houseofcards_rp | DJ Shuffle: The Fuck is This?

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DJ Shuffle: The Fuck is This?

[Since resuming programming, DJ Shuffle has been playing Christmas and winter music, from traditional to songs that he first heard listening to the Doctor Demento show back in New York. Once he's gathered his information and his thoughts, though, he cracks the mic and begins to talk, much more calmly than usual. If there was ever a chance to recognize his voice, this is it, as he sounds sedate and serious.]

So. I'm gonna assume that if you're listening to me, you've got power. Or a battery-powered radio tuned to me, and what does that say about your priorities? But if you're stranded out there and you hear this, call the studio line, I'll get help sent out to you.

See, I could be my usual flaming asshole and shit on everyone for not knowing this was coming and we weren't prepared and all that rot. But you know what? There's bigger fish to fry. We've learned a lesson from all this: the Deck's weather isn't as stable as we'd like to believe. Snowstorms in October are possible. An early spring heatwave might be possible. Town could end up flooded by massive rainfall. And we're not ready for that.

We paid for our unpreparedness in lives, ladies and gentlemen. While everyone at the castles was fine, there are reports of roofs caving in in Town, crushing people in their houses. And even those who made it out okay had dehyrdation and frostbite issues. I'm so not blaming anyone, not this time. What I want to ask the Deck is this: what can we do to prepare for next time? How can we create an effective disaster preparedness team? Can we effectively get a roster of every member of every Suit and account for them? Can we create centralized safe locations for disasters--schools, perhaps?

I know, this is probably something the High Cards are going to want to talk about. But here I am, and I'm not one. I want to know, what can we all as individuals do, next time the Deck goes weird on us all? Open forum for discussion, for everyone, rather than my usual schpiel.

Phone lines are open.

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She hums to herself, hovering behind his chair as he speaks. "I'll ask around in Town, but I'm thinking cafes and restaurants would be our best bets for safe spots. They usually have good temperature regulation, and in the case of people getting stuck for more than a couple hours, it'd be good to be stuck somewhere with a food source, am I right? What do you think?"

The little radio he pulls up on his laptop makes her smile softly to herself. "I remember those. I got one from my mom." Who promptly confiscated it when she found her daughter listening to music instead of world news.

"They're cheap little knicknacks, but they'll suit our purposes. Seems like the Deck knows where to tune to, too." He's going to keep skirting around the fact until she forces him to address it. But there's a little hint of pride in the fact: Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers have called in to defend themselves on his show, or to tear Shuffle down.

He turns in his seat to look at her, not cowering, not challenging. She came to him, but on his territory, rather than calling him to the Ace's office.

She slips to sit on the arm of his chair easily, one foot still resting on the floor. "And if the cost isn't much - which I don't expect it will be - I don't see why we can't equip these safe spots with good radios as well."

"Maybe a CB radio network. There are courses to take online on how to operate one, proper terminology and all that, but even without that it's fairly intuitive." He's already beginning to picture how it would work. "Standard range on that's over a hundred miles, we'd be able to reach the outposts, as well."

Now for the delicate question. "You seem to know quite a lot about radio. In the event that a system like this was set up, would you be able to help with the initial process of arranging the system and all that?"

Oh, he appreciates the phrasing of that question very much. There's no hesitation as he nods. "Yeah, sure thing. If a list of locations is drafted, I can get a list of needed supplies to you."

To her, of course, because he isn't sure if she intends him to work openly or in his preferred secrecy. Though, if a job came out of it, something official to do once he graduates in the spring, he might not complain.

"That would really be helpful, Teddy. Honestly. Of course, I'll have to run the idea past the other Face Cards first, but I'll keep you posted, alright?"

He can work however he likes. She knows she won't be the one to tell others about his alternate identity. And if he feels that working openly would give it away, with his knowledge of radio, then he can work secretly for all she cares. As long as the job gets done.

He nods again. Then he asks the damning question: "Was it my voice that gave me away, or something else?"

"To be honest, I wasn't sure until you blushed when I walked in today and started asking questions. It would've been awkward if you weren't Mr. Shuffle, but I guess that was a risk I was willing to take." She smiles down at him, laying a hand on his head for a moment. "I got the idea the day I was appointed Ace. I just listened really closely to your voice from then on."

He isn't sure what to make of the petting. Yes, his hair is fluffy. Yes, it almost feels nice to get physical contact from another human being. But invasion of personal bubble to the max, lady!

"You got me. A rabble-rousing teenager, like everyone guessed."

"Hey. You pissed me off initially, yeah, but you make people think. And however much I disagreed with some of the things you said, I can't argue with someone who makes others think. Props, man." She grins at him, pulling her hand back to rest loosely in her lap.

"Oh, good. I have the approval of one of my Face Cards." That brings something close to a sincere smile to his face. Because, perhaps all he wanted all along was for someone to say he had something. He wasn't worthless. He was doing more than just talking to people who thought he was an imbicile.

And her coming to ask his help is validation he craved more than he wants to admit.

"Don't say that like it means anything. You would have kept on with this show even if I though it was the worst thing to happen to this Deck before this snowstorm. --At least, I hope you would've kept on with it."

"To spite you, of course. I probably would have found some flaw in you in the next few weeks to pick at." Petty, but honest. "But this conversation would have gone very different from the start, in that instance."

"Aw, damnit. If I hadn't approved, you'd have perfect material for your next couple of shows." Blythe laughs dryly. "I have more flaws than I care to count."

"And low self-esteem numbers among them, I take it." He nudges her shoulder gently, uncertainly.

"It's... possible." She shrugs her shoulder. "I'm getting better, though. I think. Maybe."

"Hey. You know enough about what's going on in your Suit to catch me. That's more than can be said for either of the other Face Cards." He winks, nudging her again impishly. "Don't make excuses for them this time, just accept that you taking the initiative is a thing. An awesome thing."

"... If you say so. Thank you very much." She hesitates, then adds on sarcastically, "I try, generally, to be awesome. It's good to know that my efforts aren't totally going to waste."

He snorts out a laugh. "Ladies and gentlemen, the Ace of Hearts."

"Um... Ta da?" She spreads her arms in an attempt at a grandiose gesture.

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