Martin Blank Press Conference

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

A podium has been erected on the campus quad.

Marty exits the dorm dressed impeccably in his favorite suit and a fiestaware orange colored tie, his mood is calm and professional. Beside him is chasingangela, also dressed impeccably in a white blouse, knee-length dark skirt and low heels. She looks calm, but her face shows her concern.

Following them is Camilla, dressed like a member of the Presidential Secret Service, complete with a suit, sunglasses and a microphone hidden in her wing that she is constantly clucking into.

Marty steps up to the podium and speaks into the microphone.

"Fellow Students and Faculty of Fandom High, thank you for coming here today."


"I will be reading a brief statement and will then open the floor for questions."

"I come here today to address the recent article featured in today's "Tentacle Weekly". As you are probably already aware this article alleges the fact that I was a professional killer sent here on an assignment to assassinate a fellow member of FandomHigh."

Marty takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

"These allegations are completely true."

"After leaving my previous high school in Gross Pointe, I joined the army and was drafted into a special services division where I served my country for a year before parlaying my experience into the private sector. During this period of my life I performed actions that I now find to be morally reprehensible. With the help of my friends, certain members of the faculty and the administration, I've left my former profession behind and warned the administration of the security risks involved. I've been assured that appropriate measures have been taken to protect the person and the student body from my mistakes."

ETA:"I've just been informed that the threat I had brought to campus has been nullified by our school administrators."

"While this information was not general knowledge, it was not a secret. It was a private matter and therefore I saw no reason to disturb the student body with this information."

"I would like to apologize to my fellow party members for sharing this information with them. They were unaware of my background at the time the Batsh*t Crazy Ticket was formed, and I urge my fellow students to not let my past history color their judgment for the rest of the ticket. Each and every candidate on this ticket is worthy of office and will exceed the student body's expectations. Whether or not the Batsh*t ticket decides to continue my endorsement is strictly up to them"

"That being said, I will *NOT* be withdrawing from the race for the position of Security Officer. My commitment to this position has not changed and neither has my feelings for the Batsh*t platform which strives for the equality of all students and lower vending machine prices."


"I will now take your questions." Even the snarky/non-relevant ones.
[OOC: Special thanks to CJ Cregg for her assistance. Any Batsh*t party members are welcome to add their comments for support or to distance themselves from Marty]

Comments

[positive-angel.livejournal.com]

(ooc: fiestaware orange colored tie

*sporfle* got chihaya's vote)

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

[OOC: Couldn't help myself after reading the article]

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige sits down to listen to this, she looks a little suprised when Marty finishes speaking.

"Oh well I've already voted now." she sighs

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Blank," Rory asks from the back, sounding more than a little annoyed with the situation, "how do you feel about the tabloid who chose to run this material about you the day prior to the election? Do you feel it was an intentional attack on your character?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"I think the newspaper in question was bringing to light the facts of the matter, which is the job of any good newspaper. As noted in the Bats*t Ticket platform, we are for freedom of speech of any kind. I only find it unfortunate for myself and my party that this article was released at this time and hope that it does not change the opinion of my fellow running mates."

[addams-daughter.livejournal.com]

"Martin," Wednesday had a copy of the Fandom HighTimes under her arm and looked just a bit on edge, "I thought that the school policy that any student's past was in the past. Do you think that the past of our other students may come back to haunt them in this fashion?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"Unfortunately Wednesday, I brought my past with me to school. I now realize that this was a horrible mistake of judgement on my part and again offer my apologies for doing so. As for what happened in the past to any of our other students, I cannot say. And of course is completely up to your mun. However no matter who wins today in the race for Security Officer, I'm sure that Alanna or I will make every effort to make this place safe and secure for all students."

[spyprincipal.livejournal.com]

Dean Bristow approaches the podium and whispers something in Marty's ear. The word "Spoon Ninja" can be heard to those with enhanced hearing, but otherwise, it's all very hush-hush.

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

As Dean Bristow steps away. Marty lookes immensely relieved as he clears his throat.

"I've just been informed that the threat I had brought to campus has been nullified by our school administrators."


