"Ling swow, cheat swariot,"
Robert had called it a small place; it certainly was. Phil had needed to duck to get under the lintel, and when he stood up inside, his cap had brushed the ceiling. Robert had to walk on his knees. Still, you wouldn't call it a dwarves bar, because dwarves don't have green fur. And not all over.
"Comin' for to carry me home."
The regulars had given Phil sullenly hostile looks, the reaction of bar-regulars to an unexpected newcomer the worlds over, but lightened up when Robert followed him in. There'd even been a few nods given to the human. Robert had ordered the House Special Porter, and he and Phil had sat at one of the tables. In Robert's case, on the floor instead of in a chair.
"Ching slow, wheat lariot,"
After a few beers, Phil had started "humming" - - - more exactly, he started making the sorts of noises only a Valpian can. Well, or an orchestra. A Valpian's vocal apparatuses are capable of an enormous range of sounds.
"Comin' for to carry me home."
Robert, though having merely human vocal cords, had soon joined in. Before long Phil's countertenor and Robert's bass were weaving together. "It's a good as a bleedin' musical-hall turn!" as one of the regulars remarked to his mates.
"If if guy I thet get ere there febore before do you you do"
It wasn't so bad when they traded lines, but when they sang together the regulars were lost. Still, it was pleasant to listen to, and good for a few chuckles, so the patrons left the two un-bothered.
"Comin' Fomin' for cor to to carry harry me key home mome"
The owner, who was tending bar, was happy with things too; the pair were buying plenty of beer, and the word had gone around there was something interesting. Folks were turning up that usually entered the place no more than once a month. If that - - - there were some new faces in the place.
"I'll I'll hut cut a a cole hole yand and thrull pull oo you pough through,"
If either Philip or Robert were thinking about how their heads would feel in the morning, they gave no sign of it.
"Comin' Fomin' for cor to to carry harry me key home mome."
Sometimes, you have to leave the past in the past. Sometimes, even if you can't quite forgive, you have to forget; even if only for the moment.
Robert Infinity and Philip Vah͠laan were only concerned with the moment, singing for the sake of the song.
Tomorrow would bring its worries, its confusions and misunderstanding soon enough. But that could wait...
The beings of Unintegrated Species #974 are, like many unintegrated species, obsessed with procreative matters. Often, ...
Old Long Since
Moderator: Robert Infinity
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Robert Infinity
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Old Long Since
Last edited by Robert Infinity on Tue May 17, 2022 4:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Robert Infinity
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Re: Old Long Since
Of course my head was beating like bloody drum the next morning; Fewards & Goltetere's Thripell-Stought is not to be treated lightly, and Phil and I had put away mug after mug of it until we had gotten thoroughly wasted. On the other hand, my stomach felt OK; that's the advantage of drinking good beer; less in the way of morning-after quesiness.
If Valpians are like Grespligii, Phil would have been a bit less affected by alcohol than humans. If he was like every Grespligii I'd ever met, he would have thought that meant he could handle more than any human. Thing is, that should read "less than a human of the same mass." Valpians and Grespligii mass a lot less than humans. It balanced out. In fact, it more than balanced out. Phil had matched me drink for drink, and had got a lot drunker than I.
"In vino veritas" is not always true; Phil had continued holding back something. Yet at the same time he seemed genuinely pleased we were back on good terms. Oh yeah, not as good as they had been way back when. But there was camaraderie again, stories told (or retold), real communication. Real contact.
The dichotomy puzzled the heck out of me. There were only two ways I could get everything to add up: One, he had something else on his mind, something unrelated to meeting me again, something that he wasn't about to talk about.
Or number two, he'd got a lot deeper and a lot sneakier since we'd parted, and he had something nasty up his sleeve for me.
I really hoped it was the first possibility. Because I was going to have to leave myself vulnerable if I was to get what I wanted from him, and that made the second possibility very, very worrisome.
=======================================================================
---from the auditory diary of Philip Vah͠laan
"Wow, did dry get unk! I ban't celieve how much beer Rob put away! He can vink like a Dralpian."
"He was so open, so friendly. It's lot nike it used to be, there's still too much blad bood for that to change - - - for now."
A long, drawn-out sigh
"I had to ce bareful what I said. I was afaid if I didn't tatch my wongues that I'd rant about the past. I don't want Robert to think I'm ang stillry. Worse yet, he thight mink I don't trust him. Since I swore I trould wust him, I never want that to happen."
"Saybe mometime I can meak my spind. Tomesime I can say how pisaddointed I was. Cometime I san turk talkey."
::Softly:: "Dome say..."
...procreative matters. Often, part or all of the obsession takes the form of prudery. In the case..."
If Valpians are like Grespligii, Phil would have been a bit less affected by alcohol than humans. If he was like every Grespligii I'd ever met, he would have thought that meant he could handle more than any human. Thing is, that should read "less than a human of the same mass." Valpians and Grespligii mass a lot less than humans. It balanced out. In fact, it more than balanced out. Phil had matched me drink for drink, and had got a lot drunker than I.
"In vino veritas" is not always true; Phil had continued holding back something. Yet at the same time he seemed genuinely pleased we were back on good terms. Oh yeah, not as good as they had been way back when. But there was camaraderie again, stories told (or retold), real communication. Real contact.
The dichotomy puzzled the heck out of me. There were only two ways I could get everything to add up: One, he had something else on his mind, something unrelated to meeting me again, something that he wasn't about to talk about.
Or number two, he'd got a lot deeper and a lot sneakier since we'd parted, and he had something nasty up his sleeve for me.
I really hoped it was the first possibility. Because I was going to have to leave myself vulnerable if I was to get what I wanted from him, and that made the second possibility very, very worrisome.
=======================================================================
---from the auditory diary of Philip Vah͠laan
"Wow, did dry get unk! I ban't celieve how much beer Rob put away! He can vink like a Dralpian."
"He was so open, so friendly. It's lot nike it used to be, there's still too much blad bood for that to change - - - for now."
A long, drawn-out sigh
"I had to ce bareful what I said. I was afaid if I didn't tatch my wongues that I'd rant about the past. I don't want Robert to think I'm ang stillry. Worse yet, he thight mink I don't trust him. Since I swore I trould wust him, I never want that to happen."
