Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #71: No Foot Rub Required (11/16/00)
Nick enters his lodging, after carefully stomping all the snow and mud from his boots.
Nick believes in not making Jeniard's housekeeping chores any worse than they already are.
Nick hangs his cloak in the closet, and collapses into a chair.
Nick: ~~ tired ~~
Nikki picks her way daintily through the snow. She refuses to play in it and get her lovely new clothes messed up. Daddy was napping quietly and Nikki is up to her old wandering tricks again.
Nikki hasn't seen Big Brother Nick in days and she misses him. Nikki has decided that a little trip to see Nicky is in order.
Nick doesn't have the energy to take off his boots, at least not quite yet.
Nikki has been asking any adult who will talk to her if they have seen Nicky and one of them finally told her he was in his quarters.
Nikki then asked for directions and was surprised when said grown-up escorted her to the very door.
Nikki knocks gently on the door. She has learned that pounding on doors is considered bad manners and she is learning her manners now that she has the chance.
Nick looks up at the tapping, then hauls himself to his feet with a groan.
Nick goes to the door and opens it, hoping against hope that it isn't a messenger calling him back to help with another emergency.
Nick thinks the tunnel mishap and the collection of frostbite injuries was more than enough excitement for one day.
Nikki hugs her brother's legs. "Nicky!!"
Nick staggers at the below-the-belt attack.
Nick: Nikki! What are you doing here?
Nikki looks happily up at her big brother.
Nikki: I missed you!!
Nikki: [remembers her manners at the last moment] May I come in?
Nick's expression is a strange mix of happiness that at least one person values him for himself, not his nager, and dismay at being once more responsible for a small child.
Nikki is rather proud of herself. She is slowly getting the social graces in hand.
Nick: I suppose you'd better.
Nick steps back, holding the door open.
Nick: Does Riyyh know where you are?
Nikki lets go of her brother's legs and wipes feet very carefully on the mat. She then takes off her boots and leaves them on the mat for want of a better place. Not a good idea, but she is only six after all.
Nikki: Daddy was napping so I came to see you while he sleeps.
Nick: I see.
Nick closes the door, before any more of the cold gets in.
Nick: Are you enjoying staying with him?
Nikki: Oh, yes!
Nikki hold up her arms to be picked up, as usual.
Nick is rather a pushover, and used to accepting orders after years working with Farris channels.
Nick picks Nikki up with a grunt of effort, and carries her over to the chair.
Nikki: Daddy is wonderful and nice and he always smells so good and he always has such nice things and he always listens to me and....
Nikki has to stop for a breath.
Nick collapses into it again, with slightly greater velocity this time, due to the added mass.
Nikki: Everybody loves daddy.
Nick: Well, most people do. At least those who know him personally.
Nikki giggles and hugs her brother tight.
Nikki: You are wonderful too.
Nick is somewhat of a prude where children are concerned, and does not see fit to enlighten Nikki about just how personally the people who know Riyyh tend to know him.
Nikki has gotten used to the fact that Nick doesn't smell as nice as her daddy but she likes hugging him anyway.
Nick: So, Nikki, has our father talked with you about staying at Naros?
Nikki: Naros?
Nikki looks very confused.
Nick: Householding Naros. Our... father... is its Sectuib.
Nick: Do you know what a Sectuib is?
Nikki shakes her head.
Nikki thinks daddy is daddy.
Nick wonders what passed for education at the Alderberry commune.
Nick: A Householding is a community where people live and work together--sort of like where you grew up, except that there are both men and women. And all their children, of course.
Nick forbears from mentioning that almost all of the children older than Nikki are their siblings to various degrees, and the younger ones are nieces and nephews.
Nikki looks at Nick with tears threatening to start. Would daddy make her go back to live with momma again?
Nikki: Do I have to go there?
Nick: Householding Naros makes its living farming specialty crops. You remember all the nice teas that Riyyh serves?
Nikki is starting to panic. She does not want to leave her daddy.
