The workaholic snob

Harold turned his head to look at the other man. He had stopped crying a long while ago but his eyes were still glassy. They always were, just a little, but now it was hard not to notice.

He moved closer, nuzzling against Schwartz’s shoulder with affection he had felt reluctant to show before. Now he just couldn’t care. His hand curled around the other’s.

“I don’t know what I can say. I’ve been living like a ghost ever since it happened. It’s hard to put words together and make them—worth saying.”

It had always hurt Schwartz to see Harold injured either physically, mentally or emotionally. It only seemed to hurt more now though, now that he knew everything.

He had always longed for Harold before, perhaps he had before he became ‘Schwartz the AI’. Was Schwartz even his real name? Or was it one he’d been reassigned? Schwartz wished that Harold had been more open, more affectionate like this towards him. He would have stepped in sooner, saved Harold from this cycle.

Both of them.

Schwartz simply listened, resting his head against Harolds’.

“That’s what makes it worth saying, isn’t it? Even if you can’t, make the words right, it’s the message that counts.”

#obsolete parable #employee-210

Harold sat beside the co admin, not as lethargic as times previous, but still in fragile condition. Hesitantly, his hand rested over Schwartz's, fingers horribly cold.

Schwartz looks over at Harold. Despite everything...no, because of everything, from the very beginnings he could no longer truly remember, Schwartz cared.

He cared for Harold. He cared for Anderson. They had dragged each other down into this hell, each playing his own damned role.

They were stuck here forever now. The only choice, perhaps the most important choice they could make, was whether they could forgive, to start to move on and heal. Or to be stuck in this kafka’s trap of never ending regret, guilt and torment.

“Harold. Talk to me.”

Schwartz wearily made his way over to Anderson. Gone was his usual flirty demeanor, his carefree and laid back attitude. He was tired, emotionally and physically. But his Narrator needed him, even if his Narrator was the responsible for his death. Schwartz simply sat down, wordlessly and wrapped an arm around Anderson. He'd been a kid, a young man with no one and no where to go. There would be time to sort all of that out, but for now, Anderson needed him.

Anderson didn’t look up at Schwartz, eyes all closed. His hand snaked up to comfortingly hold the other’s arm.

“How are you dealing with the news? Does it still hurt?”

“Of course it does.” Schwartz answers harsher than he intends. His voice is soft, wavering, cracking as he attempts to figure out what it is that he feels. Regret. For which life? The one he’d had with Anderson for so long or the one he should have had out there? Anger. At Anderson, at the people who put them both in this position. Remorse. Pity. For whom? Anderson? Himself? Even Harold …to an extent? “How long have we spent in ignorant bliss? How much time have we spent in this limbo, Anderson? I barely know who I am anymore. Your back up AI? An innocent Stanley? Your first victim?”

“A long time. I don’t think I could properly measure–this system has been running so long…”

The Narrator turns to him, holding the back of Schwartz’s head and pulling him into a hug, a hug Schwartz had the choice to pull away from.

“I suppose all three. You’re unique like that. I guess my mind held onto you and put you in a different position. It’s confusing, isn’t it? Whatever’s inside your head? Words can’t really do it justice, huh?”

Does he pull away, does he accept? Schwartz doesn't know. All he knows is that he wants to go back to the bliss that they had before. A peace of simply being themselves and this office- his walls- were all they needed to know. A muted past where the pain was out of his reach. "I'm not sure I could ever find an answer, even with all of eternity. Anderson, I want to go back to before. I don't want this. I didn't want any of this. Can't you...can't you do something?"

#obsoleteparable

Schwartz: this is my family. It’s small and broken but still good.

-looks at Anderson and Harold-

Schwartz: Ok, questionable, but it’s still my family and I’m trying to put it back together.

andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “curiouscompanions …”

“I was a Stanley. But yeah, I think Harold could use company.”

“Does one ever truly stop being a Stanley once their purpose in the Parable is over?” Schwartz muses, the ghost of his former self makes an appearance.

“I still play a role here. And you, you play an important role, even if it’s more indirect than mine.”

neverendingparable

“I stopped being a Stanley. I go by Stellan and I don’t associate myself with the Parable.” It was a sore subject for him, one he was tired of addressing.

“I just want to see Harold, Mr….Schwartz, was it? I dont think I’m making any great impact here. I don’t want him to wither away alone, thats all.”

"I suppose that's right. Cut your hair, change your name. 'Go get that glory and fame'." Schwartz recites and old forgotten song from some when. "I guess even I did the same, not by choice, though." Schwartz moves back out of his navel gazing. It's hard not to do given the circumstances. "Yeah, Schwartz. No need to keep calling me 'Stanley'. Not even my real name, apparently." He shakes his head, remorseful. "I'm sorry, it's just been a lot to take in. Harold'll need you. He needs someone to look after him. Even after all he's done, or hasn't done, I don't want to see him like this." Schwartz sighs, patting Stellan on the shoulder. "Take care of him for me."

