Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #178: Persistent Misconduct (3/5/98)
Eliza looks around casually to see if anyone is looking, and sneaks over and slips a note under Mostan's door.
Mostan hears a slight sound and goes over to the door.
Eliza sneaks away again.
Mostan opens the door and looks out at an empty hallway.
Briel sees Eliza sneaking away and lifts an eyebrow.
Mostan shrugs and closes the door.
Eliza looks up and sees Briel. "Oh, ummm, hello, Controller Briel."
Mostan: [air from door flips note up into the air]
Mostan looks down at the paper.
Briel looks at Eliza.
Mostan picks it up and unfolds it.
Briel: How are you this morning, Eliza?
Mostan: "Mostan - I've checked the board and you are off after 2. Would you please meet me at the 'Vargas Parlour' after that? If you don't come, I'll know that you don't want me anymore and I'll leave you alone. Love from Eliza."
Eliza looks guilty.
Eliza: ~ guilt ~
Eliza: Oh, I'm fine.
Eliza: ~ lying ~
Briel zlins her.
Briel: Uh, huh.
Briel: So, how are things working out with Jirelle?
Mostan looks happy.
Briel slips a tentacle at Eliza's back and guides her down the hall.
Eliza: Just fine.
Mostan goes to his desk and sits down with paper and pen.
Eliza: She is a nice person.
Eliza: Errr, you wanted to talk to me?
Briel: I'm glad it's working out.
Briel: Not at all....
Briel: I was on my way to the infirmary.
Alea walks into the lobby and looks out the window.
Alea sighs as she sees there is still snow.
Alea is glad there's not too much snow though.
Eliza doesn't know what else to say.
Tarsh comes up from the basement carrying a box.
Eliza, propelled along by Briel, obviously goes to the infirmary too.
Briel: I hope you'll consider working with me.
Briel: I'd like to see how you do.
Alea glances at Tarsh.
Alea: Good morning, Tarsh.
Tarsh: Alea! Hi!
Tarsh carries the box towards the conference room.
Alea: What is that you have?
Alea turns and follows Tarsh.
Tarsh: More files for Review.
Alea sighs.
Alea: I found him downstairs in the files the other day.
Alea: He was snooping around.
Alea: Had one of Arcadia's books in his hands.
Eliza: Oh sure, Briel. That would be great.
Briel: Great.
Briel: Well then, why don't you support me while we examine some patients?
Tarsh: How is that relevant to his work?
Eliza lends Briel some ~ support ~
Eliza: Who's sick?
Mostan finishes writing and goes to put his uniform on.
Briel: Well we have a flu case in bed one and we have two pneumonia cases....
Briel: So, Eliza, what's on your mind?
Tarsh: You think he suspects something?
Alea: I have no idea.
Alea: I think he was simply snooping around.
Eliza fidgets.
Inarm comes into the lobby, carrying a briefcase in her left hand.
Briel zlins Eliza .
Inarm's right sleeve is empty.
Eliza: ~ uncomfortable ~
Eliza looks around to see who is listening.
Tarsh: Suppose that is in the nature of policemen.
Briel pauses and moves back out of the infirmary with Eliza.
Eliza: The other day I got a letter. From home. Well, sort of from home.
Alea: Well, I don't especially care for it.
Eliza: From some solicitors or something
Inarm looks around to find out who's in charge.
Eliza: It said that now my father is dead I own the farm.
Briel: Really?
Briel leads Eliza back toward the lobby.
Briel: Yes?
Alea: I'll just be glad when he's gone.
Inarm sees clerk behind the desk.
Inarm: Excuse me....
Alea moves over to the table and looks through he files that Tarsh set on the table, to see what he brought up
Eliza: I thought it would be best if we sent it back saying that I wasn't here.
Eliza: But I'm still nervous that it found me!
Tarsh: Me too.
Alea: How much longer do you think he'll be here?
Briel: Send it back?
Briel is surprised.
Briel: But why?
Gaelan returns to conference room after taking a small break.
Tarsh: Well, he only went through a month's files last time....
Briel enters the lobby with Eliza and sees Inarm.
Inarm blinks in surprise as clerk picks up a stack of files and disappears back into the depths of the building without answering.
Inarm: My goodness!
Gaelan: Hello Mr. Tarsh.
Alea hears the voice and turns around, surprised.
Alea flushes guiltily.
Gaelan: More files huh?
Briel motions for Eliza to support her.
Tarsh: Good Afternoon, Mr. Gaelan.
Briel: May we help you?
Briel: [to Inarm]
Tarsh: I'm sorry, *Inspector* Gaelan.
Inarm looks around and sees Briel.
Gaelan: Actually, Special Agent.
Alea smiles.
Eliza continues to ~ support ~ Briel.
Tarsh: A Sime Center runs on paper. Selyn is just a byproduct.
Gaelan: But Mister is okay.
Eliza is glad they were interrupted.
Tarsh: Oh yes, I'm sorry.
Gaelan: I'm real informal.
Briel looks at Eliza wondering why she wants to send the letter back.
Gaelan: Like any other bureaucracy I would assume.
Mostan comes downstairs carrying a folder.
Inarm can't understand Simelan.
Alea: So, when do you think you'll be done?
Inarm: Err... Do you speak English?
Gaelan walks to table and sets down.
Briel repeats her question in English when she zlins her confusion.
Gaelan: When I'm done.
Eliza looks nervous. "Yes - just about everyone speaks English here."
Tarsh: Yeah, that's a trans-border constant, I'm told.
Inarm: Oh, yes. My boss sent me here to donate.
Alea ~~ anger ~~
Briel: Ah, I see.
Eliza: ~ relief ~
Briel: And have you donated before?
Tarsh looks over at Alea.
Alea forces her nager over control.
Gaelan: It would probably take a lot longer if you weren't missing so many records.
Mostan stops to check his mail.
Inarm: Well, no. But I've heard about it....
Mostan fumbles and spills it on the floor.
Eliza sees Mostan enter the lobby and gets flustered.
Briel: Mostan?
Gaelan: I haven't seen any older than 3-4 months old.
Inarm: And I can't afford to pass up this job. Not after the accident.
Inarm nods at her empty right sleeve.
Tarsh: Unfortunately there have been several mishaps here and in our previous building.
Gaelan: You don't happen to know what happened to the rest?
Briel: I understand.
Briel picks up a chart.
Gaelan: Several?
Eliza starts to go over to help him then remembers and tries to concentrate on Briel.
Eliza: ~ support ~
Briel: Mostan, perhaps you could take this woman's donation?
Alea: Several minor accidents.
Alea: Like faulty sprinkler systems and the such.
Alea: All new buildings have their bugs.
Alea looks at Tarsh to see how he's taking her lies.
Tarsh: There was a fire about 6 months ago. The old building was lost.
Gaelan: No offense intended, but I have always found that when records are this incomplete there are usually, not always, other reasons behind their disappearance.
