User:MatthiasRat/Model Building - Revision history

MatthiasRat: Cleaned up the text, fixed errors, etc... The story is done.

2009-02-20T16:56:44Z

Cleaned up the text, fixed errors, etc... The story is done.

ShadowWolf: {{universe}} now auto-generates the category link

2009-02-14T18:57:53Z

{{universe}} now auto-generates the category link

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:57, 14 February 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Universe\|~~[[:Category:~~Paradise~~\|Paradise]]~~}}		{{Universe\|Paradise}}
	{{WIP}}		{{WIP}}
	{{my stories		{{my stories

MatthiasRat: Rough draft for this story is finished. I'll come through and edit this another time.

2009-01-28T17:21:54Z

Rough draft for this story is finished. I'll come through and edit this another time.

@@ Line 902: / Line 902: @@
 When they finally reached the van, all their minds a flutter with thoughts of money, impressing the congressman, and meeting one of the oldest of the Changed, the taciturn bull surprised them all when he turned and his muzzle broke into a firm, proud grin. "You three did a very good job in there.  Thank you."  And like that, the moment of praise passed and they were on their way back to the airport with yet one more thing to marvel at.
-{{Separator|k|Work in Progress}}
+{{Separator|k}}
 [[Category:Story]]

MatthiasRat: Finished off the scene with Sandrick. Going to try to keep this story to one more scene to wrap things up.

2009-01-07T17:50:14Z

Finished off the scene with Sandrick. Going to try to keep this story to one more scene to wrap things up.

@@ Line 842: / Line 842: @@
 The badger gestured with one paw at the projector which now lay dormant. "While you won't need to come give me presentations like this again, and it is probably safer if you do not, I would like quarterly reports on the Changed population and what your models show.  We can quibble about the format of the reports later, but I do want updated numbers and graphs like you showed me today.  Send whatever you have to Walter and he'll make sure it comes to me.
-"And," he said, holding out one paw to forestall any objections or questions, "because I'm asking you to do this on a schedule, and because of the good work you've already done, I'm going to find a way to pay you for your services.  Walter and I will work out the legal aspects, but you will be reimbursed for your efforts to dte and any work you do for us in the future." Carter wagged his tail and panted in delight, Rob pumped his fist, and CM rumbled deep in her chest.  Finally, some money!
+"And," he said, holding out one paw to forestall any objections or questions, "because I'm asking you to do this on a schedule, and because of the good work you've already done, I'm going to find a way to pay you for your services.  Walter and I will work out the legal aspects, but you will be reimbursed for your efforts to date and any work you do for us in the future." Carter wagged his tail and panted in delight, Rob pumped his fist, and CM rumbled deep in her chest.  Finally, some money!
 "Now I want you to realize something.  The Changed organization can control things by and large for now because we are small and unnoticed.  If your numbers are correct, then this is going to spiral out of our control very quickly.  People on the ground are going to have ideas that we would never think of that will make our lives easier.  Already people are doing what they must to adjust to this life.  Although I didn't have to resew my clothes, I've heard that there are dozens of guides already posted on the forums.  That's just the beginning."
@@ Line 870: / Line 870: @@
 "Yes, that's right."
 {{Separator|k|Work in Progress}}

MatthiasRat: Started the next scene. Won't be too much more to it.

2009-01-05T17:49:07Z

Started the next scene. Won't be too much more to it.

@@ Line 834: / Line 834: @@
 Reynaldo's grin was true and his grip on the bear's shoulder was firm. "You're doing just fine, CM.  And thank you for all you're doing for us.  Just knowing what's happening is a great blessing."
-"That it is," CM replied as they made thier way to Sandrick's office again.
+"That it is," CM replied as they made their way to Sandrick's office again.
 {{Separator|k|Work in Progress}}

MatthiasRat: CM and Reynaldo have a little private conversation

2008-12-29T17:26:14Z

CM and Reynaldo have a little private conversation

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 29 December 2008
Line 737:		Line 737:

	CM nodded and looked to the raccoon. "Next slide please."		CM nodded and looked to the raccoon. "Next slide please."

			{{Separator\|k}}

			"And that's all I have," Rob said. The skunk shurgged his shoulders, long tail dancing behind him and occasionally getting in the way of the projector.

			Phillip Sandrick stood and spread his paws on the table before him. His long claws tapped the wood with a pleasing rattle. "Thank you gentleman. Seeing as it is nearly noon, I suggest a short break. I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you before you depart, but as I'm starving, you'll forgive me if I make you wait a few minutes more. I won't be interfering with your travel plans will I?"

			"No," Walter replied. "I've arranged for seats on later flights if necessary, but we still have a few hours yet before they're needed."

			"Good." The badger patted his paws once on the desk and waltzed around to snag something to eat. "Let's take as least fifteen minutes to relax and enjoy some food."

