Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #22: Nick the Naked (In the Kingdom of Mr. BOOM) (6/18/98)
Wise Snake hasn't spoken a single word since leaving the site of the house's wreckage.
Wise Snake marches up to the City Hall and gestures for Nick (only) to accompany her.
Wise Snake: ~~snarl~~
Fountaine is in his office, enjoying the return to order (and the return of renSime votes with the appearance of the channel).
Nick hands the medicine satchel to Linn, then follows.
Fountaine thinks about the probable success of his next campaign.
Wise Snake ignores the reception area and barges into Fountaine's office.
Nick would be working to calm Snake down, if he weren't so upset himself.
Fountaine hears a commotion outside.
Fountaine: Who is it, Greean?
Fountaine sees Snake.
Fountaine: Oh, Hajene, it's you!
Fountaine: Welcome to my office.
Fountaine: Greean, the Tecton's representatives are welcome any time.
Wise Snake is looking ragged, wild-haired and shiny eyed, and in addition to this (her usual look) she is also sporting a coating of soot and a few dozen cuts and splinters.
Fountaine sends Snake an ingratiating smile.
Wise Snake: Fine. Great. Wonderful.
Fountaine slowly realizes that something might not be in order.
Fountaine: Is something wrong, Hajene?
Wise Snake: Now, what is the meaning of assigning us to a building that does not belong to the city?
Fountaine: ~~ concern ~~
Wise Snake: A building which, as it happens was condemned to be demolished by, as it happens, explosives!
Wise Snake punches his desk. [BAM]
Fountaine: ~~ shock ~~
Wise Snake: I can't work in this environment!
Fountaine: Explosives?
Wise Snake: I am a Farris Channel. I require peace, quiet and cleanliness.
Wise Snake: Not dynamite!
Fountaine: Of course, Hajene, of course.
Wise Snake is working herself up into a foaming rage.
Fountaine: Let me look into the matter.
Wise Snake wipes the foam off her mouth.
Fountaine: Greean!
Wise Snake: No wonder they lost their other channel. [mutters]
Wise Snake: The Tecton is going to hear about this.
Nick, taken aback by the foam, tries his best to calm Snake, at least a little.
Fountaine: Greean, could you bring me the latest building permits?
Wise Snake paces restlessly in front of Fountaine's desk.
Fountaine: Please, Hajene, have some tea and relax until we can get this straightened out.
Fountaine indicates the two overstuffed chairs in his office and the fancy tea service on a table nearby.
Wise Snake sits down abruptly on a chair.
Nick moves the other chair closer, then sits himself.
Wise Snake looks at Nick.
Wise Snake: Is it just me? Am I overreacting?
Wise Snake obviously doesn't expect a "yes" answer.
Wise Snake: Okay, so people go on with their lives, yes, yes, but dynamite? Dynamiting the channel's house?
Wise Snake: And with 5 minutes advance warning!
Nick looks down at his bare legs, and considers that he has now lost yet another pair of pants.
Nick: No, you're not overreacting.
Fountaine: Ah, here we are.
Wise Snake: What if we'd had sick patients in there? Shen, we DID have sick pa --- Nick, where are your pants?
Wise Snake: I thought I told you to grab all your stuff.
Fountaine takes the construction reports from his secretary.
Wise Snake remembers, on second recollection, that Nick had been asleep and therefore perhaps not the most qualified to remember all his things just then.
Wise Snake: Er....
Nick: I washed them last night. They were hanging up to dry.
Wise Snake: Inside, or outside?
Nick takes some trin to stimulate his thought processes.
Nick: On the porch.
Fountaine shuffles through the reports.
Wise Snake doesn't remember seeing them on the porch, and wonders if somebody had swiped them.
Fountaine: ~~ satisfaction at solving the problem ~~
Wise Snake makes a mental note to inspect the lower halves of all men about Nick's size in the next few days, in case they're fool enough to wear the stolen duds.
Wise Snake looks up sharply at Fountaine.
Wise Snake: Well?
Fountaine: It appears that the construction company made a mistake.
Wise Snake: What!
Fountaine: It was actually the building next door to Frooter's house which was scheduled for demolition.
Wise Snake: What!!
Wise Snake swells up like an enraged cat.
Wise Snake: I want to file a complaint!
Fountaine: I'm terribly sorry.
Wise Snake: Better yet, tell me who these people are and I'll take care of them myself.
Fountaine looks at the form.
Wise Snake's tentacles crawl in anticipation of curling around some people's necks.
Fountaine: It's, um, "Verli's Construction". The office is down on Third Street.
Wise Snake: What is going to be done about this?
Fountaine: I do apologize for the misunderstanding, and I will, of course, find another place for you and your party to work.
Fountaine wonders how much he can wring out of Verli for putting him in this embarrassing position.
Wise Snake seethes.
Wise Snake: Fine. And make it quick, because people are going not going to take this well, especially if there is a delay in gaining access to a channel's services.
Wise Snake stomps out of Fountaine's office.
Fountaine knows this full well.
Fountaine: Greean!
Nick follows Snake out of the building.
Nick feels a bit silly with his shirt tails flapping around his thighs, but notes that the rest of the party doesn't look much more respectable.
Wise Snake keeps marching, right over to 3rd street and looks around for Verli's Construction.
Wise Snake: Just wait until I get my hands on those....
Bubba is loading construction materials into a heavy-duty wagon.
Nick points at a sign across the street.
Nick: There?
Wise Snake: Ah....
Wise Snake marches in that direction.
Nick falls in at her side, trying to look professional.
Bubba heaves a bag of concrete into the wagon, augmenting slightly to manage the weight.
Wise Snake stops in front of Bubba.
Bubba starts on a stack of bricks, next.
Wise Snake: Excuse me, could you direct me to the owner of this company? This is Verli's, am I correct?
Bubba stops and blinks at Snake.
Bubba: Yah.
Bubba thinks that this is as good an excuse as any to stop working for a while, and puts down his bricks.
Bubba thinks over Snake's question.
Bubba: Verli ain't here yet.
Wise Snake is exuding ~~very very carefully controlled rage~~
Wise Snake: OK... where does he live?
Bubba scratches his head.
Bubba: Ummm....
Bubba: He don't like to be bothered at home.
