Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #173: Spin Doctors (2/27/98)
Alea walks down the hall.
Veraik: Alea!
Alea pauses just inside the lobby.
Alea: Hajene?
Alea turns to see what he wants.
Veraik: I wanted to thank you for supporting me yesterday during Linn's donation.
Alea hesitates, then nods.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea: I was... glad... to see Linn come in and donate.
Veraik: Yes. It was good to see her.
Gaelan walks up to the Center.
Alea walks over to the boards to see who is working today.
Gaelan walks into the lobby.
Alea: I suppose she'll be in now that she and Snake aren't talking....
Gaelan looks around.
Veraik: Well. [a tentacle rubs forehead] I'm on duty.
Gaelan: Hello?!
Alea looks at the Gen who just walked in.
Alea: May we help you?
Veraik zlins the Gen.
Veraik: How may I help you?
Gaelan: Yes. I'm Gaelan. I need to talk to your financial officer.
Alea blinks, surprised.
Alea: Tarsh?
Gaelan looks around lobby.
Veraik: That would be Tarsh, however I am afraid that I can't allow that until you have donated.
Alea: [various furniture, filing cabinets]
Alea looks at Veraik, surprised.
Gaelan: I don't believe that applies to me.
Alea looks at Gaelan in shock.
Veraik: You are high field and Tarsh is one of my renSimes.
Gaelan: Now if there are no other "problems", where is your financial officer?
Alea ~~ unease ~~
Alea glances back toward Tarsh's office.
Alea: It really would be wise if you donated first.
Gaelan tapping his foot
Gaelan: I don't think so.
Alea looks at Gaelan coolly.
Gaelan: Now I'm in a hurry.
Alea: Excuse me, but for your protection as well as our renSimes' we ask for you to give us two minutes of your time.
Alea: That shouldn't be too difficult.
Gaelan: And I don't think you are in any position to stand in my way.
Callin and Stanle wander into the lobby.
Tarsh is in his office.
Alea moves behind Veraik.
Alea knows too many things have gone wrong in this lobby and she is not going to be where anyone can get to her.
Gaelan: Or have the authority to stand in my way.
Veraik: I'm the Controller of the Center and I have the right to say whether you can speak to one of my renSimes or not.
Gaelan notices the pregnant lady.
Tarsh looks through the donor payments account again, trying to figure out why the selyn balance is low. Or why the account is.
Veraik: Why do you say that?
Alea notices him noticing her and moves further behind Veraik.
Stanle is perhaps a year older than Callin, but looks much less confident in these strange surroundings.
Veraik glances at Alea, silently requesting support.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Gaelan: Your government says I have the authority.
Veraik relaxes.
Gaelan pulls a letter out of his pocket.
Gaelan: I was sent by the government to look into some financial discrepancies.
Veraik: I'm sorry, but the Sime Territory government clearly states that an Out-Territory citizen may speak to one of ours only after the Gen has given a donation. 1
Veraik: That is for both of your sakes.
Gaelan: My authority, in this matter, comes from YOUR government.
Veraik looks at the document and stands firm.
Veraik: Yes, however, you are NOT seeing him until and unless you donate.
Gaelan: What is involved in transfer?
Veraik: I am not talking about a transfer.
Veraik: I am only requesting that you donate.
Veraik: It is a simple procedure.
Alea moves closer to Veraik, concentrating support on him.
Gaelan: Two minutes gonna be enough?
Callin gives in to reflex and starts scribbling notes about the confrontation in her notebook.
Stanle sees Callin and rolls his eyes in disgust.
Veraik: On your part, it only involves sitting very still while I have my tentacles wrapped around your arms and in fifth contact position.
Veraik: Two minutes is fine for a donation.
Gaelan looks uncomfortably at tentacles.
Alea ~~ relief ~~
Alea didn't want Tarsh around a high field Gen.
Gaelan: "Fifth contact?"
Veraik: Would you like to come this way so that I can handle it? Then you may speak with our financial officer.
Gaelan is very impatient.
Gaelan: FIFTH CONTACT?
Veraik: Fifth Contact. The touching of lips to initiate flow of selyn from you to me.
Alea doesn't like Gaelan's tone.
Callin sees this is going to take a while and nudges Stanle towards a couch.
Gaelan: And whose lips are going to be touching mine?
Veraik notices the kids then turns back to the Gen.
Stanle: Go ahead.
Stanle flees to the men's room.
Veraik: The channel's.
Gaelan looks toward the pregnant lady.
Alea gapes and moves behind Veraik.
Gaelan: Male or female?
Alea: Hajene Veraik is a Channel. HE will be taking your donation.
Alea ~~ coldly ~~
Gaelan doesn't like THAT idea.
Alea peeks around Veraik.
Alea: If you want to speak with Tarsh, you'll come with us and allow it.
Veraik: Mr...? I'm sorry, I didn't get your name.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Gaelan mutters, "The things I do for this job."
Gaelan: Gaelan.
Tarsh sighs.
Tarsh leans back and rubs at his eyes with his tentacles.
Veraik: Mr. Gaelan then.
Alea: What job is that?
Gaelan: I don't think you're cleared for that, ma'am.
Alea looks down her nose at Gaelan and strokes the black on her collar.
Gaelan: But under the right conditions I can make an exception.
Alea ducks back behind Veraik.
Veraik smiles in spite of himself.
Alea decides leaving might be best.
Alea turns and goes down the hall.
Gaelan: If you don't mind my saying, I think you should hire another laundry.
Alea glares at Gaelan and then turns toward Tarsh's office.
Veraik: Now, Mr. Gaelan, if you are in a hurry, then I suggest that you come with me so that we can get the matter of your donation taken care of.
Gaelan: Okay, if we got to do this, let's do it.
Alea goes to Tarsh's door and signals.
Veraik takes a blank form and indicates the direction of the donation rooms.
Gaelan shrugs.
Gaelan follows.
Veraik inwardly sighs at Alea leaving him.
Alea signals at Tarsh's door again.
Veraik opens the door and indicates that Gaelan should be seated.
Gaelan walks in and sits down after examining the room.
Tarsh: Come!
Alea pushes the door open.
Alea: Good morning Tarsh.
Gaelan starts tapping his foot impatiently.
Veraik: [hands paper with a ventral tentacle] Please fill out these forms.
Alea moves into the room and pushes the door closed behind her.
Veraik: They are the standard forms about your health.