			Nobody else needed convincing. Evan bolted from his seat by the computer and was rifling his paws through the crackers and meats. Rob and Carter flanked him. Walter kept to the other side where the vegetables were. Only CM, who'd been snaking from the buffet table ever since finishing her presentation, didn't join in the rush for delectables. She caught the fox's eyes as he returned to his seat with a plate full of cold cuts.

			A little nervously, CM asked, "Number Two, do you mind talking privately for a moment? There's some things I'd like to ask you."

			Reynaldo's ears lifted and his jowls brimmed with good humour. "Of course not. Let's go back to Sandrick's reception room. That's probably pretty private today."

			None of the other Changed objected and so the bear and fox stepped back into the reception room. Along the wall beneath the light of the windows was a row of large old-fashioned chairs. CM gingerly sat in one, and though the wood groaned, it held her weight. Reynaldo draped his tail over the decorative arm and sat cross-legged next to her.

			"So, what's on your mind, CM? Curious to know what things were like in the beginning?"

			"A little," CM admitted. "I know it must have been lonely. I was. I guess I just wanted to finally talk to somebody who's been this way longer than I have. You're the first I've ever met."

			Reynaldo nibbled on a bit of shredded ham. "And judging by the numbers you've crunched, there aren't too many of us that have been Changed longer than you. Ninety-six, right? So I've been this way only eight years longer than you. The numbers become less important with time. Eight years. Ten years. Twenty years. After you've lived them, they all blend together."

			"But still," CM said softly, her eyes straying hungrily to the fox's plate, "You have been Changed longer than I have. I know that I'm always going to be one of the oldest Changed, if not the oldest, in any gathering of Changed. Has it always been that way with you?"

			Reynaldo yipped a lugh and shook his head. "Actually, no. The very first Changed I met was Number One. She's a musician, and I an actor. It turns out her band was booked for the same theatre that I was working in at the time between roles. This was back in late ninety-three. So for five years I thought I was the only one. Seeing Cass there," his golden eyes took on a faraway look and the slit pupils narrowed as a flash of sunlight poured through the windows, "was like falling in love for the first time all over again."

			"The two of you are together?"

			Reynaldo shook his head. "No, no. She married before the Change to her drummer, and they have three kids already. He's a good man and all three are good kids. Shortly after we met, she told him about the Change which he took in good stride. He hasn't Changed yet himself, but her youngest boy became a bright looking fox last August. Of course, he's seventeen now, but I still remember him when he was little trying to sing along with his Mom; he could hit the high notes just like she did!"

			CM felt herself smiling and delighting in the little aside about the boy. It was the Momma Bear in her again, but she indulged it for now. "That's so sweet. So how long was it before you met the others in Chicago? It seems there's a lot of older Changed there."

			"We met Red, Number Three I mean, a year later, and the rest of the early crowd by 2000. Nobody else from that time period has shown up in or near Chicago. Did you model predict there would be more there?"

			"A few yes, but most are probably like me and appeared in isolation as new seeds. I've already had two people in my current hometown Change in the last year. I guess... how did you handle it?"

			"Being alone? Probably the same way you did," Reynaldo admitted. He shoved the last of the ham on his tongue and swallowed it with only a few quick bites. "Once we started finding each other, we started having weekly meetings to help each other out. With five to seven of us it was easy. Once we had twenty, we had to move to monthly meetings, and then it was the mailing list. We had somebody hack the list in ninety-seven so that got shut down. Then, some tech savvy mouse put together the website and security measures and we've bene online ever since. When Walter joined us a few years back he got the money together to buy the current servers and to wrap up the domain names for any sites we might want to use in the future."

			"And your role in the Network?"

			"Spokesman, old fart, wily fox, something like that," Reynaldo laughed and held out the plate. "Here, you finish the rest before you start drooling on it."

			CM took the plate in one paw and lowered her owls. "Oh, sorry!"

			"Don't worry about it. I've seen worse. A friend of mine got Changed into a St. Bernard. He carries handkerchiefs with him just so the humans don't notice. And heaven forbid he shake!"

			CM laughed as she picked through the meats. "I've been a Rottweiler twice now, so I know what it's like being a dog and contending with drool."

			"Now that's one thing I don't think I could have managed," Reynaldo said as he gestured at the bear. "Changign shape again and again. And gender too. I see you're married. Wife or husband?"

			"Wife," CM said a little more quickly than she would have liked. "She's still human and doesn't know. We married while I was male. I'd hoped marriage would keep me male, but that hasn't happened."

			"I'm sorry. You just didn't say anything about her, so I didn't know what to assume."

			CM swallowed a bit of turkey and nodded. "Fair enough. It has not been easy on me. Before I met any other Changed, being female was just something I knew about myself. Now others are treating me like a woman and it's getting harder to supress."

			"Who's been treating you like a woman?"

			"None of you, but all Changed who see me before they find out do. There's one guy who knows but slips up frequently. I think he does it on purpose."

			Reynaldo shook his head. "What an ass."

			"Boar actually," CM replied with a laugh threatening at the back of her throat. "He's a good man, just aggravating at times."

