Duel of Cordiality
Posted on Wed Apr 20th, 2016 @ 1:55pm by
Edited on on Thu Jun 2nd, 2016 @ 11:37pm
Mission:
Time and High Society
Location: Wells Manor, London England
Timeline: March 19, 1896
[ON]
The woefully unprepared Wells couple formally presented their young Herisian friend to the visiting gentlemen. Having escorted them into the parlor, Herbert spoke whilst Amy dutifully prepared and served tea. "Good Sirs, I should like to introduce Miss Monday Starr. Daughter of the governor, she hails from the far distant colony of Herisius."
The girl pressed her hands together and offered a bow of the head, not at all the expected curtsy.
The men exchanged smiling, puzzled glances, "Monday? What a curious name for a girl!"
Herbert bent the truth as needed, "Her late father was fond of the DeFoe classic 'Robinson Crusoe'. In that story, there was Friday. Being that Monday's mother was a native, her father felt it to be a fitting parallel."
"Late father? Oh, I am so sorry to hear!"
Monday's eyes lowered in painful remembrance.
Herbert added, "It's more tragic than that. The entire colony perished except for this one little waif found in a lifeboat."
"Goodness, gracious! You most certainly have our sympathies, young lady!"
The leader of the men, Mr. Edmund Bailey, wasn't one to admit ignorance, "Herisius... Herisius... I seem to remember that name, but... Refresh my memory, precisely where is it again?"
Herbert frowned pensively, "I believe it's a small island off Madagascar."
"Oh, of course! I've heard merchant captains speak of it. What was their primary commerce, again?"
"Sugar cane, mostly."
"Oh, how quaint." Bailey betrayed his suppressed impatience, "And what of the other young lady, the one whom you are hiding?"
Herbert offered a pleasant smile to his wife, "My dear, do be so good as to check on her?"
"Of course, dear."
Bailey looked to the young girl, "So! Monday! What is your friend's name?"
"Ricki St. Louis, Sir."
"What? Ricky! Why, that's a man's name!"
Herbert folded his hands and explained, "Actually, it's pronounced Riquee San Louie."
"Oh! French! What a pleasant sounding name."
Herbert leaned to confide, "We're still working on Monday's English vocabulary. She's come a long way, but she still has much to learn."
"She seems to do quite well. True, she has a distinct accent, but her command of English is impressive. What is her native tongue?"
"Are you ready for this? Nobody yet understands it."
"You're joking! Are you saying that Miss Monday is child to a tribal savage?"
"Well, I don't prefer to use that word. But, in essence, yes."
One of then shook the idea off, "No, no, no. I could never take a savage wife. I can barely handle a civilized one as it is!"
The visitors broke out into laughter.
Ricki St. Louis entered the room and all stood to greet her. Bailey imposed his way forward to her, "Well! Look who we have here! You are a striking miracle worker, indeed!" He extended his hand. When she took hold of it, he bowed to gesture a kiss upon it. "Edmund Bailey, at your service."
One of the other men chimed in, "Quite elusive, indeed, but now the hounds have caught up with the fox!"
Bailey was ever the cordial predator, "A mere hour ago, no one in London was aware of your presence. And now, stories about you are spreading like wildfire! They say... that you miraculously broke a deadly fever. I'm sure that wild and fanciful tales embellish as they are passed on."
Ricki offered a slight smile, "I work at a hospital back home."
"And do you also call Herisius home?"
"No, Sir. I hail from... a land called Thoria."
"Really now!" Bailey couldn't hold back his question. Are you truly a magician who can can conjure strange light in the palm of your hand?"
"Where did you hear that, Sir?"
"Apparently, if tales told by fanciful little boys can be believed, you were observed through a window."
Ricki's lips pursed in light smile for a moment, "Perhaps what he saw was sunlight refracting off of window?"
One of the men observed, "Refract? That is science terminology."
She nodded, "It is indeed, Sir. I come from a large family of scientists."
Bailey smiled, "Do you now? Many scientists in a land called Thoria? I simply must hear more about this!" He turned to his host, "Herbert! We are having a lovely social to night. I invite you, your lovely wife, and these remarkable young ladies to join us." He pointed with raised brows, "I shall not take no for an answer."
Amy suppressed her anxiety, but Herbert's voice wavered, "Well! We should ask my guests how they feel. Riquee? Monday?"
Ricki wasn't worried. These curious men didn't seem to pose much of an intellectual threat. "I think it would be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your people and culture. I gratefully accept your invitation. But Monday, weren't you feeling poorly earlier?"
Amy stepped forward, "Perhaps I should remain here to care for her."
Bailey waved it off, "Oh, she looks fine! Just a little timid." He tipped his head in a study of her, "We have wonderful beds in quiet rooms at my home. If she needs to lie down for a rest, then she can. I'll even invite our grouchy old doctor to have him on hand!"
The men chuckled.
"He will no doubt be most interested in having a chat with Miss San Louie." Bailey made hard taps on the floor with his ornate walking cane, "Come come, Herbert! Don't frustrate this impatient man! Say you'll accept."
"Do I have a choice?"
"No, you don't."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Very well, Mr. Bailey, we are persuaded by your kind offer!"
"Excellent!" He leaned close to confide, "Say, uh, if the young ladies don't have anything more formal to wear, do drop by one of the fashion shoppes downtown this afternoon? What they're wearing now is pleasant, but not at all suitable for higher social circles." He made a couple of pats to his shoulder. "Come, gentlemen! We have imposed ourselves on this good dwelling long enough!"
After they departed, Amy vented her feelings, "Unsuitable, indeed! These are nice dresses, Herbert!"
He watched the departing group through a window and spoke in quiet tone, "I know that they are, Amy. He was just making a social dig at us."
Ricki asked, "Mr. Wells, I know that your economy is based upon money. These 'dresses' that he wants us to wear, can you afford them?"
He sighed comfortably, "Yes. It is no great inconvenience. Besides..." He turned to her, "I wish to use his own insult against him."
Amy tipped her head, surmising, "You want Ricki and Monday to show up in nicer dresses than any of the other ladies?"
He couldn't hide his smile, "Well, the thought did cross my mind. That would offer him opportunity to explain to his wife why she lacked equal style."
"Herbert, think about what you are doing. I thought that our goal was to have them keep a low profile."
"No matter how hard they try, it won't happen with Bailey targeting them. But..." He smiled, "What if he had to compete with other men for attention from beautiful ladies?"
Amy shook her head with a smile, "Herbert, you are incorrigible, and I love you for it."
He returned a bashful nod.
Ricki smiled, "You two are so married."
[OFF]
Ricki St. Louis
Monday Starr
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Wells
Mr. Bailey {boo! hiss!}
Starbase 332 Twilight Zone
Pegasus Fleet
