The VVC Chronicles, Part I:
THE INDIGO TOUCAN
Written October 4, 1993 - December 25, 1993
(C) Copyright 1993, Maximus Clarke and the VVC Writers
Group
May not be reproduced in any form without permission.
I.1
Speaking of dreams...
(I know, you're all thinking "Not another one"!)
I dreamed last week that I was in CSE when Belgarath announced
that he was adding a fifteenth board to MBBS. Now there was a joke
recently (really) about board 8 not being board 8 if it wasn't there,
or something. In the dream, board 15 was going to be called "Board 8"
as an extension of this joke. (Hey, my dreams even feature bad VAX humor.)
Then he said he'd add a 16th one, b/c it's easier to code for even numbers
of boards. (This too is from reality.) He said he wasn't sure who to
give it to...then he picked moi! I was quite happy.
Ah, what a pathetic life I lead... :)
User: Trav sez "Come to MbBs Board 16...It's virtual virtual reality!"
Date: 4-Oct 11:35 PM 749777750
I.2
And now, just jump two boards forward to Traveler's Virtual Virtual Cafe!
Grand Opening Date: i
:)
User: Traveler can dream, can't he?
Date: 4-Oct 11:48 PM 749778536
I.3
Gee, the Virtual Virtual Reality Cafe' --
**Dark Lady walks in and sits down**
MAX: May I take your order?
DL: **ponders** Well, what are the specials today?
MAX: We have a sonnet buffet, all you can read ... also, pitchers
with big ears and free wings ... and a special on Derrida.
DL: Hmmm. Well, I'm not fond of Derrida --
MAX: No one is. That's why he's on special.
DL: I thought so. Well, I think I'll have the sonnet buffet...
Shakespeare, number 150, 151, and, oh, what's the one about the
marriage of true minds? That one.
MAX: Excellent choice. Would you like to have something to drink
while you wait?
DL: Oh, "leave a kiss but in the cup, and I'll not ask for wine".
MAX: I'll be right back with your order.
User: Dark Lady sez -- don't get angry X! The quote just fit...
Date: 5-Oct 00:15 AM 749780172
I.4
Say! I'll bet working there would be much more ultracool than Publix... (:
User: ...deepman... Max, where do we apply? (:
Date: 5-Oct 01:14 PM 749826856
I.5
Max: What would I have to do to get that job as bartender?
User: ecstasy
Date: 5-Oct 02:32 PM 749831556
I.6
I'll bake the bread up fresh... maybe, if you ask nicely, I'll even fry
donuts.
(:
User: (: Diqman :) -- Virtual Virtual Cafi... the Cafi Dante? (*:
Date: 5-Oct 03:33 PM 749835213
I.7
Cafi Dante? Sashay, Chanti?
Actually, I make very good baklava, and I'm a dab hand at making
chicken and dumplings......may I have a job as a chef par excellence?
I suppose I could be from Cordon Negro -- the "dark" school of fine
cooking....
User: dark and possibly domesticated lady? nahhhh..... :)
Date: 5-Oct 04:50 PM 749839878
I.8
<<On a waterfront street in a nameless City somewhere in cyberspace,
signs of life stir within a large white stucco building. The vegetation
in the planters out front is still overflowing, but a path has been
cleared, and the door is no longer boarded up. Through a window, one
can see the large front room, full of tables with chairs upturned on
them. Everything is dusty. At the bar, the proprietor is interviewing
a prospective employee...>>
TRAVELER: I guess you saw the classified ad.
PALLAS: Yep, pretty much. Thanks for inviting me!
TRAVELER: So, have you ever worked as a busboy before?
PALLAS: Well, not like I've actually been a busboy, but lots of
people tell me to start the bus.
TRAVELER: Oh, well, it's an unskilled position. I guess I'll take you.
But no IRC or MUD while on the job!
PALLAS: (giggling) Yeah, sure, whatever...
User: Traveler
Date: 5-Oct 06:51 PM 749847112
I.9
Welll,............ya gotta have tea........
:)
...and a resident masseuse might be a useful feature...;)
User: Fireflyte... ...Mistress of Tea, Backrubs, and No Sleep...
Date: 5-Oct 08:33 PM 749853230
I.10
Yes, but I wear the big chef's hat -- I'm the Master/Mistress Chef. :)
Today's special is "Lemon" Pepper Chicken, not de-Bonoed. It will be served
with side dishes of Weil rice and broccoli. Accompanying the meal will be
large pitchers of margaritas!