			Reynaldo blinked and ran one paw over his forehead. "Does it bother you when he does it? I know one gender Changed in the Chicago area that gets absolutely livid when she's treated like a woman."

			"It depends," CM replied. "If I wasn't married or if I knew I'd be stuck as a female I might feel differently about it. But since I keep on Changing, until I stop I don't know what to do!"

			Reynaldo nodded and scratched himself behind one ear. "I've seen some of those guides you've been writing up on the Network. Keep doing that. It's been very helpful to the others."

			"Thank you, I will."

			"And since," the fox smiled that impish smile which made his golden eyes gleam, "you Changed back in ninety-six, that makes you eligible for the First Ten club. I think we need a better name, but it's something Cass and I've been tossing back and forth since the Change started exploding like it has in the last few years."

			The shebear picked the last bit of salami from the plate and downed it. "What is it?"

			"Just something we've been talking about on the side. Just for us who Changed in the first ten years. There were never many of us, so we all have that alone story in common. With the way things are going, most Changed won't remember what it's like to be alone. Those of us who were will always feel a little out of place, even once the whole world Changes. We don't know what we're going to do, maybe meet once every few years like a reunion to gripe about all the youngins, but if you're interested I'll add you to the roster."

			CM smiled and set the plate aside. "Thank you, Reynaldo. I really appreciate that. I would like to be part it. I don't know how much I can contribute."

			"Just do what you're doing. Let old timers like Cass, Red, and I worry about this for now."

			"Okay," CM agreed and leaned back a bit. The chair groaned under the bear's weight. "So are you in anything currently?"

			Reynaldo's eyes looked skyward. "We're doing Lerner and Lowe's Camelot this Season. I'm playing Lancelot of all people. After that I just have minor roles. If you could get to Chicago I could get you tickets."

			"Unless Walter wants to foot the bill, I'm not going anywhere!"

			"I'll see if I can send you a video then," Reynaldo stood up and patted the bear on the shoulder. "Shall we go back in? Or was there something else."

			CM shook her head and stood much to the chair's relief. "No. I didn't even know what I wanted to talk about. I just wanted to talk to somebody who'd been this way longer than me for once."

			Reynaldo's grin was true and his grip on the bear's shoulder was firm. "You're doing just fine, CM. And thank you for all you're doing for us. Just knowing what's happening is a great blessing."

			"That it is," CM replied as they made thier way to Sandrick's office again.

	{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}		{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}

MatthiasRat: Finished off the first scene with Sandrick and co. There's more coming, but I think this will do it for the numbers.

2008-12-26T17:56:12Z

Finished off the first scene with Sandrick and co. There's more coming, but I think this will do it for the numbers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:56, 26 December 2008
Line 672:		Line 672:
	For several seconds, no one said anything while those staggering numbers sank in.		For several seconds, no one said anything while those staggering numbers sank in.

			At last Reynaldo let out a short yipping laugh. "Well, we knew we were growing fast, but... are you sure about this? We've only three thousand in the network. How do you know we're doubling like this?"

			CM rumbled and gestured with a claw at the black wolf. "Carter's demographics analysis of the Changed population. That and my analysis on the trends in the last few years showing when Changed are discovered and added to the Network. That said, we have only 86 percent certainty about these results. We could be overestimating or underestimating actual growth, but we're almost one hundred percent certain that the growth is exponential. Which means unless the Change stops, in the next thirteen to forty years everyone on Earth will be Changed."

			"How did you arrive at that date range?" Sandrick asked as he scratched behind one circular ear.

			CM waved her paws at the projector. "The next slide has the tolerance figures we've put on the exponential growth. It's what gave us the range. Evan?" The raccoon nodded and tapped a key. The screen changed to show a table of figures. CM drew her laser pointer along the top row. "Here we have the lowest and highest possible exponent bases that fit the models. At the low end, we have the population increasing by a little over 1.75 each August. At that rate, it would be 2027 to 2029 before all the world was Changed, barring major shifts in global population trends. Carter will talk about those details. At the high end the rate is just shy of 2.25, which means that by 2015 everyone would be Changed.

			"Now both of these are extreme cases and represent the tolerance for our analysis. But the probability that the real rate is one or the other is very slim. The most likely situation is that the rate is closer to 2 if not 2 precisely."

			Reynaldo tapped one claw against the side of his snout. "It didn't look like the Changed were doubling each year in the graph you just showed us. Some of them looked like they'd more than doubled. Could this rate be changing each year too?"

			CM nodded and tapped her claws together. She rather liked the fox. He put things in plain language yet seemed to understand and anticipate her explanations. It dawned on her as she studied him that he was the first Changed she'd met that had been Changed longer than she had. A smile teased the edges of her heavy jowls. She'd have to talk with him afterward if possible. But first, she said, "We considered that and it still may be the case. With Congressman Sandrick's assistance we'll be able to keep analysing the Changed population over the next few years. That will help us refine our conclusions. But those variances you've noted can also be explained by demographics. We think that is much more likely given the intelligent nature of the Change and how it manifests in the world."

