Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #192: The Invasion of the Tentacle Snatchers (3/23/98)
Alea wakes up stiff and cold, and looks around fuzzily.
Alea is surrounded by Yellow.
Alea thinks the furniture people have come back.
Alea ~~ panic ~~
Alea sits up, and promptly falls off the banana couch.
Alea shoves her skirt down and sits up then struggles to her feet, thinking the banana was warmer than the floor.
Alea straightens her cloak.
Alea shoves back her hair.
Kadi yowls indignantly at being displaced.
Alea: I'm a mess.
Kadi thinks her own mommie should know better.
Alea glances down.
Alea: Kadi!
Alea: Where did you come from?
Alea: I'm sorry, baby.
Kadi turns her back and grooms.
Alea reaches down and picks Kadi up, ignoring how she turns her back.
Kadi thinks it over for a moment, then starts purring.
Alea uses one hand to rub at her eyes while juggling Kadi to a more comfortable position on top of her tummy.
Alea: Come on, let's go find you some food.
Kadi kneads comfortably.
Alea sees Hoity Toity isn't around, so she goes up the stairs toward the third floor.
Kadi goes along for the ride.
Alea: I guess, sweetie, this means Rapol doesn't want to hear my apology. However, we can still go up there and look for food.
Alea trudges up the flight of stairs to the third floor.
Nick is walking down the hall, and sees Alea.
Nick: Alea!
Alea sees Nick and smiles brightly to cover the fact that she slipped past the desk clerk.
Alea: Good morning, Nick.
Alea: How are you today?
Alea: You certainly look rested and fresh.
Alea: You know, I was just looking for food for Kadi. I wonder if you can tell me where Snake might keep it?
Nick: What are you still doing here? I thought you just wanted a brief visit to talk to Rapol?
Alea sighs, thinking she didn't distract Nick enough.
Alea: Well, actually, I waited, but he never came down.
Nick points to a hole in the baseboard.
Alea: I don't think he wanted to talk to me.
Nick: Just let her wander around, and she'll catch something soon enough.
Alea looks down in confusion... then dawning comprehension
Alea: She is MURDERING those... ooooh... ugh....
Nick reaches over to scritch Kadi's ears.
Nick: She's a good mouser.
Alea looks at Kadi to see if she has blood all over her from the rats.
Kadi licks her chops innocently.
Alea drops Kadi.
Rapol sees that Snake is finally asleep.
Alea ~~ shock ~~
Kadi lands on her feet, then prowls down the hall to crouch by the mousehole.
Rapol decides to sneak out before... just before.
Nick blinks, surprised at the strength of Alea's reaction.
Alea shudders.
Nick: Cats are predators, Alea.
Alea: I um... yes, I know, but she didn't do that at the Center.
Nick: Really?
Nick: I find that hard to believe.
Rapol goes to get a sandwich.
Alea: Oh, yes... well... not rats at least.
Alea: Maybe a roach, but never a rat.
Alea: Rats leave so much blood around.
Nick sees Rapol leave Snake's office.
Nick: Rapol!
Rapol can't find anything appealing and decides to look downstairs.
Nick hurries to catch his fellow Donor.
Rapol: Yes?
Alea turns around and sees Rapol.
Nick: How's Snake?
Alea blushes, certain he is still not speaking with her since he never came downstairs.
Rapol closes the door carefully. "Sleeping. Finally."
Rapol: Working on bills too long.
Alea decides to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and make him talk.
Nick: Did she ever say what happened on the ride back from the Sime Center?
Alea marches forward.
Alea moves up beside Nick and smiles brightly.
Alea: Good morning Rapol!
Rapol: ~~ starts ~~
Rapol looks worried.
Alea looks at Nick and frowns.
Rapol: "She did."
Alea: You shouldn't push Snake about what happened.
Alea looks at Rapol, surprised.
Nick is glad that Snake's office is well insulated.
Alea: She told YOU?
Alea shakes her head.
Rapol: Snake was in my nightmare.
Alea: And I thought we only....
Nick looks at Rapol, interested.
Nick: Really?
Alea trails off at those words.
Rapol looks flabbergasted at Alea. "You don't...."
Alea: I didn't think she would tell people about her... er... dreams... visions....
Alea shrugs delicately.
Nick: We're her Donors.
Alea avoids looking directly at Rapol.
Nick: Her permanent Donors.
Alea: So... you aren't a Farris.
Rapol: ~~ ah-ha ~~
Alea glares at Nick.
Rapol sees he is right about Alea.
Rapol: No. Not that gift.
Nick sees the tension between Rapol and Alea.
Alea looks at Rapol, curious.
Nick: Why don't we go get some tea and discuss this like civilized folks?
Rapol is afraid of Alea, but fears what she might do to Snake also.
Alea lifts a haughty eyebrow at Nick.
Rapol: Cer-Certainly.
Nick adds to himself, "far away from the office and Snake."
Alea: Actually, I wanted to talk to Rapol, so I'll just do that right now.
Alea turns her gaze directly on Rapol.
Rapol: ~~ doesn't like the sound of that ~~
Nick: Fine. Over tea.
Alea: I would like to apologize for jumping the line the other day about....
Alea looks at Nick and thinks he certainly is pushy for a simple Donor.
Nick has no intention of abandoning his fellow Donor to Alea's mercy.
Rapol: Uh - wha? ~~ surprised and puzzled ~
Alea looks back at Rapol.
Alea: Snake reprimanded me, and I see now I owe you an apology.
Nick herds Rapol and Alea down the hall to what passes for a kitchen.
Alea: Your feelings for her are your own business, basically. Though I AM a relative of hers, you understand, and do like to look out for her well-being.
Alea: Therefore, I apologize for not realizing you weren't done with your post talk when I arrived.
Alea shrugs.
Rapol looks away, face blazing.
Nick waves Alea to one of the rickety chairs, and starts to find relatively clean mugs.
Rapol: ~~ shame - embarrassment ~~
Alea refuses to sit down.
Alea: Anyway, Snake was right, I should apologize to you for that.
Nick: What sort of tea do you two want?
Alea: And now that I have, I should probably be going.
Alea looks at Nick and frowns.
Alea: I told you, Nick, I don't want tea.
Alea: You know, maybe you should make Snake let you get more sleep.
Nick: We have quite an assortment.
Alea shakes her head.
Alea pauses.
Alea: Strawberry?
Alea: Or Strawberry Pignia?
Rapol is glad of a distraction. "More of that Gulf trin?"
