Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #57: Loyal Minions (8/8/98)
Wise Snake has finally (after 3 or 4 days) taken a nap.
Eliza sneaks around so not to wake Snake
Wise Snake is sprawled face down in a room of the hotel, oblivious to the world's problems (and her own for that matter).
Wise Snake has been that way for at least 2 hours.
Eliza: ~ don't wake Snake, be very very quiet ~
Eliza is reading this great book she found "The Way of the Nager"
Eliza: [a fascinating book on nageric self defence]
Eliza can't wait to try it.
Wise Snake mutters in her sleep as Eliza's nager moves about.
Wise Snake: Unn.... no... Richard... don't go in there....
Wise Snake tosses, winding the sheets more firmly around her.
Eliza looks up at Snake.
Eliza: ~ worry ~
Wise Snake: ..the green ones. No... yes, with the red stripe.
Wise Snake: ... take the, the, [unintelligible].. and anyway,.....
Eliza strains to hear what Snake is talking about.
Eliza tiptoes over to the bed to hear better.
Wise Snake's breathing comes unevenly.
Eliza: ~ curious ~
Wise Snake: .... don't go in there.
Eliza: [softly] In where, Snake?
Wise Snake's face contorts with effort.
Wise Snake: ... the, the building. White building.
Eliza: ~ confused ~
Eliza: White building? Why?
Wise Snake: ...dangerous. Can't go in. You can't see them....
Wise Snake's voice is slurred.
Eliza: ~ soothing ~
Eliza: It's all right Snake, you are safe.
Wise Snake's voice degenerates as the soothing nager sends her farther toward real sleep.
Wise Snake: Uhhmmmmmble mfflmm.
Eliza waits a few seconds then goes back over to her book.
Eliza reads, "One can only really control the enemy when one has complete control of self. Self mastery leads to mastery of others."
Eliza isn't really sure she was cut out to "master others" but still, it's a fascinating book.
Tanzarra returns from the shops with some food. Eliza should be happy with the variety she has chosen.
Lontierre signals at the door.
Eliza: "The mastery of self is a lifelong process. Only..." Oh shen, the door.
Eliza puts her book down and hurries across to the door.
Lontierre: Hello, this is the management....
Eliza: [opening door a few inches, whispers] Yes????
Lontierre: Ah, yes, good morning.
Lontierre had to check his watch to make sure it was still really morning.
Tanzarra sees someone at the door and hurries to get in before the door is shut again.
Lontierre: I am afraid we'll have to ask you to leave.
Lontierre: I'm terribly sorry about this, but we were surprised by very important visitors and we're clearing this entire floor.
Lontierre looks apologetic but sounds firm.
Eliza: I'm sorry, we can't leave. We have a very important Farris channel in here, asleep.
Eliza: ~ determined ~
Eliza: I won't wake her, she has been working for days without rest.
Eliza: I'm sorry.
Eliza starts to shut the door.
Tanzarra: Wait!
Eliza hears Zarra and opens the door a foot.
Eliza: Shhhush Zarra, Hajene Farris is asleep!
Tanzarra tries not to drop the bags of shopping as she races to the door.
Tanzarra: Sorry. [whispered]
Eliza glares at the "management"
Eliza: Will that be all?
Lontierre: I am sorry, you will have to leave.
Lontierre: I realize this is a great inconvenience, but we really have no choice in this matter.
Eliza: I'm sorry also, but until Hajene Farris wakes naturally that isn't an option.
Tanzarra looks at the other person she just shimmied past.
Eliza: ~ firm ~
Lontierre is a Gen dressed in a fancy suit, looking suitably well paid.
Tanzarra: What's the problem?
Lontierre: A very important guest has arrived without warning, and we are forced to clear this entire floor to accommodate. [explains again]
Lontierre: We really have no choice in the matter. I apologize, but you must go.
Eliza is in sweat pants and a tee shirt with "I'd rather be in Ice" on the front of it and hasn't brushed her hair recently.
Eliza: You have a very important guest here. I don't see why you don't understand that fact.
Eliza: In fact, I have a few complaints about her treatment that I would like to speak to the manager about.