#andstanleypushedabutton

andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “curiouscompanions …”

“I was a Stanley. But yeah, I think Harold could use company.”

“Does one ever truly stop being a Stanley once their purpose in the Parable is over?” Schwartz muses, the ghost of his former self makes an appearance.

“I still play a role here. And you, you play an important role, even if it’s more indirect than mine.”

neverendingparable

“I stopped being a Stanley. I go by Stellan and I don’t associate myself with the Parable.” It was a sore subject for him, one he was tired of addressing.

“I just want to see Harold, Mr….Schwartz, was it? I dont think I’m making any great impact here. I don’t want him to wither away alone, thats all.”

#he means he plays a role for Harold

"I suppose that's right. Cut your hair, change your name. 'Go get that glory and fame'." Schwartz recites and old forgotten song from some when. "I guess even I did the same, not by choice, though." Schwartz moves back out of his navel gazing. It's hard not to do given the circumstances. "Yeah, Schwartz. No need to keep calling me 'Stanley'. Not even my real name, apparently." He shakes his head, remorseful. "I'm sorry, it's just been a lot to take in. Harold'll need you. He needs someone to look after him. Even after all he's done, or hasn't done, I don't want to see him like this." Schwartz sighs, patting Stellan on the shoulder. "Take care of him for me."

#andstanleypushedabutton

andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “curiouscompanions ...”

"I was a Stanley. But yeah, I think Harold could use company."

“Does one ever truly stop being a Stanley once their purpose in the Parable is over?” Schwartz muses, the ghost of his former self makes an appearance.

“I still play a role here. And you, you play an important role, even if it’s more indirect than mine.”

employee-210 replied to your post “Schwartz steps out from his private quarters. “We don’t need all this...”

anderson: its okay. they're not worth it

Schwartz tried to smile, for him.

For whom? Himself? Anderson?

“God, I’m not even sure how to look you in the face anymore Anderson. We were...we were so different. I was so...flirty, you were so stoic. The two of us couldn’t have been more different, but it worked.”

“How long did you know who I was?’

“Did our relationship, our...friendship, was it out of guilt? Or was it because you really cared?”

#employee-210

andstanleypushedabutton replied to your post “curiouscompanions replied to your post “Schwartz steps out from his...”

Harold's Stellan: Can I stay with Harold? If he wants me to, of course.

Schwartz looks him over.

“You’re a ‘Stanley’ aren’t you? Another...Stanley. Maybe once upon a time I would have said something, done something.” The former Stanley simply nods before turning back.

“Yeah, sure. I think Harold needs someone. I wish it could be me but I can’t even really be here for myself right now.”

curiouscompanions replied to your post “Schwartz steps out from his private quarters. “We don’t need all this...”

Nl: Who is this one kiddo and why was he hiding all the time instead of trying to stop our merciless trolling since he disliked it very much?

“My name is Schwartz, the back up AI for my Narrator Anderson and his...former and original ‘Stanley.’

I’d really rather not say about the recent...circumstances in our Office, your own incidents with my Narrator not withstanding. I just want everyone to get out of here for now, ok?” Schwartz explains with an exhausted voice.

“It’s been a lot of activity lately, my world’s been turned upside down and I don’t know what to think. I just need some quiet time in my own walls. Peace and quiet. I think Anderson and Harold could use some as well.”

#curiouscompanions

Schwartz wearily made his way over to Anderson. Gone was his usual flirty demeanor, his carefree and laid back attitude. He was tired, emotionally and physically. But his Narrator needed him, even if his Narrator was the responsible for his death. Schwartz simply sat down, wordlessly and wrapped an arm around Anderson. He'd been a kid, a young man with no one and no where to go. There would be time to sort all of that out, but for now, Anderson needed him.

Anderson didn’t look up at Schwartz, eyes all closed. His hand snaked up to comfortingly hold the other’s arm.

“How are you dealing with the news? Does it still hurt?”

"Of course it does." Schwartz answers harsher than he intends. His voice is soft, wavering, cracking as he attempts to figure out what it is that he feels. Regret. For which life? The one he'd had with Anderson for so long or the one he should have had out there? Anger. At Anderson, at the people who put them both in this position. Remorse. Pity. For whom? Anderson? Himself? Even Harold ...to an extent? "How long have we spent in ignorant bliss? How much time have we spent in this limbo, Anderson? I barely know who I am anymore. Your back up AI? An innocent Stanley? Your first victim?"