Bon appetit!
User: Dark Lady -- short ordered cook
Date: 6-Oct 03:21 PM 749920940
I.11
<<In the Virtual Virtual VAX Cafe, Traveler is busy with hammer and nails,
fixing things up in the front room. He has Nine Inch Nails playing on his
boom box--a healthy dose of aggressive energy is always motivational. He has
already painted the room a brilliant white, and the sunlight coming through
the south windows makes blinding patterns on the walls. This room will
be called the White Room.>>
<<The new staff--DARICELL the chef, DIQ69 the baker, PALLAS the busboy,
ECSTASY the bartender, and FIREFLYTE the tea lady/masseuse--will be coming
in later today for a first meeting. By then, the White Room should be all
set up, with tables, chairs, decor, and a fully equipped bar. It won't be
long before Opening Night...>>
User: TRAVELER
Date: 6-Oct 11:20 AM 749906467
I.12
Ewww...Weil Rice!
Don't forget the maCSEhed potatoes and the MUD pie!
Hey Trav, if you need a security guard, let me know. Heck, if you need
ANYTHING, let me know...I'm desperately seeking employment.
User: Cado...Target that Midshipman and fire!
Date: 6-Oct 09:35 PM 749943374
I.13
"Look out below!"
A tall, friendly sort of fellow, with a short beard and a mule by his side,
descends a ladder piercing a hole in the ceiling. He extends his hand in
greeting. During the handshake you notice that his hands are trembling, from
his most recent dose of caffeine.
"Hi, I'm Jon," he says, wiping his hands on his apron. "What can I get you
today? Iced coffee? Maybe a smooth mint cappucino?"
His mule snorts in derision and pulls a dense demitasse of the thickest maple
syrup you've ever seen. No, wait -- it's pure cafi Cubano. The mule laps up
the stuff and climbs the ladder to the second floor in under two seconds.
"Oh, yeah," he says. "We've got the hard stuff, too. So, what's your
pleasure?"
User: Jon 'Sylvar' Valley
Date: 6-Oct 10:01 PM 749944903
I.14
A little history on Jon Vallee. He used to be Juan Valdez but "Americanized"
his name, as so many immigrants have. He went from the immigration office
directly to Seattle, where he spent an intense year learning the trade under
a coffeewoman named Kelly. (The answer to the rumors is Perhaps.)
His mule is addicted to cafi Cubano andisveryhappythankyouverymuch!
(Gimmemore,Igottahavemore,please,Jon,please!)
User: Sylvar -- "Featuring Jon Vallee and his mule."
Date: 7-Oct 01:38 PM 750001149
I.15
Cado: sure. We'll need a bouncer, especially in the Black Room
(that's the dance club at the back of the cafe)....
User: Traveler will soon post a full description of the VvV Cafe...
Date: 7-Oct 05:14 PM 750014106
I.16
*MISSING MATERIAL*
INCLUDES: LOUCH asks for, and receives, the position of hostess at the VVVC.
I.17
I'll work cheap as a bus boy. Tips only !!!!!!
User: STEFAN
Date: 7-Oct 11:25 PM 750036322
I.18
Hello...and welcome to the Virtual Virtual Max...er...Vax Cafe...
May your time here be virtually pleasant...*smile*
User: LOUCH
Date: 7-Oct 11:55 PM 750038143
I.19
The main door in the White room swings open. A cloud of white mist floats in
and gives the man entering behind it an eerie appearance.
*cough cough* *hack*
"Damn, dry ice!"
The man pulls a large chunk of solid CO2 out of his pocket, turns around, and
tosses it to SYLVAR. "You look like the coffee man, try some of that in the
expresso."
As the cloud clears, you can see this strange individual more clearly. He is
covered from neck to foot in a bright red cloak, reminiscent of something you
read about in history class. As he nonchalantly pushes back his (also bright
red) cape, you spy a small whip attached to his belt. On the other side of
hisdbelt T
User: Cardinal Ximinez is naked too!
Date: 8-Oct 02:00 AM 750045637
I.20
GOD DAMN LINE NOISE!!! AUGH! Anyway, point one, I was going to edit out the
'turns around' before tossing the CO2. Point b, I'll continue from where I
left off.
On the other side of his belt dangles a pair of silk lined handcuffs. You
wonder what other toys he might have hidden under his cloak. ECSTASY lifts an
eyebrow. The rest of the room is silent.
"I am Cardinal Ximinez, Head Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition."
