When the U.N. confirms official recognition of Atlantis' independence, it was almost anti-climatic. Coincidentally, the Vatican releases a non-commital statement, but from a cardinal, not His Holiness. Nevertheless, demand for Ville's appearances peaks again.

Lorne wants Sara Thompson to arrange more press conference style appearances rather than television. "Less travel, more control."

Sara disagrees, "More control for the media comglomerates. The coverage is too limited. If we want to reach Susie Q. Public, we have to do Oprah, Donahue, GMA, and similar shows internationally. Those formats are more conducive to the message we want to send."

"No, no, absolutely not. Live audiences are out of the question."

"You're tying my hands here, Evan. Even the Pope meets the masses."

"She's not delivering benediction, Sara."

Ville muses, "How about a documentary? Offered to the public television networks initially, avoid commercial interests altogether."

"No advertising - great idea for later. Right now we need penetration while the U.N. announcement is at the top of the news cycle."

Gazing out over the gate room, Ville moves their conversation to occupy a small part of her thoughts. Below, a stocky, stout fellow approaches the Stargate, studying it as a piece of artwork, admiring the material, the design's lines and curves. She can almost hear what he's thinking. She ensures that she remains veiled from his sight. His friends have other interests. The 'techy stuff' of the control room, the architecture, the city's environmental impact. John answers questions succinctly, sharing just enough information to be accommodating while withholding just enough to preserve city's inherent mystery.

John had called her about this particular request to view the city, just one of many that pass through his hands, figuratively speaking, every day. He dispatches them quickly, having figured out how to tick them off with a thought, yes or no, directly on the city's computer core while he goes about his daily 'rounds'. Lorne looks 'em over and hands out the assignments to his boys. 'Look, ma, no paperwork.'

This request was different. For one thing, it tripped a flag that he didn't even know existed that simply said "Consult first." Ville had apparently inserted a list of names to be checked against all entry requests. So. He consulted.

Leaning against her desk, he had said, "Normally, I'd reject it out of hand but now I'm curious."

"Who is it?" she'd asked.

"Uh, some music group, Irish passports. Should I be worried about ex-IRA?"

"Hardly," with a wicked smile, she had warned him, "Just small men with big ideas."

"You want me to personally to show these guys around."

"Please. And John? Make sure I'm not part of the tour."

Now she watches Sheppard escorting them to the infirmary for a routine medical scan via a corridor off the gate area. Ville projects part of herself to follow.

At one juncture, the youngest lags behind, temporarily out of sight of the others. She watches him wistfully. "Hello, Larry." No matter how much he ages, he still startles easily and a bit self-consciousnessly, like a kid. Ville reassures him, "It's a big place. Pretty easy to get turned around. I'm Ville by the way," she extends her hand. He merely raises his hand and says, "Hi. Ahem, I think lost my tour."

"That's alright. So what do you think of our city so far?"

"It's big," he agrees. "Sort of out of the way."

"Yeah, well, that was kinda the point." She signals to someone behind her. "The S.O. here will take you back to the group. I'm glad we got to see each other."

"Yeah. Uhm, thanks for lettin' us come."

With a nod, she turns and walks away. Reaching out to John, she asks a favor. 'I'd appreciate it if you'd fly them back to Perth yourself.'

'You want to allow non-Atlanteans on a jumper?'

'Show off your flying skills. Maybe they'll write a song about it.'

'They want to sketch the Stargate so they can have a copy sculpted. Something about putting it in the living room at their house in the south of France. You want to let them do that, too?'

'I don't think that's such a good idea.'

'I agree.'

'It'd be tacky; I don't care how big the room is.'