Bubba thinks, "problem solved", and bends to pick up his bricks once more.
Wise Snake manages to restrain herself from shrieking, "neither do I!"
Bubba walks around Snake to put the bricks in the wagon.
Wise Snake turns to Bubba once again.
Wise Snake: Sir, if you don't tell me where he lives, I will be forced to use methods you may not appreciate.
Bubba: What?
Bubba has trouble with multi-syllabic words.
Wise Snake: I said, tell me where he lives or else!!
Wise Snake: ~irate~
Bubba: Oh.
Bubba considers at length.
Bubba: Nah, if I told you, he'd fire me.
Wise Snake: Tell me, what would happen to you if your boss looked really bad in front of the Mayor because you didn't wanna let me know where I can find him to tell him the bad news?
Wise Snake is careful to use only 2-syllable or smaller words.
Bubba: Uh....
Bubba has trouble with chain-of-thought, too.
Bubba works his way through the problem.
Wise Snake: Here I am, trying to help your boss out by warning him about a little trouble coming his way, and YOU are standing in the way of it.
Wise Snake: Hoo boy, I'd hate to be in your shoes when he finds out.
Bubba nods, sobered.
Bubba: He lives over on Seventh Street, in a big red house.
Bubba is well acquainted with it, since he helped build it.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Don't worry, you did the right thing.
Wise Snake: Come on, everybody.
Wise Snake: [to the others]
Wise Snake starts walking toward 7th street.
Wise Snake mutters under her breath about the tedium of spending time around people who don't already know and fear her.
Nick makes sympathetic noises, while projecting ~~ calm ~~ ~~ chilled legs ~~
Wise Snake continues in an outraged fashion down the street until she gets to the big red house.
Verli lays the plans out on the big table and cluck-clucks over some minor mistakes.
Verli gets out a big thick pencil and starts making corrections.
Verli: No no no, this goes here and that there. Why can't you people get it right?
Wise Snake signals at the door of the red house.
Verli: Oh shen, get the door.
Verli continues to frown at the plans, even though there is nothing really there to frown at.
Jassy thinks, "Saved by the signal!"
Jassy: Should I get that, boss?
Jassy goes to open the door.
Verli: Dunderhead! I said to get it!
Verli goes very red in the face.
Nick stands at Snake's side, adding Gen bulk to her Farris field control in what he hopes will be a suitably intimidating combination.
Jassy opens the door.
Jassy: Yeah?
Verli: I'm working with a pack of imbeciles!
Wise Snake: ~~smoldering rage barely hidden under a veneer of impatience~~
Wise Snake: Hello. May I please speak to Verli?
Jassy zlins Snake, and decides that they deserve each other.
Jassy: Sure. He's inna office.
Jassy sort of points the way.
Wise Snake: Nick... come on. The rest of you, we'll be back in just a bit.
Wise Snake walks in.
Verli zlins something very unusual at the door.
Verli realises that it's the new channel in town everyone is raving about.
Verli scowls as he realises that he might have to be polite to this one.
Wise Snake: Yes, I had a bit of a problem with one of your employees today.
Nick sticks by Snake's elbow as if pulled by a string tied to his nonexistent pants.
Verli: Oh yeah? Not surprising considering the bunch I have to work with.
Verli has heard about employer loyality, but doesn't believe in it.
Wise Snake: Ummh. Well, as it stands, the house I live in, and that all channelling functions for the entire town are carried out in, was blown up about an hour ago.
Wise Snake: In place of the house next door, for which the demolition permit was actually obtained.
Verli: Anyone hurt?
Verli thinks that's why they have insurance.
Wise Snake: No, although it is a miracle. The fellow didn't bother to warn us first, and the only reason we got out in time is I happened to notice him placing the explosives.
Verli: JASSSSS [Yells at top of his lungs]
Jassy hurries in.
Jassy: Yeah, boss?
Verli: [to the channel] what was the name of this idiot?
Verli: [to Jassy] get me a complaint form.
Jassy: Sure, boss.
Wise Snake: He didn't bother to introduce himself, but I could easily pick him out if I zlin him again.
Verli: Right. Someone's laterals are going to be in the fire for this! [and it ain't gonna be mine!]
Jassy goes over to Verli's desk and brings back one of the more elaborate pieces of paperwork outside of the Tecton.
Wise Snake nods.
Verli: What did you lose? Besides the house I mean.
Verli stares at Nicks lower regions.
Nick: My pants, for a start.
Verli takes the forms off Jassy.
Nick: ~~ extreme annoyance ~~
Verli: [to Jassy] Get this guy some pants before he freezes his balls off.
Wise Snake makes a mental note to get Nick new pants before they go anywhere else public.
Verli: [to Snake] Errr, pardon the language.
Wise Snake crosses off the mental note.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake has heard worse.
Verli thinks that as she is walking around with this bare arsed Gen in the first place a bit of language probably won't upset her anyway.
Jassy hurries away in search of appropriate ball-thawing attire.
Verli hands Snake the 20 page insurance claim form.
Verli: Fill this out. In the mean time tell Jass here what you need and we will get it for you.
Wise Snake looks at the form and hands it back to Verli.
Verli: No, you fill it out.
Wise Snake: Tell you what. You go ahead and handle this for me, I am sure you know the ins and outs of this particular industry better than I.
Wise Snake: And for my part, I'll be sure to let Mayor Fountaine know how cooperative you've been about this whole mixup.
Wise Snake: [Exactly how cooperative, she means]
Verli looks confused.
Verli: Look little lady. I don't know what you lost. I don't know who you are. We need to know these things if we are to replace them.
Jassy hurries back in with a pair of baggy overalls, covered with paint.
Jassy: Here, boss!
Verli: In the mean time we will find out how the mistake was made, and who we have to discipline for making it.
Jassy hands the well-used clothing to Verli.
Verli nods towards Nick the Naked Donor.
Wise Snake lets Verli know, in no uncertain nageric terms, that she doesn't appreciate cute names like "little lady".
Verli presses his lips together hard at the change in the ambient.
Wise Snake: I am not interested in playing whatever games are usually played around here after one's house gets blown up by accident. I am interested only in doing my job as a channel, and getting the hell out of here in a week when my replacement arrives.