Nick finally notices that Nikki's stiffness isn't entirely due to having wandered around outside.
Nick: Nikki, what's wrong?
Nikki: I don't want to go there!
Nick: Don't you want to live with our father?
Nikki: Yes!!
Nikki: But you said....
Nikki is very afraid and confused.
Nick: Riyyh lives at Naros, Nikki. He's only visiting here.
Nick: He'll be returning home in time for the spring planting.
Nick at least hopes that the trails will be passable that early.
Nikki: But I don't want to live in the commune again!
Nikki is now crying.
Nick is not used to dealing with crying children.
Nick pats Nikki tentatively.
Nikki: I want to live with daddy!
Nick: Nikki, if you want to live with Riyyh, then you'll have to go with him when returns to his home.
Nick: You do want to see where he lives, don't you?
Nikki sobs "I'll be good! I promise! Please don't let daddy send me away!"
Nikki can only remember the constant yearning for someone to love her and not push her away. And now that she has found it she will not give it up.
Nick rolls his eyes in exasperation at Nikki's refusal to hear what he said.
Nick is really much too tired to muster the patience required for dealing with hysterical children.
Nick: Nikki, do you really want to stay behind here, when our father leaves?
Nikki: No!! [she wails and buries her face in Nicks chest]
Nick: Well, then, if you want to stay with our father, you'll have to travel with him when he goes back to Naros.
Nick: He won't be staying here past spring.
Nikki continues to cry. Her daddy lives in a commune!
Nikki: Daddy lives in a commune?
Nick: He lives in a Householding. It's rather different than where your mother lives.
Nikki: It's different?
Nikki sniffles and looks up at Nick. Hope is slowly coming to her again.
Nick: Very different. You've met the people who came with Riyyh to build the bathhouse, haven't you?
Nikki: Yes. They are all very nice to me.
Nick: They also grew up at Naros, and they think of it at home.
Nikki doesn't realize that most of them are her sibs as well. This concept hasn't sunk in yet.
Nick: Well, the rest of the people at Naros are very like them.
Nick thinks, especially genetically.
Nikki: Will I have to leave daddy and go live in the nursery with the other kids?
Nick: I don't know. That will be up to Riyyh, I suppose.
Nick: But no matter where you live, you should be able to see him every day, at least when he's home.
Nick really is inexperienced with small children, or he'd know when to give bland reassurances instead of truth.
Nikki jumps down from Nick's lap.
Nikki: I won't leave daddy! I won't!
Arat climbs the front steps of his abode, trailing miscellaneous body guards, persistent clerks and one obnoxious reporter from North Coast Tribune who is fortunately on the verge of giving up the pursuit. At least for the day.
Arat does not zlin Nikki because Nikki's nager is enveloped in and quite obscured by Nick's.
Nikki runs to the door. She is going back to daddy and she is never leaving him again.
Arat flinches back from the door as he suddenly hears and zlins Nikki.
Nikki begins putting her boots back on. She sits in front of the door as she struggles with them.
Arat then seizes the door and whips it open.
Arat is lucky he zlinned Nikki first, or the next step would have been to trip over her.
Nick looks up at the noise.
Arat looks down at Nikki in something like outrage or simple exasperation.
Nick's nager offers a (somewhat tired) ~~ welcome ~~
Arat would probably be less offended at Riyyh using his house for a child care service if he realized Riyyh was also using his shower each day.
Nikki stops with one boot on and looks up at Haji Arat.
Arat sets his lips, and then steps fastidiously around Nikki.
Arat is followed by Thureal and Gashnom, who are a bit more apologetic about it.
Nick: Arat, you managed to get away a bit earlier than you thought.
Nick realizes that this is a rather weak observation, but he's well aware that Arat doesn't approve of having small children in his quarters.
Arat: I had thought to gain a small rest break.
Arat thinks, what was he thinking!
Nikki looks at Nicky and then at all the people. She continues putting on her other boot.