Eliza: Would you please arrange a meeting for us?
Lontierre looks pained.
Lontierre: If you would take your belongings and wait in the lobby, I can give you a complaint form to fill out.
Lontierre: A manager on duty will look into the complaint as soon as possible.
Eliza steps out into the hallway [dragging Tanzarra with her] and shuts the door.
Eliza: Listen to me while I try to explain this in terms that you will understand.
Lontierre sighs and listens with strained patience.
Eliza: ~ calmly, coolly, angrily ~
Tanzarra puts the bags of shopping on the floor by the door.
Eliza: Hajene Farris has been working for 3 days without rest. Are you suggesting that I wake up one of the most powerful channels in the Tecton (fingers crossed behind back)?
Lontierre: Please try to understand. I am not doing this because I have any choice in the matter.
Lontierre: If you and your party would please step down to the lobby, I will endeavour to get your complaints processed as soon as possible.
Lontierre is sweating.
Eliza: Then you please try to understand. In my position as her Donor Therapist (crosses more fingers) I have no option but to tell you that the answer is no.
Lontierre wonders whose butt he didn't kiss enough, that has landed him the job of informing a whole floor full of people that they have to pack up and leave.
Tanzarra: We will not be moving into the lobby, and we will not be waking hajene Farris.
Eliza: It's my professional opinion that waking Sna... Hajene Farris would be most detrimental to her health.
Eliza, having run out of fingers to cross, crosses her toes inside her slippers.
Lontierre: Look, I'm not saying that something can't be arranged. But just now, right at this moment, we really have to get everybody moving down to the lobby.
Tanzarra: Who is so important that we have to leave this floor anyway?
Tanzarra: I'm sure you can at least wait until Hajene Farris is awake?
Lontierre: I am not at liberty to say.
Eliza: I'm terribly sorry. Good day.
Eliza opens the door and re enters the room.
Eliza thinks that went rather well. So much for chapter one.
Lontierre, upon reflection, thinks that it was Tummoril, the mid-morning shift manager. He has an "in" with the Vice President of Operations and could have gotten Lontierre jinxed with the rest of the managers.
Lontierre: I'm going to have to call security! [calls after her departing back]
Lontierre sighs.
Lontierre wishes heartily [if belatedly] that he had never called Tummoril a lying, two faced sack of junct-spooge.
Eliza looks at the still sleeping Snake fondly, almost motheringly.
Lontierre continues down the hall to the next room.
Eliza remembers Tanzarra and the mystery packages.
Eliza: Oh Zarra, what did you get?
Tanzarra: Well, I got a mixture of things.
Eliza starts going through the packages.
Eliza: Ohhh, Turkish Delight!
Tanzarra: How long has Snake been asleep?
Wise Snake moans restlessly.
Eliza: Ummm, about 2 hours I think? Maybe a bit less.
Wise Snake: Nnnnnnnnnnnnnooo.
Eliza goes over and sits on the bed and tries to be soothing again.
Wise Snake's hand gropes her eyes blindly.
Tanzarra follows quietly.
Wise Snake: ...what are you doing?.. unnnh
Wise Snake does not appear to be talking to Eliza.
Eliza: Shuuush Snake, go back to sleep.
Eliza: ~ soothing ~
Wise Snake: .....what are you doing here.. oh.....unhh [drifts back downward]
Wise Snake's tentacles retract and she is still once again.
Eliza waits a few more seconds, then when Snake seems to be quiet again, goes back to the packages.
Tanzarra: How long has that been happening? [whispered]
Eliza: What's this? "The drink with the fizz, made from an Ancient recipe - Kentucky Fried Cola"
Eliza: Sounds odd.
Eliza: What, Snake? For as long as I have known her.
Tanzarra: Oh.
Tanzarra: ~~ concern ~~
Lontierre signals at the door once again, more insistently this time.
Eliza: Oh shen, can you get that Zarra?
Lontierre: ~~nervous/anxious~~
Tanzarra: Yes, you stay here and eat something and watch Snake.
Lontierre stares at the door, willing it to open.
Tanzarra goes to the door and opens it a tad.