Nick takes the overalls, wrinkling his nose at their aroma.
Nick: ~~ disgust ~~
Wise Snake: Now, do you think you can handle disciplining your employee or at the very least, getting him off the street so he is no longer a danger to the public?
Wise Snake: So that I can get back to work?
Verli: You don't want us to replace whatever you lost?
Verli figures that his channel must be crazy.
Wise Snake: Look, what we lost was hardly noticeable compared to the very real trauma of coming within 5 minutes of having been dynamited in our beds.
Nick steps reluctantly into the overalls, only to discover that they were made for a Sime of smaller dimensions.
Wise Snake: Not to mention that every renSime and sick person in town is going to be going to come there and find nothing but a crater, and this only days after that riot.
Verli: So what do you want in compensation?
Verli is really bamboozled now.
Wise Snake looks around.
Wise Snake: This will do nicely.
Wise Snake's tentacles flick out, indicating their current surroundings.
Verli: You need a place to stay and work at -- what?
Wise Snake: In clean condition, by tomorrow morning. Yes.
Verli: This is my house.
Verli: And my office.
Wise Snake: That should be sufficient... that, and a public apology.
Verli: You can't stay here!
Nick looks at the overalls, which end well above his ankles and don't have the length to fasten on top.
Wise Snake: It shouldn't be a problem, so long as you are not here also.
Nick gives up on the overalls.
Verli: Look, lets be reasonable. I'll look into the problem even if you won't fill out the forms. But until I have some proof that it was indeed one of my employees working under orders of my foreman I'm not accepting enough responsibility to let you stay here.
Nick modifies them by letting the top flap hang, and using one of the suspenders as a belt.
Verli: I'm sure the Mayor can set you up somewhere more central.
Verli: JAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!
Verli realises that Jass is right next to him.
Jassy is looking over the blueprints, in hopes of looking busy.
Jassy: Yea, boss?
Jassy: I was just lookin' at the blueprints here.
Jassy points.
Verli: Oh there you are. What are you sulking around for? Run down and organise somewhere for these folks to stay and work.
Jassy: Isn't that the wrong address?
Verli goes red in the face.
Verli: ~ blood pressure rises, stress factor high ~
Verli: Just do it!
Jassy: Sure, boss.
Jassy runs out.
Verli gasps and sits down.
Wise Snake: You know, you really ought to watch your stress levels. It can lead to reduced lifespan.
Verli: Tell me about it. If I didn't have such a mob of idiots working for me....
Verli mops his brow with a large handkerchief.
Wise Snake: When do you think I can get a zlin of your employees and pick out the guy?
Verli: Look, I'll do the best I can for you, but you can't stay here. I can't have a heap of Simes in need traipsing through the place. We run construction out the back, it wouldn't be safe.
Verli: Everyone gets together here after work, if you came by late this afternoon he would probably be here.
Wise Snake: I thought you ran construction out of the place on 3rd street.
Verli: We do. We have 3 sites in the area at the moment. More when we have a big job on.
Verli: Growing area, big market for builders.
Wise Snake: Fine... fine. But you see about finding us real housing and soon.
Verli: I'll find out why the mistake was made, don't you worry.
Wise Snake isn't about to trust Mayor Fountaine on that front, not for a 3rd time.
Wise Snake: You can contact us through the Mayor's office.
Wise Snake: Come on, Nick.
Wise Snake does a double take as she sees what he's wearing.
Nick shrugs helplessly.
Verli: Well, okay, tell you what. My sister's house is vacant at the moment, she took her family to Mospine while we were without a channel. You can stay there for the moment.
Wise Snake turns back to Verli.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake: Fine... where is it?
Verli: Hold on, I'll get the keys. [goes to a cupboard and rummages through some keys]
Verli: Here, 34 Nerb Street, just one block back from the town hall.
Wise Snake accepts the keys.
Verli: Treat it as your own. Use anything you want.
Verli: [it's not his house after all]
Wise Snake: This is much better.
Wise Snake: I will be around this evening to see your workers.
Verli nods and wipes his forehead again.
Verli: Sure, fine.
Wise Snake: And ah... you may want to consider coming in for an examination now and then. That stress can't be doing you any good.
Wise Snake, always vigilant for work opportunities.
Verli opens the door for them.
Verli: As soon as I can take the time I will do that.
Wise Snake nods and figures she can catch him and pin him down later if he doesn't.
Wise Snake turns and leaves.
Nick thinks it's only fair for Verli to provide Snake with work, after the upset he's caused.
Nick follows, flapping.
Wise Snake looks at Nick.
Wise Snake: Er....
Verli goes for a little lie down.
Nick looks down at the flapping flaps.
Wise Snake: Do you want to go buy some real pants somewhere?
Wise Snake looks at them all.
Wise Snake: Who has to buy clothes?
Wise Snake attempts to determine by physical inspection, but is ill-equipped for the job of determining what appropriate attire is.
Eliza looks at Linn's green dress with the burnt hole above the breast and puts her hand up.
Nick surveys their sorry crew.
Nick: I think we could all use a change or two.
Wise Snake looks at Tanzarra, who she knows arrived with no luggage, and nods.
Wise Snake: All right. Next order of business, clothes. Let's go back downtown.
Nick follows, flapping, hoping that not too many people see him like this.
Wise Snake looks down and realizes Nick requires a shoe also.
Eliza thinks that Nick always seems to end up in really tight pants.
Wise Snake glances at Tanzarra again, then pulls Eliza aside.
Wise Snake: Ah, Eliza, I'm a little worried about Tanzarra. Could you kind of, you know, keep an eye on her and such? I don't think having the shelter you found blown up minutes after your first transfer after the loss of your matchmate is considered good for a person.
Eliza is thrilled that Snake actually trusts her with this.
Eliza: Sure Snake! Anything in particular you want me to watch out for? She does seem really quiet.
Wise Snake: Just be there for her... be supportive. Don't push her into talking.
Wise Snake: If she asks you to leave her alone, leave her alone. But until then, just kind of make sure she doesn't get left alone.
Eliza nods seriously.
Eliza: I'll just stay close and support her a lot.
Wise Snake: Great.
Wise Snake puts the matter temporarily from her mind.
