The Ripperdoc & The Corpo

1. Summary: A ripperdoc sees quite a few things, situations, even people that wouldn’t normally visit the office of a ripperdoc. At least a seasoned one has; You on the other hand are a relatively new ripperdoc and the client you get this time around, is certainly going to be remembered for a while. 

2. Roles:

    Major: 

• The Ripperdoc |R|: The speaker, a new ripperdoc on the scene; However one with a quickly growing reputation for being both discrete and talented.

3. Scene: Inside the ripperdoc’s office

[The sound of typing can be heard, along with the concentrated hums of someone deeply focusing on their work; Though the typing is quickly broken up with the sound of a mechanical sliding door opening and closing.]

|R|: (In a distracted voice) Welcome, I’ll help you in a bit…just give me…one…second….aaaand, done!

[The sound of a wheeled seat moving is heard, followed by the sound of shoes moving about on the stone floor.]

|R|: (There’s a bit of happiness in the tone) So what can I help you with? Installation? Removal? Upgrade? Downgrade? 

[There’s a pause as the ripperdoc takes in the client in their office at the moment.]

|R|: (In a thoughtful and examining tone) Wait….hold on…I think you might be at the wrong ripperdoc, the corporate approved ones are a few blocks up the street.

|R|:(A bit entertained) How do I know? Come on, your stance, your speech, your, frankly, expensive outfit, all point to you being a through and through corpo. There’s nothing you can do to hide that aspect, not that you were doing much in the first place.

|R|: (With a hint of annoyance) Look I don’t care how much you’re offering; There’s no amount you can offer me to provide out of insurance services to you. I don’t need a corporate investigation team sniffing about my office, scaring my clients and asking me questions that are very likely to get me a smart round between my eyes.

|R|: (Angry but curious) Why are you so interested in getting my services anyways? (After a bit of a pause, there’s now a thoughtful tone) You just want meds? Immuno-Blockers?

|R|: (Inquisitively) Your hand, it’s quite shaky isn’t it? You know something choom, I’ve noticed you eyeing up that Sandevistan I’ve got on display over there. Would you say that you think of yourself more as a machine than an actual human? (With amusement) That uncomfortable look on your face tells me everything I need to know. You’re going psycho.

[There’s a pause, then a small laugh comes out]

|R|: Damn, this is the first time I’ve had a corpo patient come in to keep their cyberpsychosis in check. Doesn’t your corporation offer therapy? I heard it helps keep cyberpsychosis in check. (Repeating it back in a thoughtful manner) Too busy with work to bother with therapy huh?

|R|: (Letting out a breath of frustration) Alright, fine, I’m only doing this because you look desperate to keep this out of corpo records. Lay down and we’ll see what we’re working with, yeah?

[A wheeled stool being pulled out is heard along with someone sitting on a leather chair. Followed by the sound of the ripperdoc establishing a link with the listener.]

|R|: (Focusing on their work) Okay, give me one sec to do a full sweep. (A whistle) woah, someone’s sporting a lot of top of the shelf corpo chrome, I also see quite a bit of mil-grade cyberware here. (Softly and to themselves) Too much chrome to be a basic footsoldier, you don’t give off commanding officer vibes either….(To the listener, voice back to normal) You’re counterintelligence, aren’t you? High ranking corporate exec maybe?

|R|: (Focusing again on their work) How do I know? Let’s just say that I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with corpo hit squads, and their ghoulish overlords. Almost all of them run the same chrome, in your case though, you may not sport the same cyberware, however the layout you got running is in line with corporate standards. Oh! Is that a Bodyweight Decentralized Heart? (Another whistle) Dang, this is the first time I’ve seen a corpo with a large enough sense of self-preservation to keep one of these inside of themselves.

[The ripperdoc disconnects from the listener, then there’s a bit of silence.]

|R|: Alright I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. Good news is, I’ve got the meds to keep your condition controlled; (With a somber voice) The bad news is, the longer you go without therapy, relying on only meds, the deeper and larger that cliff you’re heading to is going to get. My recommendation? I recommend you seek therapy, and consider downgrading. I know you need that chrome for your work, so I think a career change is also in order.

[The ripperdoc stands up, letting the wheeled stool roll away from them, as the sound of shoes heading over to a terminal are heard. Followed by some typing afterwards.]

|R|: Alright, considering everything, I’m assuming you also want discretion over this, the cost of the meds….that’s going to run you 20k.

|R|: (Raising their voice slightly) Hey! Don’t yell at me! All my meds are quality! They’re made in house and guarantee the secrecy that you so want! If you don’t like the price, you’re welcome to leave my office and go psycho at work.

[The sound of the ripperdoc, rotating the shelves on a nearby auto-shelf is heard, until it’s brought to a stop, allowing the doc to pick up what sounds like small boxes.]

|R|: (With an elevated and irritated voice) So do you want them or not? Cause if not, I’ve got other clients that are waiting on me to fill out their meds.

[The sound of shoes briskly walking across the stone is heard, broken up by the familiar sound of the mechanical door sliding open and close.]

|R|: Huh, didn’t realize that was out of the price range of your standard corpo goon. Guess I can forget about giving them the meds.

[As soon as that sentence is said, the mechanical door opens and closes once more]

|R|: Oh? Changed your mind eh? (A bit surprised) Oh! You’re paying in cash!? You really don’t want this little transaction of ours to be recorded on corporate records; I can respect that. 

|R|: (Struggling a bit) Anyways….here you go, your meds, keep in mind that these meds of mine last for 48 hours; That way you don’t have to worry about taking it everyday. Should last you some three months, give or take a few weeks.

[The boxes are placed on a nearby table, a bit later the sound of someone picking up the boxes can be heard, followed by the sound of a mechanical sliding door opening and closing.]

|R|: (With a sad tone) Guess I’ll see ya in three months…maybe. Just promise that you’ll think about it, yeah?