Gaelan removes 1 of the 5 pens he keeps in his jacket.
Gaelan: Bureaucracies.
Alea moves over to the desk, her hands clasped.
Gaelan: I hate paperwork.
Alea: Tarsh... there's someone here to see you.
Veraik sits backs and closely observes his tentacles while he zlins Gaelan.
Gaelan starts filling out forms muttering the whole time.
Alea: He's having his field taken down right now....
Alea ~~ worry ~~
Callin scribbles a few more notes, just to be sure that she can recreate the scene on paper later, in a suitably dramatic fashion.
Veraik: [heavy sigh] Don't we all hate paperwork? But we are all a slave to it.
Tarsh: Really? Who?
Alea: I'm not sure.
Stanle returns from answering Nature's call and sits beside Callin.
Tarsh: IS there a problem?
Alea: I was going to ask you that. He kept talking about the government and... well... he is rather... rude.
Alea: He doesn't even know what a Farris is! 2
Gaelan: Just how many forms are we talking about?
Gaelan finishes his first one.
Alea: And he specifically said he wanted to talk to the financial officer....
Alea: Not you, specifically, but the person in charge of finances.
Veraik: Only the health form, the financial form, and your background form.
Tarsh: He's from out-T?
Arcadia walks out into the lobby.
Gaelan: Two minutes, huh?
Veraik: For the donation, yes.
Arcadia looks around, sees the guy - what was his name? Mostan? - isn't there.
Gaelan mutters, "I should have brought some back-up."
Arcadia goes over to the file cabinet, ostensibly to get out a file.
Arcadia pulls out a file with a book hidden in it.
Callin sees Arcadia currently unoccupied, and decides that maybe she can help.
Callin goes over to Arcadia.
Gaelan finishes his 2nd form.
Veraik zlins the Gen's selyn fluxuations as the man mutters.
Arcadia: Well, let's see how Mr... Pizshnard... is doing today? [ostentatiously, as she opens his file, with "Sweet Eruption" inside.]
Callin: Excuse me?
Arcadia jumps.
Arcadia: Oh!
Arcadia slams the folder shut and smiles at Callin.
Arcadia: Yes, can I help you?
Stanle follows Callin, a bit alarmed at her presumption.
Veraik picks up the first two forms to make notations and pulls out another form and begins to fill it out.
Stanle: Don't bother the lady, Callin. [stage whisper]
Callin elbows Stanle to shut him up.
Callin: We were wondering....
Arcadia hopes nobody walks in while she is holding the book.
Arcadia: Yes?
Callin: Well, we have an argument, sorta, and... er....
Gaelan finishes his 3rd form.
Callin suffers an unprofessional shortage of verbiage.
Arcadia casually puts Mr. P... whoever's file in the In basket under some other files.
Gaelan looks up at the Sime.
Arcadia: Really? [attempt to look both innocent and interested at once]
Arcadia: About what?
Veraik takes the finally form, transfer a response to his Channel's form then takes the voucher form and writes Gaelan's name on it.
Gaelan: Any more or are there only 3?
Callin: My article.
Veraik: Are you ready?
Tarsh comes over to Alea. "Can't be too bad if it means I get to see you."
Gaelan: Have been for days.
Arcadia thinks this girl should loosen up.
Callin pulls some neatly typed, but dog-eared pages out of a pocket in the cover of her notebook.
Arcadia: Ok...?
Veraik: Then let's go to the couch and I will take your donation. [indicates transfer couch with a tentacle]
Callin points to a lot of red ink surrounding one passage.
Alea smiles at Tarsh.
Arcadia picks up the article and reads the passage.
Alea: You haven't... uh....
Alea: I mean....
Gaelan: Do I have to lie down? I'm not tired.
Alea takes one of Tarsh's tentacles and strokes it gently.
Stanle frowns.
Alea: Have you been into....
Stanle: I can't print it like that. They ARE slimy, everyone knows that.
Alea: Why would an out-Territory person with the government be here asking about our finances?
Veraik: The couch is contoured for maximum comfort for both the Gen (donor) and the Channel.
Tarsh: No. No, nothing recently.
Gaelan thinks how uncomfortable it is to lay on his back.
Alea ~~ relief ~~
Gaelan always gets a pain in the back when he lays back.
Veraik: Mr. Gaelan. Can you scoot up just a bit?
Tarsh looks worried. "I don't know."
Arcadia reads the passage, which basically talks about how tentacles aren't slimy, etc.
Gaelan reaches to the small of his back while sliding up.
Alea: Good.
Arcadia: So, what is your question?
Callin looks at Arcadia, seeking vindication.
Veraik: There. Is that better?
Alea: Then there's nothing to worry about, right?
Alea: Oh.
Arcadia: I mean, aside from some fairly atrocious grammatical errors [Arcadia is fairly experienced in that area considering what she usually reads] this is all correct.
Gaelan: Not really, but if it works I'll live with it.
Veraik slides into position.
Veraik: All right.
Stanle: It's a bunch of lies.
Stanle: I can't print that kind of fairy tale.
Gaelan grimaces.
Stanle: I don't know what you people told Callin here, but you won't fool me.
Smitty Roach crawls out from under the cushion of the transfer lounge and sits on one of its buttons, preening his antennae.
Veraik holds out his tentacles and waits. "When you are ready, give me your arms."
Gaelan "thinks happy thoughts"
Smitty Roach looks up and sees the two of them sitting on either side of him, looming.
Alea: Veraik is with him right now.
Gaelan reaches out his arms.
Alea: He's, as I said, taking down his field.
Alea: I just wanted to ask you... make sure....
Alea thinks, and get away from the jerk.
Smitty Roach: Hmmm... I must have interrupted this... it's right before they grip and kiss.
Arcadia looks at Stanle oddly.
Smitty Roach stealthily slinks back across the couch and down underneath.
Arcadia: Well... which part do YOU think is wrong?
Gaelan: Well, what we waitin' for?
Veraik takes Gaelan's arms and wraps tentacles.
Stanle rolls his eyes.
Stanle: Come on. It's fiction start to finish.
Smitty Roach crawls up Veraik's leg and burrows down into his sock.
Gaelan tries to relax.
Veraik: Now Gaelan. All you need to do is hold very still while I am touching your lips to mine. Can you do it?
Gaelan: There's a first time for everything.
Arcadia: No it isn't. The laterals are slimy, the handling tentacles aren't, the Simes don't suck out your soul along with your selyn... this is all true.
