|| -------- -- -----  A E R I E   O B L I V I A N A . singular book of text wandertainment by Frank Edward Nora ------------------- ----------- THE CARBONIZE NEIGHBOR--CUP 4--"THING PING" <-------  ||  Severe Repair  ||  The Carbonize Neighbor  ||  -------> (Cup SRcn004, Created v2 (6/7/99), Copyright 1999) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Grant finished his brief shower and stepped back into the room. Indeed the girls were gone--along with all the sheets, pillowcases, drinking glasses, and the like. "Bitches." Grant muttered, thankful his clothes were still there. Just as he was getting finished dressing, the phone rang. His heart raced wildly in his chest and adrenaline surged. The phone rang again. He picked it up. "Yeah?" "Hi." a male voice said. "I'm an associate of Supple Jake." "Yes?" "Is this Granticaine Perion?" "Speaking." "I assume you've recovered from your little journey?" "I'm fine--but I'd appreciate it if you'd get to the point. What the hell happened and who in the hell are you people?" "We are an organization which is interested in hiring you, and I'd like to personally set up a meeting. Beyond that, I can't tell you much else." Grant sighed. "Fine, let's meet." "It will be in a public place, of course." "My personal safety is the least of my concerns. I was in some other world before--nothing like that has ever happened to me." "I understand your position, Captain Perion, but believe me, once you've had a chance to hear my offer, everything will become clear. And I think you might like it. A lot." "That would be great." "So--we can be in Haybelcord in--uh--I guess if we take the train we can be there in about--ten or eleven hours. That'd make it..." "Around 2:00 or 3:00 AM. I'll see you at three at the Thing Ping at Lianthene Station. They're open 24 hours." "There won't be many people around. Are you sure you're comfortable with that?" "There'll be people around. There are always people around me now that I'm famous." "Good point. And we may be able to help you with that problem." "How--by making me unfamous?" "Something like that." "Whatever. One thing though--do you know the color of the--uh--oh never mind." "What?" "Nothing. What's your name, by the way?" "Oh sorry. It's Letevs Fife." "How will I know you?" "Jake will be with me--I think." "If she's not, I'm sure you'll recognize me." "I will. So I have to leave now if I'm to get there on time." "Okay." "I hope this is the beginning of a good relationship." "Me too." "Alright then, see you at three." "Goodbye." -------> ------------------- ----------- -------- -- -----