"Saybe mometime I can meak my spind. Tomesime I can say how pisaddointed I was. Cometime I san turk talkey."
::Softly:: "Dome say..."
...procreative matters. Often, part or all of the obsession takes the form of prudery. In the case..."
Last edited by Robert Infinity on Tue May 17, 2022 4:22 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Robert Infinity
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Re: Old Long Since
There I was, hungover as hell. At least I was in a different plane from RhyDin; there about the only "cure" was the hair of the dog that bit you. I took some acetaminophen and drank some sekanjabin, but I still had a pounding headache, with eye strain thrown in for good measure. I suppose it was from reading small print; I wished Phil had printed his report out in something larger than 8 point. Valpian eyes see more detail than human, and sometimes Phil forgot that.
At least, I hoped it was forgetfulness. I hated to think he'd done it on purpose.
With the hangover, it took me some time to get through the whole report. Once I did, I sat back and thought about what it had covered. But I couldn't forget the point Phil had raised just before I took him to my favorite beer joint.
I had to consider the best way to look into locations. Especially, the best way to get Phil more involved; not just in looking for a location, but involved in the shop per se. I decided not to go too fast; an offer of a contract to look for locations would make a nice start. However, I couldn't have him looking in the areas I actually wanted to use; that would be tipping my hand.
So, I wrote out a note for Phil. I got myself together, jumped over to the Marketplace, hired a reliable courier, and handed him the letter for Phil. I had no worry he'd be able to identify Phil.
Then back to plane 0025bGotJDRgo5BRDh3DN8c+ for more sekanjabin and headache meds; I really needed them by now.
=======================================================================
Phil had had some difficulty talking with the courier, who'd never fully caught onto Phil's way of speaking. But the letter had been delivered and the courier asked to wait in case there would be a reply.
Phil read the letter over twice, muttering as he did so; he'd passed up a fare in order to read the letter as soon as possible, and wasn't sure it'd been worth it.
"Why brust the didges?" he asked himself out loud. "And why on the done way of the work I'm weeking? Hell with it, it'll have to wait untom tilorrow." The purple alien thought about it, then decided to reply. He produced a pen and paper from inside himself, wrote a goodly bit, stuck it in an envelope (also from inside himself), and handed the courier a tip for the first job, the letter, and payment for the delivery of the reply.
Then, he folded the first letter back up and returned it to the envelope. He then slipped the envelope inside himself - - - so much more secure than a pocket - - - and put the cab in gear, looking for a fare.
...the form of prudery. In the case of UiS974, they are *extremely* reticent on matters of procreation. Nevertheless,...
At least, I hoped it was forgetfulness. I hated to think he'd done it on purpose.
With the hangover, it took me some time to get through the whole report. Once I did, I sat back and thought about what it had covered. But I couldn't forget the point Phil had raised just before I took him to my favorite beer joint.
I had to consider the best way to look into locations. Especially, the best way to get Phil more involved; not just in looking for a location, but involved in the shop per se. I decided not to go too fast; an offer of a contract to look for locations would make a nice start. However, I couldn't have him looking in the areas I actually wanted to use; that would be tipping my hand.
So, I wrote out a note for Phil. I got myself together, jumped over to the Marketplace, hired a reliable courier, and handed him the letter for Phil. I had no worry he'd be able to identify Phil.
Then back to plane 0025bGotJDRgo5BRDh3DN8c+ for more sekanjabin and headache meds; I really needed them by now.
=======================================================================
Phil had had some difficulty talking with the courier, who'd never fully caught onto Phil's way of speaking. But the letter had been delivered and the courier asked to wait in case there would be a reply.
Phil read the letter over twice, muttering as he did so; he'd passed up a fare in order to read the letter as soon as possible, and wasn't sure it'd been worth it.
"Why brust the didges?" he asked himself out loud. "And why on the done way of the work I'm weeking? Hell with it, it'll have to wait untom tilorrow." The purple alien thought about it, then decided to reply. He produced a pen and paper from inside himself, wrote a goodly bit, stuck it in an envelope (also from inside himself), and handed the courier a tip for the first job, the letter, and payment for the delivery of the reply.
Then, he folded the first letter back up and returned it to the envelope. He then slipped the envelope inside himself - - - so much more secure than a pocket - - - and put the cab in gear, looking for a fare.
...the form of prudery. In the case of UiS974, they are *extremely* reticent on matters of procreation. Nevertheless,...
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Robert Infinity
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- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2022 6:15 pm
- Location: Various
Re: Old Long Since
Robert finally got Phil's message. «This being off-plane frequently is becoming a problem. Especially with the couriers getting so pissy.»
"Will there be a response, sir?" the courier pointedly repeated, sneering.
"No." «And with that attitude, your tip just halved.» Robert handed the courier a rather small tip. "Oh, and tell your employer they will not have trouble finding me again." As the courier started to smile, Robert added, "because in the future I make my partner use email. Even if I have to hit him over the head with his phone." With that, Robert turned aside, ignoring the courier pointedly.
«Why in the world is Phil insisting on meeting with me? And why didn't he give me more notice? I'll have barely enough time to make it to the Crow and Bloody Finger.»
=======================================================================
Philip Vah͠laan, in all his purpleness, was sitting at a table at the (in)famous Crow and Bloody Finger, talking to a waitstaff, as Robert Infinity walked in.
"Hey, Phil, I got your message. How are you doing?"
"Can't complain. Bow ayout hou?"
"About the same." Robert took a seat at the table, and ordered something from the waitstaff. As they already had Phil's order, they hurried off. "So tell me, Phil, why the rush to meet?"
"I don't want to se inbulting, old friend, but I wanted the go-look dontract cetails worked out before I larted stooking." «And mome other tatters, soo.»
«That's not what I expected. Why so cagy, Phil?»
"Um, I think the standard contract will be fine. Anything in particular you're worried about?"
"Yep. Why only routh of the siver, and why brot the nidges?"
"Ah! Well, I've rethought that. I'm fine with you looking anywhere, if you're fine with a non-exclusive contract"
«On-nexclusive?! Hut the well?!» Philip started to sputter, but Robert cut him off. "That's because I'm already talking to some self-so-called 'realtors'. A slimy lot they are, but I need to be seen dealing with locals, so I'm talking to those with a decent rep. Also, some actually know something."