Silence. Then from a corner, someone burps. The Cardinal grins.
"Perfect."
He moves towards the bar. It seems as if his feet are barely moving.
"X..."
"How did you know my name?"
"...I read the script. I'd like a Red Knight."
"I've never heard of one of those..."
"Not surprising, I only invented them recently. I'll give you the recipe
when you earn it. For now, I'll have a Pepsi...."
User: Cardinal Ximinez is wondering if you need another masseuse....
Date: 8-Oct 02:04 AM 750046847
I.21
gee, i'm glad i edited my board yesterday. :)
max, i'd like to be a regular, please. :)
User: SIREN
Date: 8-Oct 07:29 AM 750065401
I.22
This is kind of fun. :) Can I be a regular too, Max? I think I'd like a
steaming cup of creamy Suisse Mocha and a massage . . .
User: Pyewacket . . .smiling dreamily at the mere thought . . .
Date: 8-Oct 09:33 AM 750072814
I.23
**C R A S H**
**bubblebubblebubble**
**B-a-n-g!**
**stirstirstirstirstirstir**
"Hey, TRAVELER, we need more flour!"
Heat is emanating from the large oven in the corner of the kitchen.
DARICELL (you can't stop the copper-pot), white chef's hat firmly in
place, is stirring a pot of veggie chili; the fragrant spices fill the air
of the kitchen. She is also keeping a watchful eye on the carefully
seasoned roast, slowly browning in the oven, and the boiling potatoes
which will later be buttered and whipped to a perfect creamy consistency.
At the other side of the kitchen, DIQ69 is mixing a batch of cornbread
to go with the chili, and biscuits to go with the roast.
"Be patient, guys, it's got to simmer for a while."
User: Dark Lady loves her new job! (And send some cafe cubano my way)
Date: 8-Oct 09:47 AM 750074129
I.24
"Oh, boy! I get to use my toys again!" reads the thought-balloon above Jon's
head. It hangs for a few seconds, then wilts and flutters to the floor.
Jon turns his back to the door, which is still swinging on its hinges due to
the Cardinal's theatrical entrance. By pulling on levers, he produces great
quantities of steam which billow forth without benefit of the proffered CO .
2
He faces us again with a mug and a demitasse on his tray. The smoky aroma of
the cafi Cubano wraps itself around the rich mocha scent coming from the mug.
The mingled scents tickle the back of your mouth, which waters for a sip.
"That's one Suisse Mocha for you," he says, bringing the mug to Pyewacket,
"and one cafi Cubano for you, Dark One."
He walks into the kitchen to see what's baking. "Some scones ought to do the
trick today," he thinks. The thought-balloon wilts quickly in the heat and
melts down into the grate.
User: Jon Vallee, the human bein' with superhuman beans
Date: 8-Oct 10:36 AM 750076627
I.25
A man in a trenchcoat and a wide brimmed hat walks slowly through the
door and up to the counter. He leans forward, taking a drag on a cigarette.
"Hey, barkeep, give me a Bourbon with a diesel chaser."
X smirks, pulling out a bottle of bourbon, saying, "All our fuel is
leaded."
"That'll be fine miss." Zoroaster, Private Eye, glances around the
cafi appraisingly. "Well its no Rick's Cafi, but it has its own, er
panache..." Glancing outside, he notices a gendarme standing at the door.
"Do me a favor miss, if you should see an eccentric gentleman, dressed
for driving, and with a despicable hairdo, could you tell him to meet me at
the theater?"
"Dressed for driving?", X asks.
"Yes, you know, lots of leather and spikes. He'll be easy to find,
he shouts a lot, if you know what I mean."
"Is this on the up and up, Zoro?" X inquires again.
"You know I don't get involved. I stick my neck out for no one!"
Zoro slips X his tab, and leaves as quickly as he came.
User: ZOROASTER
Date: 8-Oct 11:34 AM 750080093
I.26
But at the door he is accosted by a man in a tux...TRAVELER.
"Haven't I seen you some place, stranger?" Zoro and Trav stare at
each other for a moment, tensely. Then each cracks a smile.
"So you're back in the City, eh? Putting down roots this time, I
see," says Zoro.
"Well, I've always liked this neck of the woods. Managed to scrape
together some capital, and bought this place." Trav looks around proudly.
"Hmm. Not bad." Zoro eyes an empty table in the corner. "Think I
could arrange for a table with my name on it? I may be a regular."
"Planning to...transact business here?"
"You have a problem with that?"
