Running Around
Part Two: Brace City

By Keen Arosen

Brace City, Anatoray
The Erebos Slum
Just Above the Docks
Iounios 12, 3037
Late Morning

The nobility and gentry of Anatoray made their homes on Brace City's enormous metal overhang. Though a true feat of engineering, it left the slums of Erebos in perpetual gloom. The lucky few above lived in a world of light, while just underneath, in their shadow, lay a warren of streets where the majority survived, housed in crumbling tenements. Only at sunset did fingers of light travel swiftly up the streets of Erebos. Twilight meant daytime for the people that inhabited this underworld punctuated by metal braces. With their remarkable endurance, children played along the dirty lanes, and they called out to Alexander Row whenever he passed them on his way down to the docks. They begged for money or food or even just a story; these little, sickly ones were the offspring of the truly poor, the ones without access to Anatoray's lucrative markets. On this day, Alex tried to ignore the children's cries. His approach must be systemic in scope; he no longer had time for specifics.

"What you do, Wex?" called a tiny girl as she stood to greet him. With her curly rusty-red hair and pale, dirty, tear-stained cheeks, Alex found her difficult to resist. He stopped and pulled a little red ball and ten jacks from his pocket.

"Hey, Jilly," he said. "I've got these jacks. Will you take care of them for me?"

"I do." Her face beamed. He rubbed her dirty head and sighed. He should not have stopped; children surrounded him.

"Do you know how to play jacks?" said Alex.

She shook her head, holding her little hands behind her back. The children crowded round, forming a circle. They shook their heads too, and quietly observed.

"Watch me. Onesies," Alex called, tossing the jacks on the ground after which he threw the ball in the air and grabbed a jack, catching the ball after one bounce. Alex repeated this until he had picked up all ten jacks. Then he spread the jacks again and called twosies, picking up two jacks at a time.

"You a wizard at this jacks thing, Wex," said Fin, pushing his dark hair out of his eyes. Like all the children of Erebos, Fin was small, maybe four or five – it was difficult to tell because he acted older. Alex could never be sure of their ages. Judging by size could not be relied on; malnourished and starved for sunlight, all these kids were smaller than they should have been. When he had run the jacks gamut and reached tensies, Alex threw down the jacks tossed the ball up in the air, and, picking up all ten jacks in one go, he grabbed the ball just after it bounced. Jilly looked at him in adoration; the others cheered. "Start with onesies, Jilly. When you can do that with no mistakes then start on twosies."

"K. Oncey," said Jilly, throwing the ball in the air, missing it and then chasing it over the cobbles.

"Hey Wex, Jilly, can I try?" asked Duffy. Judging by his hair, Alex was pretty sure they were related.

"If I find out that any of you have made Jilly cry, there will be hell to pay. That goes double for you Duffy."

"No be mad, Wex," said Fin.

"What happened to the toys I gave you guys?"

"I sorry Wex; Da got tipsy. He step on it; it break," said Fin. "He yell." The others shook their heads.

"You gonna give his Da hell, Wex?" asked Duffy.

"No good deed goes unpunished," whispered Alex, adding, "No, Duffy, I'm going try something else." Alex pulled a handful of chewy sweets wrapped in brightly colored wax paper and handed them out; it was his habit to accompany goodies with a lecture. "You older kids have a duty to look after the little ones. That is what soldiers do." The children nodded their heads in the affirmative, their cheeks lumpy with the gooey confection.

"Where go, Wex?" asked Jilly. She stood by his side holding his pant leg.

"To the docks."

"Me come too."

"What about your jacks?" She opened the pocket of her dirty apron and showed him where they were safely tucked away. "Can you keep up?" he said.

"Me do."

"Then I'll see you at the dock." He took off at a relaxed jog. Jilly and the others kept pace. But when he broke into a run, they dropped off one by one. In part, he ran for their sake. They needed the exercise. Most of all they needed the light; the docks, and the warehouses and shelters that surrounded them were beyond the overhang.

"Are you playing at the boathouse tonight?" asked Alba, whose white silky hair hung in greasy strings even in the breeze. A clever girl, she was a pretty good runner.

"There's no show tonight, but we will be there."

"Can we still come over?"

"Maybe."

"Aw, come on," begged Sammy, a skinny, tall kid who took filthy to new heights. "You always say that."