Nick sorts through the packets.
Alea has always liked those.
Nick: We've got the Gulf trin, but the only strawberry we've got is Strawberry Summer.
Alea sighs.
Nick: I think it's mixed with blackberry leaves.
Alea: Oh well... that sounds fine.
Alea: I suppose I should have something hot before I go back to the Center.
Rapol: Never heard of it.
Nick pulls out a packet with a Sime poison label on the front.
Alea: You know, it really is a shame Snake can't drink that... I bet she would really like it.
Nick makes Strawberry Summer for Alea and Gulf trin for himself and Rapol.
Rapol looks at Alea and at the poison.
Alea starts thinking, and smiles.
Rapol thinks "Of course. She isn't limited like we are...."
Nick: It's not toxic to Gens. And I don't _think_ it's toxic to Farrises.
Alea wonders if she could make something similar to that taste, without the actual strawberries.
Nick passes out the tea.
Rapol realizes that Alea is thinking of changing Snake into a WereGen....
Alea takes the tea and smiles narrowly at Nick.
Rapol: Alea. Please. No.
Alea glances at Rapol in surprise.
Alea: No What?
Alea thinks no, don't dump the tea over Nick's head for trying to worry her? Or no, don't make the strawberry tea?
Alea decides to reassure Rapol.
Alea: Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
Alea smiles.
Kadi walks proudly into the kitchen, carrying her breakfast: A mouse.
Rapol doesn't look very comforted.
Alea sees Kadi and gasps.
Alea: Oh kadi!
Rapol looks down.
Alea turns green.
Kadi looks up at Alea innocently, then settles down on the hearth rug to eat in comfort.
Alea remembers that steak sandwich Jon Drake tried to feed her and gets queasy.
Nick shrugs. After so many months of working in the worst slums, he's seen much more gruesome sights.
Alea thinks it probably started out like this poor little mouse, minding its own business when someone cam along and smack, it was dead.
Alea thinks "just like they used to do with Gens before Unity" and turns sickly gray.
Alea jumps up and dashes out of the room.
Kadi eats her breakfast in three neat bites, then carefully cleans her paws and face.
Nick reaches down and gives Kadi's ears a good scritch.
Nick looks back at Rapol.
Rapol is grateful she has left.
Nick: So what was that all about?
Rapol sighs and relaxes.
Alea finds the bathroom and is thankful there is nothing in her stomach to come up as she bends over the sink shuddering.
Rapol reaches for the tea with a shaky hand.
Alea splashes water on her face and then carefully dries it.
Alea: Great way to start your birthday... watching a cat eat a dead animal.
Alea: Animal!
Alea remembers the trip she was going to make today and brightens.
Rapol: She... sees things. Secret things.
Alea quickly relieves herself while she is there, washes her hands, and then leaves the bathroom.
Large Rat pokes his nose out of his hole by the tub, then scurries out to the middle of the floor. 1
Large Rat pauses to clean his whiskers.
Alea wonders if she's ever going to be able to go an hour or more without... Alea screams when she sees the rat.
Rapol: Caused the dream.
Alea waddles as fast as her little body can take her right over to the desk and crawls up on it.
Alea: KILL IT!
Large Rat levitates two feet, then lands and looks around.
Alea grabs a book and throws it at the rat.
Alea picks up two more books and throws them at the rat to make it run away.
Large Rat jumps again at the noise, and decides to seek shelter on top of the desk.
Alea wiggles down off the desk.
Alea runs past the couch and out toward the front door, grabbing her purse on the way.
Alea thinks she can talk to everyone later.
Alea: I hate rats.
Alea: Why is it always rats?
Rapol starts at the scream, dropping his tea. *SMASH*
Alea: And roaches.
Alea: Oh shen... rats and roaches.
Alea: Everything that starts with an R....
Rapol runs out towards Snake's room.
Alea shoves at the front door.
Large Rat is now known as Nick.
Nick pounds along at Rapol's heels.
Nick manages to hold Rapol back just as he is about to fling the door open.
Nick: Quiet! It might not have been her.
Alea looks around for the key.
Alea: How the shenned do you get this door open?
Alea finds the key. 2
Rapol lets Nick stop him. "She's after her!"
Alea fumbles until she gets the key in the door.
Alea suddenly realizes she is panicking.
Alea leans her head against the door and takes a deep breath.
Alea: This isn't good for the baby.
Alea: Just calm down.
Alea: The rat isn't going to hurt you.
Nick shushes Rapol, then quietly opens the door to Snake's office, holding the fields steady to avoid waking her if she's still asleep.
Alea: Just because your last cape got chewed up by rats....
Alea: You aren't unconscious in a dark room with rats....
Nick looks through, checking on Snake.
Rapol is hyperventilating. ~~ terror ~~
Nick hears Rapol pant, and looks back.
Wise Snake appears to be dead to the world. [figuratively speaking]
Alea: Calm... calm... bright lights, no rats chewing your cloak.
Nick: Control yourself. You can't help Snake if you're panicking.
Alea nods.
Wise Snake stirs at the sound of voices.
Alea takes the key out of the lock and then turns back to the kitchen to have her cup of tea. 3
Rapol gulps and nods.
Rapol forces himself to take a deep breath.
Nick thinks that Snake doesn't sound like someone who's suffering from nightmares, but projects ~~soothing calm ~~ on general principles.
Alea goes back into the kitchen and stops when she sees no one there.
Alea: Well.
Wise Snake goes still once again.
Alea is rather offended that they slithered off when she wasn't looking.
Alea moves over and sits down, determined to have her tea anyway.
Rapol breathes in and out deeply and slowly.
Nick tiptoes into the office.
Rapol guards the doorway.
Alea tries to cross her legs, and then gives up instead, placing her feet next to each other in a very dignified manner.
Alea once again smoothes her hair back from her face, then picks up her tea cup and begins to sip it.
Alea wonders if, since they are gone, she should whip up a quick cup of tea for Snake trying a new recipe.
Rapol tries to figure out if Kadi or the rodents are Alea's familiars.
Alea is certain, with the right spices, she can make it taste like strawberries.
Nick nears Snake's sleeping form.
Wise Snake dreams about bouncy, flitty Donors that keep coming near and away her.
Wise Snake moans.
Wise Snake: Stop it! [incoherently]
Alea wonders what type of tea Rapol has.
Alea reaches over and picks up the cup and tastes it....
Alea: Oh... ugh!
Nick reaches out to touch Snake's hand.