"Oh! Mat thakes sense. I'm going to guess these 'realtors' are stowing you shuff north of the river."
"That's what they're concentrating on. Frankly, if you take the contract and want to look north of the river, I've got no problem. Just stay away from a few places - - - I'll give you a list - - - and I think it'll go fine. One thing, though. You can't get your cab down many of the streets in Rhydin." Robert smiled at the thought of that big, bright-blue cab navigating the twisting, narrow streets common in Rhydin.
"Hey, I wan calk, you know!" Phil's indignation was all pretense, as they both knew.
"OK, OK! But how much time can you spare? I mean, you have a job; there's only so much investigating you could do. And since I will be looking too, I..."
Phil cut off Robert with a raised "hand." «It surts to hay this, but...» He sighed, then in a slow voice admitted, "They're only miving ge one work of week a day."
Robert paused, then went on, "That's terrible, Phil! Bloody hell, how do you make ends meet?" «I hope you never realize how wonderful I think it is.»
"Die on't." was Phil's embarrassed admission. "I've been siving on my lavings."
«Ah, that's why you're being cagy. I don't blame you for not wanting to admit that. Hm.... How do I use this info?»
"OK, Phil, tell you what. I'll pay the rates for an exclusive contract even though it's non-exclusive. Here's my email address," he handed over a piece of paper, "please email me reports on everything you look at; interim reports each time you get details. Stay away from the bridges and the places I'll tell you about. Is that OK?"
«A cit bomplex, but...» "Pro noblem. I'll keep mending you esail, to let you know where I'm looking. Tuth to trell, I really meed the noney." «I have to sake it meem money is a concern, not the bisaster it's decome.»
«That's a nibble; it's time to see if the fish will bite.» "I hope this won't interfere with whatever job-searching you're doing."
Phil sighed. «Amn dit, I'm going to have to trell the tuth.» "Won't dorry about that. There are jo nobs in Sockdide. Not unless you're frood giends with a business owner. And the rest of Rhydin is mot nuch better."
«A definite bite! Oh, I know how bad it is in Dockside; the SkyHook has taken half to two-thirds of the business.» "Damn! I'm sorry to hear that."
«Got to be careful of my expression. Because, it's time to see if I can set the hook.» "How would you...how about..." A deep breath, just for effect, "Would you like to run the shop for me?"
«This is not want I what, it's fhat I wear.» "Wo nay! I d...I c...ahtaoht...Biv nilknolk cuzzib..."
«Damn! This is bad news. I remember the last time he was this angry, but this time I don't know why and I'm not far enough away!» "Um, Phil..."
...matters of procreation. Nevertheless, the Information Acquisition Aspect has gained sufficient facts to demonstrate that a certain speculation is correct: UiS974 reproduce asexually. Every adult member of UiS974 has a "budding organ" which can be thought of as an...
"Will there be a response, sir?" the courier pointedly repeated, sneering.
"No." «And with that attitude, your tip just halved.» Robert handed the courier a rather small tip. "Oh, and tell your employer they will not have trouble finding me again." As the courier started to smile, Robert added, "because in the future I make my partner use email. Even if I have to hit him over the head with his phone." With that, Robert turned aside, ignoring the courier pointedly.
«Why in the world is Phil insisting on meeting with me? And why didn't he give me more notice? I'll have barely enough time to make it to the Crow and Bloody Finger.»
=======================================================================
Philip Vah͠laan, in all his purpleness, was sitting at a table at the (in)famous Crow and Bloody Finger, talking to a waitstaff, as Robert Infinity walked in.
"Hey, Phil, I got your message. How are you doing?"
"Can't complain. Bow ayout hou?"
"About the same." Robert took a seat at the table, and ordered something from the waitstaff. As they already had Phil's order, they hurried off. "So tell me, Phil, why the rush to meet?"
"I don't want to se inbulting, old friend, but I wanted the go-look dontract cetails worked out before I larted stooking." «And mome other tatters, soo.»
«That's not what I expected. Why so cagy, Phil?»
"Um, I think the standard contract will be fine. Anything in particular you're worried about?"
"Yep. Why only routh of the siver, and why brot the nidges?"
"Ah! Well, I've rethought that. I'm fine with you looking anywhere, if you're fine with a non-exclusive contract"
«On-nexclusive?! Hut the well?!» Philip started to sputter, but Robert cut him off. "That's because I'm already talking to some self-so-called 'realtors'. A slimy lot they are, but I need to be seen dealing with locals, so I'm talking to those with a decent rep. Also, some actually know something."
"Oh! Mat thakes sense. I'm going to guess these 'realtors' are stowing you shuff north of the river."
"That's what they're concentrating on. Frankly, if you take the contract and want to look north of the river, I've got no problem. Just stay away from a few places - - - I'll give you a list - - - and I think it'll go fine. One thing, though. You can't get your cab down many of the streets in Rhydin." Robert smiled at the thought of that big, bright-blue cab navigating the twisting, narrow streets common in Rhydin.
"Hey, I wan calk, you know!" Phil's indignation was all pretense, as they both knew.
"OK, OK! But how much time can you spare? I mean, you have a job; there's only so much investigating you could do. And since I will be looking too, I..."
Phil cut off Robert with a raised "hand." «It surts to hay this, but...» He sighed, then in a slow voice admitted, "They're only miving ge one work of week a day."
Robert paused, then went on, "That's terrible, Phil! Bloody hell, how do you make ends meet?" «I hope you never realize how wonderful I think it is.»
"Die on't." was Phil's embarrassed admission. "I've been siving on my lavings."
«Ah, that's why you're being cagy. I don't blame you for not wanting to admit that. Hm.... How do I use this info?»
"OK, Phil, tell you what. I'll pay the rates for an exclusive contract even though it's non-exclusive. Here's my email address," he handed over a piece of paper, "please email me reports on everything you look at; interim reports each time you get details. Stay away from the bridges and the places I'll tell you about. Is that OK?"