[OOC: *Totally respects Bristow for his use of tableware*]

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Crossing by the quad, Elizabeth catches a few snippets of Martin's statement, frowning slightly as she deciphers through the "spin" placed on it.

She hears Wednesday's question, and after checking her watch to see if she's got time, pauses to listen.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Blank, I, for one, am glad to see you not withdrawing your ticket. That said, if elected, how do you plan on proving that your past, no matter how morally reprehensible, is the past to those students that did not cast their vote for you? In short, how would you convince disbelievers that you're past is the past and the present is what you're focused on?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"I can only do that by earning each student's trust back one person at a time. I realize that what I have done is hard to forgive. I can only stress that I am no longer the person I once was and will continue to work for the safety of this whether I win or lose."

[defiantlyyours.livejournal.com]

A very-well-rested 6 stands firmly behind Marty. "I completely support my ticket-mate. His past remains in the past. He is a good student." 6 pauses. "The chicken, however, is suspicious."

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

*Camilla eyes Number 6 and clucks into her wing microphone.*

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige raises a hand, "is it true you no longer even own a gun Marty?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"The fact of the matter is that I still do own a gun. In fact I own several. However all my firearms are locked away at our shooting range in accordance with school policy. I do not intend on using these weapons while on school grounds unless permitted to by the school administration and then only to protect fellow students from a Zombie or Mime invasion."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Marty, I'd like to know what your favorite kind of sandwich is.

'Cause I figure that's about as relevant to your campaign as holding your past against you. ::smile::

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty gives Cally a smile.

"Grilled ham and cheese."

[marieann-d.livejournal.com]

Rogue slips in the back. "Uh, Marty? Since now everyone knows what you used to do, do you feel that this gives you any insight into how to better protect our students?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty is a little uncomfortable with the question and fidgets a little.

"My... uh... training before I came here gave me certain insights on how to spot weaknesses in various security measures. I plan to use this to make security here at Fandom more secure."

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe knows she should feel bad for Martin. But she can't help but feel a small sense of journalistic glee at the situation.

"Martin, what was it that made you change your mind about continuing to persue your previous profession here at school?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty smiles.

"Either I'm falling for Angela Chase or I have a newfound respect for life."

[OOC: YES!! FINALLY!!! GPB Quote!! (slightly modified) Gives Chloe mucho Cusack points!!! *Mun dances around room*]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe is attending the conference both in support of Angela and in annoyance for the smear campaign against Marty.

"Marty, I just want to say one thing. I commend you for facing this Tentacle smear head-on. Your past doesn't change my opinion of the person you are now."

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty gives Phoebe a grateful smile.

"Thanks Phoebe, I appreciate your support."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Having been to Journalism class, Beka makes her way to Marty's press conference. Extra credit made it even more worth doing.

"Your past is your past. It's relevant only in that it makes you more qualified for the Student Council position you seek. Who would know better how to protect someone from harm than someone whose job it used to be to defeat that protection?"

She crosses her arms over her chest and leans against the wall. "Care to talk about seeking redemption now?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"For those of you who weren't at the Open Mike night, Beka is referring to a question of what my ultimate goal is.... from which I stated it was redemption."

Marty takes a deep breath.

"I've done some pretty cruddy things in the past couple of years and it has only been through the support and care that I've received from the faculty, my friends and..."

Marty glances at Angela and smiles

"...other special people in my life that I've been able to make a break with who I use to be. I don't know if I'll ever be able to truly redeem myself for what I've done in the past but I'll do my best to be a better person."

[deadlikegeorge.livejournal.com]

George pauses briefly on her way back to the dorm from Journalism class. She gives Marty a thumbs up symbol from her place in the back of the crowd before taking her leave -- though the smile on her face is somewhat disturbingly smug.

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty gives George a worried look and makes a motion with his hand that conveys that they really need to talk.

[OOC: Marty's guilt complex has gone into overdrive regarding HC]

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus watched the press conference from the safety of an open window on the second floor. The hour of the day allowed shadows to fall across it, keeping him safe from the rays of the sun.