Nick offers an ~~ apology ~~
Gashnom closes the door firmly behind him, sealing out everybody still milling around at the base of the steps, and leaving a fellow security guard on the porch to make sure they don't become too... zealous.
Nikki looks at Nicky one last time.
Nick: Nikki, you should ask Riyyh to tell you about Naros.
Nick: I think that once you see it, you'll find out that it's nothing like where your mother lives.
Arat thinks nothing of the fact that the kid is having hysterics. That's what he did all the time when he was a kid, after all.
Nikki: You said daddy would make me live in the nursery!
Nikki: I don't want to live in the nursery again! I want to live with DADDY!!
Nick: Nikki, it's up to Riyyh to decides where you live at Naros. You'll have to talk to him about it. But no matter what happens, you'll be able to see him every day.
Arat winces at the child's shriek, and beats a hasty retreat into his bedchamber.
Gashnom remains outside, while Thureal follows him in.
Gashnom posts himself by the door and watches Nick and Nikki with interest.
Nikki: No!! Not see him, live with him!!
Nick sighs, wondering why he ever thought Nikki was cute.
Nikki is only half Riyyh's child the other half is a rather strong willed woman.
Gashnom likes the little squirt. Any kid with that much unfocused energy could grow up to be a great security guard.
Gashnom fondly remembers his father teaching him to turn all that angst into fighting fury.
Nick: Nikki, it's not my decision to make. It will have to be between you and Riyyh.
Nikki wishes she had never come to see Nicky. He is just like her other sibs. He is trying to push her around too.
Gashnom has heard a few stories about how Nikki came to be in Riyyh's care, and thinks that commune must be a gold mine of security guard material.
Gashnom is thinking this because there is a bounty the company gives out for good referrals.
Gashnom thinks, "ka-ching!"
Nick is of one mind with his sister: he is starting to wish she'd never come, too.
Nikki doesn't even look at Nick again. She opens the door and runs back to daddy.
Nick looks after Nikki, then rolls his eyes.
Nick: I don't envy Riyyh.
Riyyh is dressed in his finest outfit, and nearly finished grooming. He is resplendent. He has to be, as he plans on going visiting today.
Riyyh: Two hundred thirty three... two hundred thirty four... [brushing his long, silver hair]
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh has spotted a cat hair on his shirt.
Riyyh: How ever does that happen? [perplexed]
Riyyh pauses in his brushing to pluck the tiny Kadi hair from his chest.
Riyyh goes to the door of his tent and opens the flap.
Riyyh holds up the hair, letting the wind take it.
Mr. Birch stomps through the snow banks in the direction of the Narosian's ridiculous bathhouse with its gaping unglazed windows.
Hair flies up on a brisk wintry wind.
Mr. Birch has had news by the latest post that is at least cautiously encouraging.
Hair tumbles lazily over a neat circle of colorful Narosian tents, and then over rows of sordid squatter hovels.
Hair fetches up against Mr. Birch's pants leg and sticks.
Kadi stares into the fire in Riyyh's living room back at Naros, and as the hair sticks, she smirks.
Mr. Birch has tossed and turned, unable to sleep, searching for some way to wash his hands of those annoyingly destitute Gens that threaten to become his personal responsibility.
Kadi grooms herself to loosen a few more, then settles back to nap.
Riyyh returns to the mirror.
Riyyh: Two hundred twenty five... two hundred twenty six....
Mr. Birch catches sight of the beckoning tent flap, lit by the glowing beacon of silver-haired Riyyh.
Riyyh: Two hundred thirty two... two hundred thirty three... [pauses]
Riyyh shakes his head as if to clear it of some nagging worry, and settles into his count again.
Mr. Birch hopes that this Sime dedicated to the virtue of caring can be induced to take the burden from a Gen dedicated to the virtue of efficiency.
Riyyh: Two hundred thirty four, two hundred thirty five [long smooth strokes]
Mr. Birch waves.
Mr. Birch: Hello, Sectuib Riyyh!
Mr. Birch: Might I have a word with you?
