[video][backdated to yesterday, pre-event] que sera sera

[maddest]

I was wondering if people would like to do a literary swap? I've scavenged a book or two, and read them cover to cover.

I thought we might barter.

Comments

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

It might be the one business Adstringendum is lacking.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think that's for the best.

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

You just don't have an entrepreneurial mindset.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

I don't think that a so-called 'business' dealing with the rental of a human body and the sale of a person's dignity is much of a business at all.

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Body rental? That's possession. I'm not talking about selling dignity, I'm talking about prostitution. It's a perfectly respectable line of work, and an economic reality in most worlds.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

Prostitution is accepting payment so that someone may do whatever he - or in some cases, she - wishes to do to your body for an allotted time, insofar as sexual matters are concerned. It's rental. And I happen to believe it's disgusting. That sort of activity should be kept between people who care for one another, not used as part of a business transaction.

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

That's presumptuous of you. If both parties are consenting adults, then why do you feel it's your role to impose your own morality on a victimless crime?

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

It's not my role to impose my morality: it's my right to share my opinion. In some places, that sort of thing is perfectly legal, and that's fine; my distaste for it means nothing there. But I've heard far too many horror stories in which people have been manipulated and abused in the name of "commerce," and I would rather not have that in Adstringendum. We have enough things to worry about.

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

It's a moot point, without currency.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

So then let two individuals who want to do that sort of thing do it, and don't try industrializing it.

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I really was only teasing, young lady.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

... there are enough people who share similar sentiments to make me reply earnestly. Don't think that I was riled up or any such thing.

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

It's a good thing we have you to defend the imaginary prostitutes.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

[She huffs a bit, blushing slightly.]

Did you want the books or not, then?

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I still haven't found you one to trade- oh. I think I might have one, actually.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

It doesn't need to be a trade. I'd appreciate whatever you have, though... what are you thinking of?

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

It's probably antique to you, but I found a house not long ago with emancipation literature and pamphlets.

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

... emancipation? From America's Civil War? Either way, that does sound interesting....

[Video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I think that's what it means. I'm just parroting the language- I'm afraid we don't have much like that in my world.

But the coordinates were here, approximately-

[x,y]

[Video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

Oh... thank you, then. Did you settle on what sort of book you wanted in return?

[video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Let me get back to you?

[video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

All right, that's fine. Er... my name's Hermione, by the way, so you can get in touch with me later.

[video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Break. Xerxes Break.

It's been a pleasure, Hermione.

[video]

[bookish-lioness.livejournal.com]

Mm. Yes, Mr. Break, thank you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[video]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[Unfortunately, a few short hours after this post, he vanishes from Adstringendum. The trade will be postponed indefinitely, since he'll be unable to remember it when he returns.]