Eliza tries to keep the ~utter joy~ our of her nager.
Wise Snake: Okay everybody, keep an eye out for a clothing store. [as they enter the town's pitiable shops area]
Eliza is too busy concentrating on Tanzarra to even try to look at shops.
Wise Snake keeps walking until Linn points out a likely clothing store and then heads in that direction.
Umber takes the pins out of her mouth and puts them back in the pin cushion.
Wise Snake enters the store, the rest of the gang trooping in behind.
Umber is a Gen in her early 50's.
Wise Snake: Hello. [to the clerk]
Umber: Hello there. [big smile] What can I do for you folks today?
Wise Snake: We're looking to buy a couple of changes of clothing apiece.
Umber runs an expert eye over them.
Umber: Off the rack or were you wanting something made?
Wise Snake: Off the rack if possible.
Wise Snake notes that the others are already starting to inspect the racks.
Umber: Of course, well you are welcome to brows as much as you like.
Umber: Men's over there, women's over there, and children's, well, you don't need children's do you?
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake thinks, thank goodness!!
Umber: Would you like some help? Or would you like to just be left be?
Umber knows that some people like help and other resent it.
Wise Snake had to abandon her black cloak a while back as too conspicuous, and now sees a nice satiny dark gold one hanging behind the counter.
Wise Snake: Say, that's a nice cloak. Is that for somebody in particular, or for sale?
Umber: Oh deary me, well, it was for someone, but I don't think they are going to want it now.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Umber: Are you the new channel in town? I haven't see you around before.
Wise Snake: Sort of. I'm covering the channeling duties until your new channel arrives.
Wise Snake: Should only be another week or so, from what I hear.
Wise Snake hopes it's much longer, of course.
Umber: Ah, so you are Hajene Farris! I have heard so much about the Farrises of course.
Wise Snake: Er... is that so?
Umber: Now about this cloak. It's for sale I guess, it was for the last Channel we had, but he left rather quickly.
Wise Snake thinks, "I'm not surprised"
Wise Snake: May I try it on?
Umber: Of course!
Umber: It will go wonderfully with your black, er, hair.
Wise Snake smoothes back her outrageous Farris mane rather self-consciously.
Umber is embarrassed to find she had been going to say "fur".
Cloak digs into the lady and smells awful.
Umber: It's a bit musty I'm afraid. Nothing a good airing wouldn't fix!
Wise Snake accepts the cloak from Umber and tries it on.
Wise Snake sneezes at the smell.
Wise Snake: Ummmh... excuse me.
Wise Snake sneezes again.
Wise Snake: What is this made from?
Umber: 20 percent wool, 20 percent cotton and something else.
Wise Snake: Ah... it's the wool.
Wise Snake removes the cloak regretfully.
Cloak emits more odour.
Wise Snake passes it back to Umber.
Umber looks disappointed.
Wise Snake: I'm allergic.
Wise Snake rubs her running eyes.
Umber: We have more cloaks over there.
Umber: I am sorry about that.
Wise Snake: Thag yu.
Wise Snake goes over to the other cloaks.
Umber: I'll just let you browse then.
Wise Snake tries on various cloaks, after inspecting the labels of their contents.
Note pokes out of a cloak pocket.
Wise Snake inspects herself in the mirror, trying to find one what makes her look impressively dashing and heroic without accentuating her more feral aspects.
Wise Snake spots a piece of paper and pulls it out of the pocket of one of the cloaks.
Wise Snake reads it.
Note: "BEFORE THE NEW CHANNEL ARRIVES BE SURE TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE MAYOR."
Note unfolds.
Note: "AND MAKE HIM APPEAR CONVINCING!"
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake slips the note into her own pocket.
Wise Snake tries on the cloak the note was in, studying the mirror, then nods.
Wise Snake checks on the progress of the others, then goes to the ladies racks and dutifully picks out 2 changes of reasonable work clothes.
Umber returns to her work bench.
Eliza thinks carefully then picks out two pairs of strong good quality work type pants and 3 brightly coloured shirts. She looks at Tanzarra and hands her a similar bundle.
Wise Snake sees everybody else is ready, and goes up to the counter to pay.
Mr. B barges into the store.
Umber: Oh you did choose quickly! Lets see, what have you got Oh! Mr. B!
Umber drops everything and rushes forward to the angry man.
Umber wrings her hands together.
Wise Snake starts to pull out a wad of money, then instinctively jams it back in her pocket as somebody barges in.
Umber: What brings you to my humble store?
Wise Snake's ears prick up at the name "Mr. B", recognizing it as the name of the fellow whose house was supposed to have been blown up... next door to Frooter's.
Mr. B: Hello, Umber, it's always a pleasure.
Mr. B brushes past Umber.
Mr. B: So, [to Snake] you are the new channel.
Umber: Oh dear!
Wise Snake: Er... yes, I am standing in until your new channel arrives.
Eliza quickly encases Tanzarra in a "bubble of silence" [ambient-wise] and leads her away from the confrontation.
Mr. B: I hear you are having problems finding accommodation here.
Wise Snake: The problems have had more to do with losing accommodations than finding them, however the problem seems to have been temporarily resolved...?
Mr. B: Oh it has ?
Mr. B frowns.
Wise Snake: We will be staying in Verli's sister's house for now.
Wise Snake: As she is out of town.
Mr. B: There is a lovely little town about an hour's ride from here, I hear they have splendid rooms available.
Mr. B: We don't have much room here, do we Umber?
Umber: Oh dear! [wring wring]
Wise Snake isn't sure she quite gets what Mr. B is getting at.
Wise Snake: Er....
Wise Snake: Well, as I say, an accommodation has been found....
Mr. B: Oh is that right ?
Wise Snake is starting to think along the lines of paying, and getting the heck out of the store.
Wise Snake pushes the purchases a little closer to Umber.
Umber looks helplessly at Mr. B.
Mr. B: I was thinking that it may be more in our interests if we just made do until our own channel arrives.
Wise Snake looks at him in dumbfoundment.
Wise Snake: You preferred the rioting?
Wise Snake: People locked up in their homes, people dying of attrition? That sort of thing?
Mr. B: I mean we can't trust just anyone with our town.
Eliza puts her hand on Tanzarra's arm, worried about the fact that the channel is so unresponsive.