"Look, I'm just a saloonkeeper." Trav is irritated.
"You didn't used to be. What about those days with the punkos, and
all our other escapades?"
Trav sighs. "That was then, this is now." He scratches his jaw.
"But I suppose...if you keep it quiet, low-key...I might overlook anything
unusual. But I warn you...the cops may not. And I don't want trouble."
"Quiet and low-key is my middle name!" Zoro declares, backing into
the new busboy STEFAN. Zoro, STEFAN, and a tray of dirty dishes go flying.
Traveler snickers.
"What's the big idea?! Damn newbie!" Zoro grumbles.
"Hey, you're the one who ran into me!" protests STEFAN.
"All right, all right, just get this stuff picked up," says Trav. He
beckons LOUCH, and Lee, Press-On Headwaiter, who help clean up the mess.
Zoro's trench coat seems to have survived the accident with few stains, but
Trav hands him a white linen napkin.
"Speaking of yesteryear...you ever hear from that dame?" says Zoro.
"Morgan? You know what happened to her. Transmogrified. She is the
dreamer...she's imagination... Just part of the atmosphere of this City
now."
"So...you with anyone now?"
"With?" TRAVELER shrugs. "I dunno." He glances across the room
toward the Bar. At that moment, ECSTASY looks up, and their eyes meet. She
smirks, and goes back to drying glasses. TRAVELER turns back to Zoro. "But
I'm good friends with the barkeep."
ZOROASTER checks his watch. "Gotta run. Keep my table open."
TRAVELER nods. "And I'll look into that diesel bourbon X tells me
you requested." He grins. Zoro walks out into the night...
...almost colliding with SIREN, coming in the door. The two glare
at each other for a moment, then Zoro is gone.
"Hello there," says Trav. "LOUCH, show Miss Echlov to a table. I
think there's one free over next to PYEWACKIT's..."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 8-Oct 12:29 PM 750083392
I.27
Wafting out of the kitchen, amongst the scent of the still-simmering veggie
chili, is the aroma of freshly-baking cornbread, and petits beignets rising
in the proof box. A rather undistinguished, flour-covered apron drapes
itself over the redheaded man going to check on the beignets, and other
donut-like treats.
<<Five more minutes,>> says the head baker, known to those at the VVVC
as
DIQMAN, as he examines the donuts in the proof box. Muttering something about
secret ingredients, he opens up a cabinet door, and withdraws from it a small
canister labeled with the letter <<Q>> and proceeds to open it. He
selects
one of the now-dried leaves, and crumbles it up in his hands, mixing the
remnants into the bowl of sticky white donut glaze.
<<We need some more flour in here,>> Master Chef DARICELL can be heard
to
say in the background. With a guilty sigh, the head baker goes into the
virtual pantry, which still has yet to appear on the map, and brings out
another 50-lb. bag of unbleached, unbromated flour, and proceeds to open it,
spilling its contents into the flour bucket on the floor, and on the floor
around the flour bucket. Head Baker DIQMAN quickly cleans up the mess,
knowing it is folly to be on the Master Chef's bad side -- she has a dark
side. Whispers in the aisles behind her back have even called her the <<Dark
Lady,>> though he is quite certain that as yet, she has not found out.
Hopefully.
User: <<Head Baker Diqman>> lives for another day...
Date: 8-Oct 01:17 PM 750086315
I.28
LOUCH shows Gayle to a table...one of the best in the house.
"Can I bring you a drink from the bar while you wait for Lee to take your
order? I know you must be a bit shaken after the horrible tragedy that
happened last night in Philadelphia..." She glances over at the door and
sees a shady form walking toward it from the outside, and gasps as she
realizes it is...
User: Louch, your friendly hostess...
Date: 8-Oct 01:52 PM 750088369
I.29
Cado: "I.D. please...thank you....I.D. please...thank you....I.D. Please...
Hey wait...is this really you? No, I believe you're of age, it's just that
the picture makes you look like a convict...thank you, have a good time...
I.D. Please...No, I'm sorry, we don't accept California Health and Humanity
department I.D.'s...too many fake ones come through ...do you have a driver's
license?...oh...it got revoked...how about a government I.D...No?...Hmm...Oh,
you have a parole slip? OK...that'll do. Have a good time...I.D. Please...
*CRASH*
Stefan (wailing): "Oh NO! NOT AGAIN!!!"
Rowdy Drunk: "An' dammit...I'm schik of thish happineschh
schhhch...schhch...schhhcch...crapp!!! I ain't hhchappy, why
schchhould anybud-dy elschhe bee??...