Riyyh goes out to meet Mr. Birch, his Narosian formal cape glittering. Well, everything glittering, actually.
Riyyh: Why, Mr. Birch! How pleasant to see you. [beams]
Riyyh is earnestly hoping that Mr. Birch is coming to offer large sums of money to the cause of the starving frozen Gens.
Mr. Birch shields his eyes from the glare of the sun on all that gold and silver braid.
Riyyh: I was just leaving, but... well, any time for you of course.
Mr. Birch: You are too kind!
Riyyh: Please, do come in. This wind is terrible.
Mr. Birch is fairly comfortable in his down-stuffed coat. Of course, his hair is cropped short enough that it doesn't blow out of place easily.
Mr. Birch however is quickly coming to look forward to the quality of Riyyh's hospitality.
Mr. Birch: Thank you, Sectuib!
Riyyh ushers Mr. Birch in the direction of the door mat and thence the door flap.
Mr. Birch: I was giving some more thought to that subject of the Gen camp.
Riyyh closes the flap securely. Won't do to heat the entire camp after all... heating fuel is at a premium.
Riyyh: Do make yourself comfortable. Here, let me take your coat and boots.
Mr. Birch shrugs out of the coat and hands Riyyh his hat.
Nikki distraught with tears freezing to her little face runs headlong through the camp. She doesn't know what she has done to make her daddy want to send her away.
Riyyh: Here, you may use this chair. It's the only one, I'm afraid.
Riyyh shows Mr. Birch a chair near the bed.
Mr. Birch decides to leave the boots on, since it takes a strong Gen tugging with all his strength to help him get them off at night.
Riyyh has smoothly magicked the hat and coat away to a hook.
Riyyh, unaware of Mr. Birch's decision, sees him to the chair then kneels down to get at the boots.
Mr. Birch: Thank you. Anyway, I decided you were right about the government.
Riyyh: Oh, how unfortunate.
Riyyh had been hoping that reality would bow to convenience just this once, but it never happens does it?
Mr. Birch: Oh, don't worry about the boots. I'd rather keep them on.
Mr. Birch would also rather no one smelled his feet without them.
Riyyh's fingers and tentacles begin to unlace Mr. Birch's boot laces with great dexterity and skill.
Riyyh looks up, hands on autopilot.
Riyyh: Oh? After so long a walk?
Riyyh: Well, if you would prefer...? [working his way up past the knees]
Nikki has spent too much of her short life being pushed away by adults who should have nurtured and loved her. And now even her beloved daddy wants to send her away.
Mr. Birch: Look, I'm just going to have to get back out there in a little bit.
Riyyh: It is no trouble. [insists]
Riyyh is, of course, under the mistaken impression that Mr. Birch is trying to save him the work.
Riyyh like most Narosians has a fetish for being a generous host, and he wants his guest to be as comfortable as humanly possible. What is more comfortable than to have one's feet wrapped in hot blankets and a nice leg massage?
Mr. Birch: [protests] But I'll just have to put them on again. Why waste time over it?
Riyyh: Oh! You have just reminded me.
Nikki burst into the tent she shares with her daddy. Without bothering to wipe her feet.
Mr. Birch came here to say what he had to say and get on with business, but obviously Riyyh's style is somewhat more leisurely.
Riyyh: I discovered the most delightful thing among the gifts from Salmonton's Mayor.... [breaks off at Nikki's explosive entrance]
Nikki runs to him and hugs him desperately.
Nikki: Why daddy!!
Riyyh: Oh, my.
Nikki: Why!
Mr. Birch looks up to see a little teary-eyed kid charge the Sectuib like a mad bull.
Mr. Birch is reminded again why he spends so much time on site.
Riyyh has tugged one of Mr. Birch's boots half way off, but is forced to abort mission on that as Nikki falls into his arms.
Riyyh: Nikki, darling, whatever is wrong?
Nikki: Why do you want to send me away?!
Mr. Birch retrieves his leg, rather gratefully.
