TW: *referring to forced sterilization*
CW: *Ageism* *cultural appropriation* *racism* *colonialism* *mention of white supremacy* *mention of drug taking* *mention of murder* *mention of psychophobia*
The rain was falling more and more on Colorado Springs. She took off her soaked shoes on the way home, and Anang followed her lead and put her bag in the hallway. She looked at her phone again for a few seconds, put it on her bag and explored the surroundings while Sam prepared a herbal tea.
Anang: Um, I didn't imagine you living in this kind of house.
Sam placed her guest's cup on the table and raised her eyebrows: "This kind of house"?
Anang looked at her shelves, back to her: It's very conventional. Very American dream. And... (she frowned) Old?
Sam, offended: I beg your pardon?
Anang stopped in front of a record player and started going through her vinyl records: I imagined you living in a downtown apartment with modern gadgets everywhere, something elegant, not… (she pointed to the sideboard without turning around) With grandmother's porcelain. (With a Janis Joplin vinyl in her hands and a big smile on her face, she turned to her and winced at being rude) Sorry. (she tried to make up for it by spinning the vinyl in her hands) There's some good in the old. May I?
Sam, uncomfortable: Yeah. (she put her thumb over her shoulder) I'm going to go take a shower, I hate sand. I'll be quick.
Anang set up the vinyl and the music echoed through the living room. She browsed the books on the shelf above the fireplace. Mainly astronomy and physics books, from Hélène Courtois to Caroline Herschel or Margaret Burbidge. Lots of Stephen Hawking, but also some psychology and medicine, US history and a little botany. Anang continued his exploration, letting his gaze rest on anything and everything, especially on the framed photos and the newspapers and magazines on the dresser: Academy Spirit, Colorado Springs Gazette, The Guardian and The Nation. She smiled as she discovered the last two.
She walked over to the kitchen bar and picked up the receiver. She heard a dial tone and hung up. She then sat down in one of the armchairs in the living room, leafed through one of the magazines and drank her tea. Dressed in light blue pajama pants, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a towel around her neck, Sam returned a few minutes later, smiled shyly at her guest, sat down on the couch and continued drying her hair.
Anang moved the magazine slightly in her hands: The Guardian?
Sam: Um. Dr. Jackson gave me the subscription the first year for my birthday. I continued after that.
Anang nodded and grimaced: Sorry for my comment on your home. I shouldn't have said that.
Sam smiled politely: Forget it.
Anang: Can I borrow your shower?
Sam froze, surprised that she hadn't offered on the way back: Uh. Yes, of course. Sorry. (Anang got up) Second door down the hall, clean towels in the closet.
Anang went to get her bag and went: Thank you.
CW: *Ageism* *cultural appropriation* *racism* *colonialism* *mention of white supremacy* *mention of drug taking* *mention of murder* *mention of psychophobia*
The rain was falling more and more on Colorado Springs. She took off her soaked shoes on the way home, and Anang followed her lead and put her bag in the hallway. She looked at her phone again for a few seconds, put it on her bag and explored the surroundings while Sam prepared a herbal tea.
Anang: Um, I didn't imagine you living in this kind of house.
Sam placed her guest's cup on the table and raised her eyebrows: "This kind of house"?
Anang looked at her shelves, back to her: It's very conventional. Very American dream. And... (she frowned) Old?
Sam, offended: I beg your pardon?
Anang stopped in front of a record player and started going through her vinyl records: I imagined you living in a downtown apartment with modern gadgets everywhere, something elegant, not… (she pointed to the sideboard without turning around) With grandmother's porcelain. (With a Janis Joplin vinyl in her hands and a big smile on her face, she turned to her and winced at being rude) Sorry. (she tried to make up for it by spinning the vinyl in her hands) There's some good in the old. May I?
Sam, uncomfortable: Yeah. (she put her thumb over her shoulder) I'm going to go take a shower, I hate sand. I'll be quick.
Anang set up the vinyl and the music echoed through the living room. She browsed the books on the shelf above the fireplace. Mainly astronomy and physics books, from Hélène Courtois to Caroline Herschel or Margaret Burbidge. Lots of Stephen Hawking, but also some psychology and medicine, US history and a little botany. Anang continued his exploration, letting his gaze rest on anything and everything, especially on the framed photos and the newspapers and magazines on the dresser: Academy Spirit, Colorado Springs Gazette, The Guardian and The Nation. She smiled as she discovered the last two.
She walked over to the kitchen bar and picked up the receiver. She heard a dial tone and hung up. She then sat down in one of the armchairs in the living room, leafed through one of the magazines and drank her tea. Dressed in light blue pajama pants, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a towel around her neck, Sam returned a few minutes later, smiled shyly at her guest, sat down on the couch and continued drying her hair.
Anang moved the magazine slightly in her hands: The Guardian?
Sam: Um. Dr. Jackson gave me the subscription the first year for my birthday. I continued after that.
Anang nodded and grimaced: Sorry for my comment on your home. I shouldn't have said that.
Sam smiled politely: Forget it.
Anang: Can I borrow your shower?
Sam froze, surprised that she hadn't offered on the way back: Uh. Yes, of course. Sorry. (Anang got up) Second door down the hall, clean towels in the closet.
Anang went to get her bag and went: Thank you.
*
Anang reappeared, wearing a plain gray extra large T-shirt and black leggings, her hair down to her buttocks.
Sam froze at the length: Wow! You have an impressive length.
Anang gave a slight chuckle, which she tried to turn into a polite smile, and sat back in the chair. Sam frowned but felt it best not to ask her about it.
Anang started braiding her hair: Buddhist?
Sam, puzzled: What? No?
Anang: The Buddha figure in your bathroom.
Sam: Oh. My father brought it back for me from Vietnam. (She noticed her guest's disbelief) What?
Anang: Huuu. If Xander ever comes here, hide it. (Sam questioned her with her eyes, Anang blew out her nose and spoke to herself) Or put the baby Jesus next to it. (Sam raised her eyebrows in incomprehension, Anang shook her head and recovered) So?
Sam: So?
Anang: Are you inviting him?
Sam: Still not.
Anang: Would you rather I guess who it is?
Sam made an uncertain gesture with her hand to quickly change the subject: And you? Any interesting people at the base?
Anang winced in disgust: Soldiers? (Sam's face sagged and Anang quickly caught herself) Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to-
Sam, embarrassed: No, it's okay...
The music hid the long silence a little.
Anang: It must be someone important for you to take such precautions.
Sam, cautious: "Precautions"?
Anang nodded toward her bag: My phone has no signal in your car or here. Elsewhere, no worries. (Sam remained silent and Anang nodded toward her landline phone) Your landline works.
Sam swallowed, finding no suitable lie and Anang smiled.
Silence.
Anang closed her braid and picked up her cup: Found it. (she tilted her head) Easy. (Sam tensed) I have to say his name three times in front of a mirror to summon him?
Sam gritted her teeth at this unhealthy comparison and a flash of RepliCarter in her mirror came to mind: I don't-
Anang: Gener-
Sam, in an extremely cold tone: Let's just leave it at that, please.
Anang took a sip and Sam tried to think of a solution quickly.
Anang: Oh ya. Jealous. Not jokes.
Sam: Hmm?
Anang: In the parking lot earlier? (she blows her nose) I thought you were going to kill me. (Sam looked away for a split second, tried not to lose face and Anang smiled) He's attractive. (she corrected herself) "charming".
Yep, Sam concluded, she was probably going to kill her during the night.
Anang broke down: Uh! The fight! Was it about your dismissal?
Sam firmly: I have no relationship with Gen-
Anang lost her patience: Indoctrination, hello. (Sam stared at her and Anang felt she had gone too far) Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. (she huffed) I really don't like the Army. (she looked at her cup) Damn, you have a complicated life. (she looked at her) What do I have to do to make you trust me?
Sam frowned, bewildered: What?
Anang: I don't know... You don't tell me anything, but at the same time you feel like you need to talk.
Sam: Look... (she put down her cup and stood up) I'm getting tired. (she walked towards the hallway) I'll get your bed ready or I can call you a tax-
Anang: I was forcibly sterilized. (Sam stood still, still with her back to her. Anang tilted her head) Adopted, remember? (she looked away and gritted her teeth) Well, that was the stuff of your white peers in the orphanages about my people. (Sam closed her eyes for a few moments and Anang grunted at her non-reaction) Surely you must have read this stuff in your reading.
Sam opened her eyes, swallowed and finally turned to her: I'm sorry.
Anang could not bear the pained look of the woman in front of her and became nervous: The thing that upsets me the most about this is that I will never know if I want to carry life or not because that choice has been taken away from me. (she looked at her and insisted) That Right. (Sam looked at her without knowing what to say and Anang searched her pockets) Is it ok if I smoke?
Sam, caught off guard: Uh. Yeah. (she quickly looked for the ashtray in a drawer on the coffee table and put it in front of her) Here.
She then went to open the window and her guest frowned.
Anang: I can go outside.
Sam smiled nervously: No no, it's okay.
Anang stared at her for a moment, then moved a hand: People tend to say they don't mind just to be polite, because society feels that the people who asked were polite.
Sam grimaced, a little ashamed: Sorry. That's... It's for my pillows.
Anang laughed, but Sam swallowed and looked away, ashamed to be herself.
Anang picked herself up: Sorry. Sorry. Okay. If you ever change your mind along the way, let me know.
She set up the equipment on the table and began to roll a joint. Sam, still standing in the living room, pondered. After all, Janet and Teal'c had known about her and her superior's feelings for each other for years, so one more person... But their story is now much more concrete, impossible to talk about it with Teal'c without putting him in the position of accomplice and… Janet was no longer an option. Her guest seemed to be aware of the stakes and even took pleasure in disobeying the imposed rules… Perhaps she could confide in her? She grimaced and disappeared into her room for a moment. With a disposable phone in her hand, she reappeared and seemed to be writing a text message. She opened a dresser drawer and took out a box. She turned to Anang and smiled wryly to accept her defeat: a wave jammer she had programmed with the computer equipment he had purchased.
Anang continued her joint: Big brother.
With the device now turned off, she pressed the "send" button on the phone. After a moment, she turned the scrambler back on, put it back in its place, removed the sim card and broke the phone in two. Anang took a lighter out of his pocket and reached for it. Sam gave her the card, put the broken phone on the table and sat back down. She watched her burn the card with the lighter and wondered where she had learned all this as a civilian.
Anang pointed to the phone with a shake of her head: Perfect.
Sam: Hmm. That didn't keep you from guessing.
Before she burned her fingers, Anang dropped the sim card into the ashtray and tried to clear the smoke. Sam smelled the unpleasant odor of burnt plastic, rummaged through the coffee table storage and lit an incense in the ashtray.
Anang: No worries. Really. I won't say anything. It's cool if he's cool with you. (Anang questioned her with her eyes and Sam nodded) Just, your tone of voice drops a notch when you talk to him. (faster) Ha! And you get anxious too quickly. It gives you away.
Sam swallowed and noted in the corner of her head to work on that: Okay.
Anang seriously: And you're looking away from him too much. It's normal that after so many years you have strong feelings for your teammates. (she smiles) Looking is not cheating. (she frowned and added sarcastically) Well, in the Army maybe. (Sam raised her eyebrows in amusement and Anang smiled at her reaction) As for the rest, you lie pretty well.
Not wanting to discuss this conclusion about her - was it about her work or about her two friends' psych sessions? - she took a sip of her herbal tea.
Anang: What are you going to tell him?
Sam grimaced: I have no idea.
Anang closed her joint: Hmm. On your layoff, he was clumsy. (She tilted her head) But he's a guy, don't expect anything less from them. (Sam dodged a smile at the sweet memory of many discussions on this point with Janet and took another sip. Anang pointed to the joint and insisted) Should I go out or should I go to the window? (Sam shook her head to confirm her previous decision, Anang grabbed the lighter and lit it) Nobody knows?
Sam swallowed and shook her head slightly, much more fearful this time. Anang smoked several puffs then handed it to her.
Sam cleared her throat, surprised by the proposal: Eurhm. I have check-ups and Golden Flow regularly. (Anang questioned her with her eyes and Sam tilted her head) Random drug screenings.
Anang: Good thing we know a doctor.
Sam: Article 112A of the UCMJ does not allow-
Anang, confused: "You see" what?
Sam: The uniform code of military justice.
Anang made a mute "Ha.": Are you planning to fly an "Apache" or a "Cheyenne" within two days with your layoff? (Sam smiled wryly and Anang shrugged) I'm not forcing you. I don't care.
Nothing could be more contradictory than such an offer to pique the interest of a scientific brain shared by the military doctrines. She thought for several seconds about this new personal study and weighed the pros and cons by evaluating the risks. Her curiosity finally got the better of her, she grabbed the joint, took a puff, coughed several times and gave it back to her.
Anang smirked and smoked: One to zero for Science.
Sam, a hint of irony in her voice: No official prescriptions via your friend?
She handed her the joint again and Sam took another puff, this time without coughing.
Anang tilted her head: Xander already helps me enough. (She waved her hand in front of her) If I ask him, he would accept. (Sam frowned at this unprofessional revelation) Hmm. The American health care system is elitist. (Sam shook her head nervously. There was a silence, a bit heavy, despite the lively music) I'd better get back.
Sam, surprised: Hmm? No, stay. Everything is fine.
Anang: My company is unwanted.
Sam: Well... I would have said the opposite.
Anang: Huh? What? (Sam winced and Anang laughed) Oh boy. Are you really jealous of me? (she smiled mischievously) You think I'm charming?
Sam's cheeks turned red and she couldn't do anything about it.
Sam did not know where to put herself, disconcerted: Huuu...
Anang stared at her: Are you still looking for your sexuality?
Sam froze: What? (Anang pressed her question with a look and Sam stammered) I-I... I like men. (Anang nodded and smiled politely, Sam tilted her head and added lower) I have nothing against women but... (she murmured, embarrassed) I don't know.
Anang smoked: You have a very binary approach. (Sam questioned her with her eyes and Anang waved her hand) We came back to gender issues. (she insisted) Boy-Girl. (Sam made a silent "ha" and Anang frowned) If you were jealous of me, why did you invite me? (Sam gets extremely nervous and Anang hands her the joint) Oh okay I got it. You feel guilty.
Sam, nervous: Sorry. I-
Anang: It's okay. I'd rather have the guilt than the interest. (Sam questioned her with her eyes. Anang straightened up and exaggerated her proud expression) My sweet and pleasant company? (Sam dodged a smile, Anang regained her seriousness and pointed at her) Nice example of something you do because of what others might think. (Sam froze and Anang sank into the chair) I assure you, guys, especially white guys, are not my thing. (She smiled at her) But you…
Sam smiles nervously, caught off guard again: Oh. Uh. Thank you.
Anang finishes the joint: But I have nothing on having fun together. (Sam widened her eyes, Anang crushed the joint in the ashtray and tilted her head) Under certain conditions.
She picked up her cup and took a sip.