(begins throwing dishes and silverware around at random people)
Ecstacy ducks as a beer mug flies overhead. She gets up and sees another one
flying straight at her, which she promptly fetches in mid-air with a crack of
her
whip. She shoots an expectant look at Cado.)
User: cont'd...hey...I've been on for a year an a half...when do I get poster?
Date: 8-Oct 08:25 PM 750111982
I.30
Cado: "I.D. please...uh...just a moment, miss..."
(walks over to drunk, calmly grabs the drunk by the scruff of the neck and
lifts him two inches off the floor...)
"Sir, I think you may have had a little too much to drink...maybe it's
time you should go home and get some sleep, hmm...?"
Drunk: "Wcchhooo the hchhelll are yoou, scchhonnnyy?"
Cado: "Your worst nightmare. Going quietly or do you prefer to be
ballistically projected?"
Drunk: "Dammmitt, I'lll hchavve yyourr hhchead forr thisschh...I gotts
rigghtts, misschcterrr!!!"
Cado: "Ahh, yes....but here, your rights are virtual...which means they
don't exist. Have a good night, sir:
(Promptly jettisons the drunk out the front door, where he continues to
travel in a graceful arc through the Macy's store window across the
street, promptly setting off the burglar alarm.)
User: cont'd...hey...I've been on for a year an a half...when do I get poster?
Date: 8-Oct 08:37 PM 750112683
I.31
Cado: (dusting himself off...) Whew! I hate it when that happens.
Wrinkled a brand-new suit, too! Sorry, miss...I.D. please...Thank you...I.D.
Please...Sorry kid, come back when your voice quits cracking...I.D. Please
...Thank you...I.D. Please...Hey! Where'd you get that stamp? You don't
even have facial hair! I.D. Please...Now c'mon, miss...you look too innocent
to be 21...that's fixable, though..."
User: Cado...I like this job! :)
Date: 8-Oct 08:44 PM 750113114
I.32
Perhaps the cafe could use a janitor?
User: Cooty needs something to fall back on
Date: 8-Oct 11:23 PM 750122646
I.33
She taps a polished riding boot impatiently on the floor, shaking her head in
despair. "_No._ This will never do. Boy, take my coat," she snaps. "And
get me my sketch pad. Step lively - you aren't dead. Yet..." As the
calf-length navy wool flies over her shoulder, the sketchpad and its owner
glide forward only to be brought to a halt by a flash of red
robes.
"Well. I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"Of course you weren't, Cardinal. I'm the one nobody expects. Now, out of
my way, Babycakes. I'm working."
Patting Ximinez on the head as he bows, Roark moves to the center of the room,
surveying the space. "I appreciate the north and south windows,
and I'm sure the water's reflections on the ceiling are lovely, but - and I
mean this with the utmost respect - it looks like the Olive Garden. Black
parquet floor, white walls. Kill those drapes. Be careful with the plants -
we don't want the Amazon. And the tables - glass and grey marble. With
matching chairs. But make them comfy."
Darting off, she calls to the bar, "Jon, dear, a cup of your finest
cafe con leche. Extra sugar please." Then she stops. She sniffs the air.
"What is that smell? Traveler, is something burning in here?"
User: continued...
Date: 9-Oct 04:49 PM 750185402
I.34
Stepping into the Red Room, Roark almost appears moved by the chic ambiance.
Almost. Jon emerges with a cup. "Here's your cafe. How do you like the
effect of this space? Great, isn't it?" He eagerly awaits the response.
"Uh...sure, Bob," she deadpans. "What we need here is some tinted glass to
replace those velvet things. We can do Poe, can't we? Sure. Make them
blood red. Some exposed ceiling beams with Francis I-esque detailing and
this room will be _it_."
All of a sudden, her attention is caught by the goings on in the Black Room.
With a grin, she hands the empty cup to Jon, buttons her navy blazer (worn
over knit tunic and leggings, both navy) and disappears into the crowd.
A few minutes later she comes back, smoothing her chestnut hair back into
its ponytail. Mumbling something about Corbusian windows, she retrieves
the sketchbook from her leather satchel.
She chuckles as she traipses through the Blue Room. "What is this, the
library on the S.S. Minnow? Only kidding, Love. We can work with this.
Let me see..." Plopping herself into a chair in the corner, Roark
orders a pina colada, pulls out a bundle of pencils and begins to draw.
