Patchwork Universe

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 1:11 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel did not find Miss Mercury's comment about HMP Devices particularly reassuring. Not least because anything 'dangerous in the wrong hands' usually found its way into those hands. Additionally, she still didn't know what HMP stood for - nor was Miss Mercury likely to say after her words to the zookeeper - although it clearly wasn't a list of subjects. She was, however, pretty certain that there were easier people to get that information out of than the head herself.

"As it is a big day," Jewel struggled to sound at ease still, "I think we should postpone our visit for another time. It is very kind of you to invite us for tea, but I think we should come back another day when you won't be expecting an army of parents."

She glanced at Dr Odom and Trubshawe, hoping that this would be their exit cue.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 219 Location: The Museum

Adopting his most bland and neutral aspect, Dr. Odom merely nodded once and stood waiting for Dr. Jewel and Trubshawe to lead the way.

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 153 Location: The Zoo

"We'll be off, then," cried Trubshawe. "A pleasure making your acquaintance, Headmistress."

There was a brief internal conflict between his mistrust of Miss Mercury and his entrepreneurial spirit, which could have only one outcome.

"And, should you ever wish to treat your charges to an enormously entertaining and educational field trip - " he thrust a sheaf of flyers into her hand - "the Zoo is just around the corner.

"I hope," he added in an undertone. "Right then, Dr Jewel, Dr Odom, shall we leave Miss Mercury to her demonstrations?" And he began to sidle off, bowing as courteously as it is possible to do while engaged in a speedy departure.

Miss Mercury · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 4:03 pm Post subject:

The Head mused on the rapidly-departing visitors. How strange their reaction was; they seemed to be scared of the HMP devices, as if they were, well, weapons of some kind. If they knew enough about them to ask the question, why did they react as if they were in danger? Only the suitably gifted could operate them, the effects of misuse were highly unlikely to affect any but the operator, and Miss Mercury had her own methods of ensuring that the appropriate personality requirements were met.

More importantly, why did Trubshawe lie about their affiliations?

She thought of the visitors.
Trubshawe: suspicious, gauche, unwilling to be reassured.
Odom: confident within himself, but bewildered, uncomfortable.
Jewel: somehow separated. Jewel could learn a few things here.

Walking up the steps to the building, a realisation came to Miss Mercury. Looking back at the visitors, she concentrated for a moment, then gave a small quick smile. Then into the school; she needed to hurry, or she would be late for the concert.

Cars were beginning to stream along the roads from the two villages, some coming towards the main school, others to the music centre, a few down towards the farm. Busy, busy.

Moving away from the school, Dr Odom felt a slight lessening of tension. Actually, the sky wasn't all that high, was it? Really, it was just like having a high blue ceiling, wasn't it?

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 153 Location: The Zoo

[thread continues for Trubshawe et al in "Back At The Rope Bridge"]