Lontierre: Oh! You're still here!!
Lontierre: ~~worry~~
Tanzarra: Yes?
Tanzarra: Where did you think we'd be? on the roof.
Lontierre: Our esteemed guest is in the lobby with his entourage. Please hurry your evacuation!
Eliza takes a piece of Turkish Delight and a can of Kentucky Fried Cola [11 different herbs and spices] and sits on the bed next to Snake.
Lontierre wrings his hands.
Lontierre: You don't understand. He'll be here any minute. You must leave.
Tanzarra: I doubt that we'll be hurrying anything right now. Hajene Farris is still asleep.
Tanzarra: I like my laterals too much to go waking her up.
Lontierre doesn't follow the bit about laterals, but does know "no" when he hears it.
Richard waits in the lobby and wonders why he is waiting.
Lontierre: Please? [grasping at straws]
Lontierre: A lot of people are really depending on your cooperation.
Lontierre is thinking that if this gets screwed up, he may as well kiss his job good bye.
Lontierre: [sweating]
Tanzarra: OK. I'll come down with you and I will speak to this very important person myself.
Lontierre: No no no!!!
Lontierre waves his hands.
Lontierre: ~~panicky negation~~
Tanzarra: It's either that or nothing.
Richard instructs Smythe to contact his business associates and inform them that he wants to meet with them as soon as possible.
Tanzarra closes the door behind her.
Lontierre: Please reconsider.
Lontierre follows Tanzarra anxiously ripping out hair.
Lontierre accidentally pulls off his toupee then jams it back on again hastily.
Tanzarra: You can either show me who this person is or I can just go through the lobby calling out for them.
Lontierre: Oh no!! Don't do that.
Lontierre's tentacles would be waving frantically if he had any.
Richard instructs Bryce to arrange for dinner tonight at the "Chardinaree", table for 2, etc.
Tanzarra starts toward the lobby.
Lontierre tries to block the door to the elevator with his body.
Lontierre: Consider the reputation of this establishment.
Lontierre: [pleading]
Tanzarra: Consider your reputation with the Tecton?
Richard is slightly annoyed that his rooms still aren't ready, and calls his secretary, Miss Blythe, over to instruct her to arrange to have letters ready for all 4 business associates, in triplicate, by the time they are needed.
Lontierre looks around in desperation, then spots a janitorial closet.
Lontierre leaps over to it, wrenches the door open, and grabs an implement lying on the shelf.
Tanzarra enters the lobby and looks and zlins, around for anyone who might seem important.
Richard is left with only 4 in his group, having sent the rest on various messages around the town.
Lontierre stabs himself bloodily, then turns to Tanzarra hoping to delay her by having to heal him.... only to see she is gone.
Lontierre collapses into a heap on the janitorial sink, leaving the door hanging open.
Richard checks with the concierge to see if his room is ready yet, and puts the man at ease with a smile when the answer is "no".
Tanzarra sees a group of people hovering around someone and figures he must be Mister Very Important.
Tanzarra goes over to talk with this man.
Eliza keeps a careful watch on Snake while she eats the sweet and sticky confectionery and drinks the no doubt not Farris safe cola.
Eliza has never heard of a sugar high.
Tanzarra: Excuse me, may I have a word?
Richard turns in surprise.
Richard: Yes of course, how can I help you?
Richard: Miss errr....
Tanzarra: Hajene Tanzarra.
Richard's interest shoots up a notch.
Richard: Ah, yes, Hajene, I'm terribly sorry. What can I do for you?
Eliza goes over and grabs another piece of the sticky delight.
Tanzarra: My associates and I are in one of the rooms you require, and Hajene Farris is asleep after working for three days.
Richard: I see. I regret that you have been disturbed, then.
Tanzarra: I wonder if we could avoid moving until she is awake?
Richard walks over the the concierge and explains that while he needs 8 rooms, he doesn't need them all on the same floor and would hate to disturb any of the already existing guests.
Richard: [that settled he leaves the hotel staff to rearrange their rooms and turns back to Hajene Tanzarra]
Richard: Please, allow me to pick up your tab, be my guests here for as long as you need.
