Scene: Still in the Liquor shrine. Lute has had some time to cool down and get the Mecs operational.
Lute: So what's with that huge playing card?
Red: Card?
Lute: Yeah. Can't say I agree with your taste in interior decoration.
Red: eyeing Lute You can see the card?
Lute: YES, I CAN SEE THE CARD!
PzkwV: What card?
T260G: Master Lute hallucinates. Drank too much Kraken water.
Red: Ignore them. I should have expected this.
Lute: What are you talking about?
Red: Only those with the talent for Magic can see the card, Lute. As your father before you, you have the blood of Magi in your veins.
Lute: No way. Uncle Taco says dad was a Mec builder, same as him.
Red: Kid, how many legs you got?
Lute: Two...
Red: And you think something that has eight is your uncle? Trust me, he didn't tell you the whole story.
Lute: shakeing his head I don't care. PzkwV, could you show him that message so we can leave?
PzkwV: Sure thing! Let me dig it up again.
The Mec quickly begins to emit the mirage of Princess Rei.
Red: Ngguhh!
T260G: Running gag has run its course.
PzkwV: Try telling script writer that!
Princess Rei's Mirage: Red Okonogi, I hope your retirement finds you well. Years ago, you and the Magi of Devin sided with Gradius against the depredations of the Trinity. As a vital contact between Gradius and Devin, I was on my way there to deliver highly sensitive information of Trinity's newest weapon... would you stop oggling?
PzkwV's voice, through mirage: Nngguuh!
Red and Lute: Nggaaaaaah...
Princess Rei's Mirage: But my ship has come under attack, and now it appears it will soon be captured. Thus, I am begging you to complete my mission, and deliver this Mec to Furdo on Devin. He will know how to retrieve the data from PzkwV. Help me Okonogi! You're my only hope!
The mirage fades out.
Red: wiping off drool If you can see the card, Lute, then you are already on your way to becoming a great magician. You must come with me to Devin, where I can train you, so that you may achieve your full potential!
Lute: What!? No way am I hooking up with some old-
Red: YOUNG!
Lute: senile-
Red: MASTERFUL!
Lute: fortune teller!
Red: MA - *doubletake* FORTUNE TELLER???
Lute: So what if you trained my father!? Did you teach him how to read coffee stains?
Red: Now wait just a minute! Those are fighting words!
Lute: Or how about smelling plants, eh? I'll bet you and dad got toasted on herbs and weeds!
Red: In silentium stultus coram me redigeatur!
As bright lights wheel about Red, a mandala outlines around him on the floor and quickly fades.
Lute: ! *paralyzed*
PzkwV: Whoh! He REALLY DOES know Magic!
Red: I've been generous up to this point, kid! Now listen to me! Do you want to waste the rest of your life like your 'uncle'? Betting on Mecs and losing your shirt?
Lute: !
Red: Sorry... I don't use this spell much. I forget you can't talk.
Lute: ! ... !!
PzkwV: You're too cool for words! Train me! Forget this loser!
Red: Sorry... but you can't learn Magic... much as I might wish otherwise...
Lute: unfreezing GAH! No way! I might be losing my shirt, but it's a heck of a trade for keeping my life! Boring or not, I'm attached to it!
Red: shaking his head You disappoint me.
Lute: Get some other stooge!
Red: *sigh* Very well. At least let me walk you home.
Sariel V Humor, LTD. - a different tag-line every chapter!
Copyright February, 2001