Veraik feels a tickling, prickling on his leg and closes his mind to it.
Stanle tosses his head scornfully.
Stanle: Prove it!
Gaelan thinks he's gonna kill his boss.
Arcadia rolls her eyes.
Arcadia: OK, you asked for it.
Callin turns to Arcadia expectantly.
Arcadia goes over to the hallway and grabs the first Sime she sees.
Veraik: Very well, then when you are ready, touch your lips to mine and the donation will begin.
Arcadia: Hey, Jirelle... come over here for a second.
Arcadia ignores the fact that she is currently mad at Jirelle, since there are customers present.
Jirelle approaches them, sees the two Gens.
Jirelle: Oh! Hello.
Gaelan: You want me to "kiss" another man.
Gaelan shudders.
Arcadia: Give me your hand. [to Stanle]
Gaelan: I guess if you gotta, you gotta.
Veraik: Mr. Gaelan. It is not a kiss but only a touching of lips. It is totally impersonal.
Stanle holds out his hand.
Veraik waits patiently, wishing the crawling thing would hold still.
Tarsh: I don't need to play with that stuff anymore. I have you to play with. [polite leer]
Alea chuckles and leans up to kiss him.
Alea: I'm glad to know that.
Gaelan: Yeah, sure.
Gaelan touches lips.
Arcadia: And yours? [to Jirelle]
Jirelle holds out her hand obediently.
Tarsh kisses back and reaches to stroke her belly.
Arcadia puts the two hands together.
Stanle finally gets the idea--and doesn't like it.
Arcadia: With tentacles. [to Jirelle]
Stanle: Now, wait a minute.
Veraik draws slowly on the GN3 level so as not to disturb the Gen.
Arcadia: What?
Tarsh: How's the baby doing?
Arcadia: Don't you want to know?
Stanle: Err....
Alea smiles softly.
Alea: Great.
Alea: I felt it move again this morning.
Veraik takes all the GN3 level and probes for the GN2 level and realizes that that is all that can be taken.
Stanle tries to find a way to say "not really" without appearing a coward in front of a girl.
Veraik closes the donation and withdraws his tentacles.
Callin: Go on, Stanle.
Jirelle waits, wondering if it would be rude to let them know she is expected in the dispensary.
Veraik waits patiently for the Gen to say something.
Gaelan: Well, are we finally through?
Veraik: Yes and you did fine.
Jirelle decides if there is any question, then one should err on the side of politeness, so she says nothing.
Stanle realizes that there's no way he can save face if he refuses.
Gaelan mutters "2 minutes, yeah sure"
Veraik stands and goes to his desk.
Stanle: Oh, go ahead.
Stanle braces himself for the ordeal.
Gaelan stands up.
Veraik: Grabbing a form, he writes a figure then hands the form to Gaelan.
Tarsh: Have they decided if it's a he or a she yet?
Arcadia nods at Jirelle.
Alea: I haven't asked.
Veraik feels the crawling pricking again and wishes he could slap at it but he doesn't want to frighten the Gen.
Alea: I'm sure they know by now.
Jirelle takes Stanle's hand and slips her handling tentacles across his skin to seal the grip.
Gaelan: Okay, where do I finally find this financial officer?
Alea: Tramila thought I'd enjoy it more not knowing.
Alea shrugs.
Stanle gasps, then looks at them more closely.
Arcadia figures her part of this is over, and leaves the lobby.
Callin: See? They're NOT slimy, just like I said.
Jirelle looks slightly alarmed as she wonders where Arcadia just went.
Veraik: I will take you to him. Don't forget to give him your voucher for the payment you will receive for your selyn donation.
Gaelan mutters "probably have to turn it in to the boss."
Alea: I'll find out soon, I'm sure.
Jirelle removes her hand from Stanle's.
Gaelan: I'm ready whenever you are.
Veraik opens the door, eyebrow lifted at what he heard Gaelan say.
Jirelle: Oh, I hope that answered any questions you may have had.
Alea: I'll find out soon, I'm sure.
Alea: Have you heard the news yet? B'cal is gone.
Jirelle hides her hands behind her back.
Veraik leads the way to Tarsh's office and signals.
Jirelle smiles apologetically.
Alea: She left for V'lar yesterday.
Alea grins
Gaelan follows Veraik out the door.
Stanle: Um....
Veraik shakes his leg, trying to stop the prickling.
Smitty Roach crawls out of Veraik's sock and into a crack in the floor.
Gaelan: This the place?
Tarsh: Yeah, I've got the forms over there.
Stanle decides that the questions about the aftereffects of donating can wait.
Gaelan watches the strange Sime dance?
Alea: Of course you would... I didn't even think about pay...
Tarsh: Yeah, I've got the forms over there.
Veraik reaches down and scratches his leg in relief then tries to forget how bad it was.
Tarsh steps back from Alea.
Stanle is not eager to have himself proved wrong in the same fashion.
Stanle turns to Callin.
Stanle: All right, we can print it as it is.
Veraik looks at Gaelan then signals at Tarsh's door once again.
Gaelan wonders what is happening behind the closed door.
Jirelle: Do you two require anything else, or...?
Tamlen comes up the hall from the garden.
Jirelle doesn't like to rush off, but they seem to want to speak to each other, and she IS expected in the dispensary.
Tarsh: Come!
Callin smiles in triumph.
Jirelle wouldn't want to make Eliza worry.
Callin: Thank you very much. [to Jirelle]
Jirelle is sure Eliza WOULD worry, since she is such a sweet friendly young thing.
Jirelle: You're welcome. [in relief]
Jirelle leaves the lobby.
Alea turns to see who is there.
Veraik opens the door and indicates that Gaelan should enter.
Stanle and Callin depart for the school's news office.
Gaelan enters.
Veraik follows Gaelan in.
Gaelan: I'm Gaelan, and I hope you are the financial officer.
Veraik: Tarsh? This is Mr. Gaelan. He is from Out-Territory.
Veraik: He is here to see you.
Gaelan puts out his hand.
Veraik: Mr. Gaelan, Tarsh is our financial officer.
Tarsh: Yes, I'm Tarsh Chutmas, Chief Financial Officer for The Lower Bender Cove Sime Center.
Veraik: Mr. Gaelan. In Sime Territory, it is considered impolite to shake hands.
Gaelan: If you would excuse us, I need to talk to Mr. Tarsh privately.