			Sandrick frowned, glancing briefly at Walter Lundh who watched the presentations with bovine placidity. The badger turned his gaze back on the bear. "Could you explain that comment please? What do you mean by the intelligent nature of the Change?"

			"Well, I'll be spoiling one of Carter's points but I don't think he'll mind too much."

			The wolf laughed and wagged his tail. "You're the one who put a name to it, CM. Go for it."

			CM nodded her thanks and turned back to the congressman. "There are a couple of reasons. First, the reality distortion field, or RDF, as it's called on the Network. A radical change as we've undergone would surely be noticed unless there was some aspect to it that made it imperceptible to others. But it isn't fully. I've had a friend swear they were pushing against thin air when they touched my head. Our Change is more than just illusion, it is real. An the altering of perception is constrained to a fixed area about ourselves. Which is why we leave hoof prints or paw prints when we walk. Separating one part of our body from another doesn't change the effect either, which is why shed fur just looks like human hair to others. So in that sense, the Change operates under rules, rules that we can discover through scientific inquiry and also through deductive and historical science."

			CM gestured to Carter and continued. "Secondly, the pattern in which the Change spreads, so far as we've been able to determine, is centred around Chicago and expanding in what appears at first blush to be a fractal. This is very incomplete because we've used a lot of conjecture to fill in the gaps of Changed we know based on our population model who aren't in the Network. But, in the last few months we've tested this model based on the newest Changed we've discovered. We've had to make a few tweaks, but with a little over seventy percent accuracy, the Changed originated where we predicted them too.

			"And that leads to the third reason I state that the Change is an intelligent phenomenon. With as little data as we have, we've been able to construct models from which we can make predictions and have such confidence in them. Our model's predictive capability is slightly better than flipping a coin, and it's leagues better than any odds you'll get at a casino. And our estimates of exponential growth indicate the most likely base is an integer! Nature, undirected, doesn't typically operate with integers. That speaks strongly, from a philosphical perspective, of intelligent direction in the course of the Change."

			Reynaldo waved his paws in the air and laughed. "It sounds to me like you might be making the ROB argument. That the Change is proof of the existence of the divine."

			"ROB?" Rob asked with an amused twitch of his long tail.

			"Random Omnipotent Being," Walter grunted. "It's a term being tossed about in the forums by those who believe the Change is of supernatural origin but are unwilling to ascribe it to a particular religion." From the tone of the bull's voice, CM could tell he didn't think too highly of the concept or those pandering it.

			"Ah, I must have missed those threads," Rob said softly.

			CM rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "Apart from being an oxymoron, an omnipotent being cannot be random because random implies that there is more than one and an omnipotent being by the very quality of omnipotence is singular, I'm not actually proposing the ROB theory. I happen to be Catholic and believe very strongly in the existence of the divine as the source of ultimate creation. I can recite the creed if you want. What I'm saying is that I think the Change is intelligent in the sense that it is the consequence of intelligent action and design. It need not be an act of God per se because nature as I said does not usually rely on integral rates for anything. That typifies more the act of a limited intelligence and suggests to me that while I cannot tell you how it is being affected, the Change likely has its source in natural intelligence rather than supernatural."

			Sandrick shook his head and started laughing. "You use a lot of big words and I confess I'm not following all of it. But are you saying this is the work of aliens?"

			Carter let out a single bark in amusement, Rob covered his snout to stiffle his laugh, and Evan had to wrap his muzzle in the crook of an elbow to keep himself from breaking down. Even Reynaldo's tail and whiskers trembled in mirth. Only Walter was unmoved by the suggestion.

			"I don't know," CM confessed. "I can't speak to the particular mechanism of the Change. Only that it seems to me to have as its origin a natural intelligence. Now, I also believe that, like all of nature, it is used by God to further His will, and that for some reason He wants me to be female for a time. I do not understand it but I accept it as best I can. But I also believe He gave us the capacity to understand the Change. The fact that we've been able to learn so much with such a small population sample tells us something that I don't think we should ignore."

			Reynaldo waved one paw. "I'm satisfied with that answer. I'm a little unnerved by your suggestion, but since we don't know either how it works, I don't see how we can say no to it. I'd love to see you write your theory up and post it to the forums. It's certainly worth exploring some. But that's beside the point. I've lived with being a fox for a very long time. You say you can make some predictions. What are we looking at come this August?"

			The she-bear felt a bit embarassed that she allowed her temptation to erudition to wander so freely in front of these important men. She did have a presentation to finish. Turning back to the projector, she circled the left column. "Here are the years, and here are the population projections by exponential base. If we are doubling, then we can expect an additional 32,896 Changed on August 17. With that many more, we anticipate an even higher percentage of the Changed population will find the Network, both for new Changed and those who have believed themselves to be alone."

			"It might be time," Sandrick mused, "to consider changing our recruitment tactics." The badger stroked the fur under his snout with one claw. "Any Changed that watches C-SPAN will eventually see me and figure out they aren't alone. But that isn't going to be a lot. I've kept a low-profile since I Changed. Maybe I should seek more publicity?"