"Marty," he called out. His arms were folded, and he was smiling. "Couldn't it be argued that your past makes you even better suited for the job? After all, to catch a thief..."

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"Well I'm not Cary Grant, but you're right. I do have a background in analyzing weak points in implemented security. I hope to use this ability to help our campus become a safer environment."

[fh_jackass]

Logan stands in the back, his arms folded, and asks his question. "So, you didn't consider killing people 'morally reprehensible' before you took the job?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

From his position in the second-floor window, Angelus gave Logan a nod of hi.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna ran in a bit out of breath and still in her workout clothes, The Tentacle grasped in her hand. She took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "Marty, I would like to take a moment to say that I had nothing to do with the article in the paper today. My comments about mud slinging from earlier still stand. If someone in the student body thought that they were doing me a favor, I would appreciate if they didn't do so next time."

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty holds up his hand as though to say no explanation is needed.

"Alanna, you have been nothing but an honorable candidate and I know you would never involve yourself in such a plot. Furthermore if anyone out there thinks that Alanna was involved in this than you haven't been paying attention to the campaign or have gotten to know Alanna at all. Alanna is a great person and would never stoop to any kind of campaign tactic like this."

Marty offers his hand to shake with Alanna to show that he has no doubt in her integrity.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker is looking wildly entertained by all this.

"Mr. Blank. Would you claim that your past on the 'side of darkness' allows you to have a better idea how make our school secure? If you are, as you say, in the process of reforming, how will you be using that knowledge for the betterment of the school?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

[OOC: I've actually answered this question two times over, I hope if you don't mind that I won't respond to it here.]

[soldtoarmenians]

Xander watches from the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, looking not quite comfortable with Marty's revelations, but not unpleased, either. Mostly...speculative.

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Out of the corner of his eye Marty spotted Xander giving him the hairy eyeball.

Marty sighed internally. Yeah. He still has some explaining to do.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[If she were in a better frame of mind and had actually been there, CJ would be so proud. Spin is EVERYTHING]

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce considers her question for a moment, and then asks carefully, "Martin, besides your words now, what proof can you offer of your rehabilitation? How are we to know this isn't a campaign facade, or that you won't take or be coerced to take contracts on any other students?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"If you have any doubt with regard to the veracity of my claims you can go talk to Dean Bristow. I came clean regarding my past to him and the administration and they seem to be satisfied with that."

"Also, I'd hardly be holding a press conference to tell everyone I was a professional killer if I planned on taking on additional contracts. That's kind of a big no-no in the industry."

[alchemy-4-arson.livejournal.com]

Mustang stands near the door with his arms in his pockets, listening and thinking a while before asking a question of his own.

"What made you become an assassin? We've heard that you've found people you care about here to change your mind, and you purport to have since evolved morals that go against your previous behavior, but that's the end result. What was it in you that allowed you to become an assassin in the first place? Don't say it was just the government training, because training didn't make you sell yourself afterward."

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"Like I mentioned earlier... I rationalized a lot of what I did. I tried to seperate the job from who I am. I thought that if showed up on your doorstep, chances are there was a reason why. When I came here a somewhat psychic student first analyzed me and said that there was a certain "blankness" about me. At first I thought she was just being cute... but what it meant was that I was holding back my feelings toward my job in order to live. I can't do that anymore."

[OOC: Oy. The self-analysis is killing me today ]

[bugofjustice.livejournal.com]

Tick, not having read the paper, was thrown aback by this press conference. "Marty?" he thought. Well, the Dean had apparently helped him out, and the whole American Justice System is built on the idea that people can get a second chance, so he wasn't going to question anything.

Still, Tick seemed slightly less jovial than normal, but he raised a big thumbs up of support regardless.

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty looks over to see a sad Tick giving him the thumbs up.

Someway. Somehow he's going to need to rebuild that trust.

[2ls-in-oneill.livejournal.com]

"I have two questions actually, who was your intended target and what's your favorite John Cusack movie?"

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty looks briefly at Dean Brisow and sighs.

"Dean Bristow has asked that for the safety of the student I do not reveal his or her name. As for the second question: 'Say Anything', hands down favorite.