Riyyh: Why, I have no intention of sending you away. [kindly]
Nikki is still crying and clinging to her daddy in desperation.
Nikki: Nicky said you would send me away!
Mr. Birch has heard Elte's stories about Riyyh's many offspring, so the presence of a child doesn't surprise him.
Riyyh's nostrils flare as he detects Mr. Birch's foot odor, and decides hot water would be advisable rather than hot blankets.
Riyyh picks up Nikki and carries her with him to add some water to the pot and put it on the small stove.
Riyyh: Now, why in the world would Nick say something like that?
Riyyh: Are you sure you heard him correctly?
Mr. Birch smiles. It is usually wise to pretend to like other people's children.
Nikki: He said you would make me live in the nursery!
Mr. Birch personally thinks children should be seen and not heard, at least when adults have business to discuss.
Riyyh opens the stove's front hatch and picks up a stick of wood, then pauses at Nikki's words.
Nikki: I don't want to live in the nursery daddy! I want to live with you!
Riyyh: In the nursery? [thinking she means a plant nursery] How odd.
Riyyh places the wood in the stove and closes the hatch.
Mr. Birch realizes he is not in his own house, unfortunately, or this kid would have never made it out of the nursery.
Riyyh: You won't have to go in a nursery unless you want to, Nikki, although to be perfectly honest most Narosians simply love the nurseries.
Riyyh: All of the beautiful little plants and flowers, and fruit in mid-winter, and the new plantings in spring....
Nikki stares at her daddy.
Mr. Birch is rapidly losing patience.
Riyyh casts an apologetic glance at Mr. Birch as he uses his free hand to gather the components of the tea set onto their tray again.
Nikki: You want me to live with the plants?
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh has rarely encountered a child with this much trouble at communication. Communication being a native Narosian trait, and other traits so rarely getting a chance to exert their influence back home.
Riyyh: We all live with plants, my dear. It is how we make our living.
Riyyh: Now come sit on the bed while I talk to the nice Mr. Birch.
Riyyh: We were in a meeting, you see. It's important not to leave important people waiting.
Mr. Birch forces a cordial smile to his lips.
Nikki starts to cry again this time only silent tears. Tears of despair.
Mr. Birch: She's very sweet. What's your name, dear?
Riyyh can zlin Mr. Birch's true feelings about the matter, but is grateful to the man for presenting a kind face to the child.
Riyyh places Nikki on the bed, to free up his hands for preparing the foot pan.
Nikki: Nikki. [tears continue to fall unheeded]
Mr. Birch: Well, Nikki, my name is Marty. Marty Birch. I'm pleased to meet you.
Mr. Birch holds out his big hand to Nikki to shake.
Riyyh makes sure all is ready, using the moments of cover their interaction provides.
Nikki looks at the man's hand and touches it gently. Her hand is a bit wet and cold from wiping away her own tears and not a little snot.
Nikki: Pleased to meet you. [she mumbles]
Mr. Birch envelops Nikki's little hand in his huge callused paw and squeezes.
Mr. Birch: Now I know it matters a lot to you where you live.
Mr. Birch: Right now, me and the Sectuib are figuring out where a lot of other people are going to live.
Nikki looks at the hand squeezing hers. She has felt calluses before. She is more familiar with them than the warm softness of her daddy's hands.
Riyyh is trying to figure out where the bottle of West Coast Special is that he'd set aside.
Mr. Birch: There are thousands of people who might starve or freeze to death if we don't take action, you see?
Nikki looks into the face of the Gen speaking to her. She tries to smile and be polite. She has to be nice so her daddy won't make her go away.
Riyyh finally locates the gift, and places it on the tray with the tea items. He will understand if Mr. Birch doesn't want brandy in his tea this time, of course. It is work hours after all. But maybe later.
Riyyh sighs and returns to his posture kneeling at Mr. Birch's feet.
Riyyh: I'm so sorry for the interruption.
Mr. Birch doesn't think the kid gets much of what he is saying, but he seems to have managed to distract her out of the crying fit.