Richard: I knew a Hajene Farris once, back in Bender Cove ~ wistful ~
Tanzarra: Oh! No, that isn't necessary really.
Tanzarra: You did?
Tanzarra: ~~ wondering ~~
Richard: Please, my pleasure.
Richard: Perhaps you and your associate would do me the honour of being my guests tonight for supper?
Richard: It would give me the greatest pleasure. I hate to eat alone, and the only people I know in town are business people and I do hate talking business over dinner.
Tanzarra: Thank you. I will ask her when she wakes.
Tanzarra: I'm sure she will say yes.
Tanzarra: ~~ hopes she will anyway ~~
Richard: Thank you. I'm in room [checks] 301. I usually like to eat around 8 if that is suitable? I know it isn't much notice...
Richard: Here is my card.
Tanzarra: Thank you. See you at 8 then.
Tanzarra takes the card and reads it.
Richard hands Tanzarra a card with Richard Hardwick Greeves on it.
Richard: [and it's not gold coloured ink either - it's gold]
Eliza licks her fingers and bounces off the bed to see what else there is to eat.
Eliza: "Tomtams" what are they?
Tanzarra nods and turns to go back to their room.
Wise Snake mutters something as the bed rocks.
Eliza tears open the packet noisily.
Eliza: Oh wow! Chocolate coated cookies!
Eliza: ~ delight ~
Eliza carries them back to the bed [where her cola is] and pulls one out and proceeds to lick off the chocolate.
Tanzarra puts the card in her pocket and hopes that Snake isn't too mad at her for promising she would attend dinner with this man.
Wise Snake: Ugggghhh.....
Tanzarra wonders why the clerk was so worried, then wonders where he got to.
Wise Snake rolls over, then stiffens abruptly.
Wise Snake remains still for a long moment, then her eyes open.
Wise Snake looks around, eyebrows furrowed as if she doesn't recognize her surroundings, then focuses on Eliza.
Richard finally arranges for the rooms to be occupied and heads off to the first of what look to be several meetings.
Eliza is humming happily and dropping crumbs on the bed.
Tanzarra goes past the janitor's room on the way back.
Lontierre is lying curled up and whimpering in a pool of blood.
Lontierre: No... must not... disturb guests...
Lontierre seems to be delirious.
Wise Snake realizes what Eliza is eating, and jerks suddenly away from her.
Wise Snake jumps off the bed and shakes herself, flicking crumbs off.
Tanzarra hears the moaning and zlins an injured person in the room and rushes in to help.
Wise Snake: Eliza! Do you have any idea what chocolate does to me?
Tanzarra sees the clerk in a pool of blood.
Tanzarra: What happened?
Lontierre appears to have been impaled by a cleaning implement.
Tanzarra: Has someone attacked you?
Lontierre: Tried... to stop you.... [weakly]
Lontierre's eyelids flutter.
Lontierre passes out.
Wise Snake checks her forearms carefully to make sure no chocolate crumbs remain.
Wise Snake rubs her arms and shivers reflexively.
Tanzarra zlins the clerk.
Eliza: No, but you aren't eating it Snake, I am.
Eliza licks the chocolate from her fingers.
Tanzarra finds the wound and begins to stop the bleeding.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Eliza: Would you like some Turkish Delight?
Wise Snake: No!
Wise Snake: No, I'm fine.
Wise Snake pushes back her mop of black hair.
Wise Snake: [maybe 'mop' isn't the right word. Eruption?]
Eliza: There is other stuff in there.
Eliza bursts out singing.
Eliza: Oh give me a clone! A clone of my own!
Eliza: With the Y chromo changed to an X!
Wise Snake's nerves instantly jump from startled-awake-by-fear-of-violent-allergic-reaction to thoroughbred-all-lathered-up-before-a-race-eyes-rolling.
Eliza: And when I'm alone, with my own little clone,
Wise Snake: Eliza?!
Eliza: We'll both think of nothing but...
Eliza: Yes?
Wise Snake backs off farther.
Tanzarra projects need to increase Selyn production in the clerk.
Eliza: Didn't you like that song, Snake?