Tarsh: Then a few months later there was a 2nd fire. Sprinklers put it out, but flooded the files....
Eliza notices that Mostan doesn't have his Donor with him and tugs on Briel's sleeve.
Alea ~~ rebuilding anger at Gaelan's insinuations ~~
Briel: Yes?
Briel looks at Eliza.
Eliza: Should I help Mostan, then?
Mostan stands up, fiddling with the papers.
Briel lifts an eyebrow.
Briel: No.
Mostan slips a paper into Eliza's letter box.
Briel: Please get the information on this woman while I go talk to Mostan.
Eliza: I'll be good.
Eliza is the picture of trustworthiness.
Gaelan: Oh, by the way, I got a message from HQ yesterday....
Briel turns and goes over to Mostan and touches his arm.
Briel sees the letter and simply stares at it.
Eliza steps up to Inarm.
Alea hopes it was to go back home.
Eliza: Here, I'll help you fill out the forms.
Eliza: Name?
Alea thinks that would be the perfect news.
Gaelan: They are sending more supporting documents, they believe are related.
Alea glares at the back of Gaelan's head.
Inarm is a bit bewildered by being first accosted and then deserted by Briel.
Inarm: Anna Inarm.
Tarsh: Ah. Good news then.
Mostan: Yes, Briel?
Gaelan: They want me to cross check and see if they really are related.
Briel: Will you take Miz Inarm's donation?
Eliza writes down "Anna In Arms"
Eliza: And how old are you Anna?
Inarm: Twenty-eight.
Mostan: Of course, Briel.
Eliza writes down 82.
Alea gathers up the other files that Gaelan has already looked at, and starts putting them in another box.
Eliza: You haven't donated before... any health problems?
Briel: Thank you.
Briel glances back at the card, then at Mostan.
Mostan goes over to Eliza and Inarm.
Briel turns and moves back over to Eliza's side.
Mostan: Good afternoon, Miz Inarm.
Inarm: Apart from a missing arm that thinks it's still there, not many.
Gaelan: If you would excuse me for a couple of hours I'll try to review these "records" that you've left here.
Briel: Thank you, Eliza.
Eliza is concentrating on the form.
Inarm is slightly bitter about her handicap.
Inarm turns to look at Mostan.
Tarsh: Of course. If you need me, You know where my office is....
Eliza finishes the form and hands it to Briel.
Inarm: Um, hello.
Inarm: Who are you?
Alea lifts the box of folders and moves over to Tarsh's side.
Briel hands it to Mostan.
Briel: Here you go.
Eliza: This is Hajene Mostan - he will take your donation.
Mostan: I'm Hajene Mostan, the Channel on duty.
Briel: Now, Eliza, why don't you come with me.
Inarm: Oh.
Briel: I'd like to talk with you.
Gaelan: you are more than welcome to stay, if I could talk Ms. Alea into some of that tea she is famous for.
Inarm looks somewhat apprehensively at Mostan.
Gaelan: Not the stuff she tried the other day that kills plants.
Alea looks back at Gaelan thinking get real.
Eliza reluctantly follows Briel.
Alea ~~ dull flush ~~
Tarsh zlins Alea for her desire....
Alea is absolutely furious with Gaelan.
Mostan reads the form.
Briel: Now, Eliza, tell me more about that letter.
Gaelan covers a smile by ducking his head.
Eliza looks at Briel and waits patiently.
Tarsh: Perhaps later. ~~ MUCH later ~~
Alea deliberately turns her back on the ingrate and proffers the box to Tarsh.
Alea: Yes.
Eliza: Well, I don't want to go back you see... and it would be better if no one from there knew I was here.
Tarsh: Thank you.
Tarsh takes the box to put it in the right location sequentially.
Gaelan bends over his work again.
Gaelan starts humming a catchy little tune.
Inarm tries to ignore the ache in her absent fingers.
Alea realizes Gaelan must not have been done with those records.
Eliza wonders if Veraik told Briel anything.
Eliza: It's a long story.
Eliza: I don't really want to talk about it.
Eliza: ~ miserable ~
Alea thinks Tarsh should put the box right on top of Gaelan's pointed little head.
Briel: I think you should if it's affecting you this much.
Mostan zlins the strange nager. He zlins and arm that isn't there.
Briel: And you wouldn't have brought it up otherwise.
Mostan: If you'll come with me?
Eliza fidgets.
Inarm follows Mostan.
Briel leads Eliza to her office.
Mostan leads Inarm to a donation room.
Eliza goes in.
Briel: Why are you worried about anyone finding out you're here?
Mostan: Is this you first donation, Ma'am?
Eliza: I can't tell you.
Inarm looks around the donation room, finding it both strange and surprisingly like the doctors' offices she's been spending so much time in lately.
Alea moves over to look over Gaelan's shoulder while Tarsh is putting the files back.
Briel: Can't or won't?
Inarm: Well, yes.
Alea begins to hum, off-key, in his ear.
Alea smiles smugly as she hums, waiting for Tarsh.
Gaelan under his breath "these are a both of trash"
Eliza: well ~ uncertain ~
Alea has a jolly good time humming in his ear and gets louder at his remark.
Mostan: Ah. Well donation is completely without pain or other sensation, let me assure you.
Inarm shifts uncomfortably.
Inarm: Is it even possible?
Eliza: it was my cousin, you see. He turned Sime - errr changed over and I helped him get away.
Briel: I see.
Gaelan starts adding words to his song.
Mostan: And it will give life to a Sime for a month.
Eliza: Where I come from that is a crime.
Briel motions for Eliza to have a seat.
Briel: Yes?
Briel: Ah....
Briel nods.
Briel: You do know I'm from out-Territory too, originally?
Mostan: You mean because of your injury?
Briel zlins Eliza.
Eliza: ~ relief ~
Mostan: That isn't a problem.
Eliza: Oh - I had forgotten.
Inarm: ~~ relief ~~
Tarsh wonders what Alea is doing....
Inarm: Oh, good.
Alea notes the files he is looking at... and hums some more just to irritate him.
Inarm: I have to do it for my new job.
Mostan: I'll have to use a non-standard grip, of course, and it may take a few seconds longer, but that's all.
Alea is still angry her 'tea' didn't do its job.
Gaelan finishes one file, reaches for another.
Alea looks up to see if Tarsh is done yet.
Gaelan: Oh, those records I mentioned earlier....
Inarm: Well, that's all right, then.
Inarm is becoming used to non-standard ways of doing things.
Tarsh finishes arranging the boxes.
Tarsh comes over to Alea and Gaelan.
Gaelan: They are supposed to arrive sometime this afternoon.
Alea smiles up at Tarsh and moves next to him.
Tarsh: Would you like me to warn the clerk?
Gaelan: Yes, please.
Inarm: I wish a non-standard grip on a pencil only took a few seconds longer....