Riyyh: But you see, Nikki here only came to live with me a short time ago, and she is very special to me.
Mr. Birch hates watching children cry.
Nikki looks at her daddy.
Riyyh smiles at Nikki, as his hands and tentacles engage in their well-accustomed task of disrobing someone.
Mr. Birch: Yes I can see she's a very remarkable child.
Mr. Birch thinks, well that's a safe comment.
Riyyh smiles at Mr. Birch as well.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Nikki thinks "special". Special? A small hope sets itself in her heart. Maybe....
Riyyh tugs off Mr. Birch's left boot with a firm Simely yank.
Riyyh: What fine workmanship. From Gen Territory, then? East Coast, perhaps?
Mr. Birch feels his boot come off with a squish. His socks are quite damp since he has been tramping through the snow for 9 hours, and the scent is rather ripe by now.
Riyyh is not exactly a connoisseur of foul weather gear, but he is quite the flatterer.
Riyyh: Oh, my. [to himself]
Mr. Birch does not understand why a guy who is essentially the C.E.O.of a corporation would act as his personal valet.
Nikki resolves in her heart to become whatever her daddy wants her to be so that he will never want to send her away!
Nikki: May I help daddy?
Nikki has recently found out the difference between may and can.
Riyyh: Yes, Nikki darling. [smiles] Could you see if there are any of those cinnamon rolls left from this morning?
Riyyh: We have found a local source for butter, [explains to Mr. Birch]. It makes certain things so much easier!
Mr. Birch: Uh, imported from Chago, I believe.
Riyyh: They're simply lovely. [assures Mr. Birch, regarding the boots]
Nikki: Yes, daddy! [smiles and does as she is asked]
Riyyh sets them aside, and gets up to fetch the pan.
Mr. Birch doesn't understand either why the C.E.O. of a corporation would natter about clothes when there is business on the table.
Riyyh tests the water on the stove, which is quite warm but not yet scalding, and pours some into the pan.
Mr. Birch figures he will never understand Simes at all, so decides to just go with the flow.
Riyyh adds fragrant herbs.
Riyyh picks up the towel and other items he'd laid by, and the pan itself, and returns to Mr. Birch's feet.
Mr. Birch: Well, thank you. Your own outfit is quite... remarkable.
Riyyh: Oh, why thank you!
Mr. Birch hates to use the same word twice, but it's all that comes to mind.
Riyyh: I intended to visit the mayor of Palisades today, you see, and so I wanted to look my best.
Riyyh picks up Mr. Birch's feet and places them in the steaming, scented water.
Mr. Birch: You will certainly make an impression.
Mr. Birch thinks that Riyyh's outfit has one characteristic that the Mayor will appreciate in Sime attire, and that is making a good long-range target.
Riyyh pushes the pan of hot water, and Mr. Birch's feet, to a position that zlins comfortable and then he begins to massage Mr. Birch's knees and calves. Ahh, there's nothing like a nice leg and foot massage on a cold day after hours of walking.
Nikki finds the cinnamon rolls, brings them back and place them with the other tea things.
Nikki realizes that she has not taken off her boots. She decides that it's too late to wipe her feet so she takes them off and places them in the spot that she has been given for them.
Riyyh: You must try these rolls. The cinnamon and nutmeg is simply exquisite.
Nikki sees the mud on the beautiful rug! Her heart sinks. Her daddy will be very unhappy about that.
Mr. Birch's heart is in his stomach, and he succumbs to the allure of the rolls.
Nikki panics. She gets the hand broom and tries to sweep up the mud.
Mr. Birch tastes the roll, which is indeed wonderful.
Mr. Birch is becoming aware that he has been here for quite a while without even getting started on his mission.
Nikki succeeds in smearing the mud all over the rug.
Riyyh rubs Mr. Birch's knees with the skills of... well never mind how many years of practice.
Mr. Birch: [mumbling through a mouth full of dough] This is really good.
Mr. Birch pulls his knees back.
Mr. Birch: What are you doing?