Alea sets it down, gets up and gets some cinnamon and pappa down to sprinkle in it.
Nick: Snake. Wake up. It's just a dream.
Alea returns the spices, then goes back and sits down and tastes it again.
Alea: Oh... ugh....
Wise Snake jumps.
Wise Snake: What!
Wise Snake: Oh....
Alea: Nope... it's just how the tea tastes.
Nick: ~~ soothing calm ~~
Alea puts Rapol's cup back and turns her attention back to her more flavorful cup of tea.
Nick: You were having a bad dream.
Wise Snake: I'll say. I dreamed Donors kept running here and there, in and out, in and out, it was driving me batty.
Rapol thinks, "but whose bad dream?"
Wise Snake jumps out of bed in her usual fashion.
Briel rolls over and groans.
Nick: I'm sure it was.
Nick: Come have some tea, and a little cereal.
Wise Snake goes over to where Nick is.
Eliza wakes up and looks around the unfamiliar room.
Nick: ~~ calm welcome/undertones of hunger ~~
Briel lifts an arm and looks blearily at Eliza.
Eliza remembers that she is in Briel's room and looks to see if Briel is still asleep.
Eliza: I'm sorry Briel, did I wake you?
Briel: You mean like the other dozen times last night?
Briel: No, it wasn't your fault THIS time.
Eliza cringes and lets her nager show the pain in her head from the kick yesterday.
Briel sits up and rubs her head.
Rapol knows better than to try to handle Snake in his present state.
Briel: You really have to stop dreaming about Mostan so much... aaagggghh...!
Briel grabs her head.
Eliza doesn't remember dreaming anything.
Eliza smoothes her nager and gets up.
Alea sighs.
Alea wonders where the others are at.
Briel: Sit down, Eliza.
Wise Snake looks at Rapol, and zlins him.
Wise Snake: What's....
Rapol: ~~ calm over remnants of fear. attention down the hall ~~
Eliza sits on the bed and looks at Briel.
Briel extends her laterals and projects need.
Wise Snake: "What are you...?"
Rapol: ~~ pounding pulse still ~~
Briel: Don't go like this again with the pain bothering you.
Wise Snake glances in the direction of the hall, uneasily.
Wise Snake wonders if another window tried to make a break for freedom.
Eliza sighs and lets Briel attend to her head.
Alea gets up and goes back toward Snake's office.
Wise Snake: What's wrong?
Alea is carrying her tea with her.
Briel: That is one thing you should never do.
Briel: Donors should never ignore an injury.
Briel: If you're in pain, let someone heal you.
Briel: Never try to hide anything from a channel.
Eliza: All right, Briel.
Briel continues to project need.
Briel: Your health is of the utmost important to us.
Eliza: Yes, Briel.
Nick looks at Rapol, waiting for him to explain.
Eliza: Yes, Briel.
Alea carries her tea with her as she rounds the corner toward Snake's office.
Wise Snake becomes genuinely worried and starts out of the office to investigate for herself.
Wise Snake sees/zlins Alea upon leaving the office.
Alea sees Snake.
Wise Snake: Alea!
Alea: Snake!
Wise Snake: [surprised]
Alea: [delighted surprise]
Alea: You're awake.
Alea: Any more odd visions or anything?
Alea whispers that low.
Nick stick close to Snake, knowing Alea's on the loose.
Wise Snake: No, although I had a dream about Donors running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
Briel: Now, how does that feel.
Alea shoots a reprimanding look at Nick.
Wise Snake does not actually know what that phrase means, just picked it up from Gens she knows.
Alea: I can see they woke you.
Alea shakes her head.
Eliza: Much better, thanks, Briel.
Alea: You should have gotten more sleep.
Wise Snake: Nonsense. I never sleep in the mornings, it's already extra sleep.
Wise Snake: Er....
Wise Snake: Do you know what Rapol is so alarmed about?
Wise Snake looks anxiously farther down the hallway.
Alea glances at Snake.
Alea: Rapol is alarmed?
Alea ~~ worry ~~
Briel: Well then, let's shower and then go down to breakfast.
Wise Snake: Did you come here for some reason, can I help you?
Eliza waits for Briel to retract her tentacles, then gets up and stretches.
Briel: I'll meet you there in... [thinks] fifteen minutes?
Eliza: Are we short on water?
Eliza looks confused for a moment, then blushes.
Eliza: Err, I umm, okay.
Briel puzzled.
Briel: No....
Alea: Well, actually, I waited to talk to... er... someone... last night.
Eliza: I'll head back to my room now, then. [backs to the door]
Alea is very aware of Nick standing there and doesn't want to say anything in front of him.
Alea: And well, he never showed. I fell asleep and woke this morning... and decided to talk to... you know... before I left.
Wise Snake: You've been here all night?
Wise Snake: ~~alarm~~
Alea smiles.
Alea ~~ concern ~~
Wise Snake looks at Alea nervously.
Alea: Yes, I have.
Nick has no intention of leaving Snake to Alea's mercy.
Alea: On the couch downstairs.
Wise Snake finally notices the cup of blood-red liquid in her hand and it does NOT smell like Zoiks.
Nick: Couch?
Briel: Okay.
Florist signals at the door of the Ferry Building with two dozen red rosebuds and a card.
Briel nods and strips, heading toward the shower.
Wise Snake: Alea... what's that in your cup?
Alea: Tea.
Alea: Nick was nice enough to fix me a cup.
Alea: Wasn't that sweet of him.
Nick then remembers the bondage banana and blushes.
Eliza flees to her room.
Alea lifts it and takes a sip.
Alea: He insisted I have some.
Nick thinks that it was, indeed, beyond the call of duty.
Wise Snake: Don't tell me we have strawberry tea lying around in the building? [dismayed]
Nick: Well, it is well labeled.
Wise Snake massages her forehead.
Alea quickly finishes it off and then smiles.
Wise Snake thinks she and Sky need to have a talk.
Wise Snake: Fine... fine.
Alea: Well, then, I'm off.
Alea: I have somewhere to go today.
Wise Snake wonders what happened to the breakfast she was promised a few minutes ago.
Florist signals again.
Alea grins.
Toi Toi flings the door open.
Toi Toi: Yes. Fine. More flowers.
Toi Toi snatches the clipboard.
Florist: Flowers for... sign here please.
Briel gets into the shower and lets the hot water flow over her.
Toi Toi scribbles something illegible on the line, which almost looks like "damn it! Who is this nut case!" and takes the flowers.
Alea looks around and finally thrusts the cup at Rapol.
