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gopher/Cilix/10_sunset_grand.txt

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+
+I wasn't sore that the sales pitch had gone so badly, only that she
+hadn't shown her face the whole time.
+
+I hung out at the Sunset Grand for the next week. Him showing up
+was a long shot, but it was the only shot I had.
+
+I couldn't believe it when he walked into the bar with old Mr.
+Walsh-the-second trailing behind him like a good little clone. It
+was a sight; the two of them were dressed immaculately, they were
+both burley and, well, they were both identical. The real one
+carried what looked like a gold cane, and the fake one carried a
+couple of old-fashioned-looking luggage. Everyone in the place took
+a moment to check them out.
+
+Mr. Walsh plopped himself down on the bar-stool next to me and
+ordered rye whiskey for himself and a water for his clone.
+
+"Got to keep these fellas hydrated."
+
+"I'm surprised you recognised me. I'm even more surprised you
+showed."
+
+"Yes, well, I never forget a face. Especially one which intrudes
+upon ones abode without the slightest regard for custom."
+
+I took a gulp of my drink. It annoyed me that we had the same
+order. Rye whiskey, neat.
+
+"Really, Mr. Jules -"
+
+"Just plain old 'Jules' is fine."
+
+"Mr. Jules, you really have to work on your salesmanship. It used
+to be an art-form where you come from."
+
+"You mean Earth?"
+
+"I mean America."
+
+"Yeah, well, not much need for salesmanship these days. Everything
+is so god damn convenient now. It's more a matter of having the
+best product than the best sales pitch. Anyway, my sales pitch got
+you here, didn't it?"
+
+"Yes, well, you can thank my wife for that. She's a bit more
+superstitious than me and convinced me to hear you out. You have
+five minutes to tell me exactly what the hell you wanted, then I
+have somewhere to be."
+
+"Okay, I'll make it snappy. I'm just on vacation here, but back on
+Earth I'm considered a bit of an expert on clone insurance policy."
+I glanced anxiously at Mr. Walsh-the-second. He wasn't paying
+attention to us, or to anything in particular.
+
+"I heard from a few people around here that you got yourself a
+mighty-fine clone butler. I just thought I'd call on you to see if
+you needed any help with that."
+
+"Heard from what people?", he asked, his eyebrow raised.
+
+"That doesn't matter. What matters is what I can offer you. All the
+latest and greatest. Every clone protection under the sun. I'm
+partnered with the leading clone manufacturers in Singapore. If
+anything ever happens to the big guy - physical harm, psychological
+harm, hell, even if you just get tired of him and need a change -
+I'll have it set up so that you get a replacement made up as fast
+as you can twirl that gold cane of yours. I can tell your a man who
+likes the best, I can take care of everything you need. You know,
+I'll even throw in some air-tight triple indemnity protection into
+your life insurance."
+
+At this last remark he raised his eyebrow even further, and I
+started to worry that I'd laid it on too thick.
+
+"Well, Mr. Jules, I have to say that clone-replacement insurance
+isn't worth much all the way out here on Europa, 800 million
+kilometers from the factories where they make them. I usually just
+replace old Walshy here every five years when I return to Earth.
+That system has worked out well for me so far."
+
+I finished off my whiskey and made as if I was about to leave.
+
+"I'm sorry to have bothered you Mr. Walsh. I should have known that
+a man such as yourself would have his affairs in perfect order."
+
+"Just a minute. You did mention about the Triple Indemnity clause.
+Well, to be honest, I used to have one of those set up. After a
+while it seemed pretty pointless to keep it. They really are the
+most harmless creatures you know. But my wife...I mentioned all
+ready that she's the superstitious type, didn't I? Well, she's been
+bugging me recently to put it back in."
+
+I sat back down.
+
+"I see."
+
+"And, well, I do enjoy giving her what she wants. So, I will
+require your services after all."
+
+"Oh, well that's fantastic."
+
+"Just send me over a contract in a couple of weeks. I'll look it
+over after my trip."
+
+"Your trip?"
+
+"Yes, not that it's any of your business, but I'll be travelling
+away from Europa later today. Anyway, good day to you."
+
+"Yes, thank you so much, Mr. Walsh."
+
+Just then, she entered the room. I could sense it instantly. My
+eyes went right to the door, where she was standing in a white
+dress, patterned with honeysuckles. His eyes noticed her too.
+
+"Oh, there's my wife now," he murmured, half to himself.
+

gopher/listing.gophermap

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+0Cilix - 10-Sunset Grand	/Cilix/10_sunset_grand.txt
 0Cilix - 09-Sales Pitch	/Cilix/09_sales_pitch.txt
 0LibreKrsnah - Day 14	/LibreKrsnah/014.txt
 0Cilix - 08-Palace	/Cilix/08_palace.txt