Inarm: ~~ weak gallows humor ~~
Briel: Why don't we just forward it to the Tecton headquarters.
Mostan zlins Inarm's clothing, especially the sleeves (or lack thereof).
Briel: By the time they get your paperwork there and get it filed, the letter will be returned by them.
Gaelan: Oh and starting this afternoon, I need to start interviewing all employees, full-time ones.
Briel: No one will have to lie that way, and it solves your problem.
Alea: What!
Alea looks at Tarsh.
Alea: Why in the world do you need to do that?
Alea: That's ridiculous.
Inarm sets her briefcase down.
Gaelan: Yeah, no more than 10-15 minutes per person.
Alea: Utterly ridiculous.
Gaelan ignores Alea.
Alea: We don't have time like that to give you.
Alea wants to smack his pointed little head since Tarsh didn't pick up on her telepathy and smash it with the box.
Eliza: Well, I think Mostan already sent it back with "no such person" written on it.
Eliza: But I'm not sure.
Alea: You were suppose to look at the records.
Alea: We have donations and transfers to worry about.
Gaelan: Well records are just records, pieces of paper....
Briel: Ah, then, why did you want us to send it back?
Alea walks across the room. She figures Tarsh can handle this.
Gaelan: If you can't cross-check, verify independently, they don't mean nothing.
Alea isn't going to get involved.
Tarsh: I'm afraid that would have to be cleared with the Controller first, Special Agent Gaelan.
Eliza: No, I wanted to check with Mostan, make sure he did.
Inarm: So, how...?
Briel: Ah, well, we'll make sure and then we can put that behind us, can't we?
Mostan: I'll need to take a symmetrical grip on your shoulders.
Gaelan: Well you better do it before I get a court order.
Alea gasps and turns around, her eyes narrowing.
Gaelan: Much better voluntarily, looks better on your part.
Eliza is nervous with that out-Territory policeman around.
Alea reaches up and strokes the black on her shoulder.
Alea ~~ arrogance ~~
Mostan: I'm afraid I'll require direct skin contact.
Alea thinks just like the shendoni fleckin' lorsh try it.
Inarm: Oh.
Gaelan: I mean if I can't get independent verification, that backs up these records....
Inarm thinks this sounds just as awkward as the rest of her life, lately.
Tarsh: I'll have to get back to you on that.
Gaelan: Then I don't know if I can trust them.
Briel zlins Eliza again, concerned.
Gaelan: soon as possible would be nice.
Eliza: ~ anxious ~
Mostan: Did you want me to see if I can find you another uppergarment?
Gaelan: Otherwise it looks like something is being hidden.
Tarsh: Of course.
Mostan: If you'll excuse me for a moment?
Inarm looks relieved.
Inarm: Please.
Alea: All you have to do is go check public records, and you will see the accidents we claim to have had are real and back up what Tarsh has said.
Alea ~~ defensive ~~
Mostan steps out of the room.
Gaelan: If it is that easy, then a couple of your people can back it up.
Briel: You know, Eliza... I have something I want you to do.
Mostan reflects that this is an ideal donor. No fingers anywhere near his nodes....
Eliza: Yes?
Inarm wanders over and sits on the transfer lounge, channel's side.
Tarsh: But would you trust them?
Alea rubs at her head where a headache is forming.
Mostan rummages in the locker room.
Alea thinks every Sime in the building is going to hate Gaelan if she develops a crushing headache, and then grins....
Gaelan: I have a Sime coming down from your government that is supposed to be able to help in that area.
Mostan comes back with a sleeveless Tecton tunic about two sizes too big.
Mostan: I'll wait outside while you change.
Briel digs through her drawers until she finds what she is looking for.
Briel hands the notebook of paper and pen to Eliza.
Briel: Take this.
Gaelan: Don't ask me how -- I don't understand Simes -- but they say she is pretty high up and good at it.
Tarsh: Very wise.
Alea thinks ~~ great ~~ and her headache increases.
Eliza takes the paper and pen and looks at it.
Briel: I want you to write down your thoughts on this for the next month.
Inarm takes the tunic and puts it on the lounge, then start fumbling with the buttons on her shirt.
Briel: Your feelings, experiences, everything.
Briel: Growing up.
Briel smiles.
Eliza: What?
Briel: That might help you work through....
Briel looks at Eliza curiously.
Eliza nods.
Eliza doesn't understand what Briel expects - but it will be good practice for her writing Simelan.
Eliza: All right - I can do that.
Briel: Good.
Briel: In four weeks, I want us to sit down and talk again, okay?
Eliza: OK Briel. Thank you.
Briel nods.
Briel: You can go.
Inarm grits her teeth, knowing that it's useless to wish that her husband were here.
Briel: Just one thing, Eliza....
Eliza: Oh - thank you, Controller.
Gaelan: My Sime helper should be arriving at the same time as the records.
Eliza: Yes?
Briel takes a good guess at what was in that letter....
Briel: When you meet Mostan later, just remember the more time you spend around him, the harder his next transfer is going to be.
Briel stands and goes to the door and opens it.
Briel zlins Eliza for her reaction.
Eliza: Yes - I'll keep that in mind.
Eliza: Thank you, Briel.
Gaelan finishes another record, reaches for the next.
Inarm finally manages to get the buttons on her shirt front to cooperate, only to be completely stumped by the button on the cuff of her left sleeve.
Eliza: ~ controlled ~
Briel shakes her head thinking the child isn't -that- controlled.
Briel goes out to go to the infirmary.
Inarm jerks at it with her teeth, but they lack the necessary dexterity.
Eliza heads down the corridor to her room to put the paper and pen away and sees Mostan standing in the corridor.
Eliza: Mos? What are you doing out here? ~ pleasure to see him ~
Mostan: A donor is changing, so I'm being a gentleman.
Inarm struggles to hold back tears, then gives in, since there's no one to see.
Alea rubs at her head again.
Eliza: Hey! your donation is crying! [opens door and enters]
Eliza: What's the matter?
Eliza: Oh dear - let me help you with that!
Alea turns and goes over and picks up the container to make tea, hoping he'll drop it them.
Gaelan: Oh Mr. Tarsh....sit down for a minute would you.
Tarsh: So this is a Sime Territory policeman? Or from the Tecton Marshal's office?
Alea fills the pot with water and turns on the burner to heat it.
Alea: Would you like tea, Tarsh?
Tarsh: Yes, Please.
Eliza walks over to Inarm.
Gaelan: She's from your government.
Alea pulls down a cup for her, for... him... and then for Tarsh.
Inarm jerks upright as Eliza walks in, huddling in her half-open shirt.
Tarsh sits down across the table and crosses his legs.
Eliza: It's okay - just let me help you. [smiles]
Gaelan: Okay, in the auditor business this is called making a intermediate report.
Inarm is awfully tired of depending on other people for help, but recognizes the necessity.