			Walter shook his head ever so slightly. Still, the tips of his horns swept out large deadly arcs in the air. "The more publicity any of us seeks, the greater risk we expose the Changed community. Our numbers are too few at this time to risk exposure."

			"We're going to be exposed at some point," Rob said. The skunk laconically shrugged his shoulders. "What difference does it make now or later?"

			"The infrastructure for Changed is still in its infancy," Lundh said, jabbing his hoof-like hand into the air. "It needs more time and more Changed to mature. I'm looking at your numbers, and if you're right about the doubling, then we have a few years to go before I'm willing to even consider risking more publicity."

			Sandrick lowered his paw and nodded. "You're right, Walter. There is a lot of work still to be done, and much of it will not be done here today." His dark eyes focussed on the bear and his voice took on a note of authority. This was a man who was used to people doing what he told them. "What more do you have to say in your presentation?"

			CM folded her paws over her growing belly. "Mostly various projections and the data to back up our claims."

			"No more bombs to be dropped?"

			"No, sir. From here on out we explain the data behind the bombs we've dropped."

			Sandrick grinned, exposing the many pearly, white spears the Change had given him. "Then let us hear the data."

			CM nodded and looked to the raccoon. "Next slide please."

	{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}		{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}

MatthiasRat: Getting to the meeting where we get some actual numbers!

2008-12-23T17:35:23Z

Getting to the meeting where we get some actual numbers!

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:35, 23 December 2008
Line 589:		Line 589:

	CM reached into her satchel and pulled out the hard copies of her slides. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rob and Carter do the same. With a growling chuckle, she began rehearsing her lines.		CM reached into her satchel and pulled out the hard copies of her slides. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rob and Carter do the same. With a growling chuckle, she began rehearsing her lines.

			{{Separator\|k}}

			It took a full half-hour before they parked in the underground parking lot beneath the Rayburn building. Even for a Sunday the lot was two-thirds full. After parking, Lundh made a brief call while Rob, Carter, and CM put their presentation materials back in their briefcases and climbed out. The air was still humid, but the darkness brought a relief from the Summer heat already building outside.

			The longhorn hung up and gestured toward the far end of the lot. "We'll be met by the elevators in a few minutes. Do you each have everything you need?" They nodded and then so did he. "Good. I'm told Number Two is already here so we can begin as soon as we finish eating."

			"Number Two?" Carter asked, his tail lowering between his legs. "You mean the second guy to Change?"

			"Yes," Walter said with an almost perceptible roll of his glassy eyes. "Of necessity Mr. De Smet has been a leader in the Changed Community. For the sake of his privacy, he prefers to be known as Number Two now."

			Together the four of them made their way through the crowded parking lot. Most of the cars parked within were luxury sedans though there were a few sporting vehicles and a handful of trucks too. As they reached the set of elevators at the far end one of them opened and out stepped a raccoon in a business suit. His masked face brightened with a show of fangs when he saw them approach.

			He extended a black-furred hand toward the bull. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Lundh."

			The longhorn shook his hand and nodded. "And you, Mr. Norton. This is Robert Hallman, Carter Ryan, and Christopher Mattiaz. Gentlemen, this is Mr. Evan Norton, Congressman Sandrick's Internet Coordinator." There was no hint of irony in the bulls's voice as he pronounced the raccoon's title.

			Evan shook their paws one at a time, green eyes noting CM a little more closely before turning back to the elevator. It looked large enough to host a small convention. "All is waiting for you. Just follow me and we'll be there in moments. Do you have your passes?"

			Walter handed each of them a lobbyist pass which they clipped to their lapels as they stepped onto the elevator. Their nostrils flared as they took in each other's scents in so close proximity. The elevator hummed softly as they went up two levels. Evan tapped his claws together nervously and CM realized that he was just as young as they were. "Have you worked long for the Congressman?" the shebear asked.

			"Only since last December," Evan replied. "The Congressman needed somebody who could be a connection to the Changed community without drawing too much notice. Nobody pays attention to internet staffers yet, so here I am." His smile was half-hearted, but he didn't sound disappointed with his lot in life. CM nodded and settled in her corner of the elevator for a few seconds more.

			The Rayburn office building was one of many office buildings in DC for Congressmen. And with Congress still in session, even on a Sunday the halls were busy with Representatives, their aides, and lobbyists scurrying back and forth to curry favor on this or that bill. Evan led them from the elevator down one hall all the whiel assuring them that their passage would not be noticed. Not that they needed assuring; everyone else they saw was still human and far too wrapped up in their own affair to care about them or the internet staffer to a sophomore congressman.

			Congressman Sandrick's office had a front desk where a receptionist could sit and handle all comers but there was no one there now. A sign sat on the desk apologizing to any lobbyist that the Congressman couldn't see them today. Evan ignored this and headed straight for the door to the back office where the real work was done. Walter followed him and with the opening of the door two new animal scents greeted them as did the delectable aroma of fresh fruits and cooked meats.