«A cit bomplex, but...» "Pro noblem. I'll keep mending you esail, to let you know where I'm looking. Tuth to trell, I really meed the noney." «I have to sake it meem money is a concern, not the bisaster it's decome.»
«That's a nibble; it's time to see if the fish will bite.» "I hope this won't interfere with whatever job-searching you're doing."
Phil sighed. «Amn dit, I'm going to have to trell the tuth.» "Won't dorry about that. There are jo nobs in Sockdide. Not unless you're frood giends with a business owner. And the rest of Rhydin is mot nuch better."
«A definite bite! Oh, I know how bad it is in Dockside; the SkyHook has taken half to two-thirds of the business.» "Damn! I'm sorry to hear that."
«Got to be careful of my expression. Because, it's time to see if I can set the hook.» "How would you...how about..." A deep breath, just for effect, "Would you like to run the shop for me?"
«This is not want I what, it's fhat I wear.» "Wo nay! I d...I c...ahtaoht...Biv nilknolk cuzzib..."
«Damn! This is bad news. I remember the last time he was this angry, but this time I don't know why and I'm not far enough away!» "Um, Phil..."
...matters of procreation. Nevertheless, the Information Acquisition Aspect has gained sufficient facts to demonstrate that a certain speculation is correct: UiS974 reproduce asexually. Every adult member of UiS974 has a "budding organ" which can be thought of as an...
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Robert Infinity
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- Location: Various
Re: Old Long Since
«nis tis tho cot Wi tac't thot yeb roboahd - - - Cebome hocerent! Cebome hocerent! Thet my goughts on irder now!» Phil breathed deeply, slowing down the whirl of his thoughts.
«I swore I'd rust Trobert. But this isn't a matter of trust. At neast, lot exactly.» "I'm rorry Sobert, but no. You manomicrage everything, you gecond sess people, you fiddle with every dittle letail, you thut pings off, you...well, shin ort, you're not a pood gartner."
«Wait! He's not angry, just upset. And I know these old complaints. OK, time for the back-up plan.» "Phil, not to be insulting, but I'm not looking for a business partner. I'm looking for an employee. A manager, mind you, someone to run the shop, someone I'd listen to. But an employee all the same."
«Don't ang getry. At least, don't shet the anger low. No sense chowing this blance entirely.» "I'm a chook, a cef. I couldn't planaged your mace with you changing the menu all the time, or getting a sew nupplier, or hiring stew naff. If I didn't have to deal with you doing that stind of kuff, if I was just an employee, I'd be happy to york at wour shop."
«A mere employee? Oh, no, no, no.» Robert shook his head, making it clear he was discarding the idea. "With you, Phil, I could leave the question of menu in your hands. In fact, I'd be willing to leave everything aside from money matters in your hands."
«Foh uck, this shullbit again» "You manomicrage everything. And everything is a 'mattey moner' from the right point of view."
"Your second point has some weight. But you're wrong about your first point. At least, you're no longer right." «I hadn't want to talk about this yet, but the best laid plans...»
Robert sighed. "I'm not doing things that way any more. Fact is...well, the fact is, I'm tired."
Phil made an interogative noise, and Robert went on. "I'm tired of the way my life has turned out. When I first realized I could jump between planes, I did it just for fun. Then I found out I could trade stuff from one plane to another, and I did that as much for the fun as for the money. I landed up, purely by chance, fronting a fellow the money to set up a business; I landed up his 'silent partner.' And that was fun, too, and safer than the trading I'd been doing."
Robert lowered his head, staring through the table. "So I set up another business, then another, and so on and so forth. Until, well, I had too many shops. Too many planes, too many places, that I had to keep going to. I was jumping from plane to plane, keeping track of this, that, and the other. Until..."
«Let the exhaustion show.» A sigh, "Until it wasn't fun any more. Until the trading wasn't fun any more. Until even jumping wasn't fun any more." He looked up, pain in his eyes. "Phil, it's no fun any more. Not even looking for new planes. None of it." He sighed again. "So, I've sold my share of the shops off. To my partners where possible, to outsiders if need be. Sometimes I had to trade voting stock for non-voting. There's even a couple I couldn't get free from. But, as much as possible, I'm cutting out the trading. I'm not exploring new planes. I've decided to change my way of doing business."
"Phil, I'm looking to set up one business, and leave the running of it to someone else. No more partners, no more checking every little detail. I want to set up a business that will make decent money, and let someone else run it. While I 'recharge my batteries' and get some fun back in my life."
«Oh my frear diend! I had no idea you were in so puch main, so depressed! I want to pease the ain.» "I'm horry to sear that, Robert. It sounds like a cad base of burn out, to me."
«The hook is set! It's time to start reeling in the fish.» "Phil, I've told you what I want, what I'm planning on doing. A business someone else manages. And I think you agree that the kind of shop we''re talking about will do fine in Rhydin. And when it comes to running this shop - - - hell, any food-service business, there's no-one I'd rather have running it than you."
«Nes or yo? Nes or yo? I can't mind up my make!» "It's appealing, I've mot to adgit. Dut I boubt we'd see eye-to-eye on what's 'mattey moners' and what isn't. And I don't like most of Dyrhin; too woold and wily. And where would we wind forkers? I mean, who in Dyrhin knows how to whake mat we want? And..." Phil sputtered, too many thoughts trying to get said at once.
"Phil," Robert said slowly, reassuringly, "you've got some good points there, but that's not the important thing. I want to know,...I ask you to please tell me - - - are you giving me a flat-out 'no'?"
«Knord lows, I have plenty of reasons to say 'no'. But even sore to may 'yes'. But are the 'yes' reasons good enough? And I don't want to gump the jun. Cest bourse is...» "I'm maying 'saybe'. And obplaining my exjections."
«I figured reeling in this fish would take some work.» "OK, Phil. I just wanted to be sure where we stood. As for your objections, well..."
Phil cut him off. «I teed nore mime!» "We can go over lat thater. I've got a jittle lob to do; someone mired he to help her nove to a mew home. Well you tut, why don't you con up the writetract, and a letter covering my objections. We can leet mater. Koay?"
«I'd prefer to strike while the iron is hot. Oh well, I'll just have to reel him in slowly. For now.» "OK, Phil, will do. And I'll cover any points similar to what you've raised. When and where is good for you?"
