no_relation (no_relation) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2012-12-04 01:27:00

Entry tags:

Age Assessment
(Takes place the day after Jack's trial, before EotW stuff)

Jack still wasn't sure exactly what 'personhood' was going to entail. Most of his googling of it just lead to discussions about legal matters he really didn't want to get mixed up in. Apparently more talking with Dr Samson was supposed to figure out just how old he was going to count as, and there'd been some contact from Dr Henry Pym about some other kind of treatment plan he was still getting the full details on. He walks into the office for his latest appointment, and sits down on the couch.

"So... I'm a person."

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no_relation
2012-12-04 04:43 am UTC (link)

"Let's not jump to conclusions Doc. Have you looked outside lately? I've got a magician and an armadillo in my crew. A cricket or a fairy wouldn't be that hard to believe." Jack manages a smile.

"I guess... I dunno, just keep trying different stuff. Try to stop and ask what someone else would do before I just... do stuff. Like the thing with Martin's hat." Another wince. "I.. I think maybe if something like that happened again, I could figure out what he was freaking out over something so small, before I ended up making it worse."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:48 am UTC (link)
	"Interesting way of putting it." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

no_relation
2012-12-04 04:53 am UTC (link)

"It's like... okay, you know that thing in a story or tv or whatever where someone starts with 'But if they're thinking that I'm thinking---', that kind of bit. Ever since the trial, I just keep wondering who I have to be like, or not be like, and if there's anything in me besides the programming and... uh... being afraid of Kelly. There was some other stuff they talked about but I think that was what proved I'm a person.

So... like, with Martin. Can I just... I dunno, copy his or someone else's personality? And if I decide to do something different than the programming, does that mean I'm doing it just to not do what the programming tells me, or does it mean I'm doing it because I really want to?"

He lets out a heavy sigh. "Being a person is tough."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 05:00 am UTC (link)
	"It can indeed be a vexation, however common. I shouldn't think Martin would appreciate your imitating him." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 05:07 am UTC (link)
	"Well I can't imitate Martin. He won't teach me magic. It'd be like trying to imitate Kelly without guns." He furrows his brow. "I think not liking guns is still okay for being 'me'-me, as opposed to just progammed-me." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 05:09 am UTC (link)
	"Your opinion of guns doesn't hurt anybody, physically or emotionally, does it?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 05:12 am UTC (link)
	Jack raises an eyebrow. "Nnno? Not unless... I dunno, some kind of emergency. I don't think I'd ever have to shoot someone, but I don't know for sure." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 05:15 am UTC (link)
	"Then it's not very high on the priority list of things to worry about, is it?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 03:52 pm UTC (link)
	"I guess... I really do have more important stuff to worry about, like getting a car." He nods to himself. "I've gotta at least count as sixteen or seventeen, right Doc?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 03:54 pm UTC (link)
	"If that's the top of your priority list when the topic of behaviors that can physically emotionally hurt people is raised, I certainly hope not," Leonard says blandly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 03:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Well... sixteen's an important age, isn't it? Nobody under that gets taken seriously." He leans back a little. "Don't they?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:04 pm UTC (link)
	"And whether you get taken seriously is more important than accuracy? What if you really just aren't old enough for those responsibilities. What if somebody got hurt?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:06 pm UTC (link)
	"Right, but... no, wait..." He scratches his head. "No, I definitely don't want anyone to get hurt, bu--- No, there's not supposed to be a 'but' there..." He grumbles and takes another drink of water. "What do you think at this point?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:10 pm UTC (link)
	"That's for the report afterwards, but do you really think you have an intellectual and emotional edge over, say, Martin?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:11 pm UTC (link)
	Jack mumbles something, then speaks up. "Martin freaks out pretty easy, but he knows lots of stuff I don't." Which is as much as saying that he's not sure. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:16 pm UTC (link)
	"It's okay to not know things," Leonard says, addressing Jack's uncertainty more than his lack of magical information. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:17 pm UTC (link)
	Jack pulls his knees up to his chin, wrapping his arms around his legs. "I just don't want to mess up at being a person." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:21 pm UTC (link)
	"Is that what's worrying you?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

no_relation
2012-12-04 04:24 pm UTC (link)

"Kinda... I mean, that judge and other people in the trial talked about stuff like precedents and other, um, 'Artificial Americans' and whatever. They decided the thing that I am is a person, but what if I screw up, and someone else like me gets made and can't count as a person because of what I did?

I need to decide in advance exactly what kind of person I'm gonna be.... don't I?"

Because everyone knows at middle or high school age exactly what they're going to be when they grow up, obviously.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:26 pm UTC (link)
	"First, Jack, you are not the sole precedent on which "Artificial Americans" are judged. There are plenty already. Second, everyone who is a person screws it up at some point. Third, the answer to that last question is very much no." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:28 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh." Jack takes a minute to chew that over in his head, even though that little nagging part says he should have had a wittier response than 'Oh'. "When did you know you were going to be a doctor... or a superhero... or a doctor for superheroes?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:29 pm UTC (link)
	"Why does it matter?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:34 pm UTC (link)
	"Well... before, I knew stuff. I was sure I knew it. Now I find out that was programmed, and..." He tries to find the words. "I know what I want to do, but I'm not sure it's what I should do. Or how I'm supposed to do it. I want to be a superhero, I want to stay on the Thunderbolts, I want a dog, I want to earn Martin's forgiveness, I want... to matter." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:37 pm UTC (link)
	"And if you don't?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:41 pm UTC (link)
	"I.... I haven't thought about it." He shrugs. "Maybe try to become a police officer or an actor?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:46 pm UTC (link)
	"Those are thoughts. Of course, in America, most police officers carry guns. You don't like guns. You're hardly alone in wanting to matter or being confused as to what to do with your life, if that helps any." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:47 pm UTC (link)
	Jack nods, then just lays down quietly to think. "I just don't want to let anyone on the team down. They stuck up for me. They're important to me." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:53 pm UTC (link)
	"Important enough to listen to?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:53 pm UTC (link)
	He nods. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Actually listen? Even when they give direction in am emergency that you think are stupid and unheroic? Even when what they're telling you what they need is a little space?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:57 pm UTC (link)
	A pause this time, but another nod. "Even then." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 04:58 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, we'll see. I think that's all the time we have for today." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	no_relation 2012-12-04 04:59 pm UTC (link)
	Jack sits up, a little startled. "Oh.... okay." He finishes his glass of water and puts it aside. "So... am I still crazy?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2012-12-04 05:04 pm UTC (link)
	"That's a bit too vague a diagnosis. Let's specify that you have a great deal of work to do." (Reply to this)(Parent)

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