[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: Title card reading "
Universal Constants
Episode 5: Family Reunion",
a security camera's perspective of a room or lobby with a vending machine glowing at night. Two maybecats are partially in the shot, giving a ominous feel to the entire thing. Nightvision hues, digital fuzzy noise, and uncanny glowing from the vending machine light invoke the feel of footage where unusual creatures and ghosts are spotted.]

MODERATOR: Regarding the nature of constructed peoples as a form of labor, there's been a lot of discussion regarding what's an acceptable amount of time to hold them under contract. 
MODERATOR: In general, there's been a lot of tension around how to even enforce regulation when many regions tend to be relatively hands off in these regards-
MODERATOR: What can you say about all this? 

REFORMIST: Well, personally, one thing I've seen come into play is businesses refusing to operate with partners who openly rely on such forms of labor to begin with. 
REFORMIST: As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't really matter who or why you were made, a job should compensate fairly for any person-

BIGSHOT: Doesn't that premise rely on the concept that constructed beings all fall under personhood? 

REFORMIST: Well yes, and ultimately most tend to consider that to be applicable. 

BIGSHOT: Most, as in? 

REFORMIST: Any region with a particularly noteworthy population of constructed citizens tend to swing such. 

BIGSHOT: I mean, that sounds like a pretty obvious population bias, what regions come to mind in particular here? 

REFORMIST: Hearth, Plaza, Hallpass, and Luxson are particularly standout examples.
REFORMIST: They tend to put together long lists of corporations that operate with manufactured contracts, as well as how long their contracts last, and whether or not they've made active efforts to phase them out. 

BIGSHOT: And how do they gather that data? 

REFORMIST: Everyone undergoes evaluations pretty regularly to make sure details line up with the reports. 
REFORMIST: They tend to post on a number of publicly available websites as well, anyone can access that-

BIGSHOT: And you don't think that having these numbers posted by a governing party is severe interference? 
BIGSHOT: The information posted can easily hurt the companies if cherrypicked-

REFORMIST: Full documentation and details are available-

BIGSHOT: And what about partner companies that don't operate under the program? 
BIGSHOT: International programs? 

REFORMIST: Often listed as lacking full datasets. 
REFORMIST: For those who refuse to show it's simply set as "Not Disclosed."

BIGSHOT: And it hurts local operation, hardly makes for a good trade economy if you're forcing people to share confidential numbers to put their foot through the door. 

REFORMIST: People should know the nature of the goods they-

MODERATOR: Excuse me, but I'd like to go back to something stated earlier since I think it's pretty fair to ask. 
MODERATOR: What constitutes the concept of personhood exactly on a legal standpoint? 
MODERATOR: Because I think the folks at home could use a little help following along. 

REFORMIST: Right so, overall consciousness is a good element of that. 
REFORMIST: The capacity to interact fully with non-constructed people as if they were the same. 
REFORMIST: There's a number of tests such as whether or not people could tell without being able to see the other person. 
REFORMIST: A number of more direct exams show constructs run on the same microshred-based biology format as anything else, and-

BIGSHOT: Organic energy plants tend to leave those behind as well, no? 

REFORMIST: There's a number of patterns that are unique and reactive-

BIGSHOT: And many of the early constructs were in their respective seen as nothing more than imitational works, yes? 

REFORMIST: Well yes, ultimately the creation of life comes from mimicking the details that make you and I "alive", so to speak. 

BIGSHOT: What's to say they're not just the next step in that? 
BIGSHOT: Machines have been used a long time in labor, they're pretty much expected under most working class jobs. 
BIGSHOT: If you're making new tech for people to adopt, they need to be easy to interface for the most bottom denominator.

REFORMIST: What you're describing is a tool-

BIGSHOT: And that's exactly what most constructs are, they're just a lot more self sufficient. 
BIGSHOT: If every job was to be replaced by a construct, people would have so much more free time to spend with their kids at the park. 

REFORMIST: They'd also be out of a job while they're replaced with a guy who's going to die by designed obsolescence.

BIGSHOT: I mean you said it there, designed obsolescence. 
BIGSHOT: They were made for a purpose, there is no person to mourn-

REFORMIST: Plenty of men in their 40s upward tend to die alone without a next of kin to visit them, that doesn't make them any less-

BIGSHOT: They die alone because they work all day, rarely given the time to meet a girl and have kids. 
BIGSHOT: Now they have plenty of time-

REFORMIST: Question-

BIGSHOT: Organizations like the ones you're defending prevent that, let me make that more than clear. 
BIGSHOT: They could have so much more and yet-

REFORMIST: That requires a lot of other things in the process, like giving them the means to keep their wallets full now that they no longer have a job.