Echos:
*around the lies of Sam with the previous paragraphs: on the parking lot "Sam froze but was brought back to reality when the young woman dropped her bag. She toppled forward and they turned their heads sharply toward her to see what was happening. The soldier swallowed her saliva and acted as if she was surprised by the weight of the bag. They looked at each other in disbelief at her crude lie.“ then in the bar when Anang senses that Sam is lying to her she says ""Maaaaaa, giiwanimo": "lie/I can see that you are lying" / As for the rest, you lie pretty well*
*In the preceding paragraphs, Anang detects the guilt that Sam puts on himself / You feel guilty. / I'd rather have the guilt than the interest*
*In the previous paragraph, there were echoes of "home" / *this kind of house. / "This kind of house"? / Sorry for my comment on your home.*
*Recall the previous paragraph with "charming" / "charming" / You think I'm charming?*
*In the previous paragraph, there were echoes around "guardian" / The Guardian?*
*In the previous paragraphs, there were echoes of "jealousy" / Jealous. / Are you really jealous of me? / If you were jealous of me*
*In the previous paragraphs, there were echoes of "company” / My company is unwanted. / My sweet and pleasant company?*
*I didn't imagine you living in / I imagined you living in*
*Old? / There's some good in the old*
*So? - So*
*such precautions. - "Precautions"?*
*the stuff / this stuff*
*just to be polite / who asked were polite.*
*It's cool if he's cool with you.*
*But he's a guy, / guys, especially white guys / of your white peers*
*Are you inviting him? / why did you invite me?*
Notes:
*Forced sterilization is still legal in several states in the United States, even today. The Aschen are invented as a dystopia, but for some people it is not*
*According to 2018 survey results, veterans use cannabis at much higher rates than the general population, and many report using it for medical purposes. Among military veterans who acknowledged using cannabis in the past year, 41% classified their marijuana use as medical - a percentage twice as high as that reported by adults in the general population.*
*In another study, it says that cannabis use among U.S. military veterans has also increased: In 2014, 9% of U.S. veterans reported using cannabis in the past year. In 2019-2020, the prevalence of cannabis use in the past six months among veterans was 11.9%, and exceeded 20% among veterans aged 18-44.*
*In a 2021 study, veterans reported positive effects of cannabis use on their pain, sleep quality, health and quality of life. Veterans in the study were more likely to use cannabis (compared to non-veterans) for mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and insomnia*
*In 10x13, Sam finds himself in another alternate reality, and Cameron is a paraplegic. She goes to see him and he smokes a cigarette. Remember my first paragraph in chapter 1, I made a note that starting in 1970, the U.S. Department of Health banned cigarette advertising on television. Years later, movies and TV series followed the same path: very often it is the villains of the stories who smoke*
*A little game that will allow you to identify sexism in the scientific world, type "Hélène Courtois" and look at the research suggestions (sources)*
*In Stargate SG-1 5x11 "Deseperate Measures", we can see a small booth of the Colorado Springs Gazette to link the series to reality (click here)*
*Video: Indigenous people and braid (source)*
*Video: Sarain Fox is an Anishinaabe artist, activist and mother. For her, choosing to have a baby was a deliberate political act. (source)*
*Article: the racist history of the sex binary (source)*
*Video: Why is your hair so long? (source)*
Sam froze at the length: Wow! You have an impressive length.
Anang gave a slight chuckle, which she tried to turn into a polite smile, and sat back in the chair. Sam frowned but felt it best not to ask her about it.
Anang started braiding her hair: Buddhist?
Sam, puzzled: What? No?
Anang: The Buddha figure in your bathroom.
Sam: Oh. My father brought it back for me from Vietnam. (She noticed her guest's disbelief) What?
Anang: Huuu. If Xander ever comes here, hide it. (Sam questioned her with her eyes, Anang blew out her nose and spoke to herself) Or put the baby Jesus next to it. (Sam raised her eyebrows in incomprehension, Anang shook her head and recovered) So?
Sam: So?
Anang: Are you inviting him?
Sam: Still not.
Anang: Would you rather I guess who it is?
Sam made an uncertain gesture with her hand to quickly change the subject: And you? Any interesting people at the base?
Anang winced in disgust: Soldiers? (Sam's face sagged and Anang quickly caught herself) Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to-
Sam, embarrassed: No, it's okay...
The music hid the long silence a little.
Anang: It must be someone important for you to take such precautions.
Sam, cautious: "Precautions"?
Anang nodded toward her bag: My phone has no signal in your car or here. Elsewhere, no worries. (Sam remained silent and Anang nodded toward her landline phone) Your landline works.
Sam swallowed, finding no suitable lie and Anang smiled.
Silence.
Anang closed her braid and picked up her cup: Found it. (she tilted her head) Easy. (Sam tensed) I have to say his name three times in front of a mirror to summon him?
Sam gritted her teeth at this unhealthy comparison and a flash of RepliCarter in her mirror came to mind: I don't-
Anang: Gener-
Sam, in an extremely cold tone: Let's just leave it at that, please.
Anang took a sip and Sam tried to think of a solution quickly.
Anang: Oh ya. Jealous. Not jokes.
Sam: Hmm?
Anang: In the parking lot earlier? (she blows her nose) I thought you were going to kill me. (Sam looked away for a split second, tried not to lose face and Anang smiled) He's attractive. (she corrected herself) "charming".
Yep, Sam concluded, she was probably going to kill her during the night.
Anang broke down: Uh! The fight! Was it about your dismissal?
Sam firmly: I have no relationship with Gen-
Anang lost her patience: Indoctrination, hello. (Sam stared at her and Anang felt she had gone too far) Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. (she huffed) I really don't like the Army. (she looked at her cup) Damn, you have a complicated life. (she looked at her) What do I have to do to make you trust me?
Sam frowned, bewildered: What?
Anang: I don't know... You don't tell me anything, but at the same time you feel like you need to talk.
Sam: Look... (she put down her cup and stood up) I'm getting tired. (she walked towards the hallway) I'll get your bed ready or I can call you a tax-
Anang: I was forcibly sterilized. (Sam stood still, still with her back to her. Anang tilted her head) Adopted, remember? (she looked away and gritted her teeth) Well, that was the stuff of your white peers in the orphanages about my people. (Sam closed her eyes for a few moments and Anang grunted at her non-reaction) Surely you must have read this stuff in your reading.
Sam opened her eyes, swallowed and finally turned to her: I'm sorry.
Anang could not bear the pained look of the woman in front of her and became nervous: The thing that upsets me the most about this is that I will never know if I want to carry life or not because that choice has been taken away from me. (she looked at her and insisted) That Right. (Sam looked at her without knowing what to say and Anang searched her pockets) Is it ok if I smoke?
Sam, caught off guard: Uh. Yeah. (she quickly looked for the ashtray in a drawer on the coffee table and put it in front of her) Here.
She then went to open the window and her guest frowned.
Anang: I can go outside.
Sam smiled nervously: No no, it's okay.
Anang stared at her for a moment, then moved a hand: People tend to say they don't mind just to be polite, because society feels that the people who asked were polite.
Sam grimaced, a little ashamed: Sorry. That's... It's for my pillows.
Anang laughed, but Sam swallowed and looked away, ashamed to be herself.
Anang picked herself up: Sorry. Sorry. Okay. If you ever change your mind along the way, let me know.
She set up the equipment on the table and began to roll a joint. Sam, still standing in the living room, pondered. After all, Janet and Teal'c had known about her and her superior's feelings for each other for years, so one more person... But their story is now much more concrete, impossible to talk about it with Teal'c without putting him in the position of accomplice and… Janet was no longer an option. Her guest seemed to be aware of the stakes and even took pleasure in disobeying the imposed rules… Perhaps she could confide in her? She grimaced and disappeared into her room for a moment. With a disposable phone in her hand, she reappeared and seemed to be writing a text message. She opened a dresser drawer and took out a box. She turned to Anang and smiled wryly to accept her defeat: a wave jammer she had programmed with the computer equipment he had purchased.
Anang continued her joint: Big brother.
With the device now turned off, she pressed the "send" button on the phone. After a moment, she turned the scrambler back on, put it back in its place, removed the sim card and broke the phone in two. Anang took a lighter out of his pocket and reached for it. Sam gave her the card, put the broken phone on the table and sat back down. She watched her burn the card with the lighter and wondered where she had learned all this as a civilian.
Anang pointed to the phone with a shake of her head: Perfect.
Sam: Hmm. That didn't keep you from guessing.
Before she burned her fingers, Anang dropped the sim card into the ashtray and tried to clear the smoke. Sam smelled the unpleasant odor of burnt plastic, rummaged through the coffee table storage and lit an incense in the ashtray.
Anang: No worries. Really. I won't say anything. It's cool if he's cool with you. (Anang questioned her with her eyes and Sam nodded) Just, your tone of voice drops a notch when you talk to him. (faster) Ha! And you get anxious too quickly. It gives you away.
Sam swallowed and noted in the corner of her head to work on that: Okay.
Anang seriously: And you're looking away from him too much. It's normal that after so many years you have strong feelings for your teammates. (she smiles) Looking is not cheating. (she frowned and added sarcastically) Well, in the Army maybe. (Sam raised her eyebrows in amusement and Anang smiled at her reaction) As for the rest, you lie pretty well.
Not wanting to discuss this conclusion about her - was it about her work or about her two friends' psych sessions? - she took a sip of her herbal tea.
Anang: What are you going to tell him?
Sam grimaced: I have no idea.
Anang closed her joint: Hmm. On your layoff, he was clumsy. (She tilted her head) But he's a guy, don't expect anything less from them. (Sam dodged a smile at the sweet memory of many discussions on this point with Janet and took another sip. Anang pointed to the joint and insisted) Should I go out or should I go to the window? (Sam shook her head to confirm her previous decision, Anang grabbed the lighter and lit it) Nobody knows?
Sam swallowed and shook her head slightly, much more fearful this time. Anang smoked several puffs then handed it to her.
Sam cleared her throat, surprised by the proposal: Eurhm. I have check-ups and Golden Flow regularly. (Anang questioned her with her eyes and Sam tilted her head) Random drug screenings.
Anang: Good thing we know a doctor.
Sam: Article 112A of the UCMJ does not allow-
Anang, confused: "You see" what?
Sam: The uniform code of military justice.
Anang made a mute "Ha.": Are you planning to fly an "Apache" or a "Cheyenne" within two days with your layoff? (Sam smiled wryly and Anang shrugged) I'm not forcing you. I don't care.
Nothing could be more contradictory than such an offer to pique the interest of a scientific brain shared by the military doctrines. She thought for several seconds about this new personal study and weighed the pros and cons by evaluating the risks. Her curiosity finally got the better of her, she grabbed the joint, took a puff, coughed several times and gave it back to her.
Anang smirked and smoked: One to zero for Science.
Sam, a hint of irony in her voice: No official prescriptions via your friend?
She handed her the joint again and Sam took another puff, this time without coughing.
Anang tilted her head: Xander already helps me enough. (She waved her hand in front of her) If I ask him, he would accept. (Sam frowned at this unprofessional revelation) Hmm. The American health care system is elitist. (Sam shook her head nervously. There was a silence, a bit heavy, despite the lively music) I'd better get back.
Sam, surprised: Hmm? No, stay. Everything is fine.
Anang: My company is unwanted.
Sam: Well... I would have said the opposite.
Anang: Huh? What? (Sam winced and Anang laughed) Oh boy. Are you really jealous of me? (she smiled mischievously) You think I'm charming?
Sam's cheeks turned red and she couldn't do anything about it.
Sam did not know where to put herself, disconcerted: Huuu...
Anang stared at her: Are you still looking for your sexuality?
Sam froze: What? (Anang pressed her question with a look and Sam stammered) I-I... I like men. (Anang nodded and smiled politely, Sam tilted her head and added lower) I have nothing against women but... (she murmured, embarrassed) I don't know.
Anang smoked: You have a very binary approach. (Sam questioned her with her eyes and Anang waved her hand) We came back to gender issues. (she insisted) Boy-Girl. (Sam made a silent "ha" and Anang frowned) If you were jealous of me, why did you invite me? (Sam gets extremely nervous and Anang hands her the joint) Oh okay I got it. You feel guilty.
Sam, nervous: Sorry. I-
Anang: It's okay. I'd rather have the guilt than the interest. (Sam questioned her with her eyes. Anang straightened up and exaggerated her proud expression) My sweet and pleasant company? (Sam dodged a smile, Anang regained her seriousness and pointed at her) Nice example of something you do because of what others might think. (Sam froze and Anang sank into the chair) I assure you, guys, especially white guys, are not my thing. (She smiled at her) But you…
Sam smiles nervously, caught off guard again: Oh. Uh. Thank you.
Anang finishes the joint: But I have nothing on having fun together. (Sam widened her eyes, Anang crushed the joint in the ashtray and tilted her head) Under certain conditions.
She picked up her cup and took a sip.
Echos:
*around the lies of Sam with the previous paragraphs: on the parking lot "Sam froze but was brought back to reality when the young woman dropped her bag. She toppled forward and they turned their heads sharply toward her to see what was happening. The soldier swallowed her saliva and acted as if she was surprised by the weight of the bag. They looked at each other in disbelief at her crude lie.“ then in the bar when Anang senses that Sam is lying to her she says ""Maaaaaa, giiwanimo": "lie/I can see that you are lying" / As for the rest, you lie pretty well*
*In the preceding paragraphs, Anang detects the guilt that Sam puts on himself / You feel guilty. / I'd rather have the guilt than the interest*
*In the previous paragraph, there were echoes of "home" / *this kind of house. / "This kind of house"? / Sorry for my comment on your home.*
*Recall the previous paragraph with "charming" / "charming" / You think I'm charming?*
*In the previous paragraph, there were echoes around "guardian" / The Guardian?*
*In the previous paragraphs, there were echoes of "jealousy" / Jealous. / Are you really jealous of me? / If you were jealous of me*
*In the previous paragraphs, there were echoes of "company” / My company is unwanted. / My sweet and pleasant company?*
*I didn't imagine you living in / I imagined you living in*
*Old? / There's some good in the old*
*So? - So*
*such precautions. - "Precautions"?*
*the stuff / this stuff*
*just to be polite / who asked were polite.*
*It's cool if he's cool with you.*
*But he's a guy, / guys, especially white guys / of your white peers*
*Are you inviting him? / why did you invite me?*
Notes:
*Forced sterilization is still legal in several states in the United States, even today. The Aschen are invented as a dystopia, but for some people it is not*
*According to 2018 survey results, veterans use cannabis at much higher rates than the general population, and many report using it for medical purposes. Among military veterans who acknowledged using cannabis in the past year, 41% classified their marijuana use as medical - a percentage twice as high as that reported by adults in the general population.*
*In another study, it says that cannabis use among U.S. military veterans has also increased: In 2014, 9% of U.S. veterans reported using cannabis in the past year. In 2019-2020, the prevalence of cannabis use in the past six months among veterans was 11.9%, and exceeded 20% among veterans aged 18-44.*
*In a 2021 study, veterans reported positive effects of cannabis use on their pain, sleep quality, health and quality of life. Veterans in the study were more likely to use cannabis (compared to non-veterans) for mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and insomnia*
*In 10x13, Sam finds himself in another alternate reality, and Cameron is a paraplegic. She goes to see him and he smokes a cigarette. Remember my first paragraph in chapter 1, I made a note that starting in 1970, the U.S. Department of Health banned cigarette advertising on television. Years later, movies and TV series followed the same path: very often it is the villains of the stories who smoke*
*A little game that will allow you to identify sexism in the scientific world, type "Hélène Courtois" and look at the research suggestions (sources)*
*In Stargate SG-1 5x11 "Deseperate Measures", we can see a small booth of the Colorado Springs Gazette to link the series to reality (click here)*
*Video: Indigenous people and braid (source)*
*Video: Sarain Fox is an Anishinaabe artist, activist and mother. For her, choosing to have a baby was a deliberate political act. (source)*
*Article: the racist history of the sex binary (source)*
*Video: Why is your hair so long? (source)*
Daniel knocked a second time against the wood of the door, in vain. With the lights all off, he took out his phone and dialed the landline. He heard it ringing in a loop inside but waited a long time, hoping to potentially wake up his friend if he was already in bed. With no further results, he went back to his car and dialed his cell phone number this time, but it went straight to voicemail.
(TEL) Daniel put a hand on the back of his neck: Jack it's me. Can I see you? I... I'll need you. Okay. Call me back.
(TEL) Daniel put a hand on the back of his neck: Jack it's me. Can I see you? I... I'll need you. Okay. Call me back.
CW: *segregation* *cultural appropriation* *sexism* *agism* *mention of drugs* *mention of adultery* *mention of sex* *mention of blood* *mention of violence*
Sam, uncomfortable: What did you say in the car?
Anang frowned: Hmm?
Sam, embarrassed: Hm. I only understood your job.
Anang: Ho. Niizh manidoowag. "Two-spirit" it's... Um. Let's say... Let's say I gravitate between the genders depending on what I do and I don't consider myself gay or lesbian. (Sam nodded) It's a thing of my people. "Self-partnered" is because I refuse to wait for Prince Charming (she grinned widely) or the princess. (Sam dodged a smile and nodded several times) I refuse the idea that I will have to wait for my "half" to be happy. And in this case "my half" would be more like "halves".
Sam: What do you mean?
Anang moved her hand: Several people at the same time?
Extremely surprised that anyone else could feel this way - she who felt so confused and abnormal about having feelings for Martouf, Narim and Jack at the same time... Or Pete and Jack - she pondered the idea.
Sam, curious: How does it work?
Anang: With a lot of communication?
Sam, puzzled: It's hard enough for me to think about these kinds of relationships myself.
Anang shrugged: No one forces you to do anything. Everyone does what they want.