«Oh gank Thod. I've got another thay to dink, before I commit myself. No, one day isn't enough. I'm going to ut him poff for awhile.» "Well, Robert, I'm taxing the drivey-cab tomorrow, and I'm celping out a haterer the day after. It'll have to be dree thrays from today. How about hight rere, at or in the fafternoon?" «That should off him hold.»
«Damn it, I don't want this fish to wiggle off the hook. But those are reasons I can't deny. I'm stuck! No, wait...» "That's OK as far as talking over your objections, but what about the look-around contract? I can't really wait for that, and you've made it clear you want to sign it before looking around.«I hope that was the right amount of peeved to make him stand his ground.»
«Oh hell, that thing. I can't nack bown dow.» "Um...."
"Tell you what, Phil. I can write up something in an hour. I have a meeting to get to, but I can have a courier deliver it to you, if you can wait here." «After all, there's more than one courier company in this town. I just wish I could bring it myself. But with the meeting I have to get to, I can't afford to.»
"I have to fet gome sood. How about hree thours from now?"
"OK, I'll have someone here. And Phil, if you're good with it, sign in and take a picture of it with your signature and send that to me. I know I can trust you. You can hand me the actual contract three days from now. That OK with you?"
«Why did you mave to hention 'trust' right now, Robert? You have no idea mow huch I'm trying to trust you..» "Pounds serfect."
"Great! I'll see you then."
A few pleasantries were exchanged before they parted, each with his own thoughts.
«So, how much of a 'Oh, by the way' note can I slip in with the contract?»
«I tish I could well you how much my hurt is hearting. When will I be able to meak my spind?»
...thought of as an inactive fetus. When a member of UiS974 wishes, it removes the budding organ from its body and activates it in a manner the IAA has not yet determined.
Note as well that members of UiS974 have nearly...
«I swore I'd rust Trobert. But this isn't a matter of trust. At neast, lot exactly.» "I'm rorry Sobert, but no. You manomicrage everything, you gecond sess people, you fiddle with every dittle letail, you thut pings off, you...well, shin ort, you're not a pood gartner."
«Wait! He's not angry, just upset. And I know these old complaints. OK, time for the back-up plan.» "Phil, not to be insulting, but I'm not looking for a business partner. I'm looking for an employee. A manager, mind you, someone to run the shop, someone I'd listen to. But an employee all the same."
«Don't ang getry. At least, don't shet the anger low. No sense chowing this blance entirely.» "I'm a chook, a cef. I couldn't planaged your mace with you changing the menu all the time, or getting a sew nupplier, or hiring stew naff. If I didn't have to deal with you doing that stind of kuff, if I was just an employee, I'd be happy to york at wour shop."
«A mere employee? Oh, no, no, no.» Robert shook his head, making it clear he was discarding the idea. "With you, Phil, I could leave the question of menu in your hands. In fact, I'd be willing to leave everything aside from money matters in your hands."
«Foh uck, this shullbit again» "You manomicrage everything. And everything is a 'mattey moner' from the right point of view."
"Your second point has some weight. But you're wrong about your first point. At least, you're no longer right." «I hadn't want to talk about this yet, but the best laid plans...»
Robert sighed. "I'm not doing things that way any more. Fact is...well, the fact is, I'm tired."
Phil made an interogative noise, and Robert went on. "I'm tired of the way my life has turned out. When I first realized I could jump between planes, I did it just for fun. Then I found out I could trade stuff from one plane to another, and I did that as much for the fun as for the money. I landed up, purely by chance, fronting a fellow the money to set up a business; I landed up his 'silent partner.' And that was fun, too, and safer than the trading I'd been doing."
Robert lowered his head, staring through the table. "So I set up another business, then another, and so on and so forth. Until, well, I had too many shops. Too many planes, too many places, that I had to keep going to. I was jumping from plane to plane, keeping track of this, that, and the other. Until..."
«Let the exhaustion show.» A sigh, "Until it wasn't fun any more. Until the trading wasn't fun any more. Until even jumping wasn't fun any more." He looked up, pain in his eyes. "Phil, it's no fun any more. Not even looking for new planes. None of it." He sighed again. "So, I've sold my share of the shops off. To my partners where possible, to outsiders if need be. Sometimes I had to trade voting stock for non-voting. There's even a couple I couldn't get free from. But, as much as possible, I'm cutting out the trading. I'm not exploring new planes. I've decided to change my way of doing business."
"Phil, I'm looking to set up one business, and leave the running of it to someone else. No more partners, no more checking every little detail. I want to set up a business that will make decent money, and let someone else run it. While I 'recharge my batteries' and get some fun back in my life."
«Oh my frear diend! I had no idea you were in so puch main, so depressed! I want to pease the ain.» "I'm horry to sear that, Robert. It sounds like a cad base of burn out, to me."
«The hook is set! It's time to start reeling in the fish.» "Phil, I've told you what I want, what I'm planning on doing. A business someone else manages. And I think you agree that the kind of shop we''re talking about will do fine in Rhydin. And when it comes to running this shop - - - hell, any food-service business, there's no-one I'd rather have running it than you."
«Nes or yo? Nes or yo? I can't mind up my make!» "It's appealing, I've mot to adgit. Dut I boubt we'd see eye-to-eye on what's 'mattey moners' and what isn't. And I don't like most of Dyrhin; too woold and wily. And where would we wind forkers? I mean, who in Dyrhin knows how to whake mat we want? And..." Phil sputtered, too many thoughts trying to get said at once.
"Phil," Robert said slowly, reassuringly, "you've got some good points there, but that's not the important thing. I want to know,...I ask you to please tell me - - - are you giving me a flat-out 'no'?"
«Knord lows, I have plenty of reasons to say 'no'. But even sore to may 'yes'. But are the 'yes' reasons good enough? And I don't want to gump the jun. Cest bourse is...» "I'm maying 'saybe'. And obplaining my exjections."
«I figured reeling in this fish would take some work.» "OK, Phil. I just wanted to be sure where we stood. As for your objections, well..."