Mr. B rehashes the newspaper article in his mind.
Wise Snake: You can't trust just anybody with explosives either, or so it seems.
Mr. B: Nothing personal, but I am not sure that this town will have what you are looking for.
Wise Snake: It probably doesn't. However, this is hardly an issue; we will be gone within the week in any case.
Mr. B beckons Snake closer.
Wise Snake: In the meantime, a channel's services are required, Mr. B, and I intend to provide them.
Wise Snake stays right where she is.
Wise Snake doesn't like Mr. B's vibe.
Mr. B comes straight out with it. "I know all about you, we don't need your type here."
Wise Snake's eyebrows raise.
Wise Snake: And what type is that?
Mr. B produces his copy of the "Tecton Times" and holds it up.
Wise Snake: It is true, a Farris channel is overkill for a town this size... egads!!
Mr. B: It's you, isn't it!
Wise Snake: Er...
Wise Snake: Yes.
Wise Snake's heart starts pounding after the initial shock.
Umber: Oh dear!
Wise Snake: I mean... no.
Wise Snake: Of course not.
Eliza tries to keep herself centered, but it's getting damn hard!
Mr. B: And just how did you plan to disrupt us here, do you think all town folk are that naive?
Wise Snake: Actually, I'm just here to provide channel's services until your replacement channel shows up.
Mr. B: Oh, so your friends support your actions, I see.
Wise Snake: And, I arrived just in time it seems - the town was rioting... huh?
Wise Snake: What are you talking about, my "friends"?
Mr. B: We need safety and support, seems to me the rioting is a better option than what a rogue channel could do.
Wise Snake: Oh? Just what is it you think I've been doing here?
Mr. B dislikes all Simes and channels are worse.
Mr. B: Its not a matter of what you HAVE done, so much as what you will if we allow your type here.
Wise Snake looks a bit exasperated.
Wise Snake: I'm leaving in a week anyway. Why get your underwear in a bunch over nothing?
Wise Snake: Your town is safe from rioting, your renSimes have their selyn, your donors are being paid for donating, and the entire town is disease free.
Wise Snake: Now, is that so bad?
Wise Snake actually is not 100% sure about the disease-free bit... was planning on starting a house-by-house search for more patients tomorrow.
Mr. B turns to Umber. "I think it's about time you closed for the day.
Mr. B: Perhaps, but just what are you setting us up for?
Mr. B: I read this, you know. [shakes the article in the air]
Wise Snake: Whatever it is, it couldn't possibly be any worse than being murdered by a dynamite-scattering fool under the pay of the likes of you.
Wise Snake: The things I did in Bender Cove helped the people of that city.
Umber hurries to the front door and closes it and puts the "closed" sign in it.
Mr. B: You have been outcast by your own people. Why would we want you?
Wise Snake: If you'll notice, the Tecton did nothing about me while I was there... because I was doing good.
Wise Snake laughs harshly.
Mr. B: Did he murder anyone? I think not, I see you are trying to divide us with your lies already.
Wise Snake: My people? You mean Zeor? They've crawled back to me many times since then. I refused their invitations.
Wise Snake: And don't bother telling me I am lying, when I know the truth.
Wise Snake: I saw the permits at the Mayor's office, and I'll be picking out your accomplice at Verli's tonight.
Umber: Oh dear!
Mr. B: So you say, well I can assure you that we won't "beg" for your return, so just go and leave us be.
Wise Snake: I will, when the time comes.
Mr. B turns and storms out of the store.
Wise Snake: Hmmm....
Umber wrings her hands in anguish.
Wise Snake: Mind telling me what that was all about? [to Umber]
Umber: I errr... I think you should leave! I don't want any trouble.
Umber: ~ fear ~
Wise Snake: Who was that man?
Umber: That man is Mr. B! He practically owns the town.
Umber: His father use to run the Gen auctions here. Very wealthy people.
Wise Snake: I see. [not too impressed]
Mr. B heads straight to his workman's house [growls] "We'll see who stays at Verli's sister's house."
Wise Snake: Well, when he left, all the trouble ended. You may as well ring us up and get a purchase for your trouble.
Umber: I'm not sure that I can.
Umber: I really think I'd better not!
Mr. B finishes his business with workman and storm of in search of Verli.
Wise Snake looks at Umber.
Umber: ~ fear ~
Wise Snake: OK... I can see that further action is necessary on my part.
Wise Snake thinks, and research.
Umber: ~ growing into terror ~
Umber: Please don't hurt me!
Umber: I'm sorry, I just can't!
Mr. B pounds on a door. "Verli, open up!"
Wise Snake looks at Umber incredulously.
Verli opens the door.
Wise Snake: What makes you think I'd hurt you? I'm a channel.
Verli: What?
Verli: Oh! It's you Mr. B!
Verli: Please come in!
Wise Snake: If you want to believe what it said in that newspaper article, you'd better read it yourself.
Umber: I'm sorry, please leave. [scurries out the back]
Umber locks herself in the back room.
Wise Snake looks at the others and shrugs.
Wise Snake: Well, she really leaves us little choice.
Wise Snake passes the clothing back to her people, then leaves some money on the counter.
Eliza looks longingly at the clean fresh clothes.
Wise Snake: Come on, let's get out of here.
Wise Snake: Eliza, what are you doing? Get your clothes and come on.
Eliza happily picks up her clothes and Tanzarra's and leads the unresponsive channel out.
Mr. B stays outside and pushes a large wad of notes at Verli. "Here, take this."
Verli takes it.
Verli: She was here this morning.
Verli: I didn't know what to do.
Mr. B: Who was here ?
Verli: That channel.
Verli is so nervous.
Verli: ~ shaking ~
Mr. B: Doesn't matter, give this to your sister. I just bought her house.
Verli: You what...?
Verli: I can't sell my sister's house!
Verli quickly counts the money.
Verli: Oh, yes I can.
Verli: Congratulations, you just brought a house.
Verli looks much happier.
Mr. B turns and leaves.
Mr. B mutters "I'll blow up every house in town if I have to "
Wise Snake frowns, then continues down the street to the stable where their horses were housed.
Eliza keeps back a bit, holding Tanzarra's arm.