Alea: Can you put this up for me? Thank you.
Florist thinks that he may as well be the tax collector with that welcome.
Alea smiles at Snake.
Alea: You have a wonderful day. I have got to get back to the Center.
Rapol comes up to the door and watches Alea warily.
Alea: I can't believe I slept that long.
Toi Toi: Doesn't this guy have any idea Snake is allergic to... never mind. Have a nice day.
Alea winks at Rapol as she passes him.
Alea: You be good, or I'll find out.
Rapol pales.
Toi Toi shuts and locks the door behind the Florist.
Toi Toi reads the card.
Card: Dear Wise Snake and Sky,
Card: I hope that you will grant me the pleasure of your company on the last day of the week for dinner.
Card: I will send a carriage to pick you up. Please feel free to invite whomsoever you please.
Card: Sincerely, Richard
Wise Snake: Good bye then, Alea.
Briel slips out of the shower and quickly and efficiently dries herself before dressing for the day.
Alea goes off down the hall.
Nick looks after her.
Toi Toi wonders if the dinner will cause a decrease, or increase, in the frequency of flower deliveries.
Toi Toi hummphs, pulls the card off, then carries the flowers to the "flower room".
Nick: Well, do you think there's time for breakfast before the next emergency? [plaintive]
Wise Snake: Fine.
Wise Snake: I was wondering the same thing myself.
Alea goes through the building to the front door.
Wise Snake looks at Rapol with increasing concern.
Wise Snake: Rapol, WHAT is bothering you?
Rapol: "Breakfast. I'll get it."
Wise Snake: I'd like to know.
Rapol is glad of something concrete he can do.
Toi Toi lets Alea out and bids her goodbye, re-locking the door behind her.
Alea goes out of the building and down the street.
Toi Toi returns to her solid glass, sea-life impregnated desk.
Briel goes downstairs and toward the cafeteria.
Rapol stops. "Her. She's... she has... powers.
Rapol: Afraid of what she wants.
Nick casts a concerned glance at Snake, then follows Rapol.
Alea signals a cab.
Eliza , showered and changed in a clean uniform, waits for Briel in the cafeteria.
Mystery Cab pulls to a stop in front of Alea.
Wise Snake: Alea?
Wise Snake: [to Rapol]
Alea: I'm going to the Center.
Alea: Thank you.
Alea climbs up into the cab.
Mystery Cab: The Center of the Universe? The shopping center? Can ya be a little specific lady?
Rapol nods.
Briel walks into the cafeteria and gets a cup of tea before taking a seat.
Alea looks at her Farris cape and thinks it should be obvious to ANYONE.
Alea: The inner-city Sime Center.
Wise Snake: Rapol, would you mind explaining what happened and why you are in this state?
Mystery Cab: Rightie-O, the "Center" it is.
Rapol: I'm afraid.
Mystery Cab follows Alea's obvious stare at her cloak and wonders if he's missing something.
Eliza moves to Briel's table and sits across from her.
Mystery Cab snaps his whip and the horse starts off smartly in the direction of the Sime Center.
Eliza has a glass of water.
Alea smiles and sits back, relaxing.
Rapol: What does she want with you? Why is she doing this?
Nick stays ready to block said fear if it escapes Rapol's control.
Wise Snake: What did she do, Rapol?
Wise Snake is pretty confused, although able to consider Alea doing just about anything within reason.
Wise Snake: [and some other things besides]
Eliza takes a sip and pokes a face.
Ison awakens to find Mytag still sleeping. "Hey, wake up" as he gently shakes his arm.
Rapol: Last night she called up my evil and was a conduit for it to you.
Mytag yawns and sits up.
Mytag: What do you mean - I haven't slept a wink!
Nick wonders when Alea could have found time to do that when fighting off a crazed honeybee addict.
Rapol: She came to apologize, but I think she wants to change with you.
Mytag: Shenned cot is about as comfortable as the ground. Tonight YOU sleep in the cot and I get the bed!
Mystery Cab lays the reins down and begins to fish around in his bag lying on the seat beside him.
Briel: So, Eliza... aren't you going to eat?
Briel ~~ concerned ~~
Mystery Cab: [horses falter a bit as they realize nobody is driving, but continue to trot more or less down the road]
Nick: Change with Snake?
Nick: Change what?
Wise Snake studies Rapol with some concern.
Wise Snake zlins Rapol.
Eliza: I don't feel hungry this morning. Even the water tastes odd.
Briel doesn't feel hungry either.
Briel: Perhaps tea would be better for you then?
Rapol: ~~ fear of the the unknown ~~
Alea: Uh... excuse me [to cabbie] can you speed up just a bit?
Rapol: ~~ concern for Snake being menaced ~~
Alea is excited about getting back to the Center.
Eliza grimaces at the smell of the tea.
Eliza: I don't think so, no. I'm all right. You want me to work with Frutata today?
Briel: Yes.
Briel: You will work with him all month.
Wise Snake: Rapol....
Rapol: Yes?
Briel: As he is with Lanyi, I imagine you will work on her schedule too, so familiarize yourself with that.
Wise Snake: Look, let's eat breakfast and then talk about this seriously, okay?
Wise Snake: I don't want you to worry about something that might not be what it seems.
Rapol: All right.
Briel: You won't be supporting her, but doing whatever Frutata wants you to do.
Eliza thinks that after working with Jirelle all last month Frutata will be a cinch.
Nick refills the teakettle, and starts water for hot cereal.
Alea sees that the cabbie isn't holding the reins.
Alea ~~ alarm ~~
Eliza: All right.
Alea: Uh... EXCUSE ME!
Mystery Cab pulls out a large cigar and bites off the end, then spits the end out in surprise as he has to lunge for the reins.
Mystery Cab: [horses narrowly avoid going around opposite sides of the same street light post]
Eliza wonders if he is awake yet.
Rapol sits down and closes his eyes.
Mystery Cab: All right, all right, lady, everything's under control.
Mystery Cab lays the reins over his knee while he fishes for some matches.
Alea grabs the sides of the cab, her eyes widening in horror.
Alea: Excuse me!!!
Alea: Driver!
Alea: PLEASE hold those reins.
Mystery Cab: Sheez, lady, you're really something else, you know that?
Mystery Cab picks up the reins, annoyed, and puffs on his freshly-lit cigar.
Mystery Cab: ######stinky#######
Alea: Yes, I know... [grits out thinking she is glad she's not a Farris CHANNEL]
Alea: Oh....