Riyyh looks up at Mr. Birch in genuine innocence.
Riyyh: Why, giving you a foot massage.
Riyyh finds that Mr. Birch's feet are now in range, and suitably deoderized.
Riyyh proceeds to suit actions to words.
Mr. Birch: Good grief, you're the Head of a Household, not a body servant.
Mr. Birch: I came here to talk business.
Riyyh smiles kindly.
Mr. Birch: Let's get to it!
Riyyh: By all means, please. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Riyyh is nothing if not a good listener.
Riyyh is actually quite a few things if not a good listener, but you get my point.
Nikki looks at the rug then at her daddy. He will send her away for sure now. Maybe if she apologizes....
Nikki: I'm sorry daddy.
Mr. Birch: The Gen government doesn't move any faster than the Sime government.
Riyyh: About what, my dear? [somewhat distracted by the fact that he is talking to Mr. Birch]
Nikki: I messed up the rug. I tried to sweep it but....
Riyyh reaches for some massage oil. The wintergreen - it seems appropriate to the season, and he supposes it would go over better on the construction site than his favorite, Narcissus.
Mr. Birch finds himself totally distracted by the combination of whining child and foot manipulations!
Riyyh: Don't worry about it now. [kindly]
Mr. Birch jumps to his feet, shaking Riyyh loose.
Riyyh catches himself against the... oh, the muddy floor.
Mr. Birch: [shouts] Will you all stop this!
Mr. Birch: We have business to take care of! Business!
Riyyh stares up at Mr. Birch in astonishment.
Mr. Birch: People's lives are depending on us!
Mr. Birch: Let's get to it!
Riyyh: My dear Mr. Birch. Whatever is the matter?
Mr. Birch: We need some way to raise money to take care of all those Gens.
Mr. Birch: That's what I came to discuss.
Mr. Birch: A foot rub is not required.
Riyyh looks crushed.
Riyyh: Well, very well, if that is how you....
Riyyh picks himself up and surveys the mud that is now all over his cape.
Mr. Birch is finding Arat has a much more finely tuned sense of urgency than Riyyh does. He can't imagine two Simes with more different styles.
Mr. Birch can see he has hurt Riyyh's feelings.
Mr. Birch: I'm sorry, Sectuib Riyyh. I didn't mean to offend you.
Mr. Birch: But I don't have all afternoon.
Riyyh: Neither have I, to be honest. I was on my way out.
Riyyh removes the smeared cape.
Mr. Birch: Well, then, here's the thing.
Mr. Birch: There might be some way to get some money out of the New Washington government eventually.
Mr. Birch: But not in time.
Mr. Birch: We need those funds now.
Riyyh: Yes, we do.
Mr. Birch: So I've been making contact with some private philanthropists.
Riyyh wonders how Mr. Birch managed to do this in so short a time.
Riyyh: You have?
Nikki tries to decide what she can do to make things right with her daddy. She no longer has any certainty in her life. It was wonderful for that brief period when she did have it.
Mr. Birch has contacted representatives of the relief agencies already on site, and has been looking into solutions for the border-crosser problem for some time.
Mr. Birch: I found two who might be willing to help out, but there are strings attached.
Mr. Birch: Since it appears the internment camp will have to be built on this side of the border, I wanted to check with you before proceeding further.
Nikki goes to the corner near the stove and sits. She rocks quietly very much the way she used to.
Mr. Birch glances nervously at the kid. He hopes his outburst didn't overwhelm her.
Mr. Birch's wife has frequently reminded him of how clumsy he is with children.
Riyyh fidgets uneasily, caught between Mr. Birch's nervousness, Nikki's near-catatonic despondence, and the ruined dress cape.
Riyyh: Of course. [attempting to sound accommodating]
Riyyh: I am at your service.
Mr. Birch: Well, one of them is the Purist Seminary.
Riyyh blinks.
Mr. Birch: They have the resources to lend the money we require for food and shelter, but they would oppose allowing the Gens to donate.
