diff --git a/gopher/Cilix/10_sunset_grand.txt b/gopher/Cilix/10_sunset_grand.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fdc9b51 --- /dev/null +++ b/gopher/Cilix/10_sunset_grand.txt @@ -0,0 +1,118 @@ + +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. + diff --git a/gopher/listing.gophermap b/gopher/listing.gophermap index 9444afe..4027a7e 100644 --- a/gopher/listing.gophermap +++ b/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