Sam tilted her head, still unconvinced of the concept: Hmm.
Anang insisted: It's not cheating.
Sam nodded slightly but still seemed baffled: Yeah, yeah. I get it.
Anang squinted at her: You're thinking of polygamy.
Sam, uncomfortable: Yeah. (she restrained herself from giving the example of Maybourne) Warren Jeffs in particular.
Surprised that she was quoting him in relation to other white people who tended to make a connection with polygamy in countries, especially in Africa, Anang shifted back. Sam questioned her with her eyes, but Anang tilted her head, not wanting to bring up the subject of the dominant Western view again, and realized that it must have been because of the overview effect of her work.
Anang resumed: Everyone is master of his or her own mind and body (she insisted) Not of others.
Sam wanted to bounce back, still unconvinced, but several discreet knocks on the door were heard. Surprised that he was already there, she looked at her watch and tilted her head. Nope, no red lights had been run: the cannabis was working. She wanted to get up but Anang shouted at the door, which confused her even more.
Anang: It's open.
Behind the door, he identified Anang's voice and wondered why Sam had invited him to a girls' night out, thinking it was over. He walked in, a little nervous at the unwise idea, especially given their current relationship. He nevertheless tried not to blame her with the last events she had lived through.
Anang: Oh, Chick Magnet. Did your match end early? (Sam's eyes widened. As he took off his jacket he wondered what he was called and then took a step towards them. Anang remembered Sam's nervousness about the smoke on her cushions and the sand in the park and pointed her cup at him) Huh huh! Shoes.
He raised his eyebrows, skeptical that she would dare give him an order. He complied, not without grumbling, having particularly sore knees tonight with the rainy weather, then walked towards them.
Anang pointed again her cup towards him: Clothes.
Sam closed her eyes and Jack's brain froze for a few seconds. He tilted his head, approached them cautiously and looked at them one by one.
Jack: Miss…es. (Anang raised her cup at their private joke) What's going on?
Anang: We were talking about science, about bodies blending.
Sam tilted her head and gave her a jaded look.
Jack raised his eyebrows and added with a touch of unease: Ha. (sarcastically) Interesting metaphor.
Anang pointed to him and looked at Sam: Isn't it?
Sam moistened her lips with nervousness and lowered her head.
Jack at her reaction: Maybe "blinded" is not the right word.
Sam tilted her head without raising it.
Anang: So... Messages and you are attracted in the bed?
Sam looked up sharply at her.
Jack questioned her cautiously: Carter?
Sam tried to hide her discomfort: It's... (she cleared her throat) Eurhm. It's been like that for a while, sir.
She dodged a nervous smile, slightly proud of herself for having managed to remain vague about the duration of this "while" for lack of being more precise as usual, having lost all notion of time. She widened her eyes as she realized that her smile could give her away about her condition and lowered her head to hide her facial expressions. He remained as impassive as possible, then frowned slightly at the strange smell, looked for the cause and saw the extinguished joint next to the still-lit incense in the ashtray. Sam took another sip so he wouldn't have to say anything more.
Anang: I won't bother you anymore. After all, you're kind of (she searched for a few seconds in her head, and concluded, albeit unconvinced) my bosses?
Jack sat down in a chair: Janis Joplin. Good choice. I heard her at Woodstock.
Sam stood up abruptly as the other two looked on in surprise: Herbal tea?
Jack, perplexed: Uh, why not?
She ran off to the kitchen, reassured that she could be alone for a while and let him handle the conversation. She flipped the switch on the kettle, took out a cup and a bag, and leaned against the counter with her drink in her hands.
Anang to Jack: Didn't she give a poor performance?
Jack: On heroin and totally drunk. (he tilted his head) Like most of the audience. (he shrugged a shoulder slightly) She had panicked when she saw the crowd.
Anang: Hm. (she frowned) How old were you?
Jack thought for a few seconds: 1969 so seventeen.
Sam smiled slightly at the memory of their journey in 1969 and took a few sips.
Anang turned her head to Sam: And you?
Sam almost choked on her herbal tea: Uh. Uh. One year.
Anang tilted her head, raised her eyebrows and looked at Jack with a smile.
Jack chuckled and corrected: Six months.
Anang smiled slightly, thinking that at least he was aware of the problem. Sam came back into the living room and handed him a steaming cup.
Anang nodded toward the record player: It was a feminist icon.
Jack nodded: Hmm.
Sam juggled her gaze between them and sat back down: "Hmm?
Anang moved a hand towards her: She was not what was expected of her, at that time there was this desire for freedom-
Jack: And peace.
Anang raised her eyebrows: A white woman stealing black people's music to fight segregation when black people had a hard time getting invited to the event (she made quotation marks with her fingers) "political"... (she moved her hand to prevent herself from broaching the subject) In short, she was bisexual, a drug addict, a loudmouth-
Jack, in the same tone: Extremely sexy.
Anang looked at him: She was being judged because she was either not feminine enough or too sexy.
She insisted he shouldn't have cut her off with a wry smile and the man got another chuckle. Sam moistened her lips, half nervous and half amused.
Anang: You know that in BDSM, "Yes, sir" is used very often? (they widened their eyes and there was only music in the room for a few seconds. Anang looked away) I was just making an observation.
Jack raised his eyebrows: Where did that observation come from?
Anang moved a hand towards Sam: I suggested that we blend together. I'm still waiting for an answer.
Jack froze: Hello.
Anang tilted her head: Two answers to be exact. (she insisted again) Under certain conditions.
He questioned Sam with his eyes, she giggled nervously for a split second, then widened her eyes again but this time from laughing. She lowered her head, closed her eyes and prayed to regain all her mental faculties quickly.
Jack repeated himself, puzzled at her reaction: Okay... (he resumed his sarcastic tone towards Anang) And don't you think that would complicate our working relationship a bit?
Anang: It's sure that for you two...
Jack tilted his head and agreed in spite of himself: That's funny, I don't remember signing anything like that in your contract?
Anang smiled slightly and stared at him: I put the springs in Colorado Springs. (He raised his eyebrows) Hey. You weren't lying. Big fan. (They smiled at each other and she pointed a finger at him) More green for you. (she insisted) My conditions on this contract. (she nodded towards Sam without looking at her) Summer is already here.
Jack shook his head and looked away, half-amused and half-absorbed by the situation: Okay, I got it.
Sam looked at them, incredulous of their behavior: Uh? (to Anang) Were you serious?
Anang frowned: Why would I lie?
Sam's brain was still hovering, her mind wandering instead of focusing on the conversation:
Sam, uncomfortable: What did you say in the car?
Anang frowned: Hmm?
Sam, embarrassed: Hm. I only understood your job.
Anang: Ho. Niizh manidoowag. "Two-spirit" it's... Um. Let's say... Let's say I gravitate between the genders depending on what I do and I don't consider myself gay or lesbian. (Sam nodded) It's a thing of my people. "Self-partnered" is because I refuse to wait for Prince Charming (she grinned widely) or the princess. (Sam dodged a smile and nodded several times) I refuse the idea that I will have to wait for my "half" to be happy. And in this case "my half" would be more like "halves".
Sam: What do you mean?
Anang moved her hand: Several people at the same time?
Extremely surprised that anyone else could feel this way - she who felt so confused and abnormal about having feelings for Martouf, Narim and Jack at the same time... Or Pete and Jack - she pondered the idea.
Sam, curious: How does it work?
Anang: With a lot of communication?
Sam, puzzled: It's hard enough for me to think about these kinds of relationships myself.
Anang shrugged: No one forces you to do anything. Everyone does what they want.
Sam tilted her head, still unconvinced of the concept: Hmm.
Anang insisted: It's not cheating.
Sam nodded slightly but still seemed baffled: Yeah, yeah. I get it.
Anang squinted at her: You're thinking of polygamy.
Sam, uncomfortable: Yeah. (she restrained herself from giving the example of Maybourne) Warren Jeffs in particular.
Surprised that she was quoting him in relation to other white people who tended to make a connection with polygamy in countries, especially in Africa, Anang shifted back. Sam questioned her with her eyes, but Anang tilted her head, not wanting to bring up the subject of the dominant Western view again, and realized that it must have been because of the overview effect of her work.
Anang resumed: Everyone is master of his or her own mind and body (she insisted) Not of others.
Sam wanted to bounce back, still unconvinced, but several discreet knocks on the door were heard. Surprised that he was already there, she looked at her watch and tilted her head. Nope, no red lights had been run: the cannabis was working. She wanted to get up but Anang shouted at the door, which confused her even more.
Anang: It's open.
Behind the door, he identified Anang's voice and wondered why Sam had invited him to a girls' night out, thinking it was over. He walked in, a little nervous at the unwise idea, especially given their current relationship. He nevertheless tried not to blame her with the last events she had lived through.
Anang: Oh, Chick Magnet. Did your match end early? (Sam's eyes widened. As he took off his jacket he wondered what he was called and then took a step towards them. Anang remembered Sam's nervousness about the smoke on her cushions and the sand in the park and pointed her cup at him) Huh huh! Shoes.
He raised his eyebrows, skeptical that she would dare give him an order. He complied, not without grumbling, having particularly sore knees tonight with the rainy weather, then walked towards them.
Anang pointed again her cup towards him: Clothes.
Sam closed her eyes and Jack's brain froze for a few seconds. He tilted his head, approached them cautiously and looked at them one by one.
Jack: Miss…es. (Anang raised her cup at their private joke) What's going on?
Anang: We were talking about science, about bodies blending.
Sam tilted her head and gave her a jaded look.
Jack raised his eyebrows and added with a touch of unease: Ha. (sarcastically) Interesting metaphor.
Anang pointed to him and looked at Sam: Isn't it?
Sam moistened her lips with nervousness and lowered her head.
Jack at her reaction: Maybe "blinded" is not the right word.
Sam tilted her head without raising it.
Anang: So... Messages and you are attracted in the bed?
Sam looked up sharply at her.
Jack questioned her cautiously: Carter?
Sam tried to hide her discomfort: It's... (she cleared her throat) Eurhm. It's been like that for a while, sir.
She dodged a nervous smile, slightly proud of herself for having managed to remain vague about the duration of this "while" for lack of being more precise as usual, having lost all notion of time. She widened her eyes as she realized that her smile could give her away about her condition and lowered her head to hide her facial expressions. He remained as impassive as possible, then frowned slightly at the strange smell, looked for the cause and saw the extinguished joint next to the still-lit incense in the ashtray. Sam took another sip so he wouldn't have to say anything more.
Anang: I won't bother you anymore. After all, you're kind of (she searched for a few seconds in her head, and concluded, albeit unconvinced) my bosses?
Jack sat down in a chair: Janis Joplin. Good choice. I heard her at Woodstock.
Sam stood up abruptly as the other two looked on in surprise: Herbal tea?
Jack, perplexed: Uh, why not?
She ran off to the kitchen, reassured that she could be alone for a while and let him handle the conversation. She flipped the switch on the kettle, took out a cup and a bag, and leaned against the counter with her drink in her hands.
Anang to Jack: Didn't she give a poor performance?
Jack: On heroin and totally drunk. (he tilted his head) Like most of the audience. (he shrugged a shoulder slightly) She had panicked when she saw the crowd.
Anang: Hm. (she frowned) How old were you?
Jack thought for a few seconds: 1969 so seventeen.
Sam smiled slightly at the memory of their journey in 1969 and took a few sips.
Anang turned her head to Sam: And you?
Sam almost choked on her herbal tea: Uh. Uh. One year.
Anang tilted her head, raised her eyebrows and looked at Jack with a smile.
Jack chuckled and corrected: Six months.
Anang smiled slightly, thinking that at least he was aware of the problem. Sam came back into the living room and handed him a steaming cup.
Anang nodded toward the record player: It was a feminist icon.
Jack nodded: Hmm.
Sam juggled her gaze between them and sat back down: "Hmm?
Anang moved a hand towards her: She was not what was expected of her, at that time there was this desire for freedom-
Jack: And peace.
Anang raised her eyebrows: A white woman stealing black people's music to fight segregation when black people had a hard time getting invited to the event (she made quotation marks with her fingers) "political"... (she moved her hand to prevent herself from broaching the subject) In short, she was bisexual, a drug addict, a loudmouth-
Jack, in the same tone: Extremely sexy.
Anang looked at him: She was being judged because she was either not feminine enough or too sexy.
She insisted he shouldn't have cut her off with a wry smile and the man got another chuckle. Sam moistened her lips, half nervous and half amused.
Anang: You know that in BDSM, "Yes, sir" is used very often? (they widened their eyes and there was only music in the room for a few seconds. Anang looked away) I was just making an observation.
Jack raised his eyebrows: Where did that observation come from?
Anang moved a hand towards Sam: I suggested that we blend together. I'm still waiting for an answer.
Jack froze: Hello.
Anang tilted her head: Two answers to be exact. (she insisted again) Under certain conditions.
He questioned Sam with his eyes, she giggled nervously for a split second, then widened her eyes again but this time from laughing. She lowered her head, closed her eyes and prayed to regain all her mental faculties quickly.
Jack repeated himself, puzzled at her reaction: Okay... (he resumed his sarcastic tone towards Anang) And don't you think that would complicate our working relationship a bit?
Anang: It's sure that for you two...
Jack tilted his head and agreed in spite of himself: That's funny, I don't remember signing anything like that in your contract?
Anang smiled slightly and stared at him: I put the springs in Colorado Springs. (He raised his eyebrows) Hey. You weren't lying. Big fan. (They smiled at each other and she pointed a finger at him) More green for you. (she insisted) My conditions on this contract. (she nodded towards Sam without looking at her) Summer is already here.
Jack shook his head and looked away, half-amused and half-absorbed by the situation: Okay, I got it.
Sam looked at them, incredulous of their behavior: Uh? (to Anang) Were you serious?
Anang frowned: Why would I lie?
Sam's brain was still hovering, her mind wandering instead of focusing on the conversation:
Has science ever proven that people who do not lie exist? Would this make a good thesis topic? God, Daniel loved working on this with me. Could we get grants for this study? Scientific truth being objective, confirmed by facts, but also subjective... What is the truth?
Anang looked up at the silence: Okay okay. Forget it. Right. A game of cards?
Back in the real world, Sam chuckled at this unexpected turn of events that reminded her far too much of Jenny. They turned their heads toward her, surprised again at her reaction. She lowered her head and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Shit, I'm high with so little, she noted, concentrate, damn it.
Sam tried to put on a brave face, lowering her voice: Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude.
She then made a sign to him to speak, he questioned her with his eyes and wondered why it was his job to do so. This was her home after all, she was the one who had asked him to come, and she was the one who had invited this woman. She did not dare to admit to him that she was not able to hold a serious conversation and shrugged her shoulders slightly.
Jack rolled his eyes, then turned his head to Anang: Look... It's a very interesting proposal but... (he looked furtively at Sam) Your timing is not good.
Sam looked down and felt guilty.
Anang shrugged: Okay.
She looked around and began to get bored. She got up, closed the window so the cold couldn't get in anymore and then went to the record player to look through the other music choices. Meanwhile, the couple seemed to be trying to engage in non-verbal communication, but apparently had trouble making themselves understood.
Anang, holding a vinyl: Oh. I found your music, (she insisted) Sir. (he raised his eyebrows and she set the record down) This I listened to on the walkman.
Jack smiled nervously at the first notes: Easy.
Sam winced at the choice of music and the use of "Sir".
Anang sat back in the chair: Violence and blood, all wrapped up in optimism.
Jack insisted: And self-deprecation.
Sam: I'd like to participate.
They turned their heads toward her, she winced and smiled nervously, then looked at him and shrugged again.
Jack was now at a loss: Okay. That's... Okay. (he cleared his throat, uncomfortably) Okay.
Anang blew her nose at his reaction and looked at Sam: Sure?
Sam nodded: Hmm. Okay.
They looked at Jack, who apparently still hadn't finished rebooting his brain. Maybe talking with words was better than non-verbal communication, he concluded.
Jack stood up and cleared his throat: Um Carter. (he nodded) Can we...?
She got up and followed him a few steps. He stopped when he realized he wasn't at home and waved to her, uncomfortable. She stopped herself from laughing - which was a real miracle - and took him to another room.