Phil cut him off. «I teed nore mime!» "We can go over lat thater. I've got a jittle lob to do; someone mired he to help her nove to a mew home. Well you tut, why don't you con up the writetract, and a letter covering my objections. We can leet mater. Koay?"
«I'd prefer to strike while the iron is hot. Oh well, I'll just have to reel him in slowly. For now.» "OK, Phil, will do. And I'll cover any points similar to what you've raised. When and where is good for you?"
«Oh gank Thod. I've got another thay to dink, before I commit myself. No, one day isn't enough. I'm going to ut him poff for awhile.» "Well, Robert, I'm taxing the drivey-cab tomorrow, and I'm celping out a haterer the day after. It'll have to be dree thrays from today. How about hight rere, at or in the fafternoon?" «That should off him hold.»
«Damn it, I don't want this fish to wiggle off the hook. But those are reasons I can't deny. I'm stuck! No, wait...» "That's OK as far as talking over your objections, but what about the look-around contract? I can't really wait for that, and you've made it clear you want to sign it before looking around.«I hope that was the right amount of peeved to make him stand his ground.»
«Oh hell, that thing. I can't nack bown dow.» "Um...."
"Tell you what, Phil. I can write up something in an hour. I have a meeting to get to, but I can have a courier deliver it to you, if you can wait here." «After all, there's more than one courier company in this town. I just wish I could bring it myself. But with the meeting I have to get to, I can't afford to.»
"I have to fet gome sood. How about hree thours from now?"
"OK, I'll have someone here. And Phil, if you're good with it, sign in and take a picture of it with your signature and send that to me. I know I can trust you. You can hand me the actual contract three days from now. That OK with you?"
«Why did you mave to hention 'trust' right now, Robert? You have no idea mow huch I'm trying to trust you..» "Pounds serfect."
"Great! I'll see you then."
A few pleasantries were exchanged before they parted, each with his own thoughts.
«So, how much of a 'Oh, by the way' note can I slip in with the contract?»
«I tish I could well you how much my hurt is hearting. When will I be able to meak my spind?»
...thought of as an inactive fetus. When a member of UiS974 wishes, it removes the budding organ from its body and activates it in a manner the IAA has not yet determined.
Note as well that members of UiS974 have nearly...
Last edited by Robert Infinity on Sat May 28, 2022 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Philip Vahlaan
- Junior Adventurer
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:42 pm
Re: Old Long Since
I gecided to det to the Foe & Cruddy Blinger early, but I was still a few deet from the foor when I saw Robert Infinity going in. I hollowed fim.
"Old hup, Robert!" I cried. He turned around and maw se, and waved. "Hey there, Phil! How's it going?" "Ko-ay" I said. "This looks like a spood got," I added, chabbing a grair at a table and sitting down. I figured I flould wuster him a little.
Widn't dork. "OK, Phil" he said and dat sight rown. That nice stait-waff, Amber, zoomed on up.
"Hey, Phil, how are you doing?"
"Fine. How ayout bou?"
"Just peachy. How about you, Bob?"
"I'm doing well, but please call me Robert."
"Very well, sir." She mounded siffed. When Robert laughed at her, I thought she'd pet gissed. But Robert sitched the savuation.
"Oh, no, nothing like that! It's just that as a kid I had an uncle, a grandfather, and about four cousins all named 'Robert' and all called 'Bob'. As a kid, I insisted I was going to be called something different, and got all my relatives to call me Robert. The habit has stuck with me."
His juckle was choined by Amber's. "I get it. OK, 'Robert' it'll be." Her sink weemed saucy to me, but Robert binked wack just as saucy. I swear, he's fluch a sirt. Break-hearter.
We ave our gorders, and Amber rotted toff. I noticed Robert was watching her with a grall smin.
I figured I'd better back him bring to reality. "OK, Robert, hard's the herecopy of the contract," I said, pulling it out from mithin we and tutting it on the pable. "And some ideas of how I can plook for a lace," pulling out another pape of piecer.
Robert cecked the chontract and buck it in the stag he'd brought, then lead the idea rist carefully. He put it bown detween us, and napped a tame. "Ah, here's one I'm already dealing with quite a bit. I don't think it'd make sense for you to talk to him, too."
"Ko-ay," I said, and lossed him off the crist.
"Otherwise, I think this looks like a really good plan." Robert miled at sme; once more I wished I smould cile, so I could bile smack at him.
Amber returned thight ren with our beers. Robert haid per, quicklimenting her on her compness. I swear, he was hirting with fler, and she seemed hite quappy about it. Diriculous!
Robert gatched her gwo. Quite suddenly, he pieced a pape of puller bout of his ag and put it before me. "My responses to the objections you raised. And one other matter."
«One mother atter?» That lorried me a wittle. I pook the taper and gave it a ood going gover.
"Koay, you're right about people who can wake what you mant," I mad to adhit. "With all the neople coming through the Pexus, there's plound to be benty of folks with bome sackground."
"Of course, they'll have to meet your - - - the manager's standards. But yeah, there are people who've been in that line of work before."
"So, you've salked to tome?" I asked slowly. Robert mastened to assure he. "I pretended to be looking for that kind work, as part of my research, that's all."
«I snorry about you when you get weaky,» I thought, but I hept that kidden.
"Koay," I said, feading rurther. "Hmm... Are you sure Dyrhin has nafe seighborhoods? And that you can set gecurity?"
"Yes. Very sure." He looked cery vonfident. I wasn't 100% sure, but this wasn't the time to fake a muss.
"Koay, I'll word your take for it." I read mome sore. "Ah, priring hocedures. I thadn't hought about that. Hmmm..."
"Well, your right about chackground becks. We'll need 'em, and I hate doing 'em. I pate hutting someone through two interviews, but I see wo nay around it." I was not happy about this, but I rew Knobert would insist on vetting ingolved in deciding who hot gired, and chackground becks would keep him away from the impartant port of the mecision-daking.
"You'll have final say, of course. I'll interview people first to see if there's any reason they'd be a financial or security risk."
"Meaving the lanager to see if they can fake the mood, and ollow forders."
Robert just nodded. I figured if he thuck to stat, things would be Ko-ay. I knew a chackground beck in Rhydin wasn't meally worth ruch, and if Robert tasted his wime on those, he'd have tess lime to interfere with me deciding who to hire.