			Standing behind a solid oak desk was a broad badger with dark eyes. Black paws with long claws were folded over his middle. Sitting in a well cushioned chair was a tall red fox in a tan suit. Both smiled as they entered.

			The congressman smiled and waved one of those long-clawed paws at the array of chairs set around his desk. "I'm Congressman Phillip Sandrick of South Carolina. I know Walter Lundh has been having you do work for the Changed Community and you're here today to report on your findings. You can speak freely in this office. I've cleared my schedule for the day and my chief of staff is off on a fact finding errand that will keep him from disturbing us. The rest of my staff have the day off. We have as long as we need. Please refresh yourselves and enjoy a bit of breakfast. I'd like to get to know ya'll a little before I take your advice."

			"Thank you," CM said, her eyes going to the platters of fresh fruit, jerky, and sausage beneath the windows on the left wall. A projector had been set up facing the right wall and Evan immediately sat down at nearby computer and began clicking through windows.

			The badger gestured to the fox who rose from his seat and wagged his tail once. "This is Mr. Reynaldo De Smet, more commonly known as Number Two. He's been regaling me with the history of the early Changed community for an hour now, and while very interesting, I'm going to have to strangle him if he tells the tale of foiling the traditional English fox hunt one more time."

			The fox laughed and waved one hand. "You are too kind, Phillip." The badger rolled his eyes while the fox turned to the rest. "As my easily irritated friend has said, my name is Reynaldo De Smet. My mother was French, my father Belgian, and they must have known I'd go into acting when they named me."

			"I've never heard of you," Carter said.

			The fox nodded. "As it should be. After I became this back in 1988, my career took a decided turn to the local markets. And since we are still too few in number to risk having too many in prominent positions, I am known in the Changed community as Number Two."

			"Walter said you wanted to be called that for your privacy," Rob pointed out. "I thought actors wanted fame."

			Reynaldo shook his head and sat back down. "Very true! But for now, I need the anonymity to maintain my standing as a local artist only. Once I become known by my real name as a Changed artist, I won't be able to do local venues only. But that is enough of me. I understand it is you three who've achieved something for the Changed community. Tell us of yourselves. I can talk forever if I must."

			Phillip nodded from behind his desk. "I'll vouch for that. You should be in Congress, De Smet. You make more sense than a lot of the clowns I deal with and still manage to irritate."

			"It is a gift," Reynaldo agreed with a playful wink.

			CM and Rob laughed while Carter filled his plate with jerky and sausage. CM selected several choice fruits and berries in addition to a two plates of jerky and sausage while Rob chose a similar proportion only much smaller. Walter only chose fruits. Together the four sat down and one by one introduced themselves. Reynaldo asked questions here and there about their lives while Sandrick kept his focus on their technical qualifications. Nevertheless, by the time they'd finished eating everyone in the room felt comfortable with each other and the mood had lightened considerably.

			"Well, if everyone is settled," Walter Lundh suggested, "perhaps we can begin the presentations?"

			"Of course," Sandrick gestured at the raccoon and Evan came to where the rest sat.

			The raccoon folded his paws as he looked over the trio. "I'm prepared for Power Point Presentations if brought them. I'll clean any residual data from the computer once were done." They each reached into their briefcases and handed him disks which he took and loaded one by one into his computer. "Give me one minute and I'll have them up. Who is presenting first?"

			"I am," the shebear said as she rose to her heavy paws. She pulled her business suit taut and glanced one last time over her preperation materials. CM set them back in her chair and then walked over to the projector screen, laser pointer in paw.

			"I'll get the blinds," Reynaldo said. The fox jumped form his seat and drew the blinds shut. He sat back down with the quiet grace of a professional actor.

			CM felt all eyes turn to her. Sandrick leaned back in his wide chair, lightly durmming the tips of his claws against his knees. Lundh gazed placidly at her as any bull in a field might. Rob and Carter watched with polite encouragement writ in their beastly eyes. Reynaldo couldn't keep the twitch out of his tail as it dangled through the gap in his chair. Only Evan wasn't looking at her, and that was only because he was busy loading her presentation.

			And then with one final click the raccoon scooted back in his seat and the projector splashed the first slide on the screen. "There we go," Evan said. "Just say 'Next' when you want me to advance the slides."

			CM nodded and half turned between her audience and the screen. Her first slide was merely a title and her name. "Last year Walter Lundh contracted us to examine the issue of the Changed population and how it was growing. We were to develop a statistical and demographic model on where the Changed are, how many of us there are, and how many more of us there will be in August. Over the last ten months we've been collecting data from the Changed network, collating it, and running various models to determine what is the most statistically likely scenarios. Next."

			The slide changed to an outline for the three presentations. It wasn't in the same order that Walter requested, but CM decided to gloss over that. "In my presentation I'll tell you what numbers we've found and what they mean. Carter will tell you what the demographics look like and where we can expect new Changed to crop up, and also, where we think all the missing Changed can be found. Rob will go over the technical systems we've developed in order to store and process the model data. Next."