Nick is sitting on his bed, putting on a Tecton uniform.
Alea looks at Gaelan in surprise.
Kadi is putting the bed to its intended purpose: sleeping.
Gaelan: Well, nobody said you all had manners.
Nick reaches out and ruffles the kitten's fur.
Veraik zlins Tarsh's state of need cycle.
Tarsh bows.
Alea moves over to support Veraik.
Tarsh: Pleased to meet you.
Veraik: I'm sorry Mr. Gaelan, you are not a Donor and therefore you can not be alone with one of my renSimes.
Nick: Yes, I know you like the warmth, but I'm not going to try to weather a visit from the Historical Society in my bathrobe.
Veraik: You will have to do your business with him in my presence.
Kadi yawns ostentatiously, showing kitten-fangs to full advantage.
Tarsh zlins this persnickety Gen.
Gaelan: Oh, okay, but I need the minimum number of personnel present.
Nick finishes buttoning the shirt and rests for a minute.
Veraik looks to Alea. "I'm sorry, Alea. You will have to leave."
Alea ~~ support ~~
Veraik: I can handle this.
Veraik thinks for a minute.
Nick finishes buttoning the shirt and rests for a minute.
Alea hesitates.
Alea nods.
Alea leaves.
Veraik: No. I think Alea should be here. I think I require her for support.
Veraik: Alea! Please stay.
Gaelan: Wait a minute I'm not staying in here with two Simes and no Gens.
Gaelan closes the door for privacy.
Tarsh: ~~ about ten days after transfer ~~
Gaelan: What is said here has to be kept in perfect confidence.
Veraik looks to Alea and Tarsh then nods in affirmation.
Smitty Roach: Aha! A secret... tis a shame, I hear it then repeat the same.
Nick gets to his feet and walks for the door, posture and nager giving a reasonable imitation of returning health.
Tarsh: Of course. MY lips are sealed.
Tarsh: I'm forgetting my manners. Have a seat, please.
Smitty Roach makes himself comfortable in the waste paper basket, where he had been reading old financial documents.
Alea goes in and supports Veraik.
Wise Snake sits in her office with her head in her hands.
Veraik relaxes under Alea's firm nager, suppressing his smugness at having her support.
Gaelan: I've been sent by the out-Territory government to check on rumors that there are forged documents being passed off around the area.
Nick shivers in the cold air of the hall, then makes his way to Snake's office.
Rapol is dozing in a chair by the desk.
Smitty Roach climbs up to the edge of the waste paper basket so he can get a look at Gaelan's face.
Nick opens the door to the office and goes in.
Tarsh goes back behind his desk.
Nick: Hello, Snake.
Veraik: And what kind of documents might those be?
Nick makes his way to the nearest chair, trying to disguise how weak his knees are.
Wise Snake: Nick... you shouldn't be up.
Tarsh: I'm forgetting my manners. Have a seat, please.
Gaelan: Donations, transfers, you name it.
Veraik sees movement by the waste paper basket and decides that a new exterminator should be hired.
Nick: I won't overdo it, I promise, but I was going stir crazy in there.
Rapol wakes up as the ambient shifts.
Smitty Roach climbs the side of Tarsh's desk and sits on the front edge of the desk so he can hear everything.
Rapol looks around sleepily.
Gaelan: According to sources the focal point is in this area.
Veraik stands next to a chair and indicates the Alea should be seated.
Tarsh: What do you mean? Faked donations and transfers?
Alea continues to support Veraik.
Alea nods and moves to seat herself.
Gaelan glances at Alea.
Nick declines the implied offer to hand Snake over to him.
Gaelan: Yep.
Wise Snake looks tired.
Veraik sees the Roach and subtly whisks the Roach off the desk and onto the floor so that the Gen doesn't notice the bug.
Wise Snake: I'm not looking forward to this, I'm really not.
Gaelan: Counterfeit stamps.
Smitty Roach: Whoop.... [lands on carpet]
Veraik: What good would donation and transfer documents be? Payment is always given at the time of services.
Nick: The visit from the Hysterical Society?
Smitty Roach: Hmm... this view is just not right. I must do something bout my height.
Tarsh: ~~ restrained ~~ Counterfeit stamps? Mail fraud?
Alea sees the roach and stiffens.
Smitty Roach goes to the nearest wall and begins hiking upward.
Veraik: Counterfeit stamps, you say?
Gaelan: If I had to guess, it looks like someone is doing a little extorting.
Veraik: This is the first I have heard of it.
Veraik zlins Tarsh with curiosity.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Alea hears stamps and shifts.
Wise Snake: I realize it's necessary, but I still don't look forward to it.
Nick: What exactly are they planning to look at?
Smitty Roach: Oho! The stamps; I wondered when, someone would look for them again.
Tarsh: Extorting? How can that work?
Veraik: Why is the Gen government concerned about donation and transfer documents?
Smitty Roach: Like breadcrumbs strewn on forest path, so the bits of stamps were cast....
Gaelan: Yes, but if payments are being used for other things than paying donors you still got to account for the funds, counterfeit stamps.
Smitty Roach: And perilous the journey fraught with danger for the ones who sought....
Gaelan: Illegal exports into Gen Territory. That's where I came into the picture.
Tarsh: That's fraud. Not extortion.
Smitty Roach: And I daresay that only one of genius bent could have reassembled them.
Veraik: Again. I want to know where the Gen government is tied to this problem?
Smitty Roach breathes on his foreleg and buffs it on his wings.
Gaelan shrugs.
Gaelan: I'm not a lawyer.
Gaelan: Never even finished school.
Veraik: I see, and what kind of exports are you talking about?
Gaelan: We, the Gens, got involved when we noticed illegal shipments of goods in our Territory.
Rapol stands up and stretches. "When are they coming here?"
Wise Snake: Any minute now.
Nick looks at Rapol.
Nick: Could you pour me some tea, Rapol?
Nick would rather not worry Snake unduly by demonstrating his continuing weakness.
Rapol: Certainly.
Gaelan: We traced it to the border and approached your government for permission to continue on this side.
Alea is worried thinking some of this sounds like things that might have come from here, but others don't.
Rapol goes over to the to the fire to get some hot water.
Alea glances at Tarsh.
Tarsh: I see. What kind of drugs are we talking about here?
Smitty Roach wonders if the reassembled stamps will be discovered in their hiding place in the floor drain of the men's public bathroom, then decides, nah.