Eliza: Everything will be okay. You see, Snake is very good at what she does.
Eliza doesn't elaborate on exactly what it is Snake "does" but it seems to include getting into trouble lately.
Wise Snake enters the stables and, after talking briefly with the stable's manager and paying up their bill, goes into the stable proper.
Wise Snake speaks quietly to Nick.
Wise Snake: I'd like you to take the others and ride out for about two hours, then come back.
Wise Snake: Here's some money to buy something to eat, and a little extra for emergencies.
Wise Snake: When you get back, meet me at the Town Hall, okay?
Wise Snake: I know. I'll be fine. Just go on. I'll see you in a little while.
Eliza looks questioningly at Nick and Snake as they lead out the horses, including Trigger whose leg is all better.
Eliza is relieved when Tanzarra mounts Flossie without asking any questions.
Eliza leads Trigger over to Snake before she gets on.
Eliza: Are you going to be okay Snake?
Wise Snake: Yes, of course.
Wise Snake nods.
Eliza: ~ worry ~
Wise Snake: I just have a little business I have to take care of, here in town.
Eliza: Without us?
Wise Snake: Yes. It is for the best.
Eliza: Without Nick?
Wise Snake's eyes flicker.
Wise Snake: Yes. Without Nick.
Eliza looks doubtful.
Eliza: Well, all right. Please be careful.
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake: [nods]
Wise Snake: I will see you in a short time.
Eliza climbs up onto Trigger and rides over to Nick and the others.
Eliza turns and waves, her concern obvious.
Wise Snake wonders how Eliza will choose to explain "the article" to Tanzarra, and hopes Eliza will handle it properly.
Wise Snake watches until they are out of sight, and then zlins to make sure they leave town.
Eliza rides close to Tanzarra's side, trying to keep upbeat and positive.
Wise Snake then turns and walks back to Umber's shop.
Umber has locked the front door.
Umber: [orders from Mr. B are always to be obeyed]
Wise Snake tries the front door, then zlins for Umber's location within.
Umber is in the back room trying to work but mostly shaking.
Wise Snake looks and zlins about the quiet street, then pulls out her picks and goes to work on the front door.
Wise Snake sighs for memories of the Bender Cove Sime Center, which for all of its other problems was remarkably devoid of dynamite-wielding heavies.
Umber tries to cut the material, but stops when she sees the wavy line she actually cut.
Umber: Oh dear.
Umber sits down on the seat and gives way to tears.
Wise Snake slips inside the darkened shop and relocks the door behind her.
Umber pulls a piece of material closer and uses it to blow her nose.
Umber: Life goes on... if you are lucky.
Wise Snake leans on Umber's doorway.
Umber thinks she hears something and stops sniffling to listen.
Wise Snake studies the woman, visually and nagerically.
Umber jumps with shock.
Umber: What are you doing here! I thought I locked the door.
Umber: ~ fear ~
Umber is high [general class] field, obviously hasn't donated for awhile.
Wise Snake: Don't worry. Nobody knows I'm here.
Wise Snake: I'd like to ask you a few questions. About... Mr. B.
Umber doesn't find that terribly reassuring.
Umber: He will kill me if he finds I've spoken to you!
Wise Snake: Then you had better not tell him.
Wise Snake: Who is he?
Umber: You aren't going to hurt me?
Wise Snake: So far as I know, I have no reason to hurt you.
Umber: He is Mr. B. The richest man in the area. Owns most of the town, and most of the townspeople, one way or another.
Wise Snake: I see. And how did he become the richest man in the area?
Umber: His people have always been rich. Before the Unity wars they ran the choice Gen auctions. Bought most of the choice Gens themselves, sold them on.
Wise Snake: Ah. ~distaste~
Umber: You know what? [leans forward to whisper] He still does.
Wise Snake: And who are his enemies? Why does he feel so insecure that he must bomb the houses of channels?
Wise Snake pauses.
Umber nods, her eyes sparkling with madness.
Wise Snake: Still sells Gens?
Umber: Oh yes, Pen gens, ten gens, men gens, can gens?
Umber smiles.
Wise Snake realizes the woman has slipped off the deep end.
Umber: There are rings you know.
Umber: Frooter knows all about it.
Umber: You ask Frooter.
Wise Snake has never trusted information from mad people, as you can never tell if it's truth or lie they tell. They might believe anything.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake: Well. Who in this town dares speak out against Mr. B?
Umber eyes widen with horror.
Umber: No one! Well there was Torance, the newspaper editor, but he died... he died.
Wise Snake: Surely there must be some fool, or wild young man, who dares.
Umber: It isn't safe you know.
Wise Snake: Who.
Wise Snake stares at Umber intensely.
Umber thinks.
Umber: I know who doesn't like him!
Wise Snake will be damned if she doesn't get the name of someone sane to grill about Mr. B.
Wise Snake is surprised that anybody DOES.
Wise Snake: Who?
Umber: But I don't know if I should tell you.
Umber: I mean, you might tell them that I told you.
Umber: I was to be a choice kill you know. I was beautiful then.
Wise Snake looks at Umber closely.
Wise Snake: Yet you live.
Umber: He use to say "Life goes on... if you are lucky"
Umber: Every night he would say it. Every night.
Umber: Clenif doesn't like him. Clenif is brave.
Wise Snake: Where can I find Clenif?
Umber: But Clenif is Gen ~ sorrow ~
Umber: You now what happens if there is no channel don't you?
Umber: Mr. B has a market now, but if there were no channel....
Workman dismounts and begins to get the dynamite from the crate.
Umber: Find Clenif? Is he lost already?
Umber wails.
Umber: Poor Clenif! I knew it would happen! Oh the poor boy.
Wise Snake: Where does he live? [sharply]
Wise Snake is dismayed by the woman's weepy insanity.
Workman positions the sticks where they will have the most effect.
Umber: He lives? Oh I thought they had him.
Umber: He works at the general store. You might find him there.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake: Very good.
Umber looks at Snake clearly for a moment.
Umber: You won't tell anyone you came here will you? You know what would happen to me don't you?
Wise Snake: I have no reason to tell anybody. Nobody saw me enter.
Workman knocks on the door to make sure noone is inside.
Umber quickly takes Snake's hand and kisses it.