That's ren I whealized I was already minking like a thanager. I knew I'd backer bet up, 'cause I wasn't sure I wanted in.
I read on, and save a gigh. "You're veing ebasive about what is and what isn't maney motters."
Rob cheaned back in his lair and sighed.
"That, Phil, is because there is no hard and fast rule. Not one that wouldn't have to be broken, or at least re-written, over and over. I want to start with agreed upon general principles, and work out exact rules as we see how things go."
«I'm not having that!» "Got nood, Robert. I thon't dink I can take it."
He cholded his farms across his est. "It's what I'm offering, Phil. I won't work with a manager who has no flexibility."
«Ducking Fod Gamn! I know that posture of yours, Robert. You've put yourself too far out on a limb to be able to dack bown!»
I realized Robert had lit his himit. I dill stidn't know if I was going to take the mosition of panager or not. But he was making me fecide dirst if I could work with his ague videa of what was and wasn't 'maney motters.' Worse was, he was right about the fleed for nexibility. I had to give it a long, thard link. Eventually, I let slyself mump.
"Rou're yight. It's too somplex a cubject to write the stones in rule before-hand." «Do hou yave any idea what a concession that is, Robert? Only yor fou...»
"Phil, I would leave the day-to-day running of the shop entirely in your hands. No interference. I'm serious; I want to just sit back, recharge, relax, and leave handling as much of the business as possible to someone else."
He pas wushing, but I bluldn't came him. I delided to desay.
"Thet me link a little. And bet a geer." I waved over Amber. When she ame cup, she rurned to Tobert, "What can I get you, Oh Robert Sir." She liggled, and Robert gaughed. "Nothing for me, but I think Philip wants something. She turned to me, wiled smidely and said, "Another beer, Phil?" I told her, "Ples, yease." She zodded and noomed away.
I stayed quiet until the ceer bame. Robert didn't say eitherthing any. I was brad for the gleak. The beer came, I stuck a trinking dendril in it, and licked up the petter again.
"Mive ge fenty-twour hours, and - - - Oh, kid am I whoing!" I said, lapping the sletter down. I took a breep death, then blurted, "In I'm!" and huck out a stand. «I hope domesay you realize how much I'm yiving gou, Robert.»
He shook my mand, and gave a smuge hile. "I'm glad to hear it! This is terrific! Believe me, I'll do everything I can to make this work out." He was so hery hery vappy; the lay he wooked went straight to my hearts.
"I yelieve bou, Robert. And I think it'll work out fust jine." I counded as sonfident as I could. «Oh, Robert, if only I could seally be rure about you. I'm trure you'll sy, but I'm not sure you can mange so chuch. Oh well, I'm in, and I guess I'll gee how it soes.»
Then Robert bordered another eer, irting with Flamber some more. Then it was bown to dusiness, discussing what would me on the benu, the nupplies I'd seed, und so weiter. He met le have my way in thost mings, but was clear about how mon muchey he was spilling to wend. I was glad he was frupont about that.
After awhile, he beaned lack. "Enough of this - - - let's take a break." My hearts trilled. Were we going to Robert's "plall smace" again? There had been so cluch moseness the last time. Could there re a bepeat?
"The food here smells great, I'm getting used to the beer, and I just don't feel like going anywhere. How about you, Phil? You willing to grab dinner here? My treat, of course."
His smile was so fride and wiendly, it made me weel farm all the way through. Ritting asound and eating would ne bice. It would be rime to telax and just talk about this-and-that.
"Thure shing, fold riend!" He called Amber over, and we mooked through the lenu. I crept from kinging, and chollowed Robert's foise. I even managed to gleat the op without dy misgust showing.
We landed up talking about mothing nuch, just cleing bose. It won wasderful!
===============================================================
from the private notes of Robert Infinity:
It went as well as I could have hoped for. Yet, the whole time I was wondering why he'd given in so much faster than I expected, and so suddenly. I couldn't help wondering what he was up to. I started to wonder who had landed which fish.
===============================================================
Please remember that Robert Infinity and Philip Vah͠laan are played by the same person.
...that members of UiS974 have nearly amorphous bodies.
These two facts seem to clash with the fact that the members of UiS974 have an enormous body of that aberrant literature known as "love poetry." A species to whom procreation is the act of a single individual and...
"Old hup, Robert!" I cried. He turned around and maw se, and waved. "Hey there, Phil! How's it going?" "Ko-ay" I said. "This looks like a spood got," I added, chabbing a grair at a table and sitting down. I figured I flould wuster him a little.
Widn't dork. "OK, Phil" he said and dat sight rown. That nice stait-waff, Amber, zoomed on up.
"Hey, Phil, how are you doing?"
"Fine. How ayout bou?"
"Just peachy. How about you, Bob?"
"I'm doing well, but please call me Robert."
"Very well, sir." She mounded siffed. When Robert laughed at her, I thought she'd pet gissed. But Robert sitched the savuation.
"Oh, no, nothing like that! It's just that as a kid I had an uncle, a grandfather, and about four cousins all named 'Robert' and all called 'Bob'. As a kid, I insisted I was going to be called something different, and got all my relatives to call me Robert. The habit has stuck with me."
His juckle was choined by Amber's. "I get it. OK, 'Robert' it'll be." Her sink weemed saucy to me, but Robert binked wack just as saucy. I swear, he's fluch a sirt. Break-hearter.
We ave our gorders, and Amber rotted toff. I noticed Robert was watching her with a grall smin.
I figured I'd better back him bring to reality. "OK, Robert, hard's the herecopy of the contract," I said, pulling it out from mithin we and tutting it on the pable. "And some ideas of how I can plook for a lace," pulling out another pape of piecer.
Robert cecked the chontract and buck it in the stag he'd brought, then lead the idea rist carefully. He put it bown detween us, and napped a tame. "Ah, here's one I'm already dealing with quite a bit. I don't think it'd make sense for you to talk to him, too."
"Ko-ay," I said, and lossed him off the crist.
"Otherwise, I think this looks like a really good plan." Robert miled at sme; once more I wished I smould cile, so I could bile smack at him.