Echo:
*In the previous paragraph, echo on “Under certain conditions” / My conditions*
*In a previous paragraph: “Fan, then? - Big fan” / Big fan*
*After all, you're kind of my bosses? / our working relationship a bit? / in your contract? / on this contract. / the springs / More green for you / Summer is already here.*
*Interesting metaphor. / It's a very interesting proposal*
*In the previous paragraphs, echo on "charming” / Prince Charming*
*Chick Magnet / you are attracted*
*about bodies blending. / Maybe "blinded" is not the right word. / I suggested that we blend together.*
*We were talking about science / I was just making an observation. - Where did that observation come from?*
*I'm still waiting for an answer. / Two answers to be exact*
*Okay… / Okay, / Okay okay. / Okay. / Okay. That's... Okay. (he cleared his throat, uncomfortably) Okay. / Okay*
*You weren't lying. / Why would I lie?*
Notes:
*Carter was born in 1968, the first Woodstock was in 1969. The second one was in 1999, so she was in her 30s. We can imagine that she knows very well what happened at Woodstock in 1999 but not the one from 1969. The historical and social context was very different, and the 1999 festival was a disaster on many levels. The atmosphere was also different, the first one was "peace and love", the second one capitalist*
*In one article, it says: “Wright is the first person to admit that they could have done things differently: looking back, he pinpoints the show’s sparse LGBT representation as something he’d change. “I wish we’d done that sooner,” he says, explaining that his daughter raised the issue with him. “One of my daughters is gay. And she said ‘there aren’t enough gay characters in Stargate’ and I was like ‘…you’re right.’” True to his word, Wright added a lesbian character to the main cast of Universe, the franchise’s third show after SG-1 and Atlantis. “We did address it, finally, and we probably should have done it a lot earlier.”
(source)*
*Video: Explanation of the term "Two-Spirit" (source) (source)*
*Video: Americans think they are the center of the world (source)*
*Information about Warren Jeffs (source)*
*Article: stop applying White capitalistic culture and society to African and Indigenous people's non-monogamous customs (source)*
*Article: is Monogamy natural? (source)*
*Video: some examples of good and bad depictions of polyamory in films and series (source)*
*Video: Elvis Presley, another example of music stolen by white people (source)*
Back in the real world, Sam chuckled at this unexpected turn of events that reminded her far too much of Jenny. They turned their heads toward her, surprised again at her reaction. She lowered her head and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Shit, I'm high with so little, she noted, concentrate, damn it.
Sam tried to put on a brave face, lowering her voice: Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude.
She then made a sign to him to speak, he questioned her with his eyes and wondered why it was his job to do so. This was her home after all, she was the one who had asked him to come, and she was the one who had invited this woman. She did not dare to admit to him that she was not able to hold a serious conversation and shrugged her shoulders slightly.
Jack rolled his eyes, then turned his head to Anang: Look... It's a very interesting proposal but... (he looked furtively at Sam) Your timing is not good.
Sam looked down and felt guilty.
Anang shrugged: Okay.
She looked around and began to get bored. She got up, closed the window so the cold couldn't get in anymore and then went to the record player to look through the other music choices. Meanwhile, the couple seemed to be trying to engage in non-verbal communication, but apparently had trouble making themselves understood.
Anang, holding a vinyl: Oh. I found your music, (she insisted) Sir. (he raised his eyebrows and she set the record down) This I listened to on the walkman.
Jack smiled nervously at the first notes: Easy.
Sam winced at the choice of music and the use of "Sir".
Anang sat back in the chair: Violence and blood, all wrapped up in optimism.
Jack insisted: And self-deprecation.
Sam: I'd like to participate.
They turned their heads toward her, she winced and smiled nervously, then looked at him and shrugged again.
Jack was now at a loss: Okay. That's... Okay. (he cleared his throat, uncomfortably) Okay.
Anang blew her nose at his reaction and looked at Sam: Sure?
Sam nodded: Hmm. Okay.
They looked at Jack, who apparently still hadn't finished rebooting his brain. Maybe talking with words was better than non-verbal communication, he concluded.
Jack stood up and cleared his throat: Um Carter. (he nodded) Can we...?
She got up and followed him a few steps. He stopped when he realized he wasn't at home and waved to her, uncomfortable. She stopped herself from laughing - which was a real miracle - and took him to another room.
Echo:
*In the previous paragraph, echo on “Under certain conditions” / My conditions*
*In a previous paragraph: “Fan, then? - Big fan” / Big fan*
*After all, you're kind of my bosses? / our working relationship a bit? / in your contract? / on this contract. / the springs / More green for you / Summer is already here.*
*Interesting metaphor. / It's a very interesting proposal*
*In the previous paragraphs, echo on "charming” / Prince Charming*
*Chick Magnet / you are attracted*
*about bodies blending. / Maybe "blinded" is not the right word. / I suggested that we blend together.*
*We were talking about science / I was just making an observation. - Where did that observation come from?*
*I'm still waiting for an answer. / Two answers to be exact*
*Okay… / Okay, / Okay okay. / Okay. / Okay. That's... Okay. (he cleared his throat, uncomfortably) Okay. / Okay*
*You weren't lying. / Why would I lie?*
Notes:
*Carter was born in 1968, the first Woodstock was in 1969. The second one was in 1999, so she was in her 30s. We can imagine that she knows very well what happened at Woodstock in 1999 but not the one from 1969. The historical and social context was very different, and the 1999 festival was a disaster on many levels. The atmosphere was also different, the first one was "peace and love", the second one capitalist*
*In one article, it says: “Wright is the first person to admit that they could have done things differently: looking back, he pinpoints the show’s sparse LGBT representation as something he’d change. “I wish we’d done that sooner,” he says, explaining that his daughter raised the issue with him. “One of my daughters is gay. And she said ‘there aren’t enough gay characters in Stargate’ and I was like ‘…you’re right.’” True to his word, Wright added a lesbian character to the main cast of Universe, the franchise’s third show after SG-1 and Atlantis. “We did address it, finally, and we probably should have done it a lot earlier.”
(source)*
*Video: Explanation of the term "Two-Spirit" (source) (source)*
*Video: Americans think they are the center of the world (source)*
*Information about Warren Jeffs (source)*
*Article: stop applying White capitalistic culture and society to African and Indigenous people's non-monogamous customs (source)*
*Article: is Monogamy natural? (source)*
*Video: some examples of good and bad depictions of polyamory in films and series (source)*
*Video: Elvis Presley, another example of music stolen by white people (source)*
CW: *drug mention*
Jack, once the door closed behind her: At the risk of repeating myself, what's going on here?
Sam quickly defended herself, filled with guilt: Sorry. She guessed on her own. I guess I needed to talk to someone and-
Jack raised a hand to her: Not that. A new friend is good. (He tilted his head) I'm surprised you get along at all.
Sam looked away: Well... She's pretty intriguing, I'll admit it.
Jack: I mean the other... thing?
Sam grinned: If you don't like the idea we don't have to-
Jack: Oh no. (he became nervous) The idea of... Well. (he glanced quickly at his crotch) Humpf. (she gave him a blasé look and he pulled himself together) But last time you made it clear that-
Sam: I know that right now my behaviors are a little-
Jack repeated Dr. Williams' thought about her: "Extreme"?
Sam, at the same time: Strange. (They froze and then looked at each other. She frowned at his choice of word and she put on a brave face) It may not be wise but I feel good. I don't want to miss any-
Jack, at the same time: Opportunities?
Sam, at the same time: Experiences?
They looked at each other again, slightly surprised that they weren't on the same page tonight. She remembered his confession about kissing her during the curls and frowned again at his choice of word. He swallowed and stared at her for a moment. She seemed different tonight but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where that impression came from.
Jack quietly: I'm worried about you.
Sam winced and looked away: I know.
Jack: Look. (She looked at him) I think this is going a little fast... No. That you're going fast. (He raised his eyebrows) Not just a little.
Sam looked away again: I know.
Jack: A relationship with another person at the beginning of a relationship... (he grimaced) This is really far from wise.
Sam: I know I know. Listen. (He looked at her) I've been going on missions every week for years and I don't know if I'm coming back. You know the feeling. And I... I feel like ....
She gritted her teeth and turned her head away, fearful. The music changed in the other room, and they smiled at each other when they heard it, thinking that she must have done it on purpose, since this song was a reference to the ones before.
Jack repeated what they had already said to each other: Not having a life? (she questioned him with her eyes, then understood the situation, nodded and looked at him with apprehension) Nice musical taste.
Sam tilted her head: I'm old school. I know.
He tilted his head too with a knowing look, then thought for a moment. He noticed that she seemed more intimidated than nervous.
Jack, quietly: You really wanna, don't ya?
Sam, embarrassed: Hmm.
Jack put his thumb over his shoulder: I can leave you alone with your new friend if you want-
Sam panicked and abruptly grabbed his shirt: Oh boy! Don't. (she almost whispered) Don't leave me alone with her.
Jack tried to stop himself from laughing at her reaction: Okay okay. (he pulled himself together so as not to offend her and insisted) I'm just saying that you can do things without me, dontcha know.
Sam tried again to put on a brave face: I would like to do this with you.
Jack insisted again, since she didn't seem to understand his points: I'm just saying. For someone who is used to isolating herself and taking her time, we see each other a lot these days.
Sam grimaced: I know.
He looked at her, still doubtful of this request. She swallowed then questioned him with apprehension. He put a hand on her cheek and kissed her gently so that she stopped panicking. She put her hands on his waist and made him approach her. Their breaths accelerated at once. The passion submerging them, he slipped his hand behind her head and she opened her mouth.
Jack stepped back abruptly after slipping his tongue into her mouth: Have you been smoking, Carter? (she winced at the thought of having to justify herself and looked away. He frowned at her reaction and spoke more calmly) I'm just saying that it can play into your decision-making ability.
Sam, surprised at his point of view: Huuuu. No no. (she insisted) It's okay. (He stared at her for a moment. She smiled shyly to reassure him, but began to get nervous of his inspection) Don't ask, don't tell? (He shook his head slightly as he understood something and she justified herself further, tensing up more and more) I already told you it was something I wanted...
Jack: "Experiment"?
Sam apprehended his reaction: Yeah.
He smiled gently and she smiled back. They kissed again, very gently. He had the feeling he was back to the Sam of years ago, the scientist who marveled at every discovery, who loved to try new things. He frowned at the thought, wondering how long it had been since he had seen her like this. And just as Daniel had asked himself the same question not long ago, he looked back to see where and when his enthusiasm from the first missions had disappeared.
Notes:
*In my video montage, we can see the glances between Sam and Daniel concerning Jack's will not to extend himself in the scientific fields. We can also see that she smiles much more often than in the last seasons during scientific experiments, and that Jack tends to say that he doesn't care, to cut her off in the middle of an enthusiastic explanation, to make her shut up, etc.*
*Taylor Swift quote: “You shouldn't have to apologize for your excitement”*
*”I can leave you alone with your new friend” it's something that comes up regularly in the lesbian world, straight men -especially men- who see two women living together define them as friends, as if it were impossible for them to live a love story without a man*
Jack, once the door closed behind her: At the risk of repeating myself, what's going on here?
Sam quickly defended herself, filled with guilt: Sorry. She guessed on her own. I guess I needed to talk to someone and-
Jack raised a hand to her: Not that. A new friend is good. (He tilted his head) I'm surprised you get along at all.
Sam looked away: Well... She's pretty intriguing, I'll admit it.
Jack: I mean the other... thing?
Sam grinned: If you don't like the idea we don't have to-
Jack: Oh no. (he became nervous) The idea of... Well. (he glanced quickly at his crotch) Humpf. (she gave him a blasé look and he pulled himself together) But last time you made it clear that-
Sam: I know that right now my behaviors are a little-
Jack repeated Dr. Williams' thought about her: "Extreme"?
Sam, at the same time: Strange. (They froze and then looked at each other. She frowned at his choice of word and she put on a brave face) It may not be wise but I feel good. I don't want to miss any-
Jack, at the same time: Opportunities?
Sam, at the same time: Experiences?
They looked at each other again, slightly surprised that they weren't on the same page tonight. She remembered his confession about kissing her during the curls and frowned again at his choice of word. He swallowed and stared at her for a moment. She seemed different tonight but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where that impression came from.
Jack quietly: I'm worried about you.
Sam winced and looked away: I know.
Jack: Look. (She looked at him) I think this is going a little fast... No. That you're going fast. (He raised his eyebrows) Not just a little.
Sam looked away again: I know.
Jack: A relationship with another person at the beginning of a relationship... (he grimaced) This is really far from wise.
Sam: I know I know. Listen. (He looked at her) I've been going on missions every week for years and I don't know if I'm coming back. You know the feeling. And I... I feel like ....
She gritted her teeth and turned her head away, fearful. The music changed in the other room, and they smiled at each other when they heard it, thinking that she must have done it on purpose, since this song was a reference to the ones before.
Jack repeated what they had already said to each other: Not having a life? (she questioned him with her eyes, then understood the situation, nodded and looked at him with apprehension) Nice musical taste.
Sam tilted her head: I'm old school. I know.
He tilted his head too with a knowing look, then thought for a moment. He noticed that she seemed more intimidated than nervous.
Jack, quietly: You really wanna, don't ya?
Sam, embarrassed: Hmm.
Jack put his thumb over his shoulder: I can leave you alone with your new friend if you want-
Sam panicked and abruptly grabbed his shirt: Oh boy! Don't. (she almost whispered) Don't leave me alone with her.
Jack tried to stop himself from laughing at her reaction: Okay okay. (he pulled himself together so as not to offend her and insisted) I'm just saying that you can do things without me, dontcha know.
Sam tried again to put on a brave face: I would like to do this with you.
Jack insisted again, since she didn't seem to understand his points: I'm just saying. For someone who is used to isolating herself and taking her time, we see each other a lot these days.
Sam grimaced: I know.
He looked at her, still doubtful of this request. She swallowed then questioned him with apprehension. He put a hand on her cheek and kissed her gently so that she stopped panicking. She put her hands on his waist and made him approach her. Their breaths accelerated at once. The passion submerging them, he slipped his hand behind her head and she opened her mouth.
Jack stepped back abruptly after slipping his tongue into her mouth: Have you been smoking, Carter? (she winced at the thought of having to justify herself and looked away. He frowned at her reaction and spoke more calmly) I'm just saying that it can play into your decision-making ability.
Sam, surprised at his point of view: Huuuu. No no. (she insisted) It's okay. (He stared at her for a moment. She smiled shyly to reassure him, but began to get nervous of his inspection) Don't ask, don't tell? (He shook his head slightly as he understood something and she justified herself further, tensing up more and more) I already told you it was something I wanted...
Jack: "Experiment"?
Sam apprehended his reaction: Yeah.
He smiled gently and she smiled back. They kissed again, very gently. He had the feeling he was back to the Sam of years ago, the scientist who marveled at every discovery, who loved to try new things. He frowned at the thought, wondering how long it had been since he had seen her like this. And just as Daniel had asked himself the same question not long ago, he looked back to see where and when his enthusiasm from the first missions had disappeared.
Notes:
*In my video montage, we can see the glances between Sam and Daniel concerning Jack's will not to extend himself in the scientific fields. We can also see that she smiles much more often than in the last seasons during scientific experiments, and that Jack tends to say that he doesn't care, to cut her off in the middle of an enthusiastic explanation, to make her shut up, etc.*
*Taylor Swift quote: “You shouldn't have to apologize for your excitement”*
*”I can leave you alone with your new friend” it's something that comes up regularly in the lesbian world, straight men -especially men- who see two women living together define them as friends, as if it were impossible for them to live a love story without a man*
CW: * mention of sexual relationship*
She grabbed his T-shirt to have quickly the contact of his skin on her hands and he instantly forgot his reflection. He helped her to withdraw it, she devoured his chest with her eyes and the beginning of his groin. She bit her lips of envy and exhaled deeply. With this vision, he rested his hands on her face with ardor. She then attacked his belt. He groaned and slipped one of his hands on her breast by kissing her neck, then his hand slowly made its way under her pajama bottom. She plastered herself completely against the wall, sighed of envy and gave up the idea to remove his pants to let him make what he wanted of her.
Jack admired her reaction: Damn, you're hot.
Anang through the door: Hello?
The couple stopped immediately, surprised to have completely forgotten her presence. They bent their heads at the same time with a knowing look and moved away. She correctly put back her pajamas and he went towards the door by closing his belt.
Jack opened the door as if nothing had happened: Hey.
Anang, surprised to see him shirtless: Hey. (she looked at him with a slight smile) So?