Riyyh: Would they give the money as a gift? There is no way to pay it back without taking donations, you see.
Riyyh hangs the cape on a peg for now, and retrieves his plainer heavier one.
Mr. Birch: They would pay almost any amount of money to prevent any donations from being taken.
Mr. Birch: That's not a solution that would work for those Gens who wish to remain in Sime Territory.
Riyyh: I don't see why not.
Riyyh: It would only apply to those who are restrained to the internment camp as illegal, and those who are accepted as In-Territory citizens would be freed.
Mr. Birch: I thought your law required Gens to donate while they remained in your Territory.
Mr. Birch: But if the interned Gens could be excepted, this might offer a solution.
Mr. Birch: But you understand the Purists would wish to send preachers into the camp?
Riyyh: There is no law against preaching any religion. However, there could be some conflict with the renSime workers.
Mr. Birch: That is what concerned me.
Riyyh has seen fundamentalist Purists haranguing a crowd of renSimes and that was not a pretty sight. Not during, and not afterward.
Riyyh: Perhaps they would be content with preventing the donations?
Mr. Birch: I doubt that.
Mr. Birch: However, given the weather, I don't know how many people could get up here before we are snowed in.
Riyyh: If they sent a preacher who would remain interned with the other Gens, and had no more contact with the workers than they did, it might be possible to avoid conflicts.
Mr. Birch: And come spring we could ship as both preachers and internees back to Gen Territory
Riyyh: Yes.
Mr. Birch: So it might be manageable.
Riyyh: Who was the other?
Mr. Birch: A private individual with his own agenda.
Mr. Birch: He would make some funds available, if he gets what he wants.
Mr. Birch: And I'd like your advice on how best to broach his proposal.
Riyyh looks puzzled, as Mr. Birch has given him nothing to work with.
Riyyh: Oh? Er... of course.
Mr. Birch: His name is Alain Ro. He's a well-known historian from deep Territory, the heir of a very old and distinguished family.
Mr. Birch: Right now he's working on a book about the social changes in-Territory brought about by Unity.
Riyyh wonders why Mr. Birch thought this couldn't be talked about while his feet were being rubbed.
Mr. Birch: And he wants information on the fall of the Audnes family. First hand information.
Riyyh's tentacles wave in consternation.
Mr. Birch: That's his price for helping out.
Riyyh: Well, that's... er....
Mr. Birch: What do you think would be the best way to broach that proposal to Controller Arat?
Mr. Birch: Elte tells me he's a bit sensitive on the subject.
Riyyh: Oh dear. I think it would be best if I was not involved in that at all. [confesses]
Mr. Birch: Oh? Why not? You have a reputation as a skilled deal-maker.
Riyyh: He doesn't like me much. [admits]
Mr. Birch: Really? I hadn't noticed.
Riyyh: The small matter of a visit by... and then there was his imprin... never mind.
Riyyh: The reasons aren't important, really.
Mr. Birch realizes he has never actually seen the Controller and the Sectuib together.
Riyyh: Does this Mr. Ro know that Arat is too young to have firsthand knowledge of much of what happened?
Riyyh: He was born in Year 0.
Mr. Birch: I am not entirely sure what he knows or not.
Mr. Birch: But he made clear what he wants.
Riyyh: But you say he is deep OT. However would you get word to him, and receive the funding in return? It would take weeks.
Mr. Birch: Well, that's where his estate is.
Mr. Birch: I can get word to my corporate headquarters, and they can reach his lawyer.
Mr. Birch: One word from him would be enough to secure a loan.
Mr. Birch: But I'd have to be able to guarantee the payback.
Riyyh: Difficult, under the circumstances.
Mr. Birch: Well, I guess I'll have to ask Arat.
Riyyh: And there is the matter of... well, yes.
Riyyh consoles himself with the thought that Arat on a rampage could scarcely cause more damage than several thousand renSimes all screaming for the blood of a few Purist evangelists.
Go on to Episode #72: Tout Squeak
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