BIGSHOT: New careers are discovered everyday, no? 
BIGSHOT: If you replace all labor with constructs, people will find new things to do and make their living off of. 
BIGSHOT: Maybe even maintaining the machinery? 
BIGSHOT: Wouldn't be too far off from the artisan programs we've seen in the past. 
BIGSHOT: You could potentially have your family maintain constructs for generations, and be locked in for life-

REFORMIST: Would you do that? 

BIGSHOT: What do you mean? 

REFORMIST: You'd be happy working as a repairman for a group of people made for the sole purpose of handling factory label until they die? 

BIGSHOT: Once again, die is a loaded word- and I get you're a bit of a sentimental type but it's hard to call it that when you technically by definition have not lived. 

REFORMIST: By whom's definition? 

BIGSHOT: Plenty of people.

REFORMIST: And can you name those? 

BIGSHOT: Sure, you could ask around the room and see what people think for themselves. 
BIGSHOT: They're navigational machines, the most intuitive interface of just talking to them. 
BIGSHOT: Any imitation of personhood is merely a means to make them operate well among their management and-

REFORMIST: Would you be comfortable saying that to one of these construct right now?

BIGSHOT: We're live, aren't we? 
BIGSHOT: They can hear for themselves if they're "people." 
BIGSHOT: Frankly, even if you want to go with that, they should have to work until they repay the cost of their own manufacturing to begin with.  
BIGSHOT: Your mother and father ask you to go to school and do chores, it's hardly any different-










 

[image description: Maes is sitting at a table listening to a round, bulky radio with a frustrated expression and a strained posture. Opposite to her is Charon, shoulder covered in his usual cloak poking its way into the frame.]

MAES: ....

 

Maes' brow is furrowed, her ears pulled back. Her mouth twists into an unpleasant grimace, occasionally letting out a disapproving growl.

She had insisted on listening to the debate before work, but...
...all it seems to be doing is upsetting her, and badly.

CHARON: Boss?
MAES: Mmmgh.

 

At least this growl can be interpreted as a response.

The dog tries to play it careful.

CHARON: Need a distraction for a moment?
MAES: I-
MAES: It's relevant to work.

 

The moderator fails to stop the volume of the debators from rising, Maes' fur bristling out of stress.

MAES: ...I have to stay on top of it.
CHARON: I can put together a transcript with notes later.
MAES: Judgment...
CHARON: I promise, it's not just you right now.
MAES: ...

 

She reaches over to turn the radio off, Maes' boneless nature betrayed by the cat quite literally deflating back into her chair.

CHARON: Embarrassing to call that a debate...  anything I could get to help you decompress?
MAES: Nothing doable in the breakroom.

 

A faint, weary smile, the suggestion still mixed with exhaustion.

CHARON: Then I'll have to treat you later.
MAES: Is that so?
CHARON: Maybe Mar will help me get some dessert together, change things up.
MAES: Dessert?
MAES: ...that would be new.
CHARON: Mm. 
CHARON: Don't bake much but I have a few tricks and a extra set of hands.
MAES: ...is citrus an option?
CHARON: What's your leaning there?
MAES: Lemon, if possible...I mentioned my preference for it.
CHARON: Consider it done.
MAES: You agree that easily?
CHARON: I am your assistant and it's important that make your job easier whether it be in the office or after your shift.

 

She gives him an affectionate touch by brushing her tail against his ankle, before quickly retracting it back.

MAES: ...thank you.
MAES: It...should be a relatively easy day, at least. 
MAES: More residential rounds.
CHARON: Should be more than good for that, been enjoying getting to know the people here.
MAES: I know that Smith's been enjoying getting worn out...I actually heard he took a proper nap last Wednesday.
CHARON: He needs it.
MAES: Mm, I-
JB: Morning.

 

JB's metal footfalls go all but unnoticed with the two of them locked in conversation, the construct already all geared up as he approaches-

He spots the radio. 

Maes attempts to avoid attention, Charon doing his best to cover.

CHARON: Morning, everything alright?
JB: Depends on if she's been filling her head with poison again.
MAES: JB.
JB:You know you don't have to do that.
MAES: I do have to-
CHARON: I've got it handled.
JB: Good.

 

JB lets out an irritated clunk, adjusting his bag.

JB: Finish suiting up. 
JB: Got some weird reports from Ruby.
CHARON: Is there another breach?
JB: ...unsure.

 

Maes is already up out of her chair at that, rushing for the locker room without another word.

JB: ...likely not that serious, though. 
JB: Think it's just...you'll see.