Umber: Please stop him.
Wise Snake: ~surprise~
Wise Snake allows it, though her instinct had been to leap back.
Umber: I haven't met many channels, but you seem to be good people.
Wise Snake: For the most part, we are.
Wise Snake: A channel cannot survive without being a compassionate person.
Workman looks over his work one last time.
Umber keeps clinging to the hand.
Workman lights the fuse.
Workman runs for cover.
Wise Snake: Er... what is your name?
Umber: Umber.
Wise Snake: Ah... Umber, rest assured, I will do whatever I can to make things right.
Umber kisses the captured hand again.
Umber: Thank you.
Umber: If you go out the back way, they might not see you.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake withdraws her hand carefully, and slips out the back way.
Workman feels the dust fill the air as the dynamite detonates.
Wise Snake flinches as a loud boom echoes over the rooftops, evidently coming from several blocks away.
Wise Snake sighs, and walks toward the general store.
Eliza hears the distant rumble of the explosion and fears for Snake.
Wise Snake looks and zlins about carefully, then enters the store.
Clenif is dusting the shelves.
Wise Snake walks up to a likely looking employee.
Clenif is a Gen in his early 20's.
Wise Snake: Excuse me, [casual, but not loud, voice] I'm looking for Clenif?
Clenif turns and examines the small person.
Clenif: You've found him. What can I do for you?
Wise Snake: Is there someplace private we could speak?
Clenif frowns.
Clenif: Sure, hold on a minute.
Clenif heads out the back, tells a fellow employee that he is taking a break, removes his apron and returns.
Clenif: Come out the back with me, we have a bit of a garden where we sit for lunch.
Wise Snake follows, taking careful note of the surroundings.
Workman grabs a hammer, nails and some papers out of his cart.
Clenif leads the way into the garden and sits at a rather grubby table.
Clenif: What can I do for you?
Wise Snake sits across from him, maintaining a constant awareness of the nagers within her range.
Workman finds a suitable tree and nails the paper to it.
Clenif is relaxed and has a natural [or is it learnt?] control.
Wise Snake: Ah... yes. I was wondering if you could tell me about Mr. B.
Clenif blinks.
Clenif: Sure. Lives in a big house up the hill, rich dude, what do you want to know for?
Workman finds an other tree and does the same.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Workman erects the papers on houses and buildings everywhere.
Wall: 'POST NO BILLS'
Wise Snake: Perhaps you are not who I had hoped you'd be.
Workman rips down the "post no bills" sign and replaces it with his own.
Clenif: Don't know who you hoped I'd be.
Wise Snake: I am sorry for having taken your time.
Wise Snake gets up.
Clenif: Hold on!
Clenif: Why were you asking?
Workman bang the nails in harder this time as a show of contempt.
Clenif: Why should I trust you?
Wise Snake looks down at him.
Wise Snake considers.
Wise Snake: I may be able to do something about him.
Wise Snake: If you can demonstrate to me that it is in my best interests to do so, I will.
Wise Snake really means, if he can demonstrate that it is in the town's best interests.
Clenif: How can I know you aren't his spy?
Wise Snake pauses, then opens the medical satchel [turning to hide its other contents] and carefully pulls out the copy of the Tecton Time she'd been clutching when the house blew up.
Wise Snake turns back and hands it to him.
Wise Snake: I've only been in town here two days. Not near long enough to do anything but earn his enmity.
Wise Snake: And that unintentionally.
Clenif takes the paper and quickly scans the article.
Clenif: This is you? [taps paper]
Wise Snake: It was.
Wise Snake: This is what he read, that decided him on the course of dynamiting the spare housing in the town.
Wise Snake: I would like to know what he is, that he finds me such a threat.
Clenif: We couldn't trust Frooter you know.
Wise Snake takes back the paper and sits down again.
Wise Snake: Go on.
Clenif: Well, I guess I've said enough already to earn me a visit from his squad, so I may as well trust you.
Clenif: Mr. B keeps his family tradition well. I don't know how it is in the towns where the Tecton has a hold, but small places like this, not near a Householding or a Center, well, not much has changed underneath.
Clenif: Everything looks good on the surface, but you wouldn't have to zlin far to find juncts.
Mr. B barges in the door. "Umber, where are you?"
Clenif: Too many were too old to disjunct.
Umber runs to the front door and opens it.
Umber: ~ fear ~
Umber: Mr B.!
Clenif shrugs.
Mr. B: What have you been saying about us?
Umber: Nnnnothing!
Wise Snake: It's been 30 years. All the old juncts should be dead.
Clenif: Mr. B keeps the town under his control by threatening the Gens and the Simes both.
Wise Snake hadn't zlinned large numbers of juncts in town.
Clenif: They aren't, and there are younger juncts too. Channels are too few and far between for there to be anything less.
Wise Snake: Where are they all, then?
Clenif: You won't find them in the middle of town. They tend to form their own communities.
Wise Snake wonders if this Mr. B has made the Gens believe there are more juncts than there really are.
Clenif: I imagine that Mr. B is pretty keen to get you out of town before you discover them.
Clenif: He did a job on Frooter. Work in "partnership" with him for awhile, then, when Frooter started getting greedy...
Clenif: They told us he left. Just up and left in the middle of the night?
Mr. B: I hope that rogue channel hasn't got you believing her pathetic little story.
Mr. B: You read the article I trust?
Umber: I haven't spoken to her! Honest!
Umber: ~ lying ~
Mr. B towers over Umber.
Umber: Article?
Mr. B: You know better than to lie to me Umber, I have no patience for this.
Wise Snake: You say Mr. B took out Frooter?
Mr. B: Now what have you told her ?
Wise Snake: What does Mr. B do that helps the town?
Clenif: Helps the town?
Clenif laughs humorlessly.
Wise Snake: Surely he does something that benefits the town, or the town wouldn't put up with him.
Wise Snake: You saw the article, Bender Cove put up with me because I gave back more than I took, on balance.
Clenif: He doesn't help the town. He owns the town. Almost every building. And there isn't one person who doesn't owe him something one way or another.
Wise Snake: And the people are too apathetic to leave? Or to do anything about him?
Mr. B grabs Umber by the scruff of her neck and pulls her close. "Tell me now."
