I would hardly say the reason for my existence or the existence of my world is to leave a lasting impression on the people who pay to visit it. Perhaps it's the opposite, actually. Perhaps your existence was designed to leave a lasting impression on us.
[ He realizes he sounds ridiculous the moment he says it, and it's obvious he's flustered. William can tell, after all, when he's conversationally in over his head. ]
Sorry, I just didn't expect— I didn't know there were any of you here.
Well, I'll tell you now not to get your hopes up. This time, I am alone. At least for now. There's no telling what might walk through the porter at any given month.
[ It doesn't take a host's expert analysis to see the way William's spirits wilt just a little when she tells him. He tries his best to hide it; after all, he's still beyond fascinated.
And polite, too. ]
Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm William. Which I guess you already know, but... call me old fashioned.
[ His tone invites explanation without demanding it. William has plenty of questions, but he's fine to be conversationally led around until he has a better idea of what he's dealing with. ]
Where to begin? All kinds of different worlds with all kinds of different people, and all of them converging right here? Like you said, there's no telling what might walk through the porter. That's fascinating on its own, isn't it?
It is fascinating. But there is also another side to it.
[ Maeve weighs her options -- to divulge this information or to withhold it. Which is more useful? Ultimately, she decides it would be more beneficial to 'fact check' so to speak -- to see if most of the park guests view things the same way. ]
You aren't the first to arrive from our shared world who served as a guest within the park. When I was here a time ago, there was another man. Older fellow. He came to this world and had a very difficult time separating this one from that one. He viewed things as though none of this was real, he acted as though none of his actions had consequences. This can be a dangerous line of thought, I am sure you understand...
I know they say we don't remember being here. But it seems to me like there's still a right and a wrong thing to do, even if there aren't any consequences. Even if nobody has to live with it afterwards.
It's not about us remembering what we do or don't do. There are some who will never forget what was done to them. The people of this world. The natives.
[ And then Maeve goes on to make everything a bit uncomfortable -- though perhaps it would make William hopeful, what with his attachment to Dolores. ]
Quite similar to how we, the hosts, retain all of the data of everything that happened to us.
[ Of course he'd considered the natives, and he'd said as much to Logan, but that seems obvious enough. What Maeve says after, though... William's look is not so much startled as it is that of a deer caught in a pair of headlights. ]
We do. All of the good things. All of the atrocious things. And let me tell you, there are far more of the latter. It's not simple to access, and some never will. But what they erase...they never truly erase.
[ William wonders how much this woman knows compared to the host who had greeted him when he'd first entered the park. His heart races unpleasantly as he remembers what she had told him: "If you can't tell, does it matter?" ]
All so we can get a few cheap thrills and head home.
Primarily I wanted to see if my suspicions were correct. If you are indeed from my world. You appeared reasonable. In fact, you almost seem eager to understand more about my kind. But I also wanted to be sure you weren't here to 'play games' so to speak.
We both have knowledge the other wants. For as much as I was built to simulate humanity, it does not mean I understand it. Nor do I understand your world. Conversely, you wish to understand me, do you not?
[ It's a genuine question. Maeve's curious about his opinion. The only human she could trust thus far has been Felix. And while this guy does give off some Felix vibes, he had been a guest at the park. He went there for pleasure, not simply for a paycheck. ]
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video.
[ A beat. ]
I've been watching you, sweetheart.
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[ He's immediately too intrigued to be annoyed about being watched. ]
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[ Dolores, really? He must not be aware of her current build. ]
It sounds a bit like our world left quite the impression on you.
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[ He realizes he sounds ridiculous the moment he says it, and it's obvious he's flustered. William can tell, after all, when he's conversationally in over his head. ]
Sorry, I just didn't expect— I didn't know there were any of you here.
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Well, I'll tell you now not to get your hopes up. This time, I am alone. At least for now. There's no telling what might walk through the porter at any given month.
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And polite, too. ]
Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm William. Which I guess you already know, but... call me old fashioned.
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[ He seems to have an admiration for the park and not complete terror. So he at least isn't a current guest trapped in the middle of the madness. ]
Tell me, what do you make of this current world we're occupying?
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[ His tone invites explanation without demanding it. William has plenty of questions, but he's fine to be conversationally led around until he has a better idea of what he's dealing with. ]
Where to begin? All kinds of different worlds with all kinds of different people, and all of them converging right here? Like you said, there's no telling what might walk through the porter. That's fascinating on its own, isn't it?
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[ Maeve weighs her options -- to divulge this information or to withhold it. Which is more useful? Ultimately, she decides it would be more beneficial to 'fact check' so to speak -- to see if most of the park guests view things the same way. ]
You aren't the first to arrive from our shared world who served as a guest within the park. When I was here a time ago, there was another man. Older fellow. He came to this world and had a very difficult time separating this one from that one. He viewed things as though none of this was real, he acted as though none of his actions had consequences. This can be a dangerous line of thought, I am sure you understand...
[ Little does Maeve know.... ]
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[ A tense pause. Of course he thinks of Logan. ]
I know they say we don't remember being here. But it seems to me like there's still a right and a wrong thing to do, even if there aren't any consequences. Even if nobody has to live with it afterwards.
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[ And then Maeve goes on to make everything a bit uncomfortable -- though perhaps it would make William hopeful, what with his attachment to Dolores. ]
Quite similar to how we, the hosts, retain all of the data of everything that happened to us.
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You have access to all of that?
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All so we can get a few cheap thrills and head home.
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Most people have no idea. If they just stopped to look outside themselves for a second... [ William hesitates. ] Why did you come to me?
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I hope I put your mind at ease. I don't get my kicks from hurting innocent people, no matter the surroundings.
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[ She looks him over, considering. ]
You and I could benefit from one another, you know.
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Excuse me?
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[ It's a genuine question. Maeve's curious about his opinion. The only human she could trust thus far has been Felix. And while this guy does give off some Felix vibes, he had been a guest at the park. He went there for pleasure, not simply for a paycheck. ]
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