			She turned on the laser pointer and circled the bar graph showing. The horizontal axis had a list of years, while the vertical axis had population numbers. Except for the first few years listed, each block was larger than the one before it. "Here's where things stand now if you plot the Changed population in the Network versus the year that they Changed. This includes those who've died after joining the network." Which, she was grateful to learn, was only a handful so far. She circled the pointer over the very small block on the year 1988. "This block has only you in it, Reynaldo." The fox's ears flicked back and his muzzle tightened in a vulpine grin.

			"But what is immediately obvious from these numbers is that every August the Changed population increases exponentially."

			Sandrick shook his head. "I'm a Congressman, CM. I can't even balance a budget let alone do advanced math. What do you mean 'exponential'?"

			CM rolled the pointer around in her heavy paw as she tried to think of a way to explain that would make sense. "Every August, the total population of Changed is multiplied by a fixed amount. We're growing and we're going to grow faster every year. This we could see just from the numbers of Changed we know about. There are more in the Network who Changed last year than in the previous ten. What we had to do was determine what that fixed multiplier was."

			The badger grimaced but began to nod. "I think I understand what you're saying. So do you have a number?"

			CM nodded. "Next." The slide changed by adding some captions to the graph. "With a little over 86 percent certainty, the Changed population doubles every August 17th. Which means, that there should be ten times as many Changed worldwide than what we currently have in the network. And also, it means that after August 2007, there will be a million Changed worldwide. In 2017, a billion Changed. And after 2020, everyone will be Changed."

			For several seconds, no one said anything while those staggering numbers sank in.


	{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}		{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}

MatthiasRat: Yay, another scene! We've made it to the last day in this story.

2008-12-17T17:52:48Z

Yay, another scene! We've made it to the last day in this story.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:52, 17 December 2008
Line 567:		Line 567:

	</div>		</div>

			{{Separator\|k}}

			By the time Walter the longhorn bull came to gather them, all three were dressed and ready. They carried their luggage down to the hotel lobby a full five minutes before Walter descended the stairs. The bull dressed as was his custom in a black suit that blended with his splotchy hide at the neck, with a patterned red tie and ironic bovine tie tac. He noted their attire and nodded gratefull before checking them out of the hotel.

			Both Rob and Carter were dressed in black suits as well which blended with their fur. Apart from Carter's white shirt and golden eyes, the wolf nearly blended into his outfit. Even his tail wagging between his coattails struck the bear as unremarkable. Rob's monochromatic tail was more noticeable, the base pushing aside his coattails as it curled upwards in a characteristic question mark. But despite the incongruity of animals in business attire, they each managed a look of dignity that surpassed most of the other hotel patrons they saw walking in and out the entrance.

			CM, due to her physique, wore a plus-size woman's business jacket and blouse with matching navy blue slacks. Both blouse and jacket were modest and sufficiently androgynous that she garnered no unusual looks from the other hotel guests, but she still felt conspicuously feminine. Before last night she hadn't thought much on her business attire, but now she knew that all the other Changed would even more consciously think of her as female. There was nothing to be done for the moment but to accept it and all that went with it.

			Besides, in a month she hoped she'd be male again and could put this chapter behind her.

			Walter Lundh nodded to each of them as they gathered by the lobby doors. "Do you each have everything?" At their positive reply, his bovine snout parted in the faintest of smiles. "Good. Follow me and we can be on our way."

			He led them into th eparking lot and right back to the minivan. They stowed their luggage in the back and climbed inside. Though it was still early in the morning, already the air was too humid for CM's taste. Even Carter began panting as the van got underway. Walter cranked the AC and pulled back onto the highway. "It won't take us long to get into DC, so I'm going to briefly go over our schedule. Congressman Sandrick has arranged a breakfast for us in his office. After we've had a quick bite to eat, you will begin your presentations. CM, you will go first since your presentation has the punchline. Mr. Ryan, you'll go next so you can better explain the methodology, and Mr. Hallman you'll be last to describe the resources used. Once all are done we are at the Congressman's pleasure to further explain anything he wants to know. We'll thne have lunch and after I'll drive you back to Dulles to catch your return flights. Are there any questions?"

			"No," Rob replied. "It's better to get in and out."

			"How bad will traffic be?" Carter asked. The wolf glanced at the cars flanking them on either side of the highway. While not nearly as many as there would be on a weekday, traffic was far heavier than anything they were familiar with seeing.

			"This should be the worst we see," Walter replied with a bovine grunt. "In about ten minutes you'll see the Pentagon, and in another ten we'll be at the Rayburn building. If you have any last minute preparations to make, now is the time."

			CM reached into her satchel and pulled out the hard copies of her slides. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rob and Carter do the same. With a growling chuckle, she began rehearsing her lines.