Wise Snake looks at Eliza, wild eyed.
Wise Snake: Look, I... I am going for a walk.
Wise Snake: You go on as you were.
Eliza: Oh! I forgot.
Wise Snake beats a hasty retreat for the door.
Eliza: They tried to move us out while you were asleep.
Eliza: But I wouldn't let them disturb you ~ proud ~
Tanzarra calls out into the hall for some help.
Tanzarra: HELLO!
Eliza: Tanzarra has gone down to talk to someone about it.
Tanzarra: IS THERE ANYONE THERE?
Eliza: Is that Tanzarra yelling?
Tanzarra: Shen!
Tanzarra: HELLO!
Wise Snake looks trapped.
Wise Snake makes herself open the door and go into the hallway.
Wise Snake zlins Tanzarra and an injured person down the hall and heads in that direction.
Wise Snake: Tanzarra?
Tanzarra: Here! In the janitor's room.
Wise Snake goes to where Tanzarra is.
Wise Snake zlins the fallen person.
Wise Snake: It looks like you've gotten a good start here.
Wise Snake: Let me call Eliza and I'll monitor you while you finish.
Wise Snake: Eliza!
Wise Snake: Tanzarra requires your assistance.
Eliza runs out.
Eliza: Yes Snake?
Eliza: Oh! Okay.
Tanzarra: Yes, I think he'll be all right, I just have to get him out of this room.
Eliza bounds over to Tanzarra's side.
Eliza: ~ SUPPORT~
Eliza hasn't feel this alive for a long time.
Tanzarra zlins the clerk to see how he is progressing.
Tanzarra: We'll be able to move him soon.
Eliza: Zarra, he's Gen, you can move him now.
Eliza grins all over the place.
Wise Snake moves across the body from Tanzarra, helping with the ambient but not interfering in any other way, just observing.
Eliza: How did it happen? Did you get sick of him whining and hit him?
Tanzarra glances at Eliza.
Eliza wishes that she had thought of that, although "The Way of the Nager" would probably disapprove.
Tanzarra: No, he did it to himself.
Eliza: Wow! Why?
Tanzarra: To stop me from talking to the person who wanted our room.
Eliza: Oh yeah. Did you? Who is it? Do we still have to move?
Tanzarra: The trouble was that I had run off so fast I didn't zlin it.
Tanzarra: Yes, we keep the room. And his name is Greave.
Wise Snake, who missed the whole drama of having to move, looks puzzled.
Tanzarra: Richard Greave.
Wise Snake: Richard Greave??
Wise Snake frowns.
Tanzarra: Yes. his card is in my shirt pocket.
Eliza notices that all tentacles are in use. "You want me to reach it out for you?"
Tanzarra: Yes please.
Eliza reaches in and pulls out the expensive white card and hands it to Snake.
Eliza: There you go.
Tanzarra has the bleeding stopped.
Wise Snake puts it absently in her pocket.
Wise Snake continues to monitor Tanzarra's efforts, and keep the ambient steady.
Tanzarra: Oh, he has invited us to dinner, as well as paying our room tab for the inconvenience.
Eliza: Oh wow!
Wise Snake: Focus, Eliza.
Eliza: Sorry.
Eliza: ~ Tanzarra support ~
Wise Snake is pretty sure she has not got all the information here... something about rooms, and a clerk stabbing himself with an irregularly shaped piece of metal, and some guy named Richard Greave.
Tanzarra: Okay, let's get him out of this room.
Wise Snake gathers that Tanzarra is tangled up in all this somehow, but hasn't pegged exactly what the connection is.
Tanzarra: Apparently dinner is at 8.
Eliza: Oh wow! Can we go?
Wise Snake: Eliza, please. Care to Tanzarra.
Wise Snake: She will be in recovery for a little bit yet.
Wise Snake thinks Eliza is awfully excited about this.
Eliza: OK Snake.
Eliza shifts her support back onto Tanzarra again.
Tanzarra shifts position to get a good hold on the clerk, ready to lift him.
Wise Snake starts to pull the card out of her pocket to examine it more closely, but puts it away again and concentrates on holding the ambient steady, ready to give Tanzarra a hand if need be.