"Let's see if you can keep up with me." Alex ran even faster; some of the older ones dashed to his side, but the little ones disappeared.

"Wait, Wex!" they cried in their high voices. The sweetness of the sound gave Alex an idea, but he did not slow down; he smiled and raced on, loving the blessed joy of running with abandon on solid ground. Light and free, he felt reborn after a dark passage. No more serious relationships, he was off women. They were fine as friends or colleagues, but no more romance. The gambit to liberate Yukino was one friend helping another. That was all.

"Wex stop! Why go so fast?" came the faint cry of the little ones.

"Keep up!" he shouted. They knew where he was going; they'd find him. Besides, Lord Zoi had taught him to keep pace in the same way. It would toughen them; something they needed if they were going to survive. Increasing his pace, he left the older ones behind.

"Damn it, Wex! Why you gotta be such a dick?" said Sammy.

"Insults only make me run faster." The street opened, and he emerged from beneath the overhang into the wide concrete square that bordered the docks. In the distance, he could see the Honu Wiki, the Guster, the Hoku and the Knotty Boffin, bobbing in the sparkling waters of Cleo Bay. Sammy, Alba and a few of the others were just a few meters behind when Alex unlocked the gate that guarded the pier. He waved to Wolf, who ran down the dock to meet him.

"Where have you been?" asked Wolf.

"Making contacts."

"Any luck?"

"Not sure yet."

"This operation seems doomed," said Wolf, shaking his head.

"Give me a minute." Alex leaned forward, hands on his knees, catching his breath.

"Jeez, Row. You brought those kids again. They're always hungry."

"We're soldiers, Wolf. We take care of the locals."

"But we're soldiers on furlough."

"That doesn't mean we abandon our duty."

"For someone who claims he hates the military, you're a pretty staunch upholder of the rules of engagement."

"Says the guy who knows the handbook by heart," said Alex.

"That is beside the point. This is my chance to do whatever I want."

"Wolf," said Alex, placing his hand on his comrade's shoulder. "Have you ever been so hungry you'd eat anything?"

Wolf looked at him. "Son-of-a-bitch, man, don't start with the guilt tripping."

"How about from the garbage?"

"I get it, Row. I'm an idiot."

"Yeah, you are."

The older kids shouted to Alex from the marina gate where the security guard blocked their entrance. Alex could see the smaller children trotting across the square; he waved to the gatekeeper to let them through, but the man ignored his signal, and instead approached.

"Your dock fees be due in two days."

"Thanks for the heads up, Pud," said Alex as Pele and Kiore joined him.

"If you're late, master says to tell ye, we be confiscatin' your boats. And how many times I got to tell ya; don't call me Pud. The name's Officer Wilber Puduncle"

"Duly noted," said Alex.

"But we are paid in full," growled Pele. Alex touched her wrist to stop her from demolishing the messenger.

"Will you let those kids in on your way back to your shack, Officer Plunducle?" said Alex.

"Master don't like no kids on the pier. And its…Pud…Uncle."

"They work for us. We can't make money without them."

"Ain't never seen them in your shows."

"You go to our shows?" asked Wolf.

"Yeah. What of it?"

"Those kids are fundamental to the success of our production; they're vital members of our marketing department. Now let them in," said Alex.

"They wha'?"

"They distribute our leaflets among other things," said Kiore.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. But if one of those little shits falls in the bay, you be takin' the hit," said Pud, sauntering away.

"Once again, duly noted," said Alex, after which he added, "Officer Butt Swab."

Wolf and Kiore snorted; Pele stifled laughter.

"You are really bad at cursing," said Wolf. "I think you mean ass wipe."

"But the idioms he comes up with are hilarious, Wolfram," said Kiore, laughing.

"So true," giggled Pele.

Pud turned and glared at them, his face contorted in a gorgon-like frown.

"Later," said Alex, waving. The rest copied him as the man turned and stalked off.

Kiore flexed his fingers. "We're lucky we're not stone."

"Yeah, well," said Alex. "He's got the face of a gorgon, but he lacks the mana to back it up."

"Here come the kids," said Wolf.

"We cannot feed those children every single day, Alexander," said Pele. "And what will we do about the docking fees? We spent all our money on the warehouse complex."

"Those kids will be working for us today - so we need to clean them up and feed them. And don't concern yourself about the docking fees. We'll be moving the boats to the docks near the boathouse tonight."