Alea's face twists in disgust and nausea.
Alea: Please put that out.
Nick adds oatmeal to the boiling water.
Alea covers her mouth and leans back against the seat.
Mytag stumbles out of the cot.
Mytag tries to fold it up, and the cot tries to bite him.
Alea feels ill and wishes she had stopped before drinking the tea.
Mystery Cab turns around, failing to notice that the horses are about to climb over a pile of rubbish in their way.
Mystery Cab: Look, lady,
Alea thinks, of course, She didn't know she was going to have some man smoking weeds and blowing the smoke in her face
Alea: WATCH OUT!
Mystery Cab: [gesturing with the stinky cigar]
Mytag kicks the cot instead.
Rapol slowly returns to "The Sea Which Is Not".
Mytag covers the pain of his kicked toe and swears.
Ison laughs at Mytag. "You want me to have that cot? What a nice friend you are."
Mystery Cab: [horses start wildly at Alea's shout, and slam to a stop just short of the rubbish heap]
Mystery Cab loses his cigar at the jolt.
Alea is tossed forward.
Mystery Cab: Shen it!
Alea shoves her hair out of her face and looks up at the cabbie.
Alea: What do YOU have to yell about?
Mytag heads for the bathroom before Ison can get to it.
Mystery Cab thinks Alea looks like a crazy woman, with hair in her face and shrieking.
Mystery Cab overlooks the fact that she looked perfectly normal before he started goofing off.
Alea slips out of the cab.
Mystery Cab: Whatever, lady. Sit down and ya won't get... HEY!!
Alea fishes money out of her purse.
Mystery Cab thinks the better of complaining when he sees the money.
Ison reminds himself to go to the bathroom before he wakes Mytag in future.
Mytag sings loudly in the shower.
Alea gives him half his fee and turns to walk off.
Mytag hopes that Ison will have the beds made by the time he is finished.
Alea: I'll walk the rest of the way... thankyouverymuch.
Mystery Cab shrugs and begins to back his horses.
Wise Snake zlins Rapol surrepticiously, but tries to avoid openly studying him as Nick prepares the breakfast.
Nick dishes two Gen-sized portions and one Sime-sized portion of cereal into bowls.
Alea walks down the street, guilty that she is walking but thinking Tarsh and Snake and anyone else who might complain would surely understand it was safer, in this instance, than riding in the cab.
Ison lies back down and covers his head with the pillow, trying to muffle Mytag's garbled shrieking.
Rapol: ~~ much calmer now, fear of Alea shifting to apprehension about conversation to come ~~
Mytag walks out of the bathroom rubbing his hair with a towel. Seeing Ison back in bed, he throws the wet towel at him
Mytag: Get up, you lazy Channel. We have to get to work, you know!
Nick distributes the food.
Alea walks the rest of the way to the Center, muttering about the crazy cab drivers in this city.
Wise Snake eats her cereal.
Ison gets up and heads for the bathroom. "I wonder what's in store for us today."
Alea heads up the steps of the Sime Center.
Buggfa starts to enter the Sime Center, stops, turns around, gets three steps away, stops, tells himself he's going in, turns around, goes back up the steps.
Alea almost runs into Buggfa.
Alea: Oh!
Buggfa is wearing sunglasses, a fake beard, a large floppy hat and trench coat, and a fake nose.
Mytag sighs and set about dressing and making the room look more or less presentable. He even makes the bed seeing that he will be the one sleeping in it next.
Rapol eats the food slowly, fiddling with it.
Buggfa: Excuse me. [a bit fuzzily due to the disguise]
Alea: Hello....
Alea wonders what he is doing out here.
Alea: May I help you?
Buggfa: I am going in to donate.
Buggfa: [he tells himself firmly]
Buggfa: [in addition to Alea]
Alea: Ah well... good.
Alea goes over and pulls open the door.
Alea: Go right in.
Wise Snake actually finishes before Rapol.
Wise Snake sips her tea, trying not to pressure the Donor.
Buggfa schleps into the Sime Center, trying to look inconspicuous in his ZZ Top outfit.
Alea goes in after the Gen.
Rapol finishes his food and gets up to put the dish up.
Ison returns from the bathroom to see Mytag finishing off the bed. "Oh, how very kind, making MY bed."
Alea: Now, what is your name and I'll see that clerk pulls your file.
Buggfa: Uhmm.
Buggfa leans close to Alea and whispers his name.
Alea: Can you say that again?
Alea isn't certain she heard right.
Nick hands Rapol his dish, figuring cleanup isn't his responsibility since he made breakfast.
Mytag: My bed, you mean. If I have to spend on more night on that cot I'll be black and blue and YOU will be the one to feel it you can be sure about that!
Buggfa repeats himself, between gritted teeth, trying to keep his voice low.
Briel: Well then, Eliza, why don't we go start our day?
Briel shoves her tea back and stands.
Alea turns toward the clerk from the middle of the room.
Wise Snake's eyes follow Rapol.
Wise Snake [thoughtful]
Alea: Buggfa... er... is here to donate, clerk. Do you have a file on him?
Alea looks back at him.
Alea: What was your last name?
Buggfa: "Lube."
Alea: Ah... okay.
Eliza follows Briel.
Buggfa wishes she wasn't talking so loudly.
Alea: Buggfa LUBE.
Alea: Lube... as in L-U-B-E?
Buggfa winces.
Alea looks questioningly at Buggfa.
Buggfa: Could you keep your voice down? I'm trying to avoid attracting attention.
Buggfa feels like eyes are crawling all over his back.
TBT fan looks up from her seat in the lobby.
Briel: I think you'll enjoy working with Frutata, really.
Alea chuckles low.
Rapol comes back and sits down.
Ison smiles at Mytag, "we'll see," but realises it may be in his best interests to take the cot.
Alea: You know, Buggfa, if you're trying not to attract attention.
TBT fan looks at the man in the trench coat.
Alea: Well, I mean this kindly....
TBT fan: Buggfa Lube?
Alea: But maybe, you might change your dress --
Alea glances at the person who yelled that name out.
Buggfa ignores the person.
Buggfa looks to the clerk a bit desperately.
Buggfa: Can't I just go in and fill out the paperwork later?
TBT fan can't quite imagine her hero dressing in such an uncosmic outfit, or walking into the uncosmic Bender Cove Sime Center.
Eliza walks into the lobby with Briel.
Alea: Uh, Buggfa... you know....
Wise Snake directs her attention to Rapol.
Alea: You might really... well... actually, you might want to fill it out first.