Schwartz wearily made his way over to Anderson. Gone was his usual flirty demeanor, his carefree and laid back attitude. He was tired, emotionally and physically. But his Narrator needed him, even if his Narrator was the responsible for his death. Schwartz simply sat down, wordlessly and wrapped an arm around Anderson. He'd been a kid, a young man with no one and no where to go. There would be time to sort all of that out, but for now, Anderson needed him.

Anderson didn’t look up at Schwartz, eyes all closed. His hand snaked up to comfortingly hold the other’s arm.

“How are you dealing with the news? Does it still hurt?”

"Of course it does." Schwartz answers harsher than he intends. His voice is soft, wavering, cracking as he attempts to figure out what it is that he feels. Regret. For which life? The one he'd had with Anderson for so long or the one he should have had out there? Anger. At Anderson, at the people who put them both in this position. Remorse. Pity. For whom? Anderson? Himself? Even Harold ...to an extent? "How long have we spent in ignorant bliss? How much time have we spent in this limbo, Anderson? I barely know who I am anymore. Your back up AI? An innocent Stanley? Your first victim?"

Schwarz grins, batting his eyes at Harold. He'll for something easy, he thinks. "Say, Harold, why do you like me so much? Or perhaps you can tell me, why am I always drawn to you, when you're not even my protagonist?"

“You don’t remember a damn thing. You don’t even remember sitting in my office as I checked your vitals. The only reason you’re here is because you were strapped for cash and you were lead to believe that a few weeks of testing would get you easy money. I knew this and I still let you think you were going to see your family again. We didn’t even have to decency to call you by your own name. I hated calling you Stanley—like you were just some, some nobody who didn’t deserve to be called by his actual title.

“And He mangled you. Chad woke up day and he found everything flatlined. You were essentially brain dead and he knew deep down that Alvin found a way to do it. You’re a patchwork of code doing a job you weren’t even made for. The back-up AI wasn’t even supposed to be sentient, but Alvin somehow found a way to make that happen too.

“And do you know what the worst part is? I don’t remember your real first name.”

employee431‌:

“A wedding. Whose was it?Mine? A friend? Family? Harold, I want to know more. You’ve got to know more about…about who I used to be, don’t you?” Schwartz pleaded with Harold. He could have gone his entire existence happily not knowing any of this had been missing. Yet here it was, all laid out on the table for him to question and wonder. “…What was I like, back then at least? You’ve got to know that much, right?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything about your family. I’m sorry…”

“You were sweet and loving. You didn’t give anyone any grief. You haven’t changed since then.”

Schwartz feels ...strangely empty. Missing a life that he'd only just rediscovered. Had it not been for this by chance question, this Magic Anon, he'd never know. He could have been happy and clueless forever. He wished he had. "Good to know I'm still the same as before. Not that...not that it did me any good."

Schwarz grins, batting his eyes at Harold. He'll for something easy, he thinks. "Say, Harold, why do you like me so much? Or perhaps you can tell me, why am I always drawn to you, when you're not even my protagonist?"

“You don’t remember a damn thing. You don’t even remember sitting in my office as I checked your vitals. The only reason you’re here is because you were strapped for cash and you were lead to believe that a few weeks of testing would get you easy money. I knew this and I still let you think you were going to see your family again. We didn’t even have to decency to call you by your own name. I hated calling you Stanley—like you were just some, some nobody who didn’t deserve to be called by his actual title.

“And He mangled you. Chad woke up day and he found everything flatlined. You were essentially brain dead and he knew deep down that Alvin found a way to do it. You’re a patchwork of code doing a job you weren’t even made for. The back-up AI wasn’t even supposed to be sentient, but Alvin somehow found a way to make that happen too.

“And do you know what the worst part is? I don’t remember your real first name.”

employee431‌:

“A wedding. Whose was it?Mine? A friend? Family? Harold, I want to know more. You’ve got to know more about…about who I used to be, don’t you?” Schwartz pleaded with Harold. He could have gone his entire existence happily not knowing any of this had been missing. Yet here it was, all laid out on the table for him to question and wonder. “…What was I like, back then at least? You’ve got to know that much, right?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything about your family. I’m sorry…”

“You were sweet and loving. You didn’t give anyone any grief. You haven’t changed since then.”

Schwartz feels ...strangely empty. Missing a life that he'd only just rediscovered. Had it not been for this by chance question, this Magic Anon, he'd never know. He could have been happy and clueless forever. He wished he had. "Good to know I'm still the same as before. Not that...not that it did me any good."

#Schwartz comments #he's very tired of all the fighting

Schwartz steps out from his private quarters.

“We don’t need all this fighting. Just....get it over with...and let things lie where they lie.”

“Schwartz… are you still there?”