Inarm holds out the arm with the stubborn cuff.
Inarm: Thank you, dear.
Alea scoops tea into three cups.
Alea adds fosebine... and lots of it, to one.
Gaelan: The things I'm going to bring up with my superiors.
Eliza undoes the sleeve button.
Alea grumbles as she waits for the tea to heat up.
Eliza: You know - you can get shirts without buttons - ones that you just pull over your head.
Eliza: I'm sure that would be easier for you.
Tarsh: And what have you found?
Alea hears that and stops grumbling.
Gaelan reaches out to a file he has set aside.
Eliza picks up the other shirt and holds it for Inarm to slip her arm in.
Alea stops watching the water and focuses her attention on what is being said.
Alea ~~ worry ~~
Inarm shrugs out of the shirt, revealing a raw, six-inch stub where her arm used to be.
Gaelan: This record is a list of the center inventories done for the last 3-4 months.
Inarm threads her arm through the tunic, and shrugs it on.
Eliza: Oh dear! How did you do that?
Eliza: You should have come here for treatment!
Eliza helps her do up the buttons.
Inarm: Caught my arm in a conveyer belt. Chopped it right off.
Eliza feels sick.
Gaelan: As well as reviewing your records, I've been looking around the Center, the areas I have access to.
Eliza: You are lucky to be alive then, I guess.
Alea notes the water is boiling and pours three cups.
Inarm: I suppose so.
Alea picks them up and carefully starts toward the table.
Inarm has not been feeling very fortunate, lately.
Gaelan: I've been comparing your documented inventory sheets against what was really here.
Tarsh listens, wishing Gaelan would get to the point.
Alea looks to Tarsh for help with the cups, motioning him to please take one.
Gaelan: And the funny thing is... they don't agree.
Eliza: I'll tell Hajene Mostan that you are decent now. [smiles] Please sit here. [indicates couch]
Tarsh gets up and goes over to Alea.
Gaelan: Things that are supposed to be in the Center, well they just aren't.
Eliza goes back out to the corridor to where Mostan is waiting. "She is decent now - couldn't get the buttons undone. Have a look at her shoulder too Mostan - it's a dreadful injury!"
Tarsh picks up two cup. "Thank you, Alea."
Mostan: Thank you, Eliza.
Mostan goes back in.
Alea nods and moves with Tarsh back over to the table.
Mostan: Now, Miz Inarm. I'll wrap my tentacles around your... shoulders.
Gaelan: I would never say they are here, or can't be found, but if they are here, someone's room/rooms are pretty crowded.
Alea sets her tea in front of her and carefully eases into a seat.
Gaelan: Just how many pieces of furniture can you stick in one room, anyway?
Eliza follows and stands just inside the door in case Mostan needs her.
Inarm: At least they're still there.
Alea glares at Gaelan.
Alea: As many as that room requires.
Alea adjusts in the chair and then carefully picks up the hot tea to sip.
Mostan: Uh, yes. And then I'll press my lips to yours.
Mostan: I'll stop at any point if you want me too.
Jorgre walks down the hall, arms full of files.
Gaelan: Yeah well, Let's talk about donation/financial remuneration.
Jorgre is whistling a happy tune.
Mostan: I'll hold that position for a minute or so, and then we will be done.
Mostan: Ok?
Inarm thinks about it for a moment.
Inarm: All right.
Gaelan: You don't have nearly as many, what do you call em....
Tarsh puts a teacup down by Gaelan.
Tarsh: Hmmm... furniture.
Gaelan: 1st Order Donors as your records show have been paid.
Alea sips her tea.
Mostan comes over and carefully reaches for Inarm's shoulders.
Inarm 's eyes widen at the close-up view.
Gaelan rechecks records.
Gaelan: Excuse me, channels not Donors.
Alea sets her tea down.
Tarsh: Do you mean professional Donors? Or just monthlies?
Tarsh: Ah.
Alea: Channels?
Alea: All of our channels here are on the payroll.
Alea: We don't have any extra.
Mostan puts his hands on the shoulder joints.
Alea starts ticking the first order channels off mentally in her head.
Gaelan: Who's this person... Snake that the records talk about?
Alea Tramila, Paulatino, Briel, ... 1
Alea Lanyi....
Alea: Snake?
Alea glances at Tarsh, surprised.
Alea: What does she have to do with anything?
Inarm tenses, sending a wave of pain shooting from the stump.
Mostan extends his tentacles, along the clavicle and shoulder blades.
Gaelan: I don't see him/her on the work list but he is listed as a channel.
Mostan winces.
Alea: She.
Alea: She is listed as a channel.
Alea: Of course she is.
Alea: She's a Farris Channel
Inarm gasps at the sensation.
Inarm: They're hot!
Jorgre goes toward the stairs with his files.
Tarsh: Snake is on detached duty. She works on cases who can't be moved to the Center.
Gaelan: If you could show me that record, I probably missed it.
Mostan: Normal Sime body temperature.
Jorgre jogs down the stairs to the record's room.
Mostan: Higher than for Gens.
Inarm: Oh.
Alea thinks that's a good way to put it, for Snake.
Gaelan: And how does that work?
Gaelan: For pay I mean?
Alea lifts her tea and takes another sip, waiting for the fosebine to take affect.
Inarm shifts nervously from foot to foot under Mostan's hands.
Jorgre goes into the record room and begins filing.
Mostan extends his laterals on either side of the shoulder, reaching the base of the neck.
Inarm starts.
Gaelan looks around for the cat to check out his tea.
Inarm: They're wet!
Tarsh: She comes into the Center every few days to check with the Controller.
Alea relaxes under Tarsh's expert explanations.
Mostan winces and wonders why he thought this would go easy.
Mostan: Just ronaplin. A necessary Selyn conducting hormone.
Gaelan: back gets paid full time wage?
Eliza moves over behind Mostan and ~ supports ~ him.
Alea thinks things are going to be fine.
Alea offers ~~ support ~~ to Tarsh.
Tarsh: Yes. Channels are salaried, not wage employees.
Gaelan: Ah?
Inarm looks down at the wet, pinky-grey worms on her shoulders.
Gaelan thinks Tarsh tap dances better than most.
Mostan leans forward to just short of Inarm's lips.
Alea picks up her tea and takes another sip.
Mostan: Are you all right?
Inarm thinks that Mostan's face doesn't look as bad as the tentacles, even if he isn't exactly movie star material.
Inarm: Yes, I suppose so.
see note 2
Alea: Forget it.
Alea: You are not going to go through this Center.
Gaelan: Unless you are hiding something why would you stop me?
Mostan makes lip contact.
Mostan draws carefully and slowly, allowing for the differing nerve pathways.
Mostan draws the GN3 level.
Gaelan: I would think you all would want to get this cleared up ASAP.
Inarm's stump tweaks suddenly as the nerves are put to a new use.
