4. voice

[rickitikitarr]

All right, this is all good fun and games, kids, but I'm going to be the one who spoils it by asking the question.

What the hell is going on?

And, for that matter, if we're the ones apparently running the show now, is anyone steering the boat?

[Ricki does not want the barge to smash into a sun and everyone to burn up, even though he's currently in the inmate-reclaimed bar and part of him is rather enjoying the fiddling.]

Comments

[rickitikitarr]

Sure. Lovely lady. Very colourful.

[Totally untrustworthy in his eyes, but good fun all the same.]

[tucky]

Yeah. If someone's looking for more wardens to like, she's a good one.

[rickitikitarr]

Who else are you fond of? Merlin?

[tucky]

Him and Dillon and Simon. There's a lot more that I like, but I know them the best.

[rickitikitarr]

Haven't met Dillon yet. Tell me about him?

[tucky]

[Oh boy, a chance to talk about Dillon. She looks very happy about this prospect.]

I met him right when I first got here - just a few days after, in fact. It was in the chapel, 'cause he's religious, too. He helped me, a lot, and we just kept talking from there. He's been... so wonderful to me. He knows me better than anyone, probably.

[Him and his weird mind-reading thing that isn't actually mind-reading.]

[rickitikitarr]

What's he like? How'll I recognize him?

[tucky]

He's like... my age, I think? A little younger, probably. And he's got short brown hair and he's American. He looks like a human being, but he's more than that. He's real powerful; he's part star, or something like that.

But he's kind and gentle and he's got compassion and everyone should know him.

[rickitikitarr]

Well, I'll have to keep an eye out for him. And tell him you said nice things about him.

[tucky]

He already knows I say nice things about him. He's used to it, I think.

But it feels good, talking about the people I love. It makes my heart feel full.

[rickitikitarr]

Good. And now you're all cosmically powerful, with the barge and whatnot?

[tucky]

A little bit, maybe. You see the pool yet? I did that.

[Water slides, hot tubs, and a mini wave pool; oh my.]

[rickitikitarr]

I didn't. You didn't. Know where I can find swim trunks?

[tucky]

Ask for some. We can do that now, right?

[rickitikitarr]

Can we? Who do we ask?

[tucky]

Um... I don't know. I just said it out loud, and it happened.

[rickitikitarr]

You'll have to be very careful with that. The right slip of the tongue-

[tucky]

What do you mean?

[rickitikitarr]

Once upon a time, a penniless fisherman caught a goldfish, and when he pulled it from the sea it spoke to him. "Free me good fisherman, and I'll grant you any wish you please."

He wished for riches, power, and a beautiful wife, and tossed the fish back into the sea. The next morning he wakes up in an opulent palace, surrounded by splendor, luxury and obedient servants. A gorgeous woman comes into the bedroom, strokes his hair back tenderly and tells him: "Ferdinand, sweetheart, get up. It's time we go to Sarajevo."

oh my god I love it

[tucky]

I don't... get it.

But I really think asking for some swim trunks will be okay. If you don't want to, I can do it for you; I don't mind.

[rickitikitarr]

Here's a better one.

A man finds a genie, and it grants him three wishes. He decides to wish for money, and new and wonderful home fore his family, and to save his third wish for later. He goes home to his new mansion, and settles down in the living room to read the newspaper, where his children are watching television. A commercial comes on tv, and without thinking he begins to sing along; I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener...

[tucky]

[It takes her a moment, but then she laughs.]

Okay, okay. I'll be careful, I promise.

But I just got you a swimsuit and it came out fine. It's down here at the pool if you want it.

[rickitikitarr]

I'm on my way. Where is it again?

[tucky]

Level one. I'll go stand outside the door so you can see me.

[And that's just what she does, pulling a robe on over her suit and heading out to the hallway.]

[rickitikitarr]

[He nods, and decides;]

Don't, I think I'm about ready to turn in, a swimming adventure is a little much for me right now.