Neo strolled in, whistling. She carried a large bundle under one arm and was tossing a yoyo up and down in the other. "I see you got yourself something nice while you were out and about," remarked Roman, trying to mask his initial surprise. Neo smiled sweetly and dropped the bundle on the bottom of the bed. Roman eyed it suspiciously. "What's in the bundle? More ice cream?" Neo shook her head and held up three fingers. Roman groaned. "I'm not in the mood for charades sweetheart, so if you want to say something, write it down."
Neo stuck her tongue out but, to Roman's satisfaction, pulled the mini whiteboard out of her jacket.
I was trying to say that I'll give you three guesses, but apparently you are not in the mood to function properly in society. Who spat in your ice cream?
Roman pushed the whiteboard down. "Cinder Fall. She didn't spit in it exactly, but she objected against it. Now because of you, Neo my girl, I have to go into Vale and buy new food. What am I? The maid?"
Neo patted him on the head and held up her whiteboard.
Poor sweet baby.
"Stop that," grunted Roman. Neo pouted and wiped the board clean. Then she proffered it again with a new message.
Sorry, Mr. Grumpy-Pants. How about I accompany you into town. We could make a few quid while we're there.
"Sweet of you," replied her partner, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "And good idea. I could do with an extra pair of hands. Let me get ready and then we can go."
Neo clapped her hands and kissed him on the cheek. Then she picked up her bundle and started back towards the door. Roman picked up the neatly folded pile of clothes which had been laid on a crate. "Oh, and Neo…" he started, just as she was stepping through the doorway, "…out of interest where did you procure that yoyo from?"
Neo paused in her yoyo-ing and gave him a look that said 'Why on earth are you interested in a stupid yoyo rather than hoe beautiful I am looking right now' (or at least that's how he interpreted it) and scribbled something on the whiteboard.
Quite embarrassing actually. Some bloke was giving them to kids for free and apparently I look like a child. Got me a free yoyo though, so I can't complain.
Roman's eyes lit up. "That gives me a rather brilliant idea Neo," he said, grabbing his hat from the floor beside the bed. "Meet me in five and I will explain the machinations of it to you."
Neo blew him a kiss and walked fully into the hallway, slamming the door behind her.
"Neo, you are a petite person. And today, even, you were mistaken for a child," started Roman. He sat at the kitchen table, one hand holding a fresh cigar and the other reached imploringly towards Neo. She sat opposite him, legs crossed and hands resting on her larger whiteboard.
Yes. Thanks for bringing thatback up. What are you getting at?
"Well," continued Roman, stubbing out his cigar, "The kind-hearted folks down in Vale are more likely to take pity on a lost child than a lost adult. I mean, think about it, if you were kind-hearted-"
Neo rapped his knuckles with the whiteboard. He winced and withdrew his hand, but continued all the same. "If you were kind-hearted, Neo-oh-love-of-my-life-who-can-do-no-wrong, and you came across a child on the streets of Vale- perhaps this child's family was killed by grim- what would you do?"
There was a pause as Neo warily scrawled something across the whiteboard.
If I was all of that (thanks for your lovelyvote of confidence, dear) I would probably give the kid some money or something.
Roman slapped the table dramatically. Neo glowered as her board and pen were bounced onto the floor. "Exactly! Now what if that kid happened not to be a kid, but a glamorous, beautiful, obliging-to-her-partner con artist?"
Neo stuck her head up from beneath the table. Then she showed him the whiteboard.
Flattery will get you nowhere hot stuff. But yes, what if the child happened to be me?
"Well then what would happen to the money gained?" continued Roman, stubbing out his cigar and leaning backwards in his chair.
Well then the money would go to whoever was behind the operation, providing that the beautiful con-artist could be bothered to put aside time in her dreary schedule to give the earnings to her obedient and dutiful partner, who waits upon her every word.
"Neo, baby," exclaimed Roman, spreading his arms wide. "When have I ever let you down?"
Neo picked up her pen and moved to write on her whiteboard.
"Okay," admitted Roman. "Fine. Bad example."