Alea: Because this is a facility that works with a precarious balance.
Inarm jerks back.
Alea: We don't need a jumpy Gen going through disrupting people.
Alea: It's completely impossible.
Gaelan: The sooner I finish the sooner I'm gone.
Alea: Now, if your government wants to send someone who is more --experienced-- maybe then we could consider it.
Eliza sees Inarm flinch and increases her support.
Mostan grips tightly but lets lip contact break.
Gaelan: I said I would take an escort, Sime and/or Gen.
Mostan: ~~ fear/anger ~~
Alea downs the rest of her tea.
Alea offers ~~ support ~~ to Tarsh.
Mostan: I'm sorry Miz.
Mostan: But if you move too much you could hurt me.
Gaelan examines his tea.
Inarm calms down.
Gaelan: Seeing as how your pregnant, Ms. Alea, you did make sure to get the right tea this time didn't you?
Inarm: I'm sorry. It just feels so strange.
Mostan tries to calm down. "Do you want to continue?"
Alea hears the pointed remark and realizes he is trying to goad her temper....
Mostan: I'm sorry. Donations are usually without sensation, but in a alternate grip....
Alea pointedly turns her attention all on Tarsh, ignoring Gaelan completely.
Gaelan: I would hate for you to have gotten the tea you planned for me.
Inarm can feel the bruises starting under Mostan's grip.
Alea allows a smile to curve her lips, just to worry him.
Inarm: I understand. A lot of things feel different now.
Tarsh glares at Gaelan. "May we confine our conversation to *business*, Special Agent?"
Inarm: Still, if I'm going to work on this side of the border, I don't want to be carry a lot of selyn.
Gaelan: Now can you set up this inventory, or do I need to talk to your Controller?
Inarm: Go ahead. I'll try to hold still.
Mostan: Ok. Thank you.
Mostan make lip contact again.
Gaelan: When someone tries to poison me I consider it business.
Gaelan: I just don't want a repeat.
Alea's jaw tightens but she still doesn't comment.
Mostan draws slowly.
Tarsh stands up. "Perhaps we can continue this conversation when you have decided exactly what you are and aren't investigating."
Alea follows Tarsh's lead.
Inarm holds still, despite the new twinging from her arm.
Alea pushes up and moves away from the chair.
Tarsh walks out.
Alea hurries after Tarsh.
Gaelan: I need to make an appointment with your Controller, Ms. Alea.
Tarsh: ~~ Indignation ~~
Alea moves up by Tarsh.
Alea ~~ soothing ~~
Alea reaches out and lays a hand on his arm.
Tarsh: What is his game anyway?
Tarsh: I'm gonna check up on him.
Alea: I think he was just trying to anger us so we'd give something away.
Alea: Good idea.
Mostan pulls back. "Done."
Mostan carefully removes his tentacles.
Inarm waits for the donation--and the pain--to be over.
Eliza waits for Mostan to finish - she knows she shouldn't be supporting him like this.
Mostan zlins the scarring on Inarm's stump and is appalled. Must be that Gen "surgery". Still, might not be anything channels could do at all.
Eliza removes her support.
Inarm sighs in relief.
Inarm: I'm low field now?
Mostan: You are entitled to free medical care at any Sime center, of course.
Mostan starts writing on a clipboard.
Mostan: Yes, you are.
Gaelan gets up from table and walks to door.
Tarsh: Could be.
Inarm sees Mostan looking at her stump and flushes with embarrassment.
Mostan: Did you want any healing work on you arm? Or your shoulders?
Gaelan walks to Briel's door.
Alea: Well, he certainly had me angry.
Alea smiles ~~ soothing ~~
Eliza thinks she had better get out of there before anyone sees her. "Well, if that's all, I'll be off." [smiles at Inarm and Mostan]
Briel is just coming down the hall and sees the special agent.
Gaelan arrives at office door.
Briel: Hello.... Gaelan, isn't it?
Briel pushes open her door and smiles.
Briel: Looking for me?
Inarm: I don't suppose you can replace arms, can you?
Mostan: I'm afraid not. But I might be able to reduce the scarring....
Gaelan waits for Briel to answer knock.
Alea: Come on, let's go to your office, Tarsh.
Tarsh relaxes. "Thanks Alea."
Alea: You can make some calls and I'll keep you company.
Eliza exits and goes to the lobby to look in her mail.
Gaelan: Yes, I am. I need to talk to you on an important matter.
Briel nods and waves with a tentacle for Gaelan to enter her office.
Inarm looks interested.
Tarsh: Okay.
Inarm: You could?
Mostan: Yes, I think so.
Tarsh goes toward his office.
Gaelan: Mind if I come in?
Eliza pulls the usual junk from her mailbox along with a stiffish envelope.
Alea walks along with him.
Inarm looks past her new bruises to the still-raw scars.
Briel: So, what is it you want to talk to me about?
Briel moves over to her desk and sits down
Mostan: Oh, here's your voucher for payment, by the way.
Gaelan enters the office.
Eliza carries it all to her room - dumps it all on the bed and picks up the envelope, tearing it open she pulls out a card....
Gaelan: As you know, I been review/crosschecking your records the last few days.
Briel: Yes?
Briel: Everything is in order, I take it?
Inarm takes the voucher absently.
Inarm: ~~ hope ~~
Eliza: "Most Darling Eliza:
Eliza: The world is like an aching void without you.
Eliza: My days feel like need
Eliza: Food tastes like ashes.
Eliza: I miss you terribly.
Eliza: The whole Gen Army couldn't keep me away."
Eliza: [ fancy 'M' with tentacles curling out of it around an 'E' ]
Mostan: Just sit down and let me start it.
Gaelan: I have noted some discrepancies that I don't like.
Eliza sits down quickly on the bed and reads it again.
Briel ~~ instantly on guard ~~
Briel: Oh?
Briel wonders what Snake did this time.
Eliza: Oh!
Inarm sits down.
Mostan: You should come in every day or so and have me or another channel heal it. Just for a few minutes, any time of day.
Gaelan: Some of your inventory records, and financial records don't line up.
Mostan sits also and takes the stump carefully.
Briel: Well, I imagine that's because we've lost so many records in the fires and floods we've had.
Gaelan: Yeah, that's the official reason.
Eliza feels tears behind her eyes so quickly jumps up and gets changed into the pretty green dress she brought - much nicer then those clingy pants.
Briel: Are you questioning my people, Inspector?
Briel's eyes narrow.
Gaelan: One of the things they teach us in our training is to look beneath the records.
Eliza grabs her coat and hurries out.
Inarm looks at the tentacles wrapping around the remains of her arm.
Gaelan: Between the lines.
Mostan: ~~ Need ~~
Gaelan: If the records don't match up with what is actually happening, look for what is.
Briel: Well you're reading false things into these reports.
Mostan encourages the tissues to heal smoothly rather than form scar tissue.