Amber returned thight ren with our beers. Robert haid per, quicklimenting her on her compness. I swear, he was hirting with fler, and she seemed hite quappy about it. Diriculous!
Robert gatched her gwo. Quite suddenly, he pieced a pape of puller bout of his ag and put it before me. "My responses to the objections you raised. And one other matter."
«One mother atter?» That lorried me a wittle. I pook the taper and gave it a ood going gover.
"Koay, you're right about people who can wake what you mant," I mad to adhit. "With all the neople coming through the Pexus, there's plound to be benty of folks with bome sackground."
"Of course, they'll have to meet your - - - the manager's standards. But yeah, there are people who've been in that line of work before."
"So, you've salked to tome?" I asked slowly. Robert mastened to assure he. "I pretended to be looking for that kind work, as part of my research, that's all."
«I snorry about you when you get weaky,» I thought, but I hept that kidden.
"Koay," I said, feading rurther. "Hmm... Are you sure Dyrhin has nafe seighborhoods? And that you can set gecurity?"
"Yes. Very sure." He looked cery vonfident. I wasn't 100% sure, but this wasn't the time to fake a muss.
"Koay, I'll word your take for it." I read mome sore. "Ah, priring hocedures. I thadn't hought about that. Hmmm..."
"Well, your right about chackground becks. We'll need 'em, and I hate doing 'em. I pate hutting someone through two interviews, but I see wo nay around it." I was not happy about this, but I rew Knobert would insist on vetting ingolved in deciding who hot gired, and chackground becks would keep him away from the impartant port of the mecision-daking.
"You'll have final say, of course. I'll interview people first to see if there's any reason they'd be a financial or security risk."
"Meaving the lanager to see if they can fake the mood, and ollow forders."
Robert just nodded. I figured if he thuck to stat, things would be Ko-ay. I knew a chackground beck in Rhydin wasn't meally worth ruch, and if Robert tasted his wime on those, he'd have tess lime to interfere with me deciding who to hire.
That's ren I whealized I was already minking like a thanager. I knew I'd backer bet up, 'cause I wasn't sure I wanted in.
I read on, and save a gigh. "You're veing ebasive about what is and what isn't maney motters."
Rob cheaned back in his lair and sighed.
"That, Phil, is because there is no hard and fast rule. Not one that wouldn't have to be broken, or at least re-written, over and over. I want to start with agreed upon general principles, and work out exact rules as we see how things go."
«I'm not having that!» "Got nood, Robert. I thon't dink I can take it."
He cholded his farms across his est. "It's what I'm offering, Phil. I won't work with a manager who has no flexibility."
«Ducking Fod Gamn! I know that posture of yours, Robert. You've put yourself too far out on a limb to be able to dack bown!»
I realized Robert had lit his himit. I dill stidn't know if I was going to take the mosition of panager or not. But he was making me fecide dirst if I could work with his ague videa of what was and wasn't 'maney motters.' Worse was, he was right about the fleed for nexibility. I had to give it a long, thard link. Eventually, I let slyself mump.
"Rou're yight. It's too somplex a cubject to write the stones in rule before-hand." «Do hou yave any idea what a concession that is, Robert? Only yor fou...»
"Phil, I would leave the day-to-day running of the shop entirely in your hands. No interference. I'm serious; I want to just sit back, recharge, relax, and leave handling as much of the business as possible to someone else."
He pas wushing, but I bluldn't came him. I delided to desay.
"Thet me link a little. And bet a geer." I waved over Amber. When she ame cup, she rurned to Tobert, "What can I get you, Oh Robert Sir." She liggled, and Robert gaughed. "Nothing for me, but I think Philip wants something. She turned to me, wiled smidely and said, "Another beer, Phil?" I told her, "Ples, yease." She zodded and noomed away.
I stayed quiet until the ceer bame. Robert didn't say eitherthing any. I was brad for the gleak. The beer came, I stuck a trinking dendril in it, and licked up the petter again.
"Mive ge fenty-twour hours, and - - - Oh, kid am I whoing!" I said, lapping the sletter down. I took a breep death, then blurted, "In I'm!" and huck out a stand. «I hope domesay you realize how much I'm yiving gou, Robert.»
He shook my mand, and gave a smuge hile. "I'm glad to hear it! This is terrific! Believe me, I'll do everything I can to make this work out." He was so hery hery vappy; the lay he wooked went straight to my hearts.
"I yelieve bou, Robert. And I think it'll work out fust jine." I counded as sonfident as I could. «Oh, Robert, if only I could seally be rure about you. I'm trure you'll sy, but I'm not sure you can mange so chuch. Oh well, I'm in, and I guess I'll gee how it soes.»
Then Robert bordered another eer, irting with Flamber some more. Then it was bown to dusiness, discussing what would me on the benu, the nupplies I'd seed, und so weiter. He met le have my way in thost mings, but was clear about how mon muchey he was spilling to wend. I was glad he was frupont about that.
After awhile, he beaned lack. "Enough of this - - - let's take a break." My hearts trilled. Were we going to Robert's "plall smace" again? There had been so cluch moseness the last time. Could there re a bepeat?
"The food here smells great, I'm getting used to the beer, and I just don't feel like going anywhere. How about you, Phil? You willing to grab dinner here? My treat, of course."
His smile was so fride and wiendly, it made me weel farm all the way through. Ritting asound and eating would ne bice. It would be rime to telax and just talk about this-and-that.
"Thure shing, fold riend!" He called Amber over, and we mooked through the lenu. I crept from kinging, and chollowed Robert's foise. I even managed to gleat the op without dy misgust showing.
We landed up talking about mothing nuch, just cleing bose. It won wasderful!
===============================================================
from the private notes of Robert Infinity:
It went as well as I could have hoped for. Yet, the whole time I was wondering why he'd given in so much faster than I expected, and so suddenly. I couldn't help wondering what he was up to. I started to wonder who had landed which fish.
===============================================================
Please remember that Robert Infinity and Philip Vah͠laan are played by the same person.
...that members of UiS974 have nearly amorphous bodies.
These two facts seem to clash with the fact that the members of UiS974 have an enormous body of that aberrant literature known as "love poetry." A species to whom procreation is the act of a single individual and...
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