IC CONTACT

[wizzardly]

VOICEMAIL:

"Er... yes, okay, I suppose I should tell you that if you're trying to reach me I'm not here, and if you're trying to reach me because you want to do something involving pointy bits of metal or otherwise painful objects, I'm never going to be here. So sorry."

Comments

[wizzardly]

That's what I said!

[jacksonian]

And Chilton didn't believe you?

[wizzardly]

I... couldn't tell.

[jacksonian]

[ A hesitation. This isn't useful for intel, but... ]

It, uh...It sounded to me like he did. When he talked to me.

[wizzardly]

It did? Really?

[jacksonian]

Yeah. So you shouldn't stress out about it.

[wizzardly]

Well... good. [and he does sound honestly relieved.]

Oh, I should tell you - I'm putting together a bit of a surprise party for Dr. Chilton on the 1st. It's at the Iron Throne. Will you come?

[jacksonian]

Oh. I know about that party already.

[wizzardly]

You do? Gosh, Jeff really must be getting the word out.

[there might be more people coming than he'd thought. That should be a good thing, right? Surely March will plan for that.]

Then you'll be there?

[jacksonian]

[ His voice turns lower, colder. ]

Jeff? Jeff Winger?

[wizzardly]

Y...es? He's a friend of mine, he's helping with the guest list. We live together, actually.

[p a u s e.]

You've met?

[jacksonian]

[ He just about grinds his teeth. But - no. Not useful to get distracted with this now. ]

Doesn't matter. Fine. I'll be there.

[wizzardly]

Riiiiight. I suppose that's why you sound like you've both fists clenched right now. Just pointing that out.

Looking forward to seeing you there, honestly, it's been too long. Just try not to punch Jeff for whatever it is he's done while you're there. Wait 'til after.

[jacksonian]

[ Ugh. Dammit. Mark tries to get his temper under control. ]

Yeah. Sounds good. Uh - when and where is it gonna be, anyway?

[wizzardly]

Oh, right - the first, sometime after seven-thirtyish I think. It's being held at the Iron Throne in Maurtia Falls.

[jacksonian]

Oh. Yeah. Sorry. You said the Iron Throne already. [ Irritably: ] I got distracted.

[wizzardly]

Happens. Quite often, in my own case.

Anyway, it should be a good time. [gods, he hopes.] Only, I'll warn you I the food is all going to be vegetarian. I plan to eat before I go, personally. Just to be safe.

[jacksonian]

[ Mark's reaction is perhaps a bit disappointing. He shrugs, mildly - ] Oh. Good. Honestly, I don't much like how they kill animals here. I've put some money into trying to develop vat-meat production, but it's slow going. Who's the caterer?

[wizzardly]

[vat... meat...? Rincewind weighs the benefits of learning what that is against the risk of a possibly lengthy and technical explanation, and decides not to ask.]

Mr. March is taking care of that bit. He runs a hotel in the same city, if you haven't met him yet.

[jacksonian]

No, I haven't. He's catering it himself? A hotelier?

[wizzardly]

I've no idea. He just put on such a good buffet for his own opening night, I thought he'd be best to handle this one. He's bringing the music as well. He's... enthusiastic. About those sorts of things.

[jacksonian]

[ A grunt. ]

Does enthusiastic mean I should avoid him?

[wizzardly]

Depending on how tired you are. He's charming and all, but there's a lot of energy there, certainly.

[jacksonian]

I don't really care for energy.

[wizzardly]

Watch for the man with the small mustache then.