Briel: If anything was going on here, I would know about it.
Briel ~~ not quite absolute conviction there ~~
Inarm is fortunately unable to sense Mostan's projection.
Eliza walks through the lobby as quickly as possible and out the door.
Gaelan: These records, the ones that are left, are not reconstructed.
Mostan: Actually there's a old Householding story about a One-armed Companion.
Briel: So, what are you saying?
Mostan: From the founding of Imil, I think.
Inarm: Oh?
Gaelan: If they were I could understand the discrepancies.
Gaelan: These are the original records.
Briel: Yes, they are.
Gaelan: They don't match.
Eliza heads to the shiltpron parlour - for some reason she is drawn there - must be the music.
Gaelan: Something was wrong back when they were written.
Gaelan: Inventories didn't match....
Mostan: Supposedly a child was shot by accident.
Inarm: How interesting.
Briel: You're fishing. And you're fishing in the wrong way.
Briel: My Center is clean.
Gaelan: I have requested help from Tarsh and Alea.
Briel: Unless you have concrete proof that shows beyond a reasonable doubt, then I don't want to hear another word.
Briel: And they have given you help.
Gaelan: But the help was not forthcoming.
Briel: I've seen the files they brought up.
Mostan: And he was lucky enough to Establish, since he couldn't have survived changeover.
Briel: Oh?
Gaelan: They actually walked out on me.
Briel: And just what help did you want that they refused?
Inarm looks at Mostan's tentacles again.
Inarm: I suppose not.
Briel thinks she can see why.
Briel: If you went around accusing our people like this, then I can understand why.
Gaelan: I'm here with the authority of your government.
Mostan: He went over the border to save a friend in changeover.
Briel: To review, not toss accusations around.
Gaelan: I wanted to do a complete inventory, and interview of employees.
Mostan: Of course, This may just be a story....
Gaelan: Cross check data.
Briel: Impossible. We'd need a time to set all of that up.
Briel: And most of the employees who were here three months ago aren't here now.
Briel: Our Donors rotate on a pretty regular basis.
Gaelan: My job was to review and follow up as necessary,
Inarm is distracted enough by Mostan's story that she is less preoccupied with his actions.
Briel: Ah, well... strange that I didn't get those orders.
Briel: I was told you were simply to review the records, investigate possible leads.
Gaelan: That can still be checked.
Briel: I'm sorry, but I think you've had enough time.
Mostan removes his tentacles. "Ok. That should help a bit."
Briel: As I said earlier, you are simply looking for someone to place the blame on now for your government's incompetence and it's not going to be my Center.
Gaelan: Did you actually read my papers I gave to Veraik?
Briel: Of course I did.
Mostan: Come back every few days for best results, as I said.
Gaelan: Then you know I have the authority.
Briel stands.
Gaelan: And I will use it.
Inarm thinks the half-healed scar may be a bit less red, or maybe she's imagining it.
Briel: This interview is over.
Mostan: thank you for your donation.
Briel: Please leave.
Gaelan: I am going back to HQ.
Inarm: Thank you for your help.
Gaelan: I will be back in the near future.
Briel: Make sure to have the proper orders next time.
Briel: Maybe we can talk... then.
Mostan: A Sime will live for a month because of your generosity.
Gaelan: I expect to have all the help I want when I am.
Eliza slows down. "What am I hurrying for? He hasn't left yet!"
Inarm: That's nice to know.
Mostan: The cashier is down the hall to the right.
Briel goes over and opens her door....
Mostan: If you'll excuse me, though, I'm late for an appointment.
Gaelan: Now if you will excuse me I've got to intercept a messenger.
Briel suddenly gasps, blinking as her tentacles grab the door tightly.
Briel ~~ turnover ~~
Gaelan: We'll be back, you be ready.
Briel nods.
Inarm: Certainly.
Briel takes a deep breath, then looks up at Gaelan.
Gaelan turns to leave.
Briel: Oh, we'll be ready.
Eliza sees the Shiltpron parlour ahead and hears a burst of music coming through the door.
Inarm waits until Mostan is gone, then tries to get the borrowed tunic off.
Mostan: Good day then. Just leave the tunic over there. [points]
Briel closes the door after him.
Gaelan: If you're not, you might as well close and lock the doors.
Gaelan leaves the office.
Briel goes over and sags into her chair, his nasty words echoing in her head.
Eliza has been stopped from going further twice now - once by Jirelle at the very doorway - then just yesterday by Lanyi and Alea. "Why do they keep stopping me? It's not as if I were a child!"
Mostan goes out and tries not to run on his way upstairs.
Mostan: [folder lies forgotten in the donation room]
Gaelan returns to conference room, places his tea on the floor, then leaves the Center.
Inarm manages to get out of the tunic, but finds that getting into the shirt is a bit more difficult.
Mostan changes in a hurry and combs his hair sketchily.
Eliza walks into the darkened room and waits for her eyes to adjust.
Inarm manages to get the shirt sort-of in place, and starts with the first button.
Mostan goes out and downstairs.
Mostan goes out the back way.
Eliza eventually make out some tables - some with people at them, some without. She wishes she could zlin - it would be so much easier! But the music! Such a "different" sound.
Eliza slips into an empty table and watches the door.
Mostan takes a roundabout route to approach the parlor from another direction.
Mostan slips in the back door.
Inarm finally gets two buttons in place, and decides that that's enough to stay decent, sort of.
Inarm knows that getting her left cuff buttoned isn't going to happen.
Mostan comes into the main room and zlins.
Eliza: ~ expectation ~
Inarm gets the shirt tucked in, then picks up her briefcase and leaves the donation room.
Inarm wishes she didn't look so disreputable, with her clothing only half-fastened.
Mostan spots Eliza and goes over.
Inarm heads down the hall, looking for the cashier's office.
Eliza jumps as she sees someone approaching from the back of the room ~ shock, fear ~
Mostan stops.
Eliza: Oh Mostan! It's you! [jumps into his arms]
Eliza: ~ welcome, pleasure, excitement ~
Mostan: 'Liza?'
Mostan catches Eliza and kisses her.
Eliza stops kissing him. "Well I certainly hope so!"
Mostan swings her in a circle.
Mostan: [narrowly missing the Sime at the next table]
Eliza realises that people are looking at them. "We had better sit down!"
Mostan: 'kay.
Mostan carries Eliza to a dimly lit booth at the back.
Eliza squeals and then giggles as Mostan picks her up.
Mostan puts her down on the bench and leans over to kiss her.
Eliza looks around at the privacy this area gives them.
Eliza: You have been here before then?
Mostan: Not here, no. But these places are all the same except for the music....
Eliza: Isn't the music amazing?
Eliza: I've never heard anything like that instrument before.
Mostan: Yeah, She's pretty good.
Mostan: A bit derivative, though. But Logan is the one to imitate if you're gonna.