Jack looked at Sam who was quickly fixing her hair: So okay.
Anang leaned against the door: A safe word in addition to "no-stop-dislike"?
In the distance, Sam questioned him with her eyes.
Jack leaned against the door too and turned his head towards Anang: Not yet.
Sam, confused: Hmm?
Jack turned his head towards her: Our "Trump card"? (she shook her head and gave herself a countenance) "red"?
She nodded again and tried to hide the fact that she felt stupid for not knowing that term from them. There was silence and no one made any movement.
Anang sensed that the couple was still not comfortable: Okay. You go ahead and I'll watch?
The couple stared at each other. She shrugged a shoulder, he raised an eyebrow, surprised that she agreed and so shrugged a shoulder towards Anang. He walked over to Sam who was already backing up against the wall, smiled mischievously and seemed to challenge him with her eyes. He dodged a slight smile, put his hands around her face and began an extremely slow kiss. Having an audience seemed to bring up the forbidden and the secret of their relationship.
A parasitic thought appeared to him: Did this relationship exist only because it was indeed forbidden and therefore exciting? She had just revealed their relationship to someone she had just met. Was this secret too much for her to bear and was she lying when she said it wasn't? He frowned, becoming nervous, and stopped his kiss. He stared at her while her eyes were still closed, still submerged by the sensations provoked in her body by his tongue in her mouth, he told himself again that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He began to smile a little stupidly and she opened her eyes. She smiled back and he rubbed his nose against hers.
Jack, quietly: Still okay?
Sam nodded: You?
He nodded and they kissed again, more passionately this time. He pressed her body against it, she had to restrain herself from moaning as she felt his erection through his pants. They stopped the kiss once more, smiled at each other, and then Sam pulled away slightly and motioned with her head for Anang to come closer. He shifted a few inches but she grabbed his forearm - a little too forcefully than she would have liked - and so stayed where he was. Anang saw him and questioned them with her eyes, skeptical of the nervousness of her actions. Sam moistened her lips with nervousness, shyly bringing her face close to Anang's. They closed their eyes and kissed gently.
The kiss stopped a few seconds later, Anang discovered the red tinted cheeks of Sam's shyness and turned her head towards Jack, who seemed to struggle to come back to reality after this fantastical vision. Sam pressed her fingers on his forearm and he emerged. He questioned her with his eyes and she glanced at him so he would understand that he could do the same. Anang turned to him and they kissed. Sam's mouth dropped open as he looked at them and her heart raced. Her brain analyzed the situation and sent conflicting signals of jealousy but also of compersion. She gasped at this paradox and concluded that the two emotions were not mutually exclusive.
The kiss ended and both of them turned their heads toward her in concern. In response, she put her hands around Anang's face and kissed her more intensely. She followed her lead and moved her tongue into her mouth, pressing it against the wall. Sam reached for Jack's forearm again and pulled him to her. He complied and she broke her kiss with Anang to throw herself greedily on the lips of the man. Anang smiled, leaned against the wall and looked at them a few seconds before shifting Sam and kissing Jack as greedily. Sam dodged a smile with a gasp and gazed at them. They stopped the kiss and all sought to regain their composure.
Jack, with difficulty: Okay. Interesting experiment.
Sweet euphemism, he thought. Sam smiled at his use of the term "experiment," remembering that the evening had revolved around her scientific rather than military side.
Sam whispered: Two to zero.
He questioned her with his eyes, wondering if this was the outcome of the endgame he had missed in exchange for a threesome.
Anang stared at them: I'm not an "experiment". (they turned their heads towards her, she insisted, looking at them strangely) I'm human too, duh. Not an object.
Jack and Sam looked at each other, a little uncomfortable.
Sam huffed: Sorry.
Anang to Sam, unconvinced by her excuse: The search for your sexuality okay, but curiosity is not a sexual orientation. (they seemed a bit lost in her reflection) If you do it, it's out of envy (she insisted) Not curiosity.
Sam looked at him and raised his eyebrows in response, surprised that she would ask him for help on a subject that was none of his business. He shook his head and shoulders slightly, looking a little bewildered. She seemed to become aware of the problem of asking him and looked away, a little ashamed and troubled to have had this reflex.
Anang frowned: What don't you understand?
Sam, embarrassed: Eurh. Your problem.
Anang: Being curious about having a (she made quotation marks with her fingers) heterosexual "experience" doesn't exist.
Sam thought about her words for several seconds, then nodded and whispered: Okay. I got it.
Anang looked at her to see if she meant it and then added: Your bedroom?
Echo:
*paragraph by Bell and Jack, on Sam: “extreme behavior she may exhibit.” / "Extreme"?*
*previous paragraph, Jack says “what's going on?” / what's going on here?*
*Hey.(x2)*
*previous paragraph, echo with "okay”*
*I know(x6) / dontcha know*
*a little fast / That you're going fast. Not just a little*
*I'm just saying(x3)*
*Interesting experiment. / She's pretty intriguing / I'm not an "experiment" / "experience" / The search for your sexuality / but curiosity / Not curiosity*
*A new friend is good. / For someone who is used to isolating herself and taking her time, we see each other a lot these days*
*If you don't like the idea / The idea of…*
* It may not be wise / This is really far from wise*
Notes:
*Quote from Farida D: “If a man can go topless because he feels hot but a woman can't go topless because it looks hot to men, then what we're saying is that in every context only men's feelings matter” (source)*
She grabbed his T-shirt to have quickly the contact of his skin on her hands and he instantly forgot his reflection. He helped her to withdraw it, she devoured his chest with her eyes and the beginning of his groin. She bit her lips of envy and exhaled deeply. With this vision, he rested his hands on her face with ardor. She then attacked his belt. He groaned and slipped one of his hands on her breast by kissing her neck, then his hand slowly made its way under her pajama bottom. She plastered herself completely against the wall, sighed of envy and gave up the idea to remove his pants to let him make what he wanted of her.
Jack admired her reaction: Damn, you're hot.
Anang through the door: Hello?
The couple stopped immediately, surprised to have completely forgotten her presence. They bent their heads at the same time with a knowing look and moved away. She correctly put back her pajamas and he went towards the door by closing his belt.
Jack opened the door as if nothing had happened: Hey.
Anang, surprised to see him shirtless: Hey. (she looked at him with a slight smile) So?
Jack looked at Sam who was quickly fixing her hair: So okay.
Anang leaned against the door: A safe word in addition to "no-stop-dislike"?
In the distance, Sam questioned him with her eyes.
Jack leaned against the door too and turned his head towards Anang: Not yet.
Sam, confused: Hmm?
Jack turned his head towards her: Our "Trump card"? (she shook her head and gave herself a countenance) "red"?
She nodded again and tried to hide the fact that she felt stupid for not knowing that term from them. There was silence and no one made any movement.
Anang sensed that the couple was still not comfortable: Okay. You go ahead and I'll watch?
The couple stared at each other. She shrugged a shoulder, he raised an eyebrow, surprised that she agreed and so shrugged a shoulder towards Anang. He walked over to Sam who was already backing up against the wall, smiled mischievously and seemed to challenge him with her eyes. He dodged a slight smile, put his hands around her face and began an extremely slow kiss. Having an audience seemed to bring up the forbidden and the secret of their relationship.
A parasitic thought appeared to him: Did this relationship exist only because it was indeed forbidden and therefore exciting? She had just revealed their relationship to someone she had just met. Was this secret too much for her to bear and was she lying when she said it wasn't? He frowned, becoming nervous, and stopped his kiss. He stared at her while her eyes were still closed, still submerged by the sensations provoked in her body by his tongue in her mouth, he told himself again that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He began to smile a little stupidly and she opened her eyes. She smiled back and he rubbed his nose against hers.
Jack, quietly: Still okay?
Sam nodded: You?
He nodded and they kissed again, more passionately this time. He pressed her body against it, she had to restrain herself from moaning as she felt his erection through his pants. They stopped the kiss once more, smiled at each other, and then Sam pulled away slightly and motioned with her head for Anang to come closer. He shifted a few inches but she grabbed his forearm - a little too forcefully than she would have liked - and so stayed where he was. Anang saw him and questioned them with her eyes, skeptical of the nervousness of her actions. Sam moistened her lips with nervousness, shyly bringing her face close to Anang's. They closed their eyes and kissed gently.
The kiss stopped a few seconds later, Anang discovered the red tinted cheeks of Sam's shyness and turned her head towards Jack, who seemed to struggle to come back to reality after this fantastical vision. Sam pressed her fingers on his forearm and he emerged. He questioned her with his eyes and she glanced at him so he would understand that he could do the same. Anang turned to him and they kissed. Sam's mouth dropped open as he looked at them and her heart raced. Her brain analyzed the situation and sent conflicting signals of jealousy but also of compersion. She gasped at this paradox and concluded that the two emotions were not mutually exclusive.
The kiss ended and both of them turned their heads toward her in concern. In response, she put her hands around Anang's face and kissed her more intensely. She followed her lead and moved her tongue into her mouth, pressing it against the wall. Sam reached for Jack's forearm again and pulled him to her. He complied and she broke her kiss with Anang to throw herself greedily on the lips of the man. Anang smiled, leaned against the wall and looked at them a few seconds before shifting Sam and kissing Jack as greedily. Sam dodged a smile with a gasp and gazed at them. They stopped the kiss and all sought to regain their composure.
Jack, with difficulty: Okay. Interesting experiment.
Sweet euphemism, he thought. Sam smiled at his use of the term "experiment," remembering that the evening had revolved around her scientific rather than military side.
Sam whispered: Two to zero.
He questioned her with his eyes, wondering if this was the outcome of the endgame he had missed in exchange for a threesome.
Anang stared at them: I'm not an "experiment". (they turned their heads towards her, she insisted, looking at them strangely) I'm human too, duh. Not an object.
Jack and Sam looked at each other, a little uncomfortable.
Sam huffed: Sorry.
Anang to Sam, unconvinced by her excuse: The search for your sexuality okay, but curiosity is not a sexual orientation. (they seemed a bit lost in her reflection) If you do it, it's out of envy (she insisted) Not curiosity.
Sam looked at him and raised his eyebrows in response, surprised that she would ask him for help on a subject that was none of his business. He shook his head and shoulders slightly, looking a little bewildered. She seemed to become aware of the problem of asking him and looked away, a little ashamed and troubled to have had this reflex.
Anang frowned: What don't you understand?
Sam, embarrassed: Eurh. Your problem.
Anang: Being curious about having a (she made quotation marks with her fingers) heterosexual "experience" doesn't exist.
Sam thought about her words for several seconds, then nodded and whispered: Okay. I got it.
Anang looked at her to see if she meant it and then added: Your bedroom?
Echo:
*paragraph by Bell and Jack, on Sam: “extreme behavior she may exhibit.” / "Extreme"?*
*previous paragraph, Jack says “what's going on?” / what's going on here?*
*Hey.(x2)*
*previous paragraph, echo with "okay”*
*I know(x6) / dontcha know*
*a little fast / That you're going fast. Not just a little*
*I'm just saying(x3)*
*Interesting experiment. / She's pretty intriguing / I'm not an "experiment" / "experience" / The search for your sexuality / but curiosity / Not curiosity*
*A new friend is good. / For someone who is used to isolating herself and taking her time, we see each other a lot these days*
*If you don't like the idea / The idea of…*
* It may not be wise / This is really far from wise*
Notes:
*Quote from Farida D: “If a man can go topless because he feels hot but a woman can't go topless because it looks hot to men, then what we're saying is that in every context only men's feelings matter” (source)*
CW: *Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS* *racism* *colonialism* *patriarchy* *PTSD*
Anang: Precautions?
Jack: We're clean.
Anang stared at him: I'm not asking if you took a shower, I could smell your soap and even your toothpaste. (they questioned her with their eyes and she rolled her eyes) Forget it. (she looked at him) Condom?
Jack, a little confused: Ya ya.
He questioned Sam with his eyes, who seemed perplexed that he was asking her something. She moved her head to tell him she didn't know and motioned with her hand to Anang to take the lead. Anang held back a laugh and decided to take control of the situation to make them more comfortable. She began the caresses on his chest and shoulders. He approached his hands on the head of Anang to caress her hair but she had a movement of retreat.
Anang exclaimed: No! (he pushed his hands away in surprise, and she winced) Don't touch my hair. (she insisted) It's sacred.
Jack grimaced nervously: Sorry.
Anang: No, no. I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry.
They looked at each other with a knowing look but he didn't know what to do with his hands. Sam sensed the discomfort and found the courage.
Sam: Don't grab mine. (Both turned their heads towards her. She swallowed at the look on Jack's face as he discovered this information. She looked away for a fraction of a second and then added more lowly) Nor the neck. (He swallowed his saliva with difficulty) Okay to touch them.
Anang stared at her: Trauma? (Sam hesitated, then nodded uncomfortably) I can help you control them. If you want.
Sam raised her eyebrows, suddenly curious: How?
That feeling of finding the passionate Sam to unravel the secrets of the Universe came back to him. Anang hesitated for a moment, and he guessed her thoughts.
Jack: Spring? (they turned their heads towards him. He stared at Anang and she nodded) Okay.
Sam, lost in their codes: Hmm?
Anang turned her head towards her: Therapeutic situation. (she moved her hand quickly) I'm not a therapist, but BDSM combines violence and consent. (Sam swallowed, even more uncomfortable) My hair is sacred in my culture. (she glanced at Jack) He awakened one of my traumas but respected my consent by stopping at my request. (she insisted) I regained control. (she shrugged and spoke more casually) We can experiment. If you want.
Sam thought for a moment and then nodded: Okay.
Anang smiled and they resumed their slow exploration. She removed her T-shirt and invited Sam to do the same. She hesitated, the traces of her lacerations on her arms still present. A connection was made in her brain and she wondered if his dismissal had anything to do with the fact that he had seen them the day before right after their time loop kiss discussion. It must have worried her more than she thought, the man had made no comment but at the same time they were in the midst of a romp, and tiredness not helping, they had fallen asleep quickly before they could discuss it.
Anang and Jack stared at her, wondering what she was thinking. For the sake of equality, Sam tilted her head and decided to remove the garment. Fortunately, no one commented, although Jack looked away at the memory and Anang froze for a few seconds. He quickly looked for something to make Sam feel more uncomfortable and frowned at a scar on Anang's shoulder. He could swear it was a bullet hole.
Jack: What is it?
Anang hesitated: A trauma. (They waited for the next part, but she didn't add anything else. She touched an almost faded scar on Jack's right arm) PXY- 887.
Jack: Hmm?
Anang: Tonane?
Jack: Huuu no. (He showed her another scar a few inches away) There. (He dodged a wry smile toward Sam) So many nice memories.
Anang looked at her: Your report was horrible to read.
Sam, surprised: “Horrible”?
Anang: You disrespected them. (he blew his nose, glad not to be yelled at and she turned her head towards him) I'm just sparing you because (she pressed insistently on his scar) you've already been punished.
He smiled and looked at his colleague with a bit of pride.
Sam, still offended: Hey, what did I put in my report that was horrible? (she pointed to him with a shake of her head) I disapproved of the Pentagon order as much as he did.
Anang with sarcasm: Wah. Thank you, white savior. I wish you'd take a picture of yourself with colored children!
Sam frowned, still annoyed. Anang noticed and straddled her, put both hands on the bed and bit her lip. Sam, surprised, gave a grunt and wanted to free herself but Anang interlaced her fingers with hers. Jack tilted his head, delighted by the turn of this spectacle, fantasies full of the head.
Anang let go of her lip but stayed close to her face: I'm the one who should be upset, not you. (Sam gritted her teeth) I'll grab your neck.
Sam froze: What?
He opened his mouth and wondered if he should intervene. Anang let go of one of her hands and slowly moved up to her collarbone.
Anang: Tell me to stop or use the word if you need to. (Sam's breathing quickened as the hand encompassed her neck) You okay? (Sam swallowed but nodded. Anang squeezed her fingers lightly and challenged her with her eyes) So?
Sam frowned: So what?
Anang pressed her fingers harder: I have to argue with you about why you should not be offended by what you said?
They stared at each other and then Sam remembered their discussions during that evening. She understood what she was trying to tell her: She had not respected her people and she had taken offense when she had just notified her of this, insulting her in turn. Anang tightened her throat a little more, Sam emerged and began to panic. Then Anang released her grip with both hands and sat up. Sam took several seconds to get her heart rate back to normal, and Anang waited patiently, watching her, examining her reactions.