Alea ~~ supports ~~ Veraik
Veraik: I see, so what is it that you want to do? Do you read Simelan? Do you have a name?
Veraik zlins Alea and Tarsh and wonders.
Gaelan: Things like fosebine.
Gaelan: Not illegal, just no taxes.
Gaelan: Anaprin.
Alea shifts in her seat and crosses her legs trying to get more comfortable.
Smitty Roach loses his footing and plunges off the ceiling.
Smitty Roach: Whoaooaaooaoaooa!!!!!
Tarsh: From Tecton supplies?
Nick closes his eyes to rest them for a moment.
Veraik zlins Alea's discomfort and leans down to whisper that it is all right to disappear for a minute as long as she returns quickly.
Wise Snake: Uh, Nick... maybe you should um, go back to bed? [concerned]
Gaelan: That's how it looks.
Alea thinks she'd like to disappear completely but isn't going to miss a word of this conversation.
Tarsh jumps.
Tarsh brushes at something on his head. "Ack!"
Gaelan: You all can make some things a lot less expensively than us.
Nick: I'm never going to recover if I don't start exercising a bit.
Alea's eyes widen.
Rapol brings Nick a cup of trin.
Nick opens his eyes and tries to look alert.
Gaelan wonders about these strange actions.
Smitty Roach's slippery wings slither under Tarsh's touch.
Nick: Thank you, Rapol.
Nick takes the tea.
Alea ~~ concern ~~
Smitty Roach: Eek! I slipped, now I'm touched. Think I'll swift before I'm mushed.
Gaelan: No taxes paid and you're talking a lot of profit, for some things.
Smitty Roach: Er, much, that is. [skitters down into Tarsh's collar]
Tarsh zlins up at the ceiling.
Veraik zlins the roach on Tarsh's collar and dives a tentacle towards it.
Alea sees the roach go down his collar.
Veraik: I'll get it!
Tarsh recoils at Veraik attacking him.
Alea ~~ mild alarm ~~~
Alea jumps up.
Smitty Roach: I never knew they're such close friends... alas, I've lost my quick defense.
Alea sees Veraik attacking Tarsh and grabs him.
Alea: Leave him alone!
Veraik: It's that Roach again Tarsh!
Veraik holds Alea off with a couple of tentacles.
Gaelan nervously eyes the closed door.
Gaelan eyes his watch.
Veraik: Alea! Stop! A roach has gone down Tarsh's shirt.
Smitty Roach: Quite a racket... like a pack of animals or savage cannibals.
Tarsh: What?
Alea realizes Veraik is only after the roach and not about to strangle Tarsh.
Geschrieber strides down the sidewalk towards the Ferry Building.
Tarsh: What?
Tarsh starts slapping randomly at his torso.
Smitty Roach: And now, a drummer? Lacketh rhythm. In fact it cannot be forgiven.
Alea: Shendoni roach....
Veraik: There's been a strange roach around the Center.
Alea runs around Veraik and scoots behind Tarsh and starts jerking at his shirt.
Geschrieber sees that the sidewalk in front of the Ferry Building has been freshly shoveled, and smiles a secret smile of pleasure.
Alea: Where'd it go? [to veraik]
Alea trying to look down the back of his shirt
Smitty Roach: Two now, to search? This could be fun. So long as I stay on the run.... [runs about erratically, dodging the occasional obstacles]
Gaelan: They make good fish bait if you can catch 'em.
Rapol offers Snake a tea also.
Veraik stands back and zlins Tarsh to see if he smashes the roach.
Alea looks up from where she has Tarsh's collar in her hands and gapes at Gaelan.
Veraik blanches at the thought of fishing.
Smitty Roach: Although I thought the finances a bit more challenging the senses -- well, what can a roach expect, from the human intellect?
Geschrieber strides down the walk to the Ferry Building's main entrance.
Gaelan observes the humorous escapades.
Rapol pulls his shirttails out and starts shaking the shirt.
Smitty Roach: Oh no! A man with smarts. I'm falling out, into his... [falls down out of shirt]
Gaelan slides a little closer to the door, just in case.
Alea jumps back.
Veraik: Sorry, Mr. Gaelan. The Center has had the worst insect infestation and no matter what, we just can't seem to get rid of it.
Gaelan: Ever try importing spiders?
Alea backs further away around the desk, looking for the little demon and glad it's nowhere to be seen.
Wise Snake: Nick, perhaps you'd like to go lie down for a while? You know, while those people are here?
Alea mouths 'spiders' and shudders.
Wise Snake: It might be more... restful.
Veraik dives for the roach as it tries to crawl into Tarsh's pants.
Alea move back to Veraik offering ~~ support ~~
Alea jumps.
Alea: Shendoni Veraik!
Veraik: We have spiders too.
Alea grabs at her heart in shock.
Geschrieber discovers that the door is locked, but locates the string by the window and gives it a hearty pull.
Tarsh stands still, against his better judgment.
Smitty Roach: Egads! He almost snatched me there. Instead he grabbed some of his ---
Gaelan: Yep, spiders -- great little bug getters.
Veraik feels the roach and flicks it up and out of Tarsh's pants.
Rapol: Company.
Rapol: Should I get that?
Smitty Roach: Yarg!
Wise Snake: Ah, I'd better.
Gaelan: If possible.
Alea wondered when Donors became the jumpy ones in the room.
Veraik: Shendoni. Doesn't that Roach ever die? It has more lives than a cat.
Rapol: Certainly.
Alea glares at Veraik, deciding it's his fault.
Wise Snake jumps up and hurries for the stairs.
Gaelan: I need to take some time and examine your books for any discrepancies.
Gaelan: They got me doing it all over the area, not just here.
Smitty Roach is tossed into a pile of paperwork and crawls between some pages.
Nick watches Rapol and Snake hurry out, sighs, and takes his tea back to bed.
Gaelan: shouldn't take more than a day or two.
Rapol follows Snake.
Wise Snake pauses by the front door, making sure her clothing is in order.
Veraik looks at Tarsh, then at Gaelan.
Gaelan: Any time it is convenient for you. The sooner the better.
Wise Snake is dressed and groomed about as well as she can manage, trying to avoid as much harassment as possible.
Wise Snake: This is crazy. [leaning on Rapol's field]
Wise Snake: Do I look okay?
Alea smiles in satisfaction, knowing most of the old records have been completely ruined.