Eliza has no idea what Mostan is talking about but just enjoys the music.
Mostan: [Note: Mostan is misremembering here, since Logan was a vocalist]
Eliza: Wasn't that woman's injury terrible?
Eliza: I don't know how she survived it!
Mostan: Yes it was.
Mostan shudders.
Eliza remembers what Briel said.
Mostan: I don't know if a Sime Center could have saved her....
Eliza: Oh Mostan. Briel said that I would make things worse for you if we were together too much. Is that true?
Eliza: ~ worried ~
Mostan looks away.
Eliza doesn't like the way he is avoiding her.
Eliza: Mos?
Mostan turns back. "I don't care."
Mostan: I love you. I want you.
Mostan: You are everything to me.
Eliza takes his hand, her heart melting.
Alea leaves Tarsh's office and goes to the lobby.
Mostan lifts the hand, kissing it and wrapping tentacles around it.
Eliza: But your next transfer - will you be all right with [swallows] Arcadia?
Mostan: Yeah. I'll be fine. ~~ Lie ~~
Eliza doesn't like Arcadia but will put that aside for Mostan's sake.
Eliza: ~ worries ~
Eliza: Well, I'll try not to "tempt" you too much! [giggles] Hey! would you like a drink?
Eliza: I think you need one after that poor donor.
Eliza looks around for a waiter.
Eliza: What would you like to drink, Mos?
Mostan: Well, there is more than one kind of temptation...
Alea looks all over the Center for Eliza.
Alea: Where the shenned did that girl go?
Alea was going to take her shopping.
Mostan: Oh just a Porstan.
Eliza blushes.
Mostan: Extra-pale.
Eliza is still looking for a waiter.
Eliza: Just how do you get a drink here anyway?
Alea suddenly stops, her eyes widening.
Alea: No, she surely wouldn't go there....
Alea: Not after Lanyi and I....
Alea remembers Fast Eddie's and groans
Mostan: You use you nager to signal.
Alea lays a hand on her stomach.
Mostan gestures nagerically.
Alea: Don't you even think about doing something like that to me. Do you hear me? [to her stomach]
Alea: I'm sure my hair is going to turn gray worrying over that child.
Eliza: Oh... ~ WANT ~ like that?
Alea turns and hurries back tot he lobby.
Legueo's eyes pop over to the babe who is putting out such signals.
Legueo smiles and sets down the glass he was cleaning.
Mostan: Yeah. Not quite so strongly....
Legueo heads over to the table, studying the woman.
Legueo: So, what can I get ya' honey?
Legueo zlins the Gen.
Eliza jumps ~ startled ~
Mostan: I'll have a Porstan, extra pale.
Legueo's grin widens.
Legueo glances over at Mostan, zlinning.
Eliza: Oh. [looks at Mostan] We will have two, extra-pale porstans, please. [smiles]
Legueo's gaze snaps back to the Gen and he smiles.
Legueo: Anything for you, sugar cakes.
Legueo saunters back over to the bar.
Mostan watches him go. "Not likely, bozo."
Eliza giggles.
Mostan: [too soft for him to hear]
Alea hurries out the door and down the stairs, being careful until she gets to the sidewalk and then takes off at a fast walk.
Mostan puts an arm around Eliza.
Eliza: Well, if that's the case they must only employ Simes here.
Legueo draws up two porstans and carries them back over to the table.
Mostan: Well this look like a traditional place.
Legueo sets one in front of the Sime and then turns to the Gen.
Legueo: Here ya go, sugar.
Legueo winks at her.
Mostan: Pre-Unity pattern.
Legueo ~~ interested ~~
Legueo: Anything else you folks want? [still staring at the woman]
Mostan: That will be all, thank you.
Eliza: Thank you. I don't think so.... [gets out purse]
Legueo thinks ~~ what a prize ~~ and walks off.
Eliza looks at the money in her hand.
Legueo wondering if the guy is the type of jerk who'll tick her off and he can pick her up later.
Eliza puts in on the table.
Mostan: Now, Gulf-style parlors have mixed staff and clientele.
Alea stops when she gets a stitch in her side, bending over.
Alea: Shendoni....
Alea: Stop running... she'll be fine.
Alea talking to herself
Eliza: What's the name of the instrument? Is it hard to learn? It sure sounds pretty.
Mostan: Shiltpron. Traditional Sime instrument.
Mostan: Every musician makes his a little different.
Eliza: Oh - can Gens play it?
Mostan: To some extent.
Eliza would love to have a closer view. She picks up her drink and takes a cautious sip.
Mostan: Just fingers limits you, of course.
Alea takes a deep breath and heads on down the street.
Alea: I would be in great shape if everyone wasn't so worried about....
Eliza pokes a face at the bitter taste and takes another sip.
Mostan takes a pull of Porstan.
Alea trails off, admitting silently they do have a right to be worried since she is so scatterbrained sometimes.
Mostan: But a Gen can let the music resonate in her field.
Mostan: Greatly amplifies the effect.
Eliza: So I could learn it maybe?
Alea: Please don't be there Snake... please don't be there.
Eliza takes another sip and thinks it isn't so bad after awhile.
Alea is sooooo hot.
Eliza: You know - I don't know why Alea and Lanyi didn't want me in here.
Mostan: Yes, if you want to.
Mostan: Weelll... Things can get a bit... boisterous in this sort of place.
Alea goes up to the door and pauses.
Alea thinks she ends up in more places like this because of this girl lately... and just when she was trying to avoid them!
Alea takes a deep breath, schools her field and pushes her way inside.
Eliza sips her drink. "Do you think we could have a closer look at the instrument?"
Alea blinks at the sudden darkness.
Alea thinks it's awful to be a Gen in a dark place, giving a Sime a double advantage.
Mostan zlins something familiar.
Alea moves further in, brushing off a stray tentacle that has the audacity to reach out and touch her.
Alea ~~ back off ~~ written all over her.
Alea with a touch of ~~ arrogant Farris ~~
Alea starts seeing shapes come into focus of tables and chairs and bodies.
Mostan whispers "Alea! She's here!"
Eliza: What!!!
Eliza: Where?
Eliza cranes her neck trying to see in the semi darkness.
Alea looks around and sees a familiar shape.
Mostan: Don't look!
Alea turns in that direction.
Alea: Eliza!
Mostan grabs Eliza and bends her back, kissing her.
Alea hurries over to the table to see....
Mostan: [whispers] Shen!
Eliza gasps and waves her arms in the air in surprise.
Alea sees all right... more than she would like to.
Alea lays a hand on Mostan's shoulder.
Alea: YOU should know better, Mostan.
Mostan jumps.
Mostan turns and glares. "Like you?"
Eliza gasps as he drops her and falls to the floor.
Eliza: ~ ouch ~
Alea moves over to help Eliza up.
Mostan: Liza!
Eliza scrambles back into her chair.