Richard washes and puts on his other good black suit (one of the other 50 he brought with him, travelling light this trip) and heads out for the first (and hopefully last!!!) meeting.
Tanzarra give a momentary heave to lift the clerk and slowly makes her way out of the room.
Eliza remembers to support Tanzarra all the way back to the room.
Tanzarra: We'll have to inform the manager about this.
Eliza: Want me to go?
Eliza jumps up in anticipation.
Tanzarra: I can't believe someone would be so worried about pleasing someone that they would do this to themselves.
Tanzarra: If you don't mind.
Eliza: You be okay without me for 10 minutes?
Eliza hops from one foot to another.
Tanzarra: Yes, I'll be fine. And why are you so... energized?
Eliza: I don't know, just feeling good I guess!
Eliza: I'll be right back!
Eliza dashes out the door and goes to find the manager.
Tanzarra: Fine.
Tanzarra settles the clerk on the lounge and goes to get a blanket.
Tanzarra: Snake, this Richard said he knew a Hajene Farris from Bender Cove, is it someone you know?
Wise Snake looks at Tanzarra for a moment.
Wise Snake reaches for the card in her pocket.
Tanzarra: So, do you know him?
Wise Snake coughs.
Wise Snake puts the card away again.
Wise Snake: Yes, I have met him before.
Wise Snake's nager remained remarkably inflectionless throughout this performance.
Eliza comes bursting back in.
Wise Snake goes over to look out the window, rubbing her chin.
Eliza: The manager's coming and GUESS WHAT!
Wise Snake whirls at Eliza's outburst.
Eliza: Snake - it's RICHARD!!!
Tanzarra looks up.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Wise Snake attempts to appear calm, although Eliza's got her heart racing again.
Wise Snake: I know, Eliza.
Eliza: No, I mean it's Richard! from Bender Cove!
Eliza: Oh, you know?
Wise Snake nods.
Eliza: ~ deflated ~
Eliza: Well he is here!
Eliza: I saw him heading out the door.
Tanzarra: You know him too?
Eliza: My goodness he looks well.
Wise Snake: I saw him coming in the door. [murmurs to herself]
Eliza: I don't really know him as such. I sort of met him once or twice.
Eliza: He is really really rich and kept buying Snake really expensive stuff!
Tanzarra: Oh well, you can meet him properly at dinner.
Eliza: I think he wanted to marry her.
Eliza: Oh Wow! You mean we can really go to dinner with him?
Eliza: But! Geez, we have nothing to wear!
Wise Snake glances at Tanzarra's patient.
Tanzarra: ~~ surprise ~~
Tanzarra: Really?
Tanzarra: Will you be joining us, Snake? I think he would be surprised to see you.
Eliza: Yes! We really have nothing suitable to wear!
Tanzarra: Don't worry about that, Eliza.
Wise Snake frowns, eyes roving anywhere but toward Tanzarra and Eliza.
Eliza: Of course Snake is coming!
Eliza: Richard will just DIE when he sees her!
Wise Snake: Look... everything seems to be under... control... [stumbles a little over those last two words] ... so maybe I should go for that walk.
Wise Snake thinks that getting any more sleep definitely appears out of the question at this point.
Eliza: Want some company:?
Wise Snake: Tanzarra, do you feel comfortable to handle your patient at this p... uh...
Eliza could do with a run around the block, or maybe the city.
Wise Snake: I guess so.
Eliza is a little surprised, but pleased.
Wise Snake: But you should be asking Tanzarra if she can do without you, before offering to leave with me.
Eliza: Oh, Tanzarra?
Wise Snake rubs grainy eyes.
Tanzarra: I can handle this, you go. I doubt he'll be moving much for a while.
Tanzarra reminds herself not to buy that cola again.
Eliza looks at Snake inquiringly.
Eliza: That okay then?
Eliza bounds to the door and holds it open for her.
Tanzarra: Enjoy yourself.
Tanzarra thinks that Eliza on a sugar high could be the equivalent of an augmenting Sime, almost.
Wise Snake nods and walks out, seemingly distracted by her own thoughts.