Sam accepted her responsibility and added softly: Sorry.
Anang looked at her and felt that she was sincere. Then she nodded and looked at Jack, confused by the situation.
Anang: We are not your princesses.
They did not have time to ask for more explanation because their hands were caught and twisted, so that if they moved, they would become painful. Of course, they could get free easily with their military training, they knew that and knew for sure that Anang knew it too, so they listened to her.
Anang accentuated her gesture to make it a little more painful: The submissive has as much control as the dominant. (They winced at the pain and Anang insisted) You have the power to stop the pain.
Sam, not particularly enjoying her little game: Red.
Anang immediately released her: Your wrist?
Sam massaged it, unconvinced by her behavior: I will survive.
Anang turned her head toward Jack and tightened her grip again. He clenched his teeth in pain but resisted. Anang stared at him, released him and immediately came to massage his wrist. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Anang moved away from Sam: The dominant has as much responsibility as the submissive. (she made him lie down and straddled him) He can praise him when he has done well or gone above and beyond.
Anang stroked his head, brought her face close to his and questioned him with her eyes. He swallowed at the sudden closeness and nodded. Anang kissed him again and he sighed at her caresses. Sam raised her eyebrows at the sight.
Anang moved a few inches away: Both of them are responsible for each other. (she turned her head towards her) Where are your toys?
They froze. At her insistence, Sam nervously moved her hand toward the drawer - not without discomfort - having never shared this with anyone, not even her exes.
Jack, very interested: "Toys”? I like toys. I want to play, can I?
Sam moistened her lips to stop herself from giggling and Anang glanced at him, rather surprised that he didn't take offense. He saw her expression and questioned her with his eyes, a little confused.
Anang pulled herself together and opened the drawer: Observe and learn.
Echo:
*in a previous paragraph: “*such precautions. - "Precautions"?” / Precautions?*
*Forget it. / I forgot to tell you*
*Sam accepted her responsibility / the responsibility / responsible*
*Trauma? / of my traumas / A trauma.*
*If you want. (x2)*
*and consent. / my consent*
*Your report was horrible to read. - “Horrible”?/ what did I put in my report that was horrible?*
*So? - So what?*
*Where are your toys? / "Toys”? I like toys*
*I can help you control them. / I regained control. / The submissive has as much control as the dominant*
*or the princess. / We are not your princesses*
Notes:
*Here is an article that explains very well why taking pictures of non-white children is problematic. (source)
As a reminder, the movie Stargate is noted as a perfect example of the "white savior" concept (source)
It's ok to make mistakes, it's not ok to not change your behavior. I don't know why Amanda Tapping stopped her association, I couldn't find the information on the internet, but given her activism today, I think she understood this problem. (Again, my guess, but if that's the case, I think it's great to have listened to the anti-racism (and concerned) activists!)*
*I bring up the topic of BDSM mainly because there are a LOT of Sam/Jack fanfics where it's present, and it's often full of stereotypes (no thanks to "50 Shades of Grey")*
*Video: Disney princesses and racism (source)*
*Article: Media makers like Disney have long reified stereotypes of Indigenous women throughout their filmography. And when Native people protest these narratives we are met with gaslighting and denial. (source)*
*Article: Activists call for stop to Native American costumes they say sexualize indigenous people (source)*
*Articles: The True Story of Pocahontas, Historical Myths Versus Sad Reality (source) (source) (source) (source)*
*Article: In Texas, it is forbidden to have more than 6 sex toys in your home, but you are allowed to walk around with a gun in public places without a permit. (source)*
*Article: Giving aftercare to doms (source)*
*Article: what are some benefits of BDSM? (source)*
Anang: Precautions?
Jack: We're clean.
Anang stared at him: I'm not asking if you took a shower, I could smell your soap and even your toothpaste. (they questioned her with their eyes and she rolled her eyes) Forget it. (she looked at him) Condom?
Jack, a little confused: Ya ya.
He questioned Sam with his eyes, who seemed perplexed that he was asking her something. She moved her head to tell him she didn't know and motioned with her hand to Anang to take the lead. Anang held back a laugh and decided to take control of the situation to make them more comfortable. She began the caresses on his chest and shoulders. He approached his hands on the head of Anang to caress her hair but she had a movement of retreat.
Anang exclaimed: No! (he pushed his hands away in surprise, and she winced) Don't touch my hair. (she insisted) It's sacred.
Jack grimaced nervously: Sorry.
Anang: No, no. I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry.
They looked at each other with a knowing look but he didn't know what to do with his hands. Sam sensed the discomfort and found the courage.
Sam: Don't grab mine. (Both turned their heads towards her. She swallowed at the look on Jack's face as he discovered this information. She looked away for a fraction of a second and then added more lowly) Nor the neck. (He swallowed his saliva with difficulty) Okay to touch them.
Anang stared at her: Trauma? (Sam hesitated, then nodded uncomfortably) I can help you control them. If you want.
Sam raised her eyebrows, suddenly curious: How?
That feeling of finding the passionate Sam to unravel the secrets of the Universe came back to him. Anang hesitated for a moment, and he guessed her thoughts.
Jack: Spring? (they turned their heads towards him. He stared at Anang and she nodded) Okay.
Sam, lost in their codes: Hmm?
Anang turned her head towards her: Therapeutic situation. (she moved her hand quickly) I'm not a therapist, but BDSM combines violence and consent. (Sam swallowed, even more uncomfortable) My hair is sacred in my culture. (she glanced at Jack) He awakened one of my traumas but respected my consent by stopping at my request. (she insisted) I regained control. (she shrugged and spoke more casually) We can experiment. If you want.
Sam thought for a moment and then nodded: Okay.
Anang smiled and they resumed their slow exploration. She removed her T-shirt and invited Sam to do the same. She hesitated, the traces of her lacerations on her arms still present. A connection was made in her brain and she wondered if his dismissal had anything to do with the fact that he had seen them the day before right after their time loop kiss discussion. It must have worried her more than she thought, the man had made no comment but at the same time they were in the midst of a romp, and tiredness not helping, they had fallen asleep quickly before they could discuss it.
Anang and Jack stared at her, wondering what she was thinking. For the sake of equality, Sam tilted her head and decided to remove the garment. Fortunately, no one commented, although Jack looked away at the memory and Anang froze for a few seconds. He quickly looked for something to make Sam feel more uncomfortable and frowned at a scar on Anang's shoulder. He could swear it was a bullet hole.
Jack: What is it?
Anang hesitated: A trauma. (They waited for the next part, but she didn't add anything else. She touched an almost faded scar on Jack's right arm) PXY- 887.
Jack: Hmm?
Anang: Tonane?
Jack: Huuu no. (He showed her another scar a few inches away) There. (He dodged a wry smile toward Sam) So many nice memories.
Anang looked at her: Your report was horrible to read.
Sam, surprised: “Horrible”?
Anang: You disrespected them. (he blew his nose, glad not to be yelled at and she turned her head towards him) I'm just sparing you because (she pressed insistently on his scar) you've already been punished.
He smiled and looked at his colleague with a bit of pride.
Sam, still offended: Hey, what did I put in my report that was horrible? (she pointed to him with a shake of her head) I disapproved of the Pentagon order as much as he did.
Anang with sarcasm: Wah. Thank you, white savior. I wish you'd take a picture of yourself with colored children!
Sam frowned, still annoyed. Anang noticed and straddled her, put both hands on the bed and bit her lip. Sam, surprised, gave a grunt and wanted to free herself but Anang interlaced her fingers with hers. Jack tilted his head, delighted by the turn of this spectacle, fantasies full of the head.
Anang let go of her lip but stayed close to her face: I'm the one who should be upset, not you. (Sam gritted her teeth) I'll grab your neck.
Sam froze: What?
He opened his mouth and wondered if he should intervene. Anang let go of one of her hands and slowly moved up to her collarbone.
Anang: Tell me to stop or use the word if you need to. (Sam's breathing quickened as the hand encompassed her neck) You okay? (Sam swallowed but nodded. Anang squeezed her fingers lightly and challenged her with her eyes) So?
Sam frowned: So what?
Anang pressed her fingers harder: I have to argue with you about why you should not be offended by what you said?
They stared at each other and then Sam remembered their discussions during that evening. She understood what she was trying to tell her: She had not respected her people and she had taken offense when she had just notified her of this, insulting her in turn. Anang tightened her throat a little more, Sam emerged and began to panic. Then Anang released her grip with both hands and sat up. Sam took several seconds to get her heart rate back to normal, and Anang waited patiently, watching her, examining her reactions.
Sam accepted her responsibility and added softly: Sorry.
Anang looked at her and felt that she was sincere. Then she nodded and looked at Jack, confused by the situation.
Anang: We are not your princesses.
They did not have time to ask for more explanation because their hands were caught and twisted, so that if they moved, they would become painful. Of course, they could get free easily with their military training, they knew that and knew for sure that Anang knew it too, so they listened to her.
Anang accentuated her gesture to make it a little more painful: The submissive has as much control as the dominant. (They winced at the pain and Anang insisted) You have the power to stop the pain.
Sam, not particularly enjoying her little game: Red.
Anang immediately released her: Your wrist?
Sam massaged it, unconvinced by her behavior: I will survive.
Anang turned her head toward Jack and tightened her grip again. He clenched his teeth in pain but resisted. Anang stared at him, released him and immediately came to massage his wrist. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Anang moved away from Sam: The dominant has as much responsibility as the submissive. (she made him lie down and straddled him) He can praise him when he has done well or gone above and beyond.
Anang stroked his head, brought her face close to his and questioned him with her eyes. He swallowed at the sudden closeness and nodded. Anang kissed him again and he sighed at her caresses. Sam raised her eyebrows at the sight.
Anang moved a few inches away: Both of them are responsible for each other. (she turned her head towards her) Where are your toys?
They froze. At her insistence, Sam nervously moved her hand toward the drawer - not without discomfort - having never shared this with anyone, not even her exes.
Jack, very interested: "Toys”? I like toys. I want to play, can I?
Sam moistened her lips to stop herself from giggling and Anang glanced at him, rather surprised that he didn't take offense. He saw her expression and questioned her with his eyes, a little confused.
Anang pulled herself together and opened the drawer: Observe and learn.
Echo:
*in a previous paragraph: “*such precautions. - "Precautions"?” / Precautions?*
*Forget it. / I forgot to tell you*
*Sam accepted her responsibility / the responsibility / responsible*
*Trauma? / of my traumas / A trauma.*
*If you want. (x2)*
*and consent. / my consent*
*Your report was horrible to read. - “Horrible”?/ what did I put in my report that was horrible?*
*So? - So what?*
*Where are your toys? / "Toys”? I like toys*
*I can help you control them. / I regained control. / The submissive has as much control as the dominant*
*or the princess. / We are not your princesses*
Notes:
*Here is an article that explains very well why taking pictures of non-white children is problematic. (source)
As a reminder, the movie Stargate is noted as a perfect example of the "white savior" concept (source)
It's ok to make mistakes, it's not ok to not change your behavior. I don't know why Amanda Tapping stopped her association, I couldn't find the information on the internet, but given her activism today, I think she understood this problem. (Again, my guess, but if that's the case, I think it's great to have listened to the anti-racism (and concerned) activists!)*
*I bring up the topic of BDSM mainly because there are a LOT of Sam/Jack fanfics where it's present, and it's often full of stereotypes (no thanks to "50 Shades of Grey")*
*Video: Disney princesses and racism (source)*
*Article: Media makers like Disney have long reified stereotypes of Indigenous women throughout their filmography. And when Native people protest these narratives we are met with gaslighting and denial. (source)*
*Article: Activists call for stop to Native American costumes they say sexualize indigenous people (source)*
*Articles: The True Story of Pocahontas, Historical Myths Versus Sad Reality (source) (source) (source) (source)*
*Article: In Texas, it is forbidden to have more than 6 sex toys in your home, but you are allowed to walk around with a gun in public places without a permit. (source)*
*Article: Giving aftercare to doms (source)*
*Article: what are some benefits of BDSM? (source)*
CW: *colonialism* *racism* *war* *holocaust* *capitalism* *genocide*
With her legs folded over her chest and her back on the headboard, she had put on her pajamas after taking a shower. Jack offered some respite to his aching knees and back, the sheet slightly hiding his nakedness and waited for Anang to finish washing.
Anang came back in her pajamas and resumed the discussion as if she had never left: It's the whole system that needs to be reviewed. (she sat down next to Sam) People will follow.
Sam, unconvinced : And what, we tell them to turn off the TV?
Jack: You have to offer them a more interesting program.
Sam gave him an amused look at his running gag about the end of his failed game and he looked at her with a hint of pride at his own repartee.
Anang: It's not the TV that's the problem, it's the people who cash the checks behind it. They choose which programs are profitable, which people or subjects to showcase.
Sam thought back to her own speeches and became uncomfortable: Do you think the world would be ready to discover the Gate?
Anang thought and shook her head: Same problem. (redirected one hand) Individual people will understand but...
Sam continued: But not everyone does. (more sharply) The general public is not ready for this kind of thing. If the news spreads, it will create a general panic.
Anang nodded sharply at the argument and seemed to have already thought about it. Sam frowned, remembering having said that before. When was that, she wondered?
Jack: People might eventually be able to deal with it, but not before it turns the world upside down. (she widened her eyes, remembering the briefing. She turned her head sharply to Jack and he thought he had said something stupid) What?
Sam: Nothing... I... (she frowned) I've heard that before.
Jack stared at her: Your echoes?
Sam nodded: But it's strange, you weren't there and Fraiser said the same thing word for word that you just said.
Anang, a little confused: About revealing the gate to the public?
Sam looked back at Anang, stunned: No, something else. (She frowned and shook her head) Forget it.
Anang returned to the original topic: For me, the panic movement will only happen because the people who are supposed to protect us oppress us. (they questioned her with their eyes) If we all felt safe, if we weren't afraid of each other, there wouldn't be any worries. (more forcefully) We would trust (she repeated herself to emphasize her point) each other, but especially the institutions and our governments.
Sam: And the news would be accepted?
Anang shrugged: Theoretically yes.
Sam thought: That's an interesting theory. I think I remember Daniel explaining something similar. (Anang questioned her with her eyes, Sam looked at Jack to see what she was talking about) About obscurantism? (he seemed to have dropped out of the conversation and she focused on Anang) We have had more than 800 years where we have considered Science as heresy.
Anang nodded: Hmm. I know about obscurantism. (she moved her hand) The Jesuit missionaries used our beliefs to assimilate us.
Sam perked up: Oh. (she resumed more softly) Daniel assumed that without his years, our technological development would be far superior. We would even have colonized a good part of the galaxy. (Anang winced) Hmm?
Anang: "Colonize"?
Sam: Yeah?
Anang stared at her: Name one positive thing about colonizing?
Sam thought: Well... the roads.
Anang gave her a jaded look: Yeah. It's well known that before you, we used to teleport. (Sam dodged a smile, Anang took it more seriously and moved both hands to imitate a scale) You've slaughtered us but we've got nice paved roads. (she lowered her hands) Cool. Thanks.
Sam waddled with her head and continued: Education.
Anang raised a hand: Okay okay. (she ponders her words) How do we judge one culture over another?
Sam: Their standards of living, their science, their laws, their-
Anang rephrased: How do you choose which people need which culture?
Sam smiled politely: It's best to go over all that with Daniel, I'm not sure I'm the best person to-
Anang: It's your opinion that I'm asking (she hit him gently) And you too.
Jack seemed to emerge from his thoughts: Hmm?
Anang frowned: This is important.
Jack rubbed his eyes to try to wake up: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening to everything. (she questioned him with her eyes) Hmm. I'm not the best person to talk to about this, check with Daniel. (Sam smiled nervously and he noticed) What?
Sam shook her head and added, embarrassed: Nothing.
Anang to Jack: You're still in charge of something important. (He winced, she rolled her eyes and looked at him) All colonial conquest and domination was done with violence.
Sam tilted her head from side to side and accepted the argument: But... that's not exactly what we're doing with the program.
Anang tilted her head: I wouldn't have signed up otherwise. (she moved her hand) That's not my point, you don't put schools or roads on the planets you visit. (he froze and Sam winced slightly) Mining operations but most of them are on uninhabited planets so- (Anang stared at them, finally seeing them uncomfortable) WHAT?