User: Roark della Robbia, A.S.I.D., at your service
Date: 9-Oct 04:50 PM 750185596
I.35
meanwhile at the office of Zoroaster, P.I...
MAHARET: I liked that last job, zoro, it was easy. I put the stuff
in your Traveler. No hitches. He suspects nothing.
ZOROASTER: *smiles* well don't get cocky, girl, I don't want anyone
to start asking too many questions about you. Even
cats can be suspects you know.
MAHARET: *rubbing against Zoro's leg* What, afraid to stick your
neck out?
ZOROASTER: in this town you can't afford to. I'm finished with the
resistance.
MAHARET: I'm sure you can be convinced... *purrs*
ZOROASTER: Great. Off the table!
User: ZOROASTER
Date: 10-Oct 01:11 AM 750215470
I.36
Cado appears in the doorway of the Black Room, wide-eyed and near-staggering:
"Who was that chick in blue??! I've never seen anyone dance like that in my
life...and I've seen almost EVERYTHING!!!"
In his distraction he almost misses three teen-age townies trying to sneak
past him through the side door, but catches them out of the corner of his
eye just as they almost make it. Not breaking conversation, he reaches over
and seizes them by the collars and begins tossing them out one by one.
"I don't know who she is, but (*toss*) she could have invented the lambada!
And I thought I could dance (*toss*)...I hope she comes back sometime...I
wouldn't mind (*toss*) going a round or two with her on the floor."
(brushes hands off on pants)
"...Silly kids, tricks are for rabbits!"
(Whistles a tune as he saunters back to the Black Room, stops at the doorway,
gyrates wildly with an imaginary partner for a second or two, shakes his
head, and mutters to himself as he returns to his post.)
User: Cado..."Yeeoww!"
Date: 10-Oct 09:11 AM 750244409
I.37
" 'Allo, Skippy. Glad to see you could make it. Can I get you something?"
Jon busies himself by cleaning his beloved coffee gadgets, beginning with his
scoop and working his way up to his Amaze-o-Rama Sir Coffee 2000-Factorial.
(With optional extras: CD player, bottletop opener, solar panels, and
assorted geegaws.)
User: Jon Vallee
Date: 11-Oct 08:56 AM 750329773
I.38
Pyewack(E!)t slowly sips her Suisse Mocha, smiling benignly at the world as
the warm, creamy texture slides through her body.
"I wonder if this place is open 24 hours?" she muses . . ."It's such a
wonderful place to sit and watch the people pass . . ." :)
User: PYEWACKET
Date: 11-Oct 09:40 AM 750332443
I.39
Hey, how does one get a table here.
I'm hungry and would like to see the menu and why don't you bring me a frozen
margarita while your at it.
User: WINK
Date: 11-Oct 10:03 AM 750333790
I.40
Heady aromas drifted out from the kitchen. "It's Columbus Day!"
DARICELL had been heard to announce. "And therefore, in honor of the poor
downtrodden native peoples, today's menu features Indian food."
"Wh????" DIQMAN asked, up to his elbow in flour. "But, Darice, he
didn't enslave and oppress *those* Indians...."
"Hey, this is the Virtual Virtual Vax Cafi," she replied, as she
lifted a lid, and the smell of curry rose with the steam. "If I want to
make cultural non-sequiturs, I can do it. And if you don't like it, go
eat Plaza food. Besides..." she added, with a calculating grin, "the Indian
Indians are downtrodden, too. And would you rather eat popcorn and
succotash?"
"Well, no."
"Well, then." DARICELL gave one simmering pot a quick stir, then
removed her apron and chef's hat. "I'm going out to get one of those 2-for-1
drinks from ECSTASY. Keep an eye on things, will you?" And with that, she
swept out of the kitchen and into the White Room.
ECSTASY was busy behind the bar, since every customer in the place had
heard of the drink-deals she was offering. Slinging alcohol into glasses
with more panache than Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown, she passed out the
liquid intoxicants to all and sundry, getting the orders right every time.
Of course, no one would have dared to tell her that the orders were wrong.
Her whip was coiled threateningly around one of the draft beer handles, and
all the patrons knew she wouldn't hesitate to use it if anyone got in her
way....
User: Dark Lady
Date: 11-Oct 10:32 AM 750335594
I.41
Cado saunters out of the black room, shuts the main entrance, and hangs the
"Back in 5 Min" sign on the door. He walks up to the bar and seats himself
by Romantic.
"Buy you a drink?"
She just looks up slowly and smiles a little.