Wise Snake checks Rapol's look too.
Veraik: Let me look at your papers again?
Alea thinks ~~ what a shame ~~ with glee
Tarsh: Hajene?
Alea is certain he won't find anything in them.
Gaelan: I can do it here or take the books back to my room.
Veraik: Yes Tarsh.
Alea ~~ gloating ~~
Geschrieber is becoming increasingly irritated at the lack of response.
Gaelan: Sure, no problem.
Gaelan hands over his papers.
Rapol runs finger through his hair, which could use attention, but trying to cover for Nick and himself....
Tarsh: Did you want to start today?
Veraik zlins them for the Tecton markings and finds none then passes the papers to Tarsh.
Veraik: What do you think of the papers, Tarsh?
Rapol considers Snake's appearance. In relative, as opposed to absolute terms.
Gaelan: First thing in the morning is fine, that will give you a chance to get 'em together.
Gaelan: Round about sunup okay?
Tarsh looks over the papers. Then holds them up to the light.
Alea doesn't like this Gen at all.
Rapol: Look OK.
Wise Snake: Oh. Good. Well, here goes.
Alea ~~ support ~~ Veraik.
Wise Snake unlocks the door and opens it.
Veraik takes Alea's support to calm himself.
Wise Snake: Hello. Please come in. [neutrally]
Gaelan waits to get his papers back.
Wise Snake looks and zlins about hoping some other people will arrive very soon.
Gaelan: Any problem with them papers?
Rapol: ~~ support ~~
Alea looks at Gaelan down her nose thinking he could be a bit more patient.
Geschrieber: It's about time.
Tarsh: No, They look fine.
Tarsh hands them back.
Tarsh: Just since we are talking about such things....
Gaelan: Sunup tomorrow fine with you?
Veraik: All right then, but the papers stay in your sight.
Geschrieber looks at Snake's less-than-immaculate appearance and sniffs.
Gaelan: Not a problem.
Alea think it will be nice to see his face when he discovers most all of the papers are missing.
Wise Snake stands aside to let Geshriber in.
Veraik: You can arrange that with Tarsh. I will be there as well.
Gaelan looks at the cute Gen out of the corner of his eye.
Rapol nods to Geschrieber.
Gaelan: That will be fine....
Veraik: We can use either this office or the conference room. Whichever is the most convenient.
Geschrieber stalks in past Snake, looking around.
Gaelan: We'll worry about that tomorrow.
Wise Snake assumes that the place will still not pass inspection even though dozens of drudges have slaved hundreds of hours cleaning the place.
Wise Snake braces herself for the first of the insults.
Geschrieber: Hmpf, you didn't exactly provide much light, did you?
Tarsh: All right then.
Wise Snake: Thank you for coming. Do you know of any others who will be....
Veraik: Gaelan, it is impolite to desire Tarsh's woman.
Wise Snake: Um,
Wise Snake: I have lanterns upstairs if you would like one.
Gaelan stares at Tarsh.
Gaelan shrugs.
Veraik controls the fields.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Geschrieber: That would be a great help. As to others, Miz Forrest was... busy... this afternoon, but she said she'd found a substitute.
Alea gapes at Veraik, then flushes red.
Tarsh starts and turns to glare at... he can't decide which of them to glare at, Veraik or Gaelan.
Wise Snake: What a shame! [appearing genuinely shocked, but more because she hadn't realized Forrest was one of those attending]
Gaelan: Didn't mean to be impolite, just appreciative.
Rapol hopes that Geschrieber appreciates his furniture.
Alea wants to smack the Gen for that last line.
Wise Snake hopes that the extra drop cloths put over everything will thoroughly disguise it all.
Veraik: Simes zlin your fields. I just thought you should know and take caution.
Wise Snake thinks, particularly the 4 foot diameter spherical chandelier made up of Depression-glass cherubs.
Gaelan "What else can they zlin?"
Alea thinks it might be best if she just slips out of the room.
Veraik: Alea. Don't go.
Tarsh covers his smile at the classic out-T reaction....
Alea turns back ~~ support ~~
Gaelan: Well, if you all don't mind, I'd like to look around the Center so I won't get lost in the morning.
Gaelan: You all got a guide who can show me around?
Alea sees Tarsh smile and relaxes.
Alea is certain everything is going to be fine.
Gaelan makes a point of not looking at Alea.
Veraik: Tarsh and Alea can escort you.
Gaelan: Suits me.
Alea shows Veraik in her nager plainly what she thinks of getting stuck with this neanderthal.
Veraik: It is never a good idea for an untrained Gen to roam the halls of a Center by themselves.
Veraik stands and goes to the door.
Gaelan: You Simes sure got a lot of rules for Gens.
Veraik: I have to get back to work now. I will see you in the morning.
Gaelan: Lead away.
Veraik leaves.
Alea looks over at Tarsh.
Tarsh: All for your protection. Whole point of the Tecton.
Tarsh: This is the administrative area here, with offices for the Donors, Channels, and other staff.
Gaelan: Where are the records kept?
Alea: In the basement.
Alea goes over and pulls open the door.
Tarsh: I assume you saw the Gen wing, where Gens go for donations and medical treatment.
Alea thinks of the room downstairs and wonders if they could toss him in there and just forget about him.
Gaelan: Only way in and out?
Alea looks back at Gaelan.
Alea: What?
Alea pulls open the door and goes out into the hall.
Gaelan: Oh yeah, I couldn't forget that place.
Tarsh: No. There's a loading door to the street, for coal, wood, bulk supplies.
Gaelan thinks "kissing a man, yuck"
Gaelan nods.
Tarsh: The Sime wing is down that way, for transfers and treatment of Simes.
Alea: Of course, you don't want to go there.
Alea: We usually don't allow new Gens there anyway.
Wise Snake tries not to fidget as Geschrieber stares at the entryway.
Gaelan: I'll take your word on that.
Alea continues down the hall with Tarsh and Gaelan.
Geschrieber wanders into the main room and pulls a random cover off.
Gaelan follows.
Wise Snake follows, her tentacles licking in and out nervously.
Wise Snake darts a glance at Rapol.
Tarsh: Client records are kept in the Lobby.
Geschrieber's eyes widen at the brass hunting-dog candelabra with multiple prisms handing from the holders.
Rapol: ~~ calm support and pride ~~
Gaelan: Donations? Things like that?
Geschrieber: My goodness, what an eyesore.
