bad rap

[insertusername]

bad rap

The things we become known for aren’t always what we’d like to be known for. Reputations are hard to run from. Sometimes they’re not even deserved. So here’s your chance to set the record straight. Clear up some misplaced assumptions, debunk any rumours about yourself and defy your stereotypes.

how to play:

Top level with something(s) your character is tired of people assuming about them, blaming them for, or pigeonholing them about, etc. Say it in person or over text.

Comment on any surprising, or not so surprising declarations.

Comments

[horticulturalist]

The Mummy. They were both monster movies in the 30's.

Not exactly cutting edge humour.

[wwrench]

Just barely turn of the century humor, but I'll give you a pass. Doubt I'll be so lucid at 90, if I make it that long.

[horticulturalist]

Hey, they're not my jokes. I just have to hear it all day.

[wwrench]

Must be exhausting. Can't relate.

See? Now there's a joke.

[horticulturalist]

You get compared to classic monster movies too?

[wwrench]

You know, usually I can fall back on facial expression to know if someone's being sarcastic with me. You're a tough read.

[horticulturalist]

Sorry... I wasn't being.

What do you mean you can relate? To what part?

[wwrench]

It's all right. People say I'm hard to figure out, too.

Said I can't relate. It was a joke, about having to hear the shit people say about you all day. Not a very good joke, now that I'm explaining it like this.

[horticulturalist]

Oh. Right. That makes... sense. I thought you were the one being sarcastic.

I guess that makes us both weirdly defensive too, huh?

[wwrench]

You think it's weird? Can't say I'm am old hand at these kinds of conversations. Or really any conversation at all, for that matter.

[horticulturalist]

I meant... relative to normal people.

Sorry. I don't mean to imply you're not— I am. Obviously. I shouldn't have assumed anything about you.

[wwrench]

No, you're probably not wrong.

I don't know a lot of normal people. Strikes me that they all seem pretty fucking defensive themselves, though. Maybe I just hang around the wrong kinds of crowds.

[horticulturalist]

Hm. Maybe so. I always sort of think of normal people as people with nothing to hide.

Well. It's not like we've got much choice, do we?
Sorry. I keep... Speak for yourself, Larry.

[wwrench]

Oh. In that case, I don't know any normal people. Do you?

Much of a choice in the crowds we hang around, you mean? Why don't you?

[horticulturalist]

Yeah. I mean I used to.

You do?
There's not a lot of places for me to go.

[wwrench]

People with nothing to hide? Absolutely nothing? How'd that work? No, how'd you know they were telling you the truth?

In the sense that I make the choice to be alone, I guess. Maybe I'm being ignorant. You're immortal, why can't you go anywhere you want?

[horticulturalist]

Normal people are simple. Normal people don't have terrible secrets.
Because they were my family.

Because people would die. Because I'm not the only one inhabiting my body. Lots of reasons.

[wwrench]

See, now you added the qualifier "terrible." That wasn't there before. Everyone has secrets though, don't they?

What do you mean, people would die? Am I going to die?

[horticulturalist]

I guess. Most people have things they hide a little. Things that embarrass them. A penchant for trashy romance novels, or two left feet. Whatever.
Feels different to me than a real secret.

Eventually. How's your blood pressure?

[wwrench]

I'm not doubting you, but we only just met and you've already admitted you're an immortal military experiment with radiation poisoning.

Makes a guy wonder what the real secret is.

Feel about the same as always. So what's that tell you? Here we are having a chat, and there's no immediate threat of me dropping dead.

[horticulturalist]

This might surprise you, but my appearance raises a lot of questions. The answers to which aren't worth the effort to hide.
You think there's something I'm not telling you?

It tells me this outfit is working like it's supposed to.

[wwrench]

I think there's got to be, if that's what you call your terrible secret.

So wear the outfit and go wherever the hell you want, right? Why not? Unless you prefer being a lifelong hermit.

[horticulturalist]

You don't think all this is terrible enough?

Because I literally can't take it off anywhere. Except in the bunker.
And like I said. The other guy has a say too.

[wwrench]

No, I really can't imagine it. But like you said, it's no secret. It's written all over you.

That's okay, I wasn't asking you to take your clothes off. Not yet at least, but I'll keep that under advisement.

What's the other guy like?

[horticulturalist]

It didn't used to be. Some of us don't get to pretend to be normal forever.

Opinionated for a quiet guy.