Mostan helps Eliza up too.
Alea: I wouldn't be here if you hadn't brought her here.
Mostan zlins her, concerned.
Eliza looks at Mostan then at Alea.
Alea moves around and pulls out a chair, and brings it around and places it between the two.
Eliza: Errr, what are you doing here, Alea?
Alea sits down in it.
Alea effectively cuts off her field and smiles at Mostan.
Mostan wonders who sent Alea a note....
Alea: Gens in a shiltpron parlor.
Eliza sits down on the other side of Alea and tries to look casual.
Alea: How interesting.
Mostan: With an escort.
Alea: Gens that fall on their bottom and attract attention.
Eliza blushes.
Mostan: Yes, when busybodies startle them....
Alea: Oh?
Eliza: I WAS being good - wasn't I Mos? I was in control! [mutters "until you turned up"]
Alea: Busybodies?
Alea: Is it not my job to assist her in her training?
Alea: Is it not my job to make sure she is doing her job?
Mostan: Yes, Eliza, you were a perfect lady.
Eliza: I'm not working at the moment - this is my time off!
Alea: Who was tempting a Sime....
Alea looks at Eliza.
Alea: Honey... all you are doing is hurting him.
Eliza: I was doing no such thing!
Alea: You have got to stay away from him until after his next transfer.
Eliza: I wasn't even being supportive.
Mostan: That's why I was yelling for help.
Alea: Of course you weren't.
Alea: But after all he has been through, he doesn't need ANY of your field near him.
Eliza decides not to mention the one armed donor.
Alea: Each time you are near him makes it that much harder for Arcadia to get a good transfer in him next month.
Alea: What do you want? For him to die because you couldn't control your lust?
Eliza: I am sure that Mostan knows what he can do.
Alea: No, he doesn't.
Eliza: Stop it!
Alea: He's too new too.
Eliza: You don't have any right to talk to me like that! [to Mostan] Does she?
Alea lifts an eyebrow.
Mostan: No.
Alea: Do you, or do you not want to be a Tecton Donor?
Alea: And be very careful, Eliza, how you answer.
Eliza glares at Alea.
Alea: The wrong answer and you'll be gone....
Alea: It is very easy to arrange.
Eliza looks at Mostan.
Alea: I didn't ask him. I asked you.
Alea: Look at ME not him.
Eliza stands. "Why don't you discuss it with Mostan for a moment Alea? I need to visit the bathroom. And no - I don't need help!"
Alea decides she'll have a talk with Briel when she gets back.
Alea ~~ disappointed ~~
Alea looks at Mostan.
Eliza strides off in the direction of the bar.
Alea: So, you can't keep yourself under control long enough to let her even have a chance as a Donor.
Alea shakes her head.
Mostan: I'm sorry? I dragged her here, then?
Alea: The Tecton is only trying to help you, you know that.
Eliza says to the bartender, "could you please send 3 extra pale porstans to that table?" [points]
Legueo: Sure thing, sugar.
Legueo: What happened?
Legueo: Loverboy dump you?
Mostan: Yeah, that's what they keep _saying_.
Legueo chuckles and smoothes his oily hair.
Eliza: No! Just an unexpected guest. [smiles]
Legueo fills the drinks and hands them to her.
Legueo: There ya go.
Alea: Well, if you'd cooperate....
Eliza: Could you take them over please? I'm going to have a closer look at the... [thinks] ...shiltpron.
Eliza smiles at him again and looks over at where the Sime woman is playing and singing.
Alea: You've had a serious injury.
Mostan: I do my work.
Alea: Your work is one percent of what I'm talking about here.
Alea: Why can't you wait....
Alea: Just one month, Mostan.
Alea: I think it's great Eliza has found you.
Alea: But....
Alea: You can't become dependent on her....
Alea: You have got to take transfer from someone else this month... and that's going to be hard enough as it is....
Alea: What are you going to feel like if you're around her every day?
Mostan: Wasn't that the idea?
Alea: That transfer is going to be almost impossible.
Eliza heads over and sits down close to the musician concentrating hard on the way she plays.
Alea: Wasn't what the idea?
Mostan: I had no chance last month either.
Mostan: Just a dead Sime on furlough.
Alea: We gave you a chance, Mostan.
Alea: What are you talking about?
Alea ~~ shock ~~
Alea: You actually believe none of us care about you at that Center?
Alea: None of us are breaking our necks trying to help you?
Mostan: Of course not.
Mostan looks over at Eliza.
Alea: I see.
Alea pushes away and stands.
Alea: Well then, I see my time here is wasted.
Alea: Go, have your fun.
Alea: God help you though, when you have your transfer this month....
Alea: And think what Eliza is going to have after you are dead.
Mostan thinks he was doing that before she interrupted.
Alea turns toward the door.
Alea goes out the door.
Alea walks down the street hating it that they've lost another Donor.
Alea goes back to the Center and up the front steps.
Mostan sits there. ~~ gloom ~~
Eliza concentrates on the way the Sime uses her fingers and tentacles to make the music, she tries to ignore what she thinks is happening at the table.
Mostan drinks deeply.
Alea goes into the Center and pushes the door closed behind her.
Eliza wonders if the woman playing would give her lessons, but is too shy to ask.
Eliza looks back and sees that Mostan is alone. She gets up and returns.
Eliza: Alea's gone?
Alea removes her scorched cloak and thinks she is really going to have to get her a new one.
Mostan: yeah.
Alea shakes her head and thinks, why bother. She'll just scorch the next one.
Eliza: Are you all right? What did she say? Are you in trouble?
Mostan drinks some more. "But she's right."
Alea walks over to the couch and sinks down.
Alea ~~ gloom ~~
Eliza: She's right?
Alea rubs her tummy.
Eliza backs up a few steps.
Alea: I am totally insane to have you. This is what you are going to face one, day.
Mostan: I... don't know. Probably.
Alea: And there's not a thing I can do about it.
Alea: You might be the one out there....
Alea lays her head back on the couch her hand still protectively over her stomach, and cries silent tears.
Eliza: Then I, we, [turns and flees, knocking over several chairs and the waiter carrying several glasses on her way]
Mostan watches her go.
Legueo goes hyper zlinning.
Legueo shakes his head.
Legueo: What a Gen....
Mostan starts at Legueo zlinning his Gen.
Eliza runs out and turns automatically towards the Center.
Legueo wonders why she didn't run to him instead....
Legueo looks around and sees Mostan....
Legueo goes back to work.
Eliza runs a few feet - stops... turns away and runs again in the opposite direction.
Mostan stares at the 4 porstans. All he has left.
Mostan starts on another.
Mostan: Gens....
Mostan: It never works out.
Notes:
1) Paulatino is actually a 2nd Order Donor, not a First Order channel. [return]
2) There are some lines missing here. No information is available on what happened during the missing part, but probably not much. [return]