<div class="floatleft">(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/TheOneTheOnlyTheShane/0000ryt3small.jpg)</div><br/><strong> Max the Jester</strong><br/><br/><br/>"Trying being the operative word. Criticism can be constructive or destructive, guess which she's doing?" He said to Brad, the question being rhetorical; though he half-expected that the jock might try to answer it. Still, though, their was lots of talking, mostly being directed at him, and he responded, in turn, to each of them.<br/><br/>"Because you're a sociopath, and being in close proximity to the emotions gives you a thrill." he'd say to Stefy; though he actually doubted that was the case, he spoke with a clear conviction that would have others hard pressed to see his doubt; he spoke so genuinely, it would be next-to-impossible for anybody to see that his words were purely meant to rile her up.<br/><br/>However, she was willing to play along, it seems, considering her contribution; he dutifully collects it, and as he does so, tosses a quarter in her direction, with a cheeky smirk on his face, whilst giving her a wink. "You'll never excite the crowds like that. They like it when you're slower to strip." Oh yes, he just implied she was a stripper; and a cheap one, at that. And yet, his words were deadpan and posed as if this was meant to be truly constructive criticism, and not an insult.  Nate's call for him to can it is apparently ignored, but then again, he was quick to switch the subject; and hopefully Stefy wouldn't return to the verbal-abuse-fest, because Max is utterly incapable of letting her have the last word.<br/><br/>"Now we're thinking with portals." He'd say to Jess, this time genuinely complimenting her; though given his tendency towards sarcasm, and how he poses it so well as sincerity, she might actually be hard pressed to take his compliment as genuinely as it was intended. That was the downside to what he did.<br/><br/>"If I was setting it up, I would have one in each of the corners of the room, at the very least. Carefully positioned, the four would provide a full view of everything, with multiple angles.  The heads of the sprinklers in the ceiling would make a good place, as well. However, certain objects, like the speaker system, are more likely to draw our attention; I believe we were all actively looking at the speaker system when the announcement came on? Likely, there is one, or several cameras there as well, so they can see our faces, and observe our reactions. They're being voyeurs about this, after all."<br/><br/>"Ironically, using the desks to create a frame, and using clothing to cover that frame, in the direct center of the room would likely be the best idea. It's right in the center, and where most cameras are likely to have view of, but that means we're unlikely to end up incorporating a hidden camera that would render our attempts at obfuscation an absolute failure. I sincerely doubt that their are any hidden cameras worked into the desks themselves, but we should sweep over them, at any rate; they're tiny little buggers, but on something like a school desk, they should stick out readily enough."<br/><br/>"The other thing we need to be careful of, is ensuring that none of the paper we write on is ever viewable by a camera system. So, unless it's being used in cover, it should be kept in a book bag; though maybe we should also check our bags to make sure their hasn't been anything implanted on them." As he spoke, he made sure to collect the clothing offered by Jess, and sets them all into a small pile by his side; soon enough, his own shirt is joining that pile, revealing his flat stomach, and wiry musculature. His hat finds its way back onto his head.<br/><br/>Unlike Nate, Max seems to show no reaction at all to Jess having less clothing on.<br/><br/>"We also can't ever talk about what we write, because speakers could really and truly be anywhere." Suddenly, a frown crosses his face. "<em>Criminy. </em>We need to set up some kind of bathroom in here, or else this is going to become a very painful night's stay."