Geschrieber quickly covers it up again.
Tarsh: They are like hospital files. Medical information for the channels to use.
Gaelan: Who has access to these records?
Alea: The records you'd need are probably downstairs... older records.... not the medical ones.
Rapol: ~~ calm indignation ~~
Wise Snake: Ah... these are my Donor Rapol's private possessions and are not part of the restoration.
Wise Snake hopes the word "private" will discourage Geschrieber from tugging off any more well-placed protective coverings.
Geschrieber: Wise of you. You wouldn't want to scare away your... clients.
Alea thinks every channel and Donor... and anyone else who can pick a lock but doesn't say that.
Geschrieber has heard some rumors about Snake's clients.
Geschrieber peeks under another cover.
Wise Snake winces at the pun on her name.
Tarsh: In the lobby? Any of the clerks, Donors, or Channels.
Wise Snake winces as Geschrieber peeks.
Gaelan thinks that you can learn a lot from medical records.
Alea thinks he's not going to see a peek at a one of these records.
Rapol is grateful for Snake's concern for his property, but sad he won't get to show off his taste....
Wise Snake rubs her face, worrying that with too much of this her face will get stuck in a permanent wince.
Tarsh: The Cashier is over here. Semla ambrov Taglar is in charge.
Gaelan nods.
Geschrieber's eyes widen in horror at the sight of a very abstract sculpture which appears to show an orgy or a kill, or maybe a fertility ritual, it's not clear which.
Alea: Was there anything else you wanted to see while you were here, Galen?
Wise Snake darts forward and yanks the drop cloth down.
Wise Snake: Well! You must be very interested in seeing the building proper.
Gaelan glances at Alea.
Gaelan glances at Tarsh.
Alea has no idea why he has to see all of this just to review records.
Alea is just a tad defensive about it.
Geschrieber: One hopes that it will eventually be decorated in a more... period... fashion.
Wise Snake: As I say, these are just being stored down here until the living areas are ready.
Rapol experiences a gruntle deficit....
Gaelan: No, I think that will do it. If you can just show me the conference room I think I will call it a day.
Alea smiles with pleasure.
Tarsh: Of course. This way.
Gaelan follows.
Alea turns and walks with Tarsh toward the conference room.
Gaelan looks for other bugs.
Gaelan thinks about spiders.
Tarsh opens the door. "Main Staff conference room. Ample table space, you see."
Big Hairy II darts down a side hallway and disappears into a room.
Geschrieber walks past Rapol's gallery of horrors, and starts seriously checking out the building.
Gaelan looks into room, nods.
Alea: We'll make sure all of the records we have are at your disposal....
Wise Snake follows, surprised that the woman didn't ask for a lantern after making such a big deal about the lack of light.
Geschrieber inspects the walls of the large main room closely.
Alea: First thing in the morning, as you say....
Wise Snake looks at Rapol and shrugs.
Gaelan: That would be great.
Gaelan: Sun up.
Rapol looks sadly back at his collection.
Geschrieber looks at Snake.
Tarsh: I'm looking forward to it. ~~ lie ~~
Geschrieber: It looks like there are some murals under that recent wallpaper.
Gaelan: If you would show me to the exit, I'll see you tomorrow.
Tarsh: Is it Inspector or Lieutenant Gaelan?
Gaelan turns to leave.
Geschrieber: If you'd get that lantern you promised, I could see how much restoration they require.
Gaelan: No, actually Special Agent.
Tarsh: Ah.
Alea ~~ alarm ~~
Rapol: Shall I?
Alea: The door is right that way....
Alea points down the hall.
Geschrieber is rather irritated that the lantern hasn't already appeared.
Wise Snake nods at Rapol.
Rapol hustles up the stairs to get it.
Gaelan looks at Alea, nods, and turns toward the door.
Wise Snake is left with the unpleasant renSime.
Wise Snake pushes her unruly black forelock back behind her ear, and waits.
Geschrieber tries to zlin the condition of the mural under the paper, but lacks the sensitivity.
Gaelan walks out the door.
Wise Snake figures out what Geschrieber is trying to do and politely keeps her nager neutral.
Rapol comes down the stairs a bit too fast with a lighted lantern....
Geschrieber settles for wrapping a tentacle around a wallpaper strip hanging from the wall and pulling it off.
Wise Snake starts.
Wise Snake: Hey!
Geschrieber: There's mold underneath the paper.
Alea sighs.
Geschrieber: The mural will have sustained considerable damage, I expect.
Wise Snake: Yeah, well, let's leave it under the paper, okay?
Rapol skids to stop, sticks a hand out against the wall.
Geschrieber glares at Snake, considering the mural's condition her fault.
Alea: Shen.
Alea looks at Tarsh.
Alea: Everything is in order?
Wise Snake: I mean, until the architect decides what to do.
Alea: Now that you know what he wants?
Geschrieber looks down her nose at Snake.
Geschrieber: Are you implying that I am so ignorant that I don't know how to get wallpaper off without damaging what's underneath?
Geschrieber: I expect I know ten times more about such things than any architect you could hire.
Wise Snake: ~~unimpressed~~
Tarsh looks either way and speaks in a low voice. "Good there was that flood."
Wise Snake: Perhaps, but since you refused your services I will have to make due with common sense.
Alea nods.
Tarsh: "But I swear I was never involved in smuggling drugs...."
Wise Snake: Don't peel anything off of anything.
Alea reaches out and touches Tarsh's arm.
Alea: I know, that, dear. It sounds like there's more than one thing going on.
Geschrieber takes the lantern from Rapol and inspects the parts of the mural which are visible through the paint.
Tarsh: Yeah.
Alea: They're just making stabs at things... nothing to worry about.
Tarsh has a metaphorical light bulb go off over his head. "Hey!"
Geschrieber: It looks like a very good example of Gen Territory art from the period.
Alea: What?
Alea ~~ worried suddenly ~~
Geschrieber points to a large gap in the wallpaper.
Wise Snake studies the visible part.
Geschrieber: Most likely a market scene.
Tarsh pulls Alea into the conference room and closes the door.
Alea: Yes?
Geschrieber: Look, there's a cage on the square, with a Sime prisoner inside.
Rapol holds up the lantern and peers in interest.
Wise Snake curious at what Geshriber was zlinning for before, zlins a bunch more of the mural underneath the paper, in addition to large quantities of soot, mold and water damage.