"Hmm...Two Black Russians, please...and don't worry, X, I'll pay for both of
them."
Ecstacy busies herself mixing the drinks at lightning speed. Her skill is
really something to watch...
Cado watches her get about halfway through the second drink. "By the way, X,
I was wondering...do you know where I can get a good set of Louis Vuitton
luggage?"
Ecstacy drops the glass she is holding, and it crashes to the floor. Out on
the dining room floor, Stefan winces and curses to himself. Ecstacy's eyes
glance a crushing blow at Cado. Her hand silently uncoils the leather whip
at her side...
User: cont'd...Hey, guys, I really need poster!
Date: 11-Oct 10:39 AM 750336014
I.42
continued...
"X! Rum and Coke, please." DARICELL had to shout to be heard over the
din.
"Coming right up!" ECSTASY replied, and within seconds, a cool wet
drink was in DARICELL's hand.
"Thanks," DARICELL replied, taking the first long, slow sip of the
drink, and looking around the room at the customers who were enjoying their
food. DARICELL enjoyed cooking, and she enjoyed making up new menus every
day, but sometimes it was nice to get out of the kitchen, especially since
it could get really hot in there while her fabulous dishes were being
created.
PALLAS spotted her and rushed over. "Excuse me, but the customer at
table three says he doesn't *like* Indian food..."
DARICELL smiled into her Rum and Coke. "Tell him what we tell all the
customers here. 'You'll eat what I serve, and like it.' That's the way it
works."
PALLAS nodded. "As you say," he replied, and returned to inform the
customer of the VVVC policy regarding menus.
"DARICELL...I think something's burning!"
Sighing, DARICELL drained the last of her Rum and Coke, and returned to
her domain....
User: Dark Lady -- or, the Copper Pot
Date: 11-Oct 10:47 AM 750336490
I.43
Cado, without changing expression, picks up the first drink and hands it to
Romantic, who smiles nervously. He smiles back, then turns to Ecstacy with a
look of great seriousness, almost pleading...
"X, I know I deserve that" (pointing to the whip) "but before you make a
wrong conclusion, can I talk to you first?"
Ecstacy's hand, drawn back to lash, stops, and sinks slowly back to her side.
She crosses her arms and raises her eyebrows...
User: Cado...*ahem* can we talk, X?
Date: 11-Oct 10:57 AM 750337144
I.44
Traveler: Sorry boss.
Stefan picks up the broken ppieces of glass and puts them in Cado's drink.
"they'll never suspect me," he mumbles to himself.
Cado sees Stefan do this and throws him across the bar. Ecstasy Throws him
back across the bar. As Stefan flies through the air he mutters ... "Not my
day."
User: STEFAN
Date: 11-Oct 12:01 PM 750340882
I.45
Cado promptly catches Stefan in mid-air and hurls him out toward the
dining-room, where he catches the end of a table, upsetting all the dishes
and glasses. His eyes widen fearfully as glassware flies through the air.
Frantically, he rushes around and begins catching the plates and glasses in
such a stack that would put a circus act to shame. As the last wine glass
comes to rest at the very top of the stack, he gingerly sets the stack down
on a table and breathes a heavy sigh of relief, collapsing on the floor.
Ecstacy dusts herself off and turns back to Cado, crossing her arms once
again. "What do you want to talk about?" she says, defensively.
This was not going at all well, thought Cado. Once again, he had floundered
in his attempt to help, instead hindering the situation. He looked up,
guiltily.
"I'm sorry, X, I shouldn't have said that, I guess. I just wanted to talk to
you about..."
He looks around to see most of the population of the white room staring at
him.
"...well, here is probably not a good place. Can we go into the Blue Room?"
User: Cado...m973036@zumwalt.nadn.navy.mil *Hint-Hint*
Date: 11-Oct 12:25 PM 750342542
I.46
VAXMafia: E-I-E-I don't think so.
Cado, regaining his feet, grabs two of the gangsters by the ties and knocks
their heads together (insert really loud GONG here), rendering them
unconscious. Meanwhile, Ecstacy, infuriated that her new leather outfit has
been ruined by dents and burn marks from the bullets, promptly whips the
other two into complete submission, at which time she grabs the
dual-wristed handcuffs from their holding strap on the back of her waist and
binds their hands together in a fashion that would make a "twister" game seem
tame.
"Stefan, go call 9-i-i and get the virtual police..." Cado directs, as he
begins to pick the slugs from his bullet-proof vest. He looks at Ecstacy
with a helplessly exasperated look..."this just isn't my day to be graceful
with ANYTHING!"