Alea: Or at least make sure they have your name spelled right.
Alea: We'd hate to get the information down wrong.
Alea: That can cause all kinds of problems for our financial officer.
Rapol: I think she is a sorceress.
Eliza recognises the young Gen with Alea and groans softly, remembering the stampede last time he was there.
Alea smiles, thinking she is helping Tarsh out.
Wise Snake: A sorceress. [deadpan]
Wise Snake: What is the evidence of this?
Buggfa grits his teeth.
Briel looks to where Eliza is looking.
Rapol: She wants to change herself into a Sime, at the cost of changing you into a Gen.
Mytag taps his foot. "Are you going to take all day? Some of us need to eat!"
Briel zlins the familiar nager.
Buggfa: Fine. Give me the forms, but make it snappy okay?
Rapol: The Dream.
Buggfa is sure at any moment all hell will break loose.
Alea looks down her nose at the uppity Gen.
Rapol: The way she knew what we had been speaking of after your transfer.
Ison: "Well, let's go Mytag, the cafeteria is calling."
Alea: Just a moment, Mr. Lube.
Rapol: Her familiars here in the Ferry House.
Wise Snake: F-familiars? Oh, the cat.
Mytag opens the door and ushers his friend out.
Alea walks slooooowly over to the desk, rubbing at her back and waiting for clerk to get all the papers together for the donor.
Rapol: Or the Rodents. Not Sure.
Wise Snake: Rodents?
Briel: I see our burn patient is back.
Briel: I wonder what he is here for.
Rapol: Mice. Rats.
Wise Snake somehow can't imagine Alea becoming familiar with rodents, in any sense of that word.
Rapol: One or the other.
Wise Snake: [in any sense of either word!]
Wise Snake struggles to keep her expression clear.
Ison steps out, looks from side to side then heads for the cafeteria.
Wise Snake: I see.
Eliza: [to Briel] THAT is Buggfa. He is the lead singer for that dreadful group.
Briel: What group?
Alea: Uh... Buggfa LUBE?
Alea calls out loudly waving the papers at him.
Buggfa winces.
Alea: Please fill these out.
Eliza: You know, Torn by Tentacles.
Briel ~~ comprehension dawns ~~
Briel: Shendoni.
Buggfa looks about wildly.
Buggfa bolts suddenly for the door.
Mytag follows Ison.
Alea feels a slight spurt of guilt for yelling.
Alea: HEY!
Alea is shocked to see him bolt for the door.
TBT fan looks up again, and remembers an article in a teen magazine mentioned celebrity disguises.
Briel zlins Buggfa's panic.
Mytag: If I remember correctly we are on donations today. That should be relaxing. What can go wrong, even here, with just taking donations?
Briel shoots after him.
Buggfa: [Somewhat hampered by the long trench coat and fake beard, he skids to a stop and scrabbles wildly at the door handle]
Rapol: I know such things are not known of here, but there is no other explanation.
Briel: Wait a minute....
Briel skids to a stop by him.
TBT fan jumps for Buggfa, and grabs him around the waist.
Briel: What happened? Are you okay?
Buggfa: Aaaihgghh!
Briel jumps back.
TBT fan: It's Buggfa LUBE!
Briel: Oh shenned....
Buggfa is thrown to the floor by the fan's amorous tackle.
Buggfa: OffFFFF!
Buggfa: [cross between "oof" and "off"]
Eliza runs to Briel's side to support her.
TBT fan grabs the fake beard and tugs.
Alea gasps, and hurries around the desk behind desk clerk, making sure to stay out of the way.
Ison: Normally, Mytag, it would be fine. But here? I am not so sure.
Buggfa's fake beard pops off, revealing his handsome starlike visage.
Buggfa: D'oh!
Eliza hopes there isn't anyone with steel capped boots.
Briel snatches at the other Gen, trying to haul her off Buggfa.
Briel is trying to be careful so not to hurt her.
TBT fan: It IS Buggfa Lube!
Wise Snake: Um... Rapol? There may be another explanation.
Briel: Let's just....
TBT fan: ~~ fanatic worship ~~
Briel realizes this is a fan and rolls her eyes.
Briel: ...get you off him....
Buggfa: Please! Just give me a minute's peace! [begs]
TBT fan: In Bender Cove!
Briel wraps a tentacle around her arm.
TBT fan: Can I have an autograph?
Buggfa: No autographs!
Briel pulls her up.
TBT fan shoves her donation form into Buggfa's face.
Rapol: ~~ bewilderment ~~ "What is it?"
Eliza hops around.
Briel looks at Eliza.
Buggfa scrambles onto all fours as TBT fan is pulled away, and scuttles for the door.
TBT fan: Please! I've been a fan for nearly two years, now!
Buggfa's scuttle is inhibited by the fact that he is trying to pull the beard back up with one hand.
Briel: Can you help Buggfa out?
Briel augments slightly, pulling the TBT fan away from Buggfa.
Wise Snake sighs.
TBT fan leans as close to her hero as physically possible.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Briel: Listen... if he says no, then you should respect his wishes and allow him to donate in peace.
Wise Snake: First of all, the reason why Alea comes here so often is simple: we are related. She is probably my cousin.
TBT fan pouts.
Eliza helps Buggfa to his feet.
TBT fan: But he's my hero!
Buggfa: Not another one!! [sissy-slaps Eliza's hands away as he staggers to his feet]
Briel thinks some hero, but doesn't say so.
TBT fan: I've got to have an autograph, or my friends will never believe that I actually saw him.
Buggfa: Is everybody in heat in this town??
Briel: Well yes... HEY... please don't strike the Gens.
Eliza: Don't run off, they will chase you. Come to a donation room and Briel will be with you in a moment I'm sure.
Buggfa realizes Eliza has a point.
Briel's eyes narrow at his insult to one of her Donors.
Eliza: Hey friend, you may find this hard to believe, but you AREN'T my type.
Briel releases the TBT fan accidentally... sorta.
Buggfa does find that hard to believe, since he distinctly remembers Eliza ogling him during his last visit.
Buggfa hadn't been wearing a trench coat at the time, of course.
Briel lifts a tentacle and examines it, extending and retracting it as she does.
TBT fan tears loose and starts for Buggfa again.
Wise Snake: As for your dream... well, honestly, it makes sense that you would have had a nightmare about Alea after that awful scene the other day.
Eliza steps back, not wanting to be hit again after yesterday.
Briel blinks innocently.