Sam glanced at Jack, then at Anang: Eurh. Part of our negotiations with the allied treaties offers food and...
Jack tilted his head: Education.
Anang looked at them, incredulous: Huu. You indoctrinate the whole galaxy to your methods.
Sam ventured: But... Building schools... That's pretty positive, isn't it? (she moved her hand) Take the example of Africa, young people can find work in the city because there is no more work in the countryside.
Anang: In addition to generalizing, you are looking at the problem the wrong way around.
Sam: Hmm?
Anang: Before colonization, villages were able to manage their resources. They were self-sufficient. Then the outsiders came, and I'm not even talking about the violence, but the result. They stole their land, ripped out the trees for their own use.
Sam nodded her head: No more cultivable land.
Anang: Yeah. Or drinking water. (she pointed at them and spoke more sharply) Or computer materials, here. (she resumed more calmly) The deforestation of the Amazon, which favors flooding and prevents the retention of water in the water tables, creating droughts that have led to famine, which has led to... (she pointed again) The need to go find work in the city to survive.
Sam pondered her arguments: Destruction of a system of self-management for a system of exclusionary capitalism.
Anang nodded insistently, reassured that she understood: Yes.
Sam: I understand. (she ventured) Hospitals?
Anang sarcastically: Because health care is available to everyone, it's well known. (Sam recalls their conversation about the elitist health care system and Anang raises her arms in the air) Imagine a world without borders, a world based on mutual aid and sharing. (she looked at her) Who says that hospitals, roads, schools and other things would not be created but in another way? A way that doesn't leave anyone behind and that wasn't set up after genocides?
Sam swallowed, then nodded: Yeah. (She lowered her tone, uncomfortable) I understand.
Anang made a movement with her arms: So how come you don't do anything about it?
Sam looked at Jack, then at Anang: Hmm. This is not our mission.
Anang: But your superior's is.
Sam frowned: The President?
Anang: Yeah. Governments.
Sam thought and looked at the ceiling: Hmm.
Anang: That's cognitive dissonance.
Sam: What do you mean?
Anang straightened up: You care about the people on other planets, you risk your lives for them, but here you don't care?
Sam straightened up: We're fighting for Earth at the same time.
Anang fell back and put her head in her hands: Rah. I suck at explaining things.
Sam noticed her frustration at not being understood again. She wanted to look at Jack to see if he didn't feel like he was seeing her herself when she tried to explain something but many didn't understand, but her face sank as she saw him close to falling asleep from boredom, fatigue, or maybe both.
Sam turned her attention back to Anang, gently: Try me.
Anang regained her composure after a few moments and thought: You realize that if you were not on this project you would be in Afghanistan or Iraq (Jack and Sam gritted their teeth) and for what reason? To impose democracy by force?
Sam: That's a very reductive discourse.
Anang: Because you think that the current democratic model of the West is a utopian model? (Sam grimaced and Anang straightened up again) The holocaust? The industrialization of death? The scientific testing of whole populations?
Jack: It wasn't even our country.
Anang: Vietnam?
Jack tilted his head: The military people who were hit there were compensated.
Anang: The military, yes. (she held up a finger) And not by the government.
Sam frowned: Hu?
Anang: American veterans sued the manufacturers of Agent Orange because they were not allowed to sue the US government. In 1984, the manufacturers signed a settlement agreement with the veterans' associations. In exchange for a halt to all lawsuits, the manufacturers paid $180 million to a veterans' compensation fund. (Sam turned his head to Jack to see if this was true. He grimaced and nodded.) This whole system has been rotten for years, and it's not getting any better. In fact, if I were a Goa'uld, I'd just wait for our planet to self-destruct and then move in. (Sam and Jack looked at each other. Anang got angry) The napalm? The bombing of Tokyo? You were so pleased with yourself, one attack 125,000 Japanese dead. Well done, great achievement. (more sharply) Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Jack got angry: We were at war!
Anang became angry at not being understood: I fucking know!
Jack moved his hands quickly in front of him: And it wasn't us... Us!
Anang gritted her teeth: I personally had nothing to do with this, you slaughtered my ancestors and sterilized them. (he froze. Sam swallowed and lowered her head) Stop with your military ego, I know it wasn't you who gave that order! (she insisted) I'm talking to you in general here! You are just the pawns!
Jack, still angry: And what should we have done? Huh? What would you have done?
Anang got angry: The question is not what we would have done, but what we can do now! You spend all your time protecting the world from Goa'ulds, but who protects us from you? (Sam thought back to Agent Barrett) Are we so insignificant to you?
They seemed confused by these words, as if they had not really thought about the question. Yes, the problems of Earth seemed insignificant compared to all the enemies in the universe, but did that make them any less important? How could they advocate peace and freedom to other civilizations if they were not interested in what was happening in their own world?
Anang, more calmy: You leave us behind. (they grimaced) We all make mistakes and history is important so we don't repeat those mistakes. The problem is that we're stuck in these loops and in the meantime, we are being massacred.
Sam, gently: We understand your situation, but what exactly do you want from us?
Anang: Listen to us. Hear us. Try to understand our pain, our stories. Don't just focus on the voice of a certain segment of the population. Really listen to us. (she added lower) And fight with us for our Rights. (they remained silent, uncomfortable, so she raised her arms towards them and added) You have helped thousands of worlds, all your life, is it so hard to consider?
Sam and Jack exchanged glances again. She tilted her head, signaling that there was a way she was telling the truth. He shook his head, turned his attention back to the ceiling and refrained from answering again that it wasn't their job.
Anang: What about ecology? I don't know, anti-pollution stuff? Anti ozone layer?
Jack noticed that Sam was looking at him: What?
Sam winced and looked at her: Let's just say... That's not the priority of the program.
Anang asked him to continue: But...?
Sam tilted her head: But yes, several technologies could have been adapted. (she moved her hand) It's only in the last two years that we've been suggesting to our allies that they consider their ecological footprints.
Anang: Yeah... You're finally taking the long view.
Sam tilted her head and admitted: Yeah.
Silence.
Anang huffed and rubbed the back of her neck to relax: Can we please talk about something else? I'm tired of talking about all this. Unless you pay me overtime, because hey! (she tapped Jack on the shoulder, he flinched slightly, still tired) This is my job.
Jack: Ya, let's talk about something else. You two have given me quite a headache. (they looked at each other with an amused smile and he stood up) I'm gonna wash up.
Echo:
*You have to offer them a more interesting program.*
*that's the problem / Same problem /you are looking at the problem the wrong way around. /The problem is that*
*it will create a general panic. / the panic movement / I'm talking to you in general here!*
*afraid of each other / each other*
*Theoretically yes. - That's an interesting theory.*
*About obscurantism? / I know about obscurantism.*
* We would even have colonized / "Colonize"? / about colonizing? / All colonial conquest / Before colonization,*
*It's best to go over all that with Daniel, I'm not sure I'm the best person to- / I'm not the best person to talk to about this, check with Daniel.*
*This is important. / of something important*
*You care about / but here you don't care?*
*I wasn't listening to everything. / Listen to us.(x2)*
*Education(x2)*
*I understand.(x2)*
*Hospitals? / that hospitals*
*Can we please talk about something else? / Ya, let's talk about something else.*
*Name one positive thing / That's pretty positive, isn't it?*
Notes:
*Important things to note for the following and a little reminder of what happened before this paragraph: Anang insists on telling Sam that it is her opinion that interests him. Remember in "Heroes" season 7, in front of the camera, when Bregman asks her opinion, she doesn't know what to say. I emphasized this in one of my first paragraphs. She doesn't really have an opinion on Earth's socio-political situation, or she prefers not to give her opinion for fear of reprisals. In that same paragraph Jack tells her that the Pentagon was delighted with her intervention on TV to counter Alec Colson's arguments by lying. She knows she is lying, she is just following orders, and doesn't like it. Jack tells her that the Pentagon has given her a new mission and that from now on she will have to give lectures, highlight some of the Air Force's new technologies, etc. In this paragraph, Anang exposes the problem of television being run by big groups/dominant people.*
*In the episode 613 Sight Unseen, Vernon is portrayed as a war veteran who would have undergone scientific experiments during the war but that the Army would deny. He is portrayed as paranoid, and therefore unreliable (conspiracy theory). Remember that Stargate was sponsored by the Air Force. I invite you to read up on the scandals of scientific experiments conducted by the Army (not just the U.S. Army), and ask yourself why Vernon is portrayed as paranoid and not as someone suffering from severe PTSD because he has really lived through his traumas*
*Note also that Stargate had a very western vision, and therefore liked to highlight the ethical problems of other countries (I put an example in my video montage with North Africa or Ancient Persia), but had much more difficulty in pointing out their internal problems (small superiority complex here?)
Quote from an article: "To think of Africa differently is to think of Africa in a way that is not as miserable as it is easily made out to be... Generalized Afro-pessimism is associated with the idea that Africa is a continent adrift, permanently on fire and blood. But we say that Africa is huge, and nobody realizes it. If we add up the surface areas of the United States, Australia and Europe, we still don't reach the surface area of all of Africa! And inevitably, on such a vast continent, there are places where there are problems, but there are also places where there are none. So we must stop considering Africa as the continent of famines, wars and generalized underdevelopment, which has big problems to solve, including structurally, namely corruption." (source)*
*Article: A lithium mine outside of Reno, Nevada, has broken ground, despite protests from local ranchers, Indigenous groups and conservation coalitions. Although the project will largely provide lithium for electric vehicle batteries, critics say the cultural and environmental costs to the area will be hugely detrimental. (source)*
*Study: Extreme events and gender-based violence, a mixed-methods systematic review (source)*
With her legs folded over her chest and her back on the headboard, she had put on her pajamas after taking a shower. Jack offered some respite to his aching knees and back, the sheet slightly hiding his nakedness and waited for Anang to finish washing.
Anang came back in her pajamas and resumed the discussion as if she had never left: It's the whole system that needs to be reviewed. (she sat down next to Sam) People will follow.
Sam, unconvinced : And what, we tell them to turn off the TV?
Jack: You have to offer them a more interesting program.
Sam gave him an amused look at his running gag about the end of his failed game and he looked at her with a hint of pride at his own repartee.
Anang: It's not the TV that's the problem, it's the people who cash the checks behind it. They choose which programs are profitable, which people or subjects to showcase.
Sam thought back to her own speeches and became uncomfortable: Do you think the world would be ready to discover the Gate?
Anang thought and shook her head: Same problem. (redirected one hand) Individual people will understand but...
Sam continued: But not everyone does. (more sharply) The general public is not ready for this kind of thing. If the news spreads, it will create a general panic.
Anang nodded sharply at the argument and seemed to have already thought about it. Sam frowned, remembering having said that before. When was that, she wondered?
Jack: People might eventually be able to deal with it, but not before it turns the world upside down. (she widened her eyes, remembering the briefing. She turned her head sharply to Jack and he thought he had said something stupid) What?
Sam: Nothing... I... (she frowned) I've heard that before.
Jack stared at her: Your echoes?
Sam nodded: But it's strange, you weren't there and Fraiser said the same thing word for word that you just said.
Anang, a little confused: About revealing the gate to the public?
Sam looked back at Anang, stunned: No, something else. (She frowned and shook her head) Forget it.
Anang returned to the original topic: For me, the panic movement will only happen because the people who are supposed to protect us oppress us. (they questioned her with their eyes) If we all felt safe, if we weren't afraid of each other, there wouldn't be any worries. (more forcefully) We would trust (she repeated herself to emphasize her point) each other, but especially the institutions and our governments.
Sam: And the news would be accepted?
Anang shrugged: Theoretically yes.
Sam thought: That's an interesting theory. I think I remember Daniel explaining something similar. (Anang questioned her with her eyes, Sam looked at Jack to see what she was talking about) About obscurantism? (he seemed to have dropped out of the conversation and she focused on Anang) We have had more than 800 years where we have considered Science as heresy.
Anang nodded: Hmm. I know about obscurantism. (she moved her hand) The Jesuit missionaries used our beliefs to assimilate us.
Sam perked up: Oh. (she resumed more softly) Daniel assumed that without his years, our technological development would be far superior. We would even have colonized a good part of the galaxy. (Anang winced) Hmm?
Anang: "Colonize"?
Sam: Yeah?
Anang stared at her: Name one positive thing about colonizing?
Sam thought: Well... the roads.
Anang gave her a jaded look: Yeah. It's well known that before you, we used to teleport. (Sam dodged a smile, Anang took it more seriously and moved both hands to imitate a scale) You've slaughtered us but we've got nice paved roads. (she lowered her hands) Cool. Thanks.
Sam waddled with her head and continued: Education.
Anang raised a hand: Okay okay. (she ponders her words) How do we judge one culture over another?
Sam: Their standards of living, their science, their laws, their-
Anang rephrased: How do you choose which people need which culture?
Sam smiled politely: It's best to go over all that with Daniel, I'm not sure I'm the best person to-
Anang: It's your opinion that I'm asking (she hit him gently) And you too.
Jack seemed to emerge from his thoughts: Hmm?
Anang frowned: This is important.
Jack rubbed his eyes to try to wake up: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening to everything. (she questioned him with her eyes) Hmm. I'm not the best person to talk to about this, check with Daniel. (Sam smiled nervously and he noticed) What?
Sam shook her head and added, embarrassed: Nothing.
Anang to Jack: You're still in charge of something important. (He winced, she rolled her eyes and looked at him) All colonial conquest and domination was done with violence.
Sam tilted her head from side to side and accepted the argument: But... that's not exactly what we're doing with the program.
Anang tilted her head: I wouldn't have signed up otherwise. (she moved her hand) That's not my point, you don't put schools or roads on the planets you visit. (he froze and Sam winced slightly) Mining operations but most of them are on uninhabited planets so- (Anang stared at them, finally seeing them uncomfortable) WHAT?
Sam glanced at Jack, then at Anang: Eurh. Part of our negotiations with the allied treaties offers food and...
Jack tilted his head: Education.
Anang looked at them, incredulous: Huu. You indoctrinate the whole galaxy to your methods.
Sam ventured: But... Building schools... That's pretty positive, isn't it? (she moved her hand) Take the example of Africa, young people can find work in the city because there is no more work in the countryside.
Anang: In addition to generalizing, you are looking at the problem the wrong way around.
Sam: Hmm?
Anang: Before colonization, villages were able to manage their resources. They were self-sufficient. Then the outsiders came, and I'm not even talking about the violence, but the result. They stole their land, ripped out the trees for their own use.
Sam nodded her head: No more cultivable land.
Anang: Yeah. Or drinking water. (she pointed at them and spoke more sharply) Or computer materials, here. (she resumed more calmly) The deforestation of the Amazon, which favors flooding and prevents the retention of water in the water tables, creating droughts that have led to famine, which has led to... (she pointed again) The need to go find work in the city to survive.
Sam pondered her arguments: Destruction of a system of self-management for a system of exclusionary capitalism.
Anang nodded insistently, reassured that she understood: Yes.
Sam: I understand. (she ventured) Hospitals?
Anang sarcastically: Because health care is available to everyone, it's well known. (Sam recalls their conversation about the elitist health care system and Anang raises her arms in the air) Imagine a world without borders, a world based on mutual aid and sharing. (she looked at her) Who says that hospitals, roads, schools and other things would not be created but in another way? A way that doesn't leave anyone behind and that wasn't set up after genocides?
Sam swallowed, then nodded: Yeah. (She lowered her tone, uncomfortable) I understand.
Anang made a movement with her arms: So how come you don't do anything about it?
Sam looked at Jack, then at Anang: Hmm. This is not our mission.
Anang: But your superior's is.
Sam frowned: The President?
Anang: Yeah. Governments.
Sam thought and looked at the ceiling: Hmm.
Anang: That's cognitive dissonance.
Sam: What do you mean?
Anang straightened up: You care about the people on other planets, you risk your lives for them, but here you don't care?
Sam straightened up: We're fighting for Earth at the same time.
Anang fell back and put her head in her hands: Rah. I suck at explaining things.
Sam noticed her frustration at not being understood again. She wanted to look at Jack to see if he didn't feel like he was seeing her herself when she tried to explain something but many didn't understand, but her face sank as she saw him close to falling asleep from boredom, fatigue, or maybe both.
Sam turned her attention back to Anang, gently: Try me.
