Scene: Interior of The Sub-Cellar. Red and an inebriated Lute sit down at a table already occupied by two others. One is a mammoth fuzzy humanoid creature, fearsome looking yet with a gentle look in its eyes, wearing an oversized ring on its hand and a small crystalline orb set in a bandoleer strapped over its chest. The other is a human, perhaps in his late twenties with ash-blonde hair and a mischievous mien. At his hip, concealed by his seating angle, is a lethal-looking gun. Both are sipping from appropriately sized glasses, keeping a wary eye on the other bar goers and the door. The man nods at the two approaching adventurers.
Locke: This is your friend?
Lute: I'm... EVERYBUDDY'S friend! hee hee.
Red: Pardon him. Yes, this is Lute.
Locke: shaking Lute's hand I'm Locke Cole, treasure hunter and captain of the Esperwilde. This is Umaro, my first mate and copilot.
Umaro: Merro.
Lute: The whoseper wild?
Locke: Esperwilde. Umaro says you're looking to blow this popsicle stand.
Red: Yes we are... but we're in an extreme hurry. We've no time for the scenic tour.
Locke: Scenic tour? This is the Esperwilde you're talking about!
Lute: The whoseper wild?
Locke: Esperwilde!
Lute: inching hand towards Cole's glass Mind if I have some of...
Locke: Yes!
Red: This is the first we've heard of your ship.
Locke: Umaro. Esperwilde's Awards.
Umaro: Drin-dy fahf humrd, sef diate. Snurrerse jalnz free-ers rummin. Moss prebur cannonbliss, ranchamin, cue the spainchop, richrunner swikle, riscos on.
Red looks non-plussed.
Locke: Trinity 500, '78, Smuggler's Challenge, three years running, Mosperiburg Canyon Blitz, Grand Champion, The list goes on.
Red: still non-plussed Cue the spainchop?
Locke: sweatdrop Cutest Paint Job, Ridgerunner's Weekly.
Sariel V Humor, LTD - Svunn! Y'unner zdan?
Copyright July 10, 2001