Briel: Eliza, your head looks like it's hurting, why don't you come with me.
Buggfa rips off his trench coat, fake nose, hat, and beard (the better to run like hell) and runs like hell in the direction he remembers the donation rooms being.
Eliza: Okay, Briel. [follows Briel]
Rapol: Perhaps, but Why did *you* have it too, while awake?
Briel lifts Eliza out of the way of the passing panic-stricken Gen, then continues on down the hall toward her office.
Wise Snake: Ah... Rapol... you know the problems I've been having. It's just one more manifestation of that mental defect B'cal said I inherited from my father.
Rapol: ~~ uncertain ~~
TBT fan runs after Buggfa.
Wise Snake remembers Turrie described it in a more complimentary fashion than that, but thinks Rapol would be less threatened by B'cal's version.
Buggfa skids into the first open door he sees and slams it shut behind him, locking it securely.
Buggfa turns around and realizes there are no windows in the room.
Buggfa: Shen!!
Rapol: Your Father? The Farris?
Wise Snake: Yes.
Wise Snake: Whoever he was.
Wise Snake: But sometimes I do pick up on things that aren't my business, and that time it was your dream.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry it happened, and it was disturbing, definitely... but it had nothing to do with Alea.
Rapol: So _you_ are the sorceress?
Wise Snake: Er....
TBT fan pounds on the door.
TBT fan: Buggfa, honey, just one little autograph! Pleeeze!!!
Buggfa: No!
Alea quietly hands the chart to the Clerk and goes upstairs to shower and change.
Buggfa decides to write a song about being harassed by 12- and 13-year old girls and boys during every waking moment of one's life. [in his copious spare time]
TBT fan: Just so my friends know I've really seen you.
Buggfa: No!!
Wise Snake: No, I'm not a sorceress.
Rapol: ~~ completely confused ~~
Alea showers and changes into a soft blue dress and white top.
Alea goes to the mirror and frowns in disgust.
Alea: Another sack.
Alea slips her boots on and then combs out her hair before leaving the room.
Wise Snake: I don't have magical powers. I'm just a channel. Sometimes I see things I'm not supposed to, but that is only an accident.
Wise Snake realizes that is the first time she (or anyone else) has ever referred to her as "just a channel".
Wise Snake hopes Rapol ignores the slip.
Rapol: And... her?
Nick: It's not that different from when she zlins things other Simes can't, if you think about it.
Wise Snake grimaces, wishing Nick hadn't said that.
TBT fan pounds on the door.
TBT fan: But I'm your FAN!
Wise Snake: Alea is my cousin and a friend. She has no harmful intentions toward me, nor any "magical powers" that she could deliberately set upon me if she did.
Rapol kicks this idea around.
Rapol: Snake... Are you _*SURE*_?
Wise Snake studies Rapol.
Wise Snake: Rapol, I am as sure as anyone can ever be on these matters.
Wise Snake: [sincerely]
Alea comes down the stairs, smiling, anticipating the day.
Buggfa finally finds a pair of tickets in his pocket and pulls them out.
Buggfa: If I give you something will you GO AWAY?
Rapol: ~~ shame ~~
TBT fan: What?
Alea goes into the lobby and looks out the door.
Wise Snake looks, concerned, at Rapol, then reaches out for his hands.
Alea doesn't see her ride, so she goes to sit down and wait.
TBT fan: What will you give me?
Buggfa: Front row tickets for, er... [reads tickets] the show in Peeker's Bluff.
TBT fan: FRONT ROW TICKETS??!!!
TBT fan bounces with delight.
Buggfa crawls away from the door, as his left ear [inured to concert-level volumes by years of performances] is nearly deafened by the groupie's shriek.
TBT fan: I'd do ANYTHING for front row tickets to Torn By Tentacles.
Buggfa: Yes... I'll give them to you if you shut up and go away. [calls from the far side of the room]
TBT fan: You WILL?
Alea thinks about Snake holding Rapol's hand and smiles.
Alea nods, thinking they would make a wonderful couple.
Alea vows not to say a word though... not one word... almost certainly not even ONE.
Buggfa: What's your name?
TBT fan: Rilla. Rilla Sandrs.
Buggfa: What's your friend's name? That you would bring to the show.
Buggfa pulls out a pen.
TBT fan immediately hatches a plan to steal the affections of the cutest TBT guy in her school.
TBT fan: Pool Ensit.
Buggfa grimaces, sure that poor kid must have had Sime parents.
Buggfa: Great, great.
TBT fan grins to herself, imagining the expression of Pool's current girlfriend when he is lured away.
Buggfa autographs the two tickets in the hopes the kids will treasure them always, and in so doing be unable to attend the show.
Buggfa: Here you go. [goes back to the door and slips them under]
Buggfa: Now beat it!
TBT fan snatches up the tickets, and shrieks with delight as she sees they are exactly what Buggfa promised.
TBT fan: Buggfa, you're the greatest!
Rapol grabs Snake's small hands in his and holds tightly.
TBT fan runs back down the hall, through the lobby and out the door. Donating can wait; she's got the world's best gossip.
Rapol: Can you forgive me being such a fool?
Wise Snake looks into Rapol's eyes searchingly.
Wise Snake's laterals lick against his skin, zlinning him a little deeper than would be possible without the contact.
Wise Snake: I can forgive you for not knowing what is going on... but don't doubt me, Rapol.
Rapol: ~~ shame, mortification, terminal embarrassment ~~
Rapol: I'm sorry.
Rapol: I promise.
Wise Snake's laterals shrink from the powerfully uncomfortable feelings.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Do you want to take a couple of days off from work? I'm afraid maybe I have been pushing you too hard. Especially recently.
Rapol: I....
Rapol: Perhaps, if you can spare me... but that isn't fair to Nick.
Nick weighs Rapol's need for time off against Snake's need for constant Donor support.
Nick: We can manage, if you require some time to yourself.
Nick: Just as you managed, when I was injured.
Jorgre walks down the hall whistling, chart in hand.
Rapol: That might be a good idea.
Rapol is barely whispering now.
Alea leans back against the sofa and rests her head against it.
Wise Snake: But you don't have to, if you don't want to.
Rapol: I think I would. Just a few.
Buggfa slips the pen back in his pocket and sighs, brushes off his disheveled duds.
Jorgre zlins a nervous Gen in the closest where they keep all their tentacled dummies for demonstration.
Buggfa looks around for a reflective surface to make sure his hair is looking appropriately shaboom.
Jorgre wonders what in the world a Gen would be doing in there with all of those dummies.