Wise Snake is not sure whether she'd fight for people that apathetic.
Clenif: Well, most are happy with things, they don't know of any other way.
Clenif: It's the way it's always been you see.
Wise Snake: Ah. You say most are happy?
Clenif: The ones that aren't, well they are too scared.
Clenif: There are a few who make a break for it.
Wise Snake: Break for it?
Clenif: They used the excuse that we had no channel to pack up their families and leave.
Clenif: You don't think he is going to just let people go do you?
Wise Snake: Why not?
Clenif: Cause they would talk of course.
Wise Snake: He has no allies in the nearest towns?
Clenif: That's why he doesn't want a Tecton channel here.
Clenif: Only a matter of time before the Tecton gets around to checking out places like this.
Clenif: Then it's "goodbye Mr B."
Clenif: I think you will find there is a Mr. B or equivalent in most of the small towns in this area.
Clenif: Us Gens just keep our noses clean and hope.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow as she considers the long wait Mayor Fountaine's letter complained of, and suspects District Controller Suvis, or someone in his office, is in Mr. B's bribe book.
Clenif: "Life goes on... if you are lucky."
Clenif: Some of us, luckier then some, have learnt a thing or two.
Wise Snake: Most of the small towns?
Wise Snake finds this difficult to believe.
Clenif: I can't say for sure.
Clenif: Tell me, is it true that a Sime can't kill a Gen unless the Gen lets them?
Wise Snake: Do you think if Mr. B was gone another would simply step in to fill his place?
Clenif leans forward hopefully.
Wise Snake: A Sime can't kill a Gen unless the Gen resists.
Wise Snake: And most untrained Gens have a difficult time not resisting.
Clenif: Hmmmm. If Mr. B were gone I guess the juncts would have to come out of the woodwork and hunt for themselves.
Wise Snake: How many of these juncts do you personally know about?
Clenif: Ah. Would you be open to the idea of helping to train the Gens in town?
Wise Snake: I mean, do you have proof that they exist?
Clenif: I'm not a Sime. I wouldn't know a junct unless one pounced on me.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake: Really I don't think they are as common as you say.
Mr. B drags the uncooperative Umber off to the small back room, throws her in and locks the door.
Clenif: The only proof I need is what I see. People disappearing - always Gens.
Wise Snake: I have zlinned many, many renSimes since coming here.
Wise Snake: There may be another explanation for the missing Gens.
Wise Snake: As for training Gens... it doesn't work that way.
Clenif: All the ones that came to you are use to the channels services.
Clenif: Lady you don't believe me. I don't have to be Sime to see that.
Clenif: I think that you are probably not real safe here in town. I don't think any Tecton Channel would be.
Wise Snake: I have to believe my own senses. I rode in one end of town and have been clear through all the way to Frooter's house and have not been zlinning juncts.
Umber squeaks.
Wise Snake: Clenif, you don't have to tell me.
Wise Snake: I can handle myself.
Wise Snake: I wouldn't even be here talking to you if I didn't already know there was a problem.
Wise Snake: Now, can you tell me where these enclaves of juncts are supposed to be?
Clenif: If you are asking for a solution I don't think there is a quick one.
Wise Snake: Can you tell me where Mr. B's house is?
Clenif: Yes, that I can tell you.
Wise Snake glares at Clenif.
Wise Snake is becoming impatient with his trying to think for her.
Wise Snake: Good.
Mr. B bolts out of the house sweat pouring down his brow.
Mr. B thinks he is getting way too much exercise today.
Clenif: Well, B's house won't tell you anything, but if you ride out of town in a westerly direction for about 1/2 hour and zlin around. Then come back and tell me I'm wrong.
Clenif: For that matter if you go south there is a new group of buildings going up too. I didn't hang around.
Wise Snake: Where is Mr. B's house? [again]
Clenif: Uptown, expensive place. Just look for the biggest house on top of the biggest hill in that direction [points]
Wise Snake nods, and stuffs the newspaper back in the medical satchel.
Wise Snake: Thank you for your time.
Clenif: It was nice meeting you. Sorry it couldn't have been under other circumstances.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Mr. B bangs on the workman's door.
Wise Snake looks and zlins about, then slips out and walks back to the stables.
Wise Snake continues to look and zlin about in a hyperaware fashion.
Mr. B: As the door opens Mr. B hands over another set of orders "just hurry up with this one OK?"
Workman takes the paper and scratches his head. "All this in one day?"
Wise Snake saddles Freelance and rides out of town toward the South.
Workman realises he will get no answer as he sees Mr. B turn and hurry off down the road.
Wise Snake zlins about carefully, looking for the new construction Clenif had mentioned.
Wise Snake is also wary of anybody on the road, particularly from behind.
Workman gets the horses going and starts toward yet another job.
Foreman consults some notes.
Foreman points some things out and then heads back to the temporary shed for some trin.
Wise Snake comes riding along the road.
Wise Snake spots the site and stops Freelance, zlinning it carefully from the road.
Workman stops outside his latest destination.
Foreman: ~ nonjunct renSime in good health ~
Workman gets to work again distributing the dynamite.
Foreman: ~ group of renSimes working, and yes, there are a few juncts amongst them ~
Foreman: [not many, one, maybe two]
Workman makes a note to get more supplies before the next job.
Wise Snake thinks one or two juncts isn't a town full, but the explosions were more than enough to convince her that Mr. B is a bad guy of one kind or another.
Wise Snake decides to ride back into town and try heading 1/2 hour to the west as Clenif had also suggested.
Foreman zlins a strong field on the road above and heads out to investigate.
Wise Snake turns Freelance around.
Workman performs his traditional knock on the door to make sure noone is inside.
Foreman stands and watches the person ride away on the large black horse.
Wise Snake decides against cutting through town and instead chooses a course around its outskirts, keeping to dirt roads.
Wise Snake rides westward once she reaches the main road out of town again.
Workman lights a match.
Umber hears the person knock and hides.
Workman lights the fuse and hides behind the cart.
Workman thinks he is getting too old for this much work in one day.
Workman shakes his head after this last blast to get the ringing out.
Workman chuckles. "Oh, Mr. B owes me big time for today's effort."
Mr. B trembles as he hears this last blast.