Down the stairs came a striped pair of legs. Impressive legs, robust yet cultured, bearing a staunch yet fashionable gait.<\/p>\n
Gullet: Representative Piper.<\/p>\n
From behind the Representative emerged a companion who seemed more concerned about the process of walking than its results.<\/p>\n
Gullet: Madam Piper.<\/p>\n
Eastman: [Nodding] Quite a show we seem to have here.<\/p>\n
Gullet: The show is yet to begin I assure you.<\/p>\n
Gullet waved his hand in the direction of a wall, where Elfonso Coconautica could be seen frantically spinning cartwheels. A well-heeled waitress skipped out of the shadows to take the Pipers to their table. They walked through the tumble of little people, having little discussions,\u00a0 along the moat-like\u00a0circular ramp, and into the\u00a0glammed out central area that\u00a0\u00a0contained the main Guest Table. Each Piper was gentle ushered to a golden bucket and, after some confusion, guided into sitting on it.<\/p>\n
Gullet: [Acknowledging Rafaella Ellison who had just arrived]\u00a0Ms Ellison.<\/p>\n
Rafaella: My husband, Grigor Xanxes. The mathematician.<\/p>\n
Gullet waved and the two were taken off to their buckets.<\/p>\n
As Rafaella and Grigor were seated they were greeted knowingly\u00a0by Eastman Piper and\u00a0Lady Piper.<\/p>\n
Eastman: [Partially Rising] Nice to see you here, Rafaella. You have met the Lady Piper.<\/p>\n
Rafaella: Indeed. And you know Grigor Xanxes. The mathematician.<\/p>\n
Lady Piper: Everyone loves a mathematician.<\/p>\n
Grigor: That is because we are deemed harmless. Nothing a mathematician could do could ever hurt you.<\/p>\n
Rafaella: I assure you, Grigor is the exception.<\/p>\n
Grigor nods sheepishly.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, another guest is being seated. A rather tidy looking gentleman in a suit, with a dark complexion yet a fair outlook.<\/p>\n
Gent: Genotithia LeMan. Some people call me ‘Gent’.<\/p>\n
Next to join the table were\u00a0Jeb Smithikins and his partner, Jezzabel, taking Rafaella somewhat by surprise.<\/p>\n
Rafaella: What’s your involvement here Jeb? I’m barely sure what mine is, and didn’t know you even….<\/p>\n
Jeb: Fife! Private Client, you know! All under the quilts. Under hats too, if you get my drift! [Motioning to a chair and Jezzebel] You good there? [As she nods and begins sitting] It’s a wrap! [To the air] Whisky!<\/p>\n
Jezzebel: Whisky!<\/p>\n
Jeb: [To Gent] What’s your story, man? From out of town? Wait! [Everyone waited for a full 10 seconds] It’s okay! Having a flip-out! Dry as a bone from a dead dog! Where’s my whisky?<\/p>\n
Jezzebel: Whisky!<\/p>\n
Jeb:\u00a0\u00a0This is more frustrating than a bottle of frustration pills! Pills I can’t get the lid off! Argh!<\/p>\n
Back at the entrance, Mr. Gullet was meeting Phaorette Muharajerin who was\u00a0dressed in a stunning cut of silver designer cling-wrap, sliced provocatively at every conceivable angle. With minimal banter, Gullet proceeded to escort her personally across the room towards the main table.<\/p>\n
They reached the table and both took buckets, coordinated by Gullet. The table was now full, except for 3 positions\u00a0on one end, one at the head of the table and one on either side.<\/p>\n
The lights lowered.<\/p>\n
The crowd hushed.<\/p>\n
The screens began flashing the message: Remain Seated.<\/p>\n
A low, slow, siren song faded in featuring a detuned saxophone with heavy\u00a0cello backing and suddenly there were solo dancers on each of the three stages.<\/p>\n
From the side of the room a door burst open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Down the stairs came a striped pair of legs. Impressive legs, robust yet cultured, bearing a staunch yet fashionable gait. Gullet: Representative Piper. From behind the Representative emerged a companion who seemed more concerned about the process of walking than … Continue reading