervisor did eventually. Either way they were much too busy to be concerned about the source of her weirdness and went back to their work.
Once she'd de-stressed enough, she would invariably mutter, "Thank you," then smile and dive back into whatever situation was going on. Because of that, she never heard the faint replies of: "You're welcome."