Jorgre slows and moves over to the door and turns the knob, only to find it locked.
Wise Snake: Ask Sky to get you anything you need.
Rapol nods.
Rapol: Thank you... Snake.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake hopes she didn't have to tell Rapol she expects him to take his time off very close to home... like in his room.
Jorgre knows they have no classes scheduled this morning and thinks perhaps he just got turned around.
Rapol: I'll get some sleep now. Try not to dream.
Jorgre taps on the door.
Jorgre: Uh..hello?
Buggfa jumps.
Buggfa thinks the guy sounds too old to be a fan.
Buggfa strides over to the door and jerks it open.
Jorgre zlins the person.
Jorgre: We aren't having any classes today. Perhaps I can help you find what you were looking for?
Buggfa stands there looking extremely dignified, then walks out of the closet with his head high radiating an obsessive need to appear cool at all times.
Nick is glad that he got a good night's sleep, because it appears that he won't get another for a while.
Buggfa: If you can find a channel to take my donation, that would be fine.
Buggfa tries to be cool about it.
Wise Snake watches Rapol leave and sighs.
Jorgre: Go up to the front desk. They'll give you some forms to fill out and then a channel will be along to take your donation.
Rapol gets back to his room and closes the door.
Rapol closes the curtains and curls up in the bed with his clothes still on.
Nick looks at Snake.
Nick: Do you think he'll be all right?
Wise Snake massages her forehead.
Wise Snake: I don't know.
Wise Snake: He had a... shock, after our transfer.
Wise Snake: I don't know if this is a result of that, or if it's all symptoms of something else.
Buggfa: Uh... thanks. [disgruntled]
Buggfa walks up to the lobby, scans the area for fans, then hurries for the door.
Jorgre nods, wondering what the Gen is disgruntled about and then goes on down the hall.
Alea sees Buggfa.
Alea starts to call out to him... but remembers what happened last time.
Nick: Well, maybe the time off will help him sort through his problems.
Nick: ~~ Gen optimism ~~
Alea stands and goes over to the desk to check Buggfa's file and is surprised to see he hasn't donated.
Wise Snake: I hope so.
Wise Snake seems distraught.
Alea drops the file and goes over to the door to try to catch Buggfa.
Buggfa is just slipping out the door, thinking he's made it clear.
Alea: Buggfa?
Buggfa tenses, then realizes it is one of the Sime Center staff.
Buggfa stops, eyes darting about uneasily.
Buggfa: Yes?
Alea: You didn't donate.
Eliza sits patiently.
Alea: Were you going to donate today?
Briel: I think your head is much better.
Briel is sitting in front of Eliza, zlinning the injury closely.
Eliza: It's fine [insistent] really.
Briel: Now, I want you to take this Fosebine to chase away any lasting pain... and then you can go work with Frutata and Lanyi.
Buggfa: Er I was... er... considering it....
Eliza: I bet he is sorer today when those drugs wear off. [smiles]
Buggfa: [on edge]
Briel reaches over to the glass of Fosebine and proffers it to Eliza with two tentacles.
Briel: Who? Groupie?
Briel: I wouldn't know.
Briel: The Tecton marshall has already taken him away.
Eliza shakes her head. "I can't take fosebine, Briel. It gives me the shakes"
Alea: I'm sure I can find you a Channel.
Alea: You don't have anything pressing, do you, that can't wait?
Briel studies Eliza, then finally nods.
Buggfa: Uh....
Briel: At the sign of any pain, come to one of us for help or lay down for a few minutes, understood?
Eliza: Yes, Briel.
Eliza thinks that Briel is like a mother hen.
Briel thinks Eliza is treating her like an old maid.
Eliza stands up.
Briel: Okay, then. You can go.
Briel stands and smiles.
Eliza: I'll see you tonight then?
Briel remembers last night... but thinks tonight will surely have to be better.
Briel: Yes.
Briel: I'll look for you.
Briel nods.
Alea: Let me just go look for someone.
Eliza trots off to look for Frutata.
Alea goes over to the desk to see where everyone is.
Briel sits down and starts her paperwork before going on duty in transfers.
Eliza: Hello again, Alea.
Buggfa tries to decide whether waiting in the lobby or out on the front walk is more risky.
Alea pauses.
Alea: Hi Eliza.
Alea: How is your head today?
Alea ~~ concern ~~
TBT fan: [teenage shrieking from the sidewalk]
Eliza rolls her eyes.
Eliza: It's FINE thanks.
Alea goes over and starts moving Eliza's hair around to examine it and see for herself.
Eliza looks at the door then back at Alea then at the door again.
Alea: You had us all very worried yesterday, dear.
Eliza sighs.
Alea: Head injuries are no light matter.
Alea probes gently.
Buggfa ducks hurriedly the rest of the way into the Sime Center.
Alea: You're right. It is looking much better.
Alea: You take it very easy today. Don't overextend yourself. Okay?
Alea ~~ mother hen ~~
Eliza jumps as Alea touches a sensitive spot.
Alea: Oh dear.... Do be careful, Eliza. Okay?
Buggfa sneaks away.
Eliza: It doesn't hurt if you don't poke it Alea!
Alea looks indignant.
Alea: Fine then.
Alea: Now....
Alea turns back, and sees Buggfa gone.
Alea: Where did he go!
Eliza points.
Alea sighs, disgusted.
Eliza: Down there, wasn't he suppose to?
Alea: I don't know.
Alea: This is ridiculous.
Alea: Well... I'm tired of waiting.
Alea: I'm going shopping.
Eliza remembers that she is suppose to be looking for Frutata and/or Lanyi.
Alea: If anyone happens to stop by, can you see they get that message?
Walter comes into the lobby. He is carrying a small broom head attached to the end of a long stick.
Alea heads out the front door to go shop.
Walter proceeds to dust the cobwebs off the roof, brushing dust and dead spiders onto the heads of everyone in the lobby.
Notes:
1) The Ferry Building, being designed as a public building and not a place of residence, has restrooms of a type suitable for office workers' daily use, and has no tubs. Also, although there is one sink with running water on the third floor, there is no working toilet there. Rather, there are "facilities" of a portable and temporary nature located on the first floor. From what follows (references to a desk and the door to the outside) she has evidently gone to the first floor. [return]
2) Wise Snake's player reports that the key to the front door is not kept in or near the door itself, but instead on the persons of those entrusted with it. [return]
3) This is where Alea goes back up to the 3rd floor. [return]