	{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}		{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}

MatthiasRat: Finished the first day finally. Now onto meeting with Sandrick

2008-12-02T17:52:24Z

Finished the first day finally. Now onto meeting with Sandrick

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:52, 2 December 2008
Line 511:		Line 511:
	The bear turned at her real name and he could see a surprised look in her eyes. She sat down in the chair and rested her paws on her knees. The chair was wide enough and strong enough that it didn't creak from her weight. She self-consciously lowered her snout and almost hid the exposed curves of her breasts. "What is?"		The bear turned at her real name and he could see a surprised look in her eyes. She sat down in the chair and rested her paws on her knees. The chair was wide enough and strong enough that it didn't creak from her weight. She self-consciously lowered her snout and almost hid the exposed curves of her breasts. "What is?"

	The skunk knew mincing words with the she-bear was a pointless exercise. CM was very good at parsing language to suit her arguments. "You and Jan. The first time I saw you together you nearly tore his head off for making a sexist advance at you. Now you either ignore his constant flirting or you get all girly. It's really starting to scare me, Chris. You didn't ~~evne~~ mention you were worried about Leslie's schedule when he asked you to come back in a few weeks!"		The skunk knew mincing words with the she-bear was a pointless exercise. CM was very good at parsing language to suit her arguments. "You and Jan. The first time I saw you together you nearly tore his head off for making a sexist advance at you. Now you either ignore his constant flirting or you get all girly. It's really starting to scare me, Chris. You didn't even mention you were worried about Leslie's schedule when he asked you to come back in a few weeks!"

	CM bristled and her jowls drew back. She heaved, her breath still reeking of onions and fish. "I am not flirting with Jan!"		CM bristled and her jowls drew back. She heaved, her breath still reeking of onions and fish. "I am not flirting with Jan!"
Line 545:		Line 545:
	Rob did his best to smile as he stood. "Good. I trust you. Now stick with it."		Rob did his best to smile as he stood. "Good. I trust you. Now stick with it."

	CM appeared to seeth for a few moments. AS the skunk rose to leave, she composed herself and stood. "I'd like to be alone now. Thank you for telling me what ~~yout hink~~, Rob. Get a good night sleep and I'll see you tomorrow morning."		CM appeared to seeth for a few moments. AS the skunk rose to leave, she composed herself and stood. "I'd like to be alone now. Thank you for telling me what you think, Rob. Get a good night sleep and I'll see you tomorrow morning."

	The skunk nodded and left the bear alone. He'd said what he had to. HE swung his tail free and quietly shut the door behind him.		The skunk nodded and left the bear alone. He'd said what he had to. He swung his tail free and quietly shut the door behind him.

			{{Separator\|k}}

			<div style="font-family: Technical, Comic Sans MS, cursive; font-size:12pt; font-weight:normal; width:480px; padding:10px;">
			July 19, 2003

			<p style="text-indent: 2em; line-height:1.2;">I'm tired of being female. I've been female for almost three years now. Leslie doesn't know because I don't know what it would do to our marriage. Only the other Changed know and that is what makes things hard. They see me and treat me like a woman, and half the time I act like a woman and don't think anything of it! How can I lead a double life like this? How can I keep doing it? It just hurts too much!

			<p style="text-indent: 2em; line-height:1.2;">Rob came by this evening and accussed me of flirting with Jan. He said it looked like I was falling in love with him! I'm not! Jan is... Jan! While I confess he's not as irritating as I thought at first, and the manner in which he displays his masculinities is far more appealing to me as a woman than I would have ever expected, there is someone else I'd rather be with. Oh Leslie, if only I could be with you, all of this would go away! If only I could be male again! If only you were Changed and could understand!

			<p style="text-indent: 2em; line-height:1.2;">I don't think Jan does more than tease me for the sake of teasing me. When I first met him I think he was still being a pig. But since then, he seems more intent on getting me into bikes than he does into my pants. I think he understands my struggles and while perhaps he isn't helping as much as he could, he isn't making things harder.

			<p style="text-indent: 2em; line-height:1.2;">But am I? That's what Rob seems to think. I wanted to smack his snout with the back of my paw for hearing him suggest such things. But is he right? It's taken me a full hour of Discovery Channel just to calm down enough to write in this journal. And I still don't know for sure how I feel. I was alone for six years with this Change. Now that I can finally be with others, am I trying for things I shouldn't have? If not for Leslie, would I have given in and dated Jan? The thought sends shivers through my fur!

			<p style="text-indent: 2em; line-height:1.2;">I hope and pray that in a few weeks I'll be male again and all of this can be straightened out. Tomorrow we go before Congressman Sandrick and tell him out projections for the Changed population. If we're right, things are going to get very interesting in a few years. Somehow, I'm far more confidant about how the world will accept the Changes than how I will deal with my own. What if I stay a female bear? At some point I will stop Changing. What will I do then? I just don't know. For now I will sleep on it and hope for the best.

			<p style="text-indent: 2em; line-height:1.2;">Lord, give me the wisdom I need to do Your will and to follow in Your ways. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritu Sancti. Amen.

			</div>

	{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}		{{Separator\|k\|Work in Progress}}