Anang regained her composure after a few moments and thought: You realize that if you were not on this project you would be in Afghanistan or Iraq (Jack and Sam gritted their teeth) and for what reason? To impose democracy by force?
Sam: That's a very reductive discourse.
Anang: Because you think that the current democratic model of the West is a utopian model? (Sam grimaced and Anang straightened up again) The holocaust? The industrialization of death? The scientific testing of whole populations?
Jack: It wasn't even our country.
Anang: Vietnam?
Jack tilted his head: The military people who were hit there were compensated.
Anang: The military, yes. (she held up a finger) And not by the government.
Sam frowned: Hu?
Anang: American veterans sued the manufacturers of Agent Orange because they were not allowed to sue the US government. In 1984, the manufacturers signed a settlement agreement with the veterans' associations. In exchange for a halt to all lawsuits, the manufacturers paid $180 million to a veterans' compensation fund. (Sam turned his head to Jack to see if this was true. He grimaced and nodded.) This whole system has been rotten for years, and it's not getting any better. In fact, if I were a Goa'uld, I'd just wait for our planet to self-destruct and then move in. (Sam and Jack looked at each other. Anang got angry) The napalm? The bombing of Tokyo? You were so pleased with yourself, one attack 125,000 Japanese dead. Well done, great achievement. (more sharply) Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Jack got angry: We were at war!
Anang became angry at not being understood: I fucking know!
Jack moved his hands quickly in front of him: And it wasn't us... Us!
Anang gritted her teeth: I personally had nothing to do with this, you slaughtered my ancestors and sterilized them. (he froze. Sam swallowed and lowered her head) Stop with your military ego, I know it wasn't you who gave that order! (she insisted) I'm talking to you in general here! You are just the pawns!
Jack, still angry: And what should we have done? Huh? What would you have done?
Anang got angry: The question is not what we would have done, but what we can do now! You spend all your time protecting the world from Goa'ulds, but who protects us from you? (Sam thought back to Agent Barrett) Are we so insignificant to you?
They seemed confused by these words, as if they had not really thought about the question. Yes, the problems of Earth seemed insignificant compared to all the enemies in the universe, but did that make them any less important? How could they advocate peace and freedom to other civilizations if they were not interested in what was happening in their own world?
Anang, more calmy: You leave us behind. (they grimaced) We all make mistakes and history is important so we don't repeat those mistakes. The problem is that we're stuck in these loops and in the meantime, we are being massacred.
Sam, gently: We understand your situation, but what exactly do you want from us?
Anang: Listen to us. Hear us. Try to understand our pain, our stories. Don't just focus on the voice of a certain segment of the population. Really listen to us. (she added lower) And fight with us for our Rights. (they remained silent, uncomfortable, so she raised her arms towards them and added) You have helped thousands of worlds, all your life, is it so hard to consider?
Sam and Jack exchanged glances again. She tilted her head, signaling that there was a way she was telling the truth. He shook his head, turned his attention back to the ceiling and refrained from answering again that it wasn't their job.
Anang: What about ecology? I don't know, anti-pollution stuff? Anti ozone layer?
Jack noticed that Sam was looking at him: What?
Sam winced and looked at her: Let's just say... That's not the priority of the program.
Anang asked him to continue: But...?
Sam tilted her head: But yes, several technologies could have been adapted. (she moved her hand) It's only in the last two years that we've been suggesting to our allies that they consider their ecological footprints.
Anang: Yeah... You're finally taking the long view.
Sam tilted her head and admitted: Yeah.
Silence.
Anang huffed and rubbed the back of her neck to relax: Can we please talk about something else? I'm tired of talking about all this. Unless you pay me overtime, because hey! (she tapped Jack on the shoulder, he flinched slightly, still tired) This is my job.
Jack: Ya, let's talk about something else. You two have given me quite a headache. (they looked at each other with an amused smile and he stood up) I'm gonna wash up.
Echo:
*You have to offer them a more interesting program.*
*that's the problem / Same problem /you are looking at the problem the wrong way around. /The problem is that*
*it will create a general panic. / the panic movement / I'm talking to you in general here!*
*afraid of each other / each other*
*Theoretically yes. - That's an interesting theory.*
*About obscurantism? / I know about obscurantism.*
* We would even have colonized / "Colonize"? / about colonizing? / All colonial conquest / Before colonization,*
*It's best to go over all that with Daniel, I'm not sure I'm the best person to- / I'm not the best person to talk to about this, check with Daniel.*
*This is important. / of something important*
*You care about / but here you don't care?*
*I wasn't listening to everything. / Listen to us.(x2)*
*Education(x2)*
*I understand.(x2)*
*Hospitals? / that hospitals*
*Can we please talk about something else? / Ya, let's talk about something else.*
*Name one positive thing / That's pretty positive, isn't it?*
Notes:
*Important things to note for the following and a little reminder of what happened before this paragraph: Anang insists on telling Sam that it is her opinion that interests him. Remember in "Heroes" season 7, in front of the camera, when Bregman asks her opinion, she doesn't know what to say. I emphasized this in one of my first paragraphs. She doesn't really have an opinion on Earth's socio-political situation, or she prefers not to give her opinion for fear of reprisals. In that same paragraph Jack tells her that the Pentagon was delighted with her intervention on TV to counter Alec Colson's arguments by lying. She knows she is lying, she is just following orders, and doesn't like it. Jack tells her that the Pentagon has given her a new mission and that from now on she will have to give lectures, highlight some of the Air Force's new technologies, etc. In this paragraph, Anang exposes the problem of television being run by big groups/dominant people.*
*In the episode 613 Sight Unseen, Vernon is portrayed as a war veteran who would have undergone scientific experiments during the war but that the Army would deny. He is portrayed as paranoid, and therefore unreliable (conspiracy theory). Remember that Stargate was sponsored by the Air Force. I invite you to read up on the scandals of scientific experiments conducted by the Army (not just the U.S. Army), and ask yourself why Vernon is portrayed as paranoid and not as someone suffering from severe PTSD because he has really lived through his traumas*
*Note also that Stargate had a very western vision, and therefore liked to highlight the ethical problems of other countries (I put an example in my video montage with North Africa or Ancient Persia), but had much more difficulty in pointing out their internal problems (small superiority complex here?)
Quote from an article: "To think of Africa differently is to think of Africa in a way that is not as miserable as it is easily made out to be... Generalized Afro-pessimism is associated with the idea that Africa is a continent adrift, permanently on fire and blood. But we say that Africa is huge, and nobody realizes it. If we add up the surface areas of the United States, Australia and Europe, we still don't reach the surface area of all of Africa! And inevitably, on such a vast continent, there are places where there are problems, but there are also places where there are none. So we must stop considering Africa as the continent of famines, wars and generalized underdevelopment, which has big problems to solve, including structurally, namely corruption." (source)*
*Article: A lithium mine outside of Reno, Nevada, has broken ground, despite protests from local ranchers, Indigenous groups and conservation coalitions. Although the project will largely provide lithium for electric vehicle batteries, critics say the cultural and environmental costs to the area will be hugely detrimental. (source)*
*Study: Extreme events and gender-based violence, a mixed-methods systematic review (source)*
CW: *PTSD* *death threats* *ageism* *patriarchy*
The conversation became pleasant again for a while... Up to a point. Jack came back from the bathroom wearing only his boxers and was looking for his T-shirt.
Anang to Sam: The maximum retirement age is what? 55?
Jack corrected: 60.
Anang widened her eyes: Seriously? Damn!
Jack became impatient: How about we stop this?
Anang to Jack: What was your problem?
Jack raised his eyebrows: My "problem"?
Anang: Why didn't you just quit?
Sam frowned: Why should he have resigned?
Anang: Do you know how many women give up their careers for their family life? Or give up their careers to follow their husbands who have been transferred to the other side of the world? (she moved her hand) The days when mothers didn't work are over! They have a choice now.
Sam looked away, uncomfortable.
Jack looked at Sam, then at Anang: I know I-
Anang, curtly: And you, didn't you think "well, it would be nice if it was the other way around for once?"?!
Sam insisted: I would never ask him to give up his career either.
Anang to Sam: It took what? 7 years? 8 years for you to decide? (to Jack) Well done, great performance! “Service before self”, huh?
Jack exclaimed: Hey!
Sam gritted her teeth and tried to keep her cool: It's complicated.
Anang to Sam: What was the trigger? (to Jack) What changed?
Sam bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, exhausted. They had talked about it in the evening, Anang had understood very well the reason and was just looking for a confrontation with him on this subject.
Sam insisted to her, holding back the emotion in her voice: Please.
Anang continued to stare: Well?
Jack, coldly: Her father's death.
If a look could kill.... But Anang continued to challenge him with her eyes as well. Sam looked down, emotionally shattered, and wondered how they got there.
Anang: If it weren't for her father's death, would you have waited until you were 60 years old? (she pointed to Sam and continued to address him) Sam will be 44 okay, but you, you imagine taking care of a child- (She fell silent and widened her eyes at the memory of reading about her son's death on her chart. She felt guilty and resumed in a trembling voice) Damn, sorry, I didn't mean to-
Sam whispered: Go away.
Anang turned to Sam, surprised: What?
She still had her head down. Jack smiled from the corner of his lips and looked at Anang. She didn't know them, she didn't know anything about their relationship or what they had been through together all these years.
Sam looked up at Anang, coldly: Now.
Anang noticed the faded look in her eyes: You okay?
Sam: Go away. (Anang finally nodded, not very reassured about her emotional state. Sam turned her head to Jack and insisted) Both of you.
Jack broke down: Hmm?
Sam gritted her teeth and held back her tears: I want to be alone.
Echo:
*What was your problem? - My "problem"?*
*Why didn't you just quit? - Why should he have resigned?*
*They have a choice now. / Now.*
*Her father's death.(x2)*
*Go away.(x2)*
*In a previous paragraph "Didn't she give a poor performance?" / Well done, great performance!”
Notes:
*Anang's phrase "Service before self," refers to the Air Force doctrine: "Integrity first. Service before self. Excellence in all we do."*
*Background: "The increase in the number of working mothers in America rose gradually but significantly from 1975 and peaked around 2005. "*
*The maximum age for retirement in the Army (all services) increased from 55 to 62 in 2018 (source), but each army may have different policies and waivers. According to sources found with the help of X Wing KC (her “twitter”, her “instagram” et her“archive on our own”, Thanks!), the Air Force case in 2006 is 60 years before 2006, then increases to 62 years in 2006 (source)*
The conversation became pleasant again for a while... Up to a point. Jack came back from the bathroom wearing only his boxers and was looking for his T-shirt.
Anang to Sam: The maximum retirement age is what? 55?
Jack corrected: 60.
Anang widened her eyes: Seriously? Damn!
Jack became impatient: How about we stop this?
Anang to Jack: What was your problem?
Jack raised his eyebrows: My "problem"?
Anang: Why didn't you just quit?
Sam frowned: Why should he have resigned?
Anang: Do you know how many women give up their careers for their family life? Or give up their careers to follow their husbands who have been transferred to the other side of the world? (she moved her hand) The days when mothers didn't work are over! They have a choice now.
Sam looked away, uncomfortable.
Jack looked at Sam, then at Anang: I know I-
Anang, curtly: And you, didn't you think "well, it would be nice if it was the other way around for once?"?!
Sam insisted: I would never ask him to give up his career either.
Anang to Sam: It took what? 7 years? 8 years for you to decide? (to Jack) Well done, great performance! “Service before self”, huh?
Jack exclaimed: Hey!
Sam gritted her teeth and tried to keep her cool: It's complicated.
Anang to Sam: What was the trigger? (to Jack) What changed?
Sam bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, exhausted. They had talked about it in the evening, Anang had understood very well the reason and was just looking for a confrontation with him on this subject.
Sam insisted to her, holding back the emotion in her voice: Please.
Anang continued to stare: Well?
Jack, coldly: Her father's death.
If a look could kill.... But Anang continued to challenge him with her eyes as well. Sam looked down, emotionally shattered, and wondered how they got there.
Anang: If it weren't for her father's death, would you have waited until you were 60 years old? (she pointed to Sam and continued to address him) Sam will be 44 okay, but you, you imagine taking care of a child- (She fell silent and widened her eyes at the memory of reading about her son's death on her chart. She felt guilty and resumed in a trembling voice) Damn, sorry, I didn't mean to-
Sam whispered: Go away.
Anang turned to Sam, surprised: What?
She still had her head down. Jack smiled from the corner of his lips and looked at Anang. She didn't know them, she didn't know anything about their relationship or what they had been through together all these years.
Sam looked up at Anang, coldly: Now.
Anang noticed the faded look in her eyes: You okay?
Sam: Go away. (Anang finally nodded, not very reassured about her emotional state. Sam turned her head to Jack and insisted) Both of you.
Jack broke down: Hmm?
Sam gritted her teeth and held back her tears: I want to be alone.
Echo:
*What was your problem? - My "problem"?*
*Why didn't you just quit? - Why should he have resigned?*
*They have a choice now. / Now.*
*Her father's death.(x2)*
*Go away.(x2)*
*In a previous paragraph "Didn't she give a poor performance?" / Well done, great performance!”
Notes:
*Anang's phrase "Service before self," refers to the Air Force doctrine: "Integrity first. Service before self. Excellence in all we do."*
*Background: "The increase in the number of working mothers in America rose gradually but significantly from 1975 and peaked around 2005. "*
*The maximum age for retirement in the Army (all services) increased from 55 to 62 in 2018 (source), but each army may have different policies and waivers. According to sources found with the help of X Wing KC (her “twitter”, her “instagram” et her“archive on our own”, Thanks!), the Air Force case in 2006 is 60 years before 2006, then increases to 62 years in 2006 (source)*
The coolness of the night could not cool his irritation. The light rain woke up his aching knees, he opened the car door and threw his jacket on the passenger seat. He looked up at Anang who was looking for the right way in the dark. The street had few streetlights in this part of town, and he figured that letting a woman walk home alone was not very chivalrous.
Jack huffed to relieve his stress: Can I call you a cab?
Anang: Uh, no, thanks. I have my cell phone. And then I'll walk.
Jack: Thirty minutes by car.
Anang started to walk away: Hmm.
Jack perplexed: The base is on the other side.
He pointed to the mountain with an obvious look but she didn't bother to look.
Anang turned around to go the other way: Ha. Thank you.
He lowered his arm and wondered if the argument was not the only reason for her strange behavior and if she was not still under the influence. She walked past him, he continued to watch her walk, her bag over her shoulder and finally raised his eyes to the sky.
Jack muttered: Oh for crying of loud. (he started again louder) Get in that car. I've gotta go to town. I owe you money.
She emerged from her thoughts, raised her head towards him and stared at him for several seconds. He questioned her with his eyes, even more perplexed. She nodded nervously and joined him.
Notes:
*Please bear with me on this chapter, I had a lot of trouble writing it in many different passages. The words struggled to come out, so did the turns of phrase, and I'm still not 100% satisfied. It doesn't help that it has a long condensed paragraph on politics, and it will surely be reworked later but you get the most important points. I promise, this was my only big condensed paragraph on politics haha, but I really couldn't do otherwise considering the rest of the story, the respect of the chronology and the characters' behaviors*
Jack huffed to relieve his stress: Can I call you a cab?
Anang: Uh, no, thanks. I have my cell phone. And then I'll walk.
Jack: Thirty minutes by car.
Anang started to walk away: Hmm.
Jack perplexed: The base is on the other side.
He pointed to the mountain with an obvious look but she didn't bother to look.
Anang turned around to go the other way: Ha. Thank you.
He lowered his arm and wondered if the argument was not the only reason for her strange behavior and if she was not still under the influence. She walked past him, he continued to watch her walk, her bag over her shoulder and finally raised his eyes to the sky.
Jack muttered: Oh for crying of loud. (he started again louder) Get in that car. I've gotta go to town. I owe you money.
She emerged from her thoughts, raised her head towards him and stared at him for several seconds. He questioned her with his eyes, even more perplexed. She nodded nervously and joined him.
Notes:
*Please bear with me on this chapter, I had a lot of trouble writing it in many different passages. The words struggled to come out, so did the turns of phrase, and I'm still not 100% satisfied. It doesn't help that it has a long condensed paragraph on politics, and it will surely be reworked later but you get the most important points. I promise, this was my only big condensed paragraph on politics haha, but I really couldn't do otherwise considering the rest of the story, the respect of the chronology and the characters' behaviors*