User: Cado...Virtual police...kinda like the UpD?
Date: 11-Oct 12:51 PM 750343961
I.47
ECSTASY growls at CADO and says, "My name is spelled e-c-s-t-a-s-y....not
ecstacy!" She smiles gently to cover the scowl and says, "Can you hold on
for a moment?"
"Max! Can we get an airport scanner installed? I'm sick of these holes
in my clothing...."
She turns to Cado and raises her eyebrows...."Yes?"
User: ECSTASY
Date: 11-Oct 01:41 PM 750346904
I.48
Cado looks up to see an all-too-familiar face. Embarrassed from this and
everything else that has happened, he hangs his head and waves the cloaked
figure in. "I'm sorry...this hasn't been my day...come on in. Trav should
be in his office." He sheepishly turns to Ecstasy. "Well, now that
I've made a complete and total fool out of myself, can we just assume that
all my intentions were good and go from there?"
Ecstasy taps her foot impatiently...
Cado sighs heavily and slumps down at the bar. "Well, what I originally
wanted to say is that I don't think *anyone* should have to carry around
'emotional luggage' such as you described, and I was *going* ask you if you'd
like to talk about it because I'm a semi-decent listener and would be glad to
help in any way I could. However, my perfectly-laid melodramatic plan to
start this conversation floundered under many external interruptions, not to
mention my own stupidity, causing this whole thing to collapse in a huge
mess. I'm sorry...I guess I should stick to bouncing."
With that, he rises, downs his drink, slaps a fiver on the bar and walks back
to his post, spitting the glass shards into the nearest trash can.
User: Cado...*sigh* well, they didn't hire me to be a counselor.
Date: 11-Oct 02:06 PM 750348600
I.49
Meanwhile, in the VVVCKE(Virtual Virtual Vax Cafi Kitchen Extraordinaire),
Head Baker DIQMAN, still slightly dismayed at all the hired hands asking him
whose head would be baked today, certainly didn't need anything to go wrong.
Of course, the Master Mistress Chef DARICELL (we like to call her the Dark
Lady, but don't breathe a word of this to her) was still annoyed about the
flour incident a few days back.
A brief <<*Sigh*>> could be heard from the baker, grateful that, in
this
virtual atmosphere his thoughts could be transmitted in a verbal manner, as
long as he remembers to enclose them in his funny quotation marks and in
asterisks/asterices/asterix/those star-looking things.
Spending about 1/3 of his attention on the Master Mistress Chef, which was
more than he could afford right now, once again the baker stepped into muddy
water. One off-hand remark about Columbus and the Indians and how that didn't
really relate to Indian food (while, at the same time, on another track, his
mind was trying still to get over... well, that's another story), and she
lashes out at him.
<<Would you rather eat popcorn and succotash? Deal with it!>>
half-screamed
Master Mistress DARICELL, which, at least for a second, gave DIQMAN something
on which to totally focus his entire concentration. Briefly. Not wishing to
have this escalate into a threatening stance, from which no peace would ever
come, he meekly accepted her line of reasoning, while he tried to figure out
what to do with regards to his many problems.
<<*She's leaving... time to think... clear mind...*>>
Fifteen minutes later, with some greater clarity, he remembered the curry.
<<Just in time....>> Now he knew how to proceed... and maybe, finally, he
would be rid of...
<<What the hell!?! *sigh* Can't those people out at the bar keep quiet?
Glass breaking, violence... damned children. *and yet, they are older than
me* *and yet...* *sigh* **<Would you rather eat popcorn and succotash? Deal
with it!>***You're losing it! Get a grip!!* *sigh* *breathe... good. Now,
they'll never
find out*>>
User: (: Master Baker Diqman :) -- all engines, full speed run away!
Date: 11-Oct 02:46 PM 750350802
I.50
ECSTASY breaks a rule and pours a shot of Absolut Peppar for herself.
She downs it quickly and asks ROMANTIC to watch the bar for a second. "I
think I need to settle things with CADO." Passing the whip to ROMANTIC to
keep the unruly masses in line, she saunters from behind her bar and walks to
the door.
"Cado? Let's go to the roof and talk." She takes CADO's hand and leads
him away from the door. Passing TRAVELER, ECSTASY gives Max a look
that says "Don't question this...I'll explain later."
User: ECSTASY
Date: 11-Oct 02:58 PM 750351553