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

text

[restingstitchface]

I reserved a title three weeks ago. Waiting on the lender to return it at their convenience isn't a luxury I can presently afford.

If you would root out the cause of the problem, I would be obliged.

[Is it a request? Or a demand? Who knows! FIND HIS BOOK.]

[wizzardly]

[it takes a certain amount of willpower on Rincewind's part to answer this text - it certainly doesn't happen immediately. There's pacing, and fretting, and the weighing of pros and cons and dangers and finally, there's him gulping down enough wine to type something back without experiencing heart palpitations.]

I can call them, possibly? Or have another library ship one over, I could do that.

What's the title?

[restingstitchface]

There's plenty of books he's loaned in his life; psychology texts and classics dating to the eighteenth century. Today he's after a classic of the modern sort.]

Carrie.

[His one true love.]

[wizzardly]

Right. Carrie. Absolutely. I'll look into that and get back to you.

But you know I'm actually about to cut hours back at the library to a few weekends, I've got a second job. I'd happily give you some other librarian's numbers.

[would Rincewind really throw other innocent bookkeepers under the bus just to possibly avoid any possible threat of interacting with the Scarecrow himself?

Why, yes. Yes, he would. In a heartbeat.]

[restingstitchface]

I have them. So what would I gain from questioning them that I couldn't take from you?

[Is he ignoring that sacrifice and trying to pin Rincewind to the spot? Yes, yes he is.]

[wizzardly]

["take from you", oh, that's the sort of phrasing that makes a wizard nervous.]

Right, absolutely, only as I've mentioned, I am starting the second job. At the new mental hospital, actually, so I expect to be very busy, and I just thought maybe you'd appreciate someone more devoted, time-wise.

[restingstitchface]

Yes, well, I'm a patient man.

Regardless. This would be the hospital Chilton's opened, hmm? Where Harleen works, yes? The person I happen to be visiting most days?

[He has a captive audience. It's great.]

I expect we'll bump into each other whilst you're working. But I understand. You'll be busy. Don't worry, though. I won't take up much of your time.

[wizzardly]

[it's a good thing cringing and shaking don't translate through text.

But what really gets his attention is]

You know Harleen?

[restingstitchface]

Absolutely! We're friends from the old town. Julian, Harleen and I... We share the same house and have one, solid piece of common ground.

You've never visited Arkham, have you?

[It's a Gotham thing. You're not a member of their special Arkham residents club.]

[wizzardly]

[from the old town. They're from the same world? And they're friends, he wrote. Friends who live in the same house?

The house Rincewind has been to?]

I don't know any Arkham, no.

But what do you mean you live together, have you always lived together? [Harley could have mentioned that!]

[restingstitchface]

[Oh. Rincewind doesn't know of Arkham? He'll have to fix that.]

Yes. She's been darkening the doorstep for a good few years, now. Do you want me to say hello the next time I see her?

[wizzardly]

No! No, no reason for that at all, no need to trouble yourself.

[restingstitchface]

[Yeah. Right. Totally not suspicious.]

It's social protocol, Rincewind.

[HE INSISTS.]

[wizzardly]

Whose, exactly?

[restingstitchface]

Ours.

[His and Harley's. But if Rincewind includes himself, that's all dandy.]

[wizzardly]

Right. Well.

I'll be sure to tell you the next time I'm over, then.

[hahahaha fat chance.]