A Lesson in Manners
Chapter 1
"That last piece was real sad. Is there a story behind it?" Gouyen had told the young boy that the Apache sang songs about battles and warriors victories and deaths. This one had to be about a death. The two men had made their way through the crowd and now stood out on the walkway around the Royal Albert Hall enjoying the Intermission.
"Not that I am aware of," said Actor warming to the subject. "The piece is called 'Violin Concerto in E Minor' and was written by Felix Mendelssohn."
"How do you know so much about music and stuff? Did you go to school to study it?" The young man was carefully watching the crowd as the last of the stragglers emerged from the door. Actor had led them far enough away so they could talk.
"I picked it up as I went along. It impresses the ladies," he added with a smile. He had also checked the program.
"I hope the Warden don't expect me to learn all this stuff," he answered sadly. "I appreciate you takin' me but I'll never remember all the names an all."
"What do you mean?" The older man was clearly confused.
"I know the Warden tol' you to teach me this stuff but…"
"I will have you know," he began sternly before he stopped and nodded to a young lady who was approaching. His face had morphed from stern to pleased.
"Are you enjoying tonight's performance?" She was definitely English upper class.
"Oh yes. The London Symphony is one of my favorites. And you?"
"Yes. I come as often as I can. There is just something about a live performance that radio just cannot match." She turned to Chief and asked, "Don't you agree?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You are American," she crowed, delighted in her discovery. "My name is Jessica Landers," and she held out her hand.
Chief was flustered. What was he supposed to do? She obviously didn't know who or what he was. The Italian's words came back to him; 'No one knows you here.' He couldn't kiss her hand like Actor did so he took the offering and gave it a single shake before releasing it.
Wanting to spare the young man Actor said, "My name is Victor De Luca," and he took her hand with a smile and bowed over it before releasing her.
Blushing like a school girl she finally found her voice. "Are you staying in London? Though it may be dangerous, we have many fine hotels here in town." Then she added hopefully, "I can recommend one if you need."
"Our business keeps us on the move but right now we are staying with our associates outside of London."
"You are not American," she said with a coy smile as she moved in closer.
"No ma'am." There was not a lot of warmth in his tone.
"I have a private box, if you would like to join me?"
"That is very kind of you but we are sitting with friends." Seeing her peering around for these friends he added, "Mrs. Gravenhurst is elderly and has trouble walking." Silently he apologized to the older but not elderly lady who occupied the seat next to Chief.
"Oh, that is too bad." She seemed to lose interest in the pair. "I hope you enjoy the rest of the performance."
She began to move away so Actor said, "Thank you, you too."
Once she was out of earshot the taller man said, "Getting back to … the Lieutenant." He had almost said Warden but a few people had drifted closer. "He has never instructed me to teach you anything other than what pertains to our business." He watched to see if this was accepted but the young man refused to meet his eyes. Changing tact he asked gently, "Why would you think that?"
"Just in case he had to take me someplace. He wouldn't want to be embarrassed by a stupid …" He almost said dog but remembered that he had agreed not to use that word so he said, "Guardian."
The pause was not lost on Actor. He was pleased that he remembered. "I assume you are a typical Guardian and you are not stupid, under educated, yes, but not stupid. What grade did you complete in school?"
"I a'know," and he shrugged. With a quick look to see no one was close enough to hear he mumbled, "Three or two."
"If you had been able to attend all the way to twelve like Casino, you would be just as smart as he is. I would wager you learned a lot of things out of school."
"Like what?"
"For example, how to fix automobiles, how to survive in the wilderness. Goniff tells of the mission to rescue Garrison's friend where you were able to lead them right to the hidden cache. You know wood lore such as how to build a shelter, how to catch, skin and cook a rabbit."
"I had to. If I didn't I would a starved some times."
"And so would we," he said with a smile. That earned him a quick glance and a smile.
"We best head back inside." The two men made their way back to their seats and waited for the house lights to go down.
Weeks later Actor went to see the Warden in his office.
"I can get two tickets to a musical. Would you like to take Chief?"
"No, that's all right. You go ahead." Assuming that was all he picked up his pen again.
"Let me rephrase that," he paused eyes on the man on the other side of the desk, a stern look on his face. "I can get two tickets; I strongly suggest you take Chief."
That stopped the Lieutenant. He blinked before tilting his head in confusion.
"Chief thinks you ordered me to educate him."
"I hope you set him straight. Other than the reading,… I didn't even ask you to do that did I?"
"Whether you did or not is not important. It is what he thinks."
"And by my taking him, you think it will set him straight?" He did not sound averse to going.
"Either take him to the musical or some other event you are going to attend. He thinks I am to educate him so he will not embarrass you."
"When's the musical?"
It was a week later and Chief was coming out of the shower. It always felt good to be clean. Being hosed off in a cement cell, week after week, was not the same. He ran his fingers through his hair after wrapping the towel around his waist. Was his hair too long? Maybe he should have got it cut so he would look good for his Hearth. He had polished his shoes last night and his suit was hung near his bed. Garrison had promised dinner before so he didn't have to worry about that. He would be ready.