Geschrieber: See, there are the manacles.
Geschrieber rests a tentacle on the section in question.
Wise Snake: Ah... yes. And over there is an army unit on parade.
Wise Snake points at a section still covered by wallpaper.
Tarsh: A few weeks ago. Hajene Lanyi was *very interested in the files. Spent a lot of her off hours down there....
Alea: You don't think she is investigating the same thing, do you?
Geschrieber's lip curls in distaste at this evidence of Farris show-off bravado.
Rapol tries to look where Snake is pointing....
Wise Snake: Oh... sorry, Rapol.
Wise Snake: It's underneath.
Rapol: Ah.
Geschrieber moves to another hole in the wallpaper.
Alea thinks of the possibility that Lanyi is also involved in this somehow and wonders when she got so out of touch with that community.
Geschrieber: Here's a butcher's shop. You can see the plucked chickens hanging in the window.
Tarsh: Possibly. Or maybe she's involved....
Alea: Oh no... not Lanyi!
Geschrieber: Look at the detail on those steaks below them.
Geschrieber: This wall will be quite spectacular when it's restored to its former glory.
Alea ~~ worry ~~
Wise Snake: I hope so.
Tarsh: She's from out-Territory, she'd know people.
Wise Snake thinks it will certainly provide entertainment for any who are bored by the meetings that will one day be held in the great terminal.
Alea slowly nods.
Alea: Uh, there is someone else... but she's too new... I think.
Wise Snake thinks she will also look into what other wall coverings were used in that period and whether any of the wallpapers used might be of more historical interest than the mural... as it is a bit... disturbing.
Alea: Turrie brought a message for me about rejoining the ranks of well.... [shrugs]
Alea: But she hasn't really been here long enough..
Alea: Just how well does she know Lanyi?
Geschrieber wanders on to the far side of the room, and peers into a rather small room, set off from the main part by a stone wall.
Wise Snake follows.
Tarsh: Turrie and Lanyi? I can't say if they've even met....
Geschrieber: This room is particularly well insulated, I zlin.
Alea nods thoughtfully.
Wise Snake gives Geschrieber a very strange look, since all the rooms have stone walls.
Alea: At least that's good to know... in case Lanyi is involved.
Wise Snake: If you say so. [politely]
Geschrieber: What are you planning to use it for?
Wise Snake: The uses for the unspecialized rooms on the first floor have not been decided yet.
Alea: I suppose we could keep a closer eye on Lanyi....
Wise Snake: Probably as an office or a treatment room. Perhaps storage.
Tarsh: Maybe....
Geschrieber steps through the door to take a closer look at the walls.
Alea looks at Tarsh, unsure what to do... but knowing she isn't going to let the blame fall on him if she can stop it.
Geschrieber: Hmm, this is just painted over, not wallpapered.
Tarsh: Don't worry, Alea. I'll be all right.
Geschrieber traces out a darker patch showing through the less-than-perfect last paint job.
Alea hugs Tarsh.
Rapol notices that Kadi has been sharpening her claws on the doorframe.
Geschrieber: I think this is another scene of daily life. See, here's a Sime standing over a dead Gen, and over here is another Gen shooting at him.
Alea: I'm sure you will
Tarsh holds Alea. "I've got a family to look after now...."
Alea ~~ not one hundred percent sure ~~
Wise Snake sees the door frame and nearly has a heart attack.
Geschrieber: The artist obviously didn't know much Sime anatomy; there are several extra tentacles here.
Wise Snake realizes with dismay she is going to have to get rid of both cats.
Wise Snake: I... I see.
Wise Snake: Well, that must be a common trait of Gen Territory art picturing Simes.
Geschrieber checks the other walls.
Wise Snake is distracted by the awfulness of the sight... of the clawed up doorframe.
Alea leans back and nods.
Geschrieber: Yes, this is a good example of the "Raider attack" motif, common at the time this building was constructed.
Wise Snake: Ummh....
Geschrieber indicates a spot.
Alea: I'll go see about getting the older files sent up that he might need.
Geschrieber: See, here are burning houses, and a few corpses scattered about.
Alea: Why don't you go on and go through the financial records he'll want?
Tarsh: Good. I'll make up some story to tell Semla....
Wise Snake: Yes, maybe a storage room.
Alea thinks about right now would be a good time to start a fire, but resists the temptation.
Geschrieber: It was intended to inspire the viewers to stand firm together against attacks from our side of the border.
Geschrieber: Oh, you couldn't store anything here.
Geschrieber: Look at that doorframe.
Geschrieber: The rats would destroy it in hours.
Geschrieber: You really should get a cat or two.
Wise Snake massages her forehead as she tries to figure out what she can do with the cats that would be suitably permanent but wouldn't drive Alea into a fit.
Alea nods and turns, pulling open the door.
Wise Snake: Sure... thanks.
Wise Snake wonders if the woman is an idiot, to mistake cat damage for rat damage... hardly the sort of mistake one would expect from an architectural expert.
Wise Snake: ~~pristinely polite nager~~
Alea forces her mind to think on what they have that Gaelan might possibly want to see as she heads off down the hall.
Rapol is glad to hear there are rats about, so Kadi has something to do.
Geschrieber finishes her inspection of the room and returns to the main part of the lobby.
Wise Snake follows, keeping a wary eye out for the clawed culprit.
Geschrieber: I've already seen the upstairs when the Bender Cover Historical Society inspected this building last year.
Wise Snake grunts, just as pleased to have Geschrieber out of there as fast as possible.
Geschrieber is still a bit upset about missing the first part of the tour, and for the dentist, too.
Geschrieber: You can rest assured, I will report the details of the murals to our Society. We look forward to seeing them restored to their full, original glory.
Wise Snake: Ummh. [uninterpretable grunt]
Geschrieber 's nager makes it plain that she and her friends will NOT be pleased if one gruesome detail is toned down for in-T sensibilities.
Wise Snake: Well, I hope that the architect I have selected will satisfy the people of Bender Cove.
Wise Snake: [deliberately ambiguous]
Geschrieber: Humpf.
Geschrieber: Well, good day.
Wise Snake lets Geschrieber out the side door.
Geschrieber turns and stalks from the building.
Wise Snake: Have a nice day, [calls after her]
Wise Snake closes the door, shaking her head.
Notes:
1) This is probably not true. However, getting the guy low field before he speaks to Tarsh is a good idea. [return]
2) Shocking! [return]