"But I thought we were not to dock there," said Wolf.

"Mistress Faustina changed her mind. We can use the docks on the east side of the boathouse. That location has the benefit of being out Pud's line of sight."

"How'd you manage that?" asked Kiore.

"She was very receptive to the idea once I explained our situation to her. Where are the flyers?"

"Tukwet and Clete went to pick them up," said Wolf.

"When will they be back?" asked Alex, who was now surrounded by children.

"Soon."

"Then let's get these kids on the Honu Wiki, clean them up, and feed them, so they'll be ready to distribute the flyers."

"Can we trust them to actually hand out the flyers?" asked Pele.

"They've done it before."

"But they threw half of them away. We caught them. You have a very selective memory, Alexander."

"This time they have an incentive."

"And what exactly is that?" asked Wolf.

"Free entry tomorrow night."

"You always give them free entry to make the crowd look bigger," said Kiore.

"Tomorrow they will be in the performance."

"Well that's not really free entry," said Wolf.

"You must be joking. What can they possibly do?" said Pele.

"And why tomorrow night?" asked Kiore.

"Lots of reasons. But mostly, tomorrow night an agent from the Enclave may be in the audience. We'll need a crowd."

"I thought you said you hadn't had any luck," said Wolf.

"What kind of agent?" said Kiore.

"Low level scout."

"Low level?" asked Pele. "What does that mean?"

"If she likes us she will bring us to the attention of her boss." Alex crossed his arms and tried to appear confident.

"That is the best you could do?"

"Patience, Pele," said Kiore. "We have to start somewhere. What will the kids be doing?"

"What right do you have to make decisions about the performance on your own, Alexander?" demanded Pele. "Shouldn't we talk about what these kids will do in the show?"

"I'm the captain; it's my right. Besides, it will be fine, Pele. They will perform as a choir."

"When?"

"Towards the end or maybe the beginning."

"How will we use fireworks inside?" said Kiore.

"We won't be using fireworks anymore," said Alex.

"No?"

"Karpov says we can create the same effect with lighting; meet him at the boathouse after lunch so he can show you how it works. And I'm changing the sequence of scenes. The kids' choir should probably be featured at the end – that should bring in the locals in and force them to stay."

"Why change everything?" asked Kiore.

"And why bring in the locals? They're such lowlifes," said Pele. "They're disgusting. They don't even take care of their children. What if they start a fight?"

"I have my reasons which I cannot discuss right now, Pele."

"Why?"

Alex pointed to the children, who were climbing into every part of the Honu Wiki. "They may not look it, but they are very astute. What I have to say is not for little ears."

"What about the order of the scenes. Is that private?" asked Pele.

"We should go with the scenes that the audience likes best; the agent may not stay for the whole performance. We'll need to do a run through later today. Can you take care of the preparations for that, Kiore?"

"I can. What time?" asked Kiore. "And I'll need the scene order."

"You decide on the time. I'll be at the boathouse all afternoon; I'll have the order soon. Make sure the kids know when to show up; I'll teach them a song. Then we'll take them through a rehearsal."

"Point of order, Row. I agree with Pele. Why are you bringing the locals into this?" asked Wolf. "It only complicates matters. Most of the adults around here can barely function; they're either sick or drunk. Like Pele says; they just don't care."

"Way to go, Wolf," said Alex, motioning to the children who had become suddenly quiet.

"Sorry, but…"

Alex signaled Wolfe for silence. "We will talk about this later, but I will say this much," he whispered. "Local support is necessary because, when we move on, we will bequeath the boathouse and the production to them. Starting today we will begin to train them in every aspect of the work."

"You can't be serious," said Pele.

"Why can't I?"

"Because…well…um…how about costs?" said Wolf. "And what makes you think this lot will get off their butts and do anything?"

"I've found them a benefactor. These people are destitute; until now there has been no work for them. We have it in our power to aid them. How can you object?" No one spoke. "Good. Now let's get these kids fed. And, Pele, they will need costumes. Here's the design. Feel free to modify it in any way you see fit." Alex pulled a diagram from his pocket.

"I like the 'let's'," said Pele. "As if you've ever helped, Alexander." She examined the drawing, muttering under her breath, "Wings! You have got to be kidding me."

"Kiore, I need the map of the city to plan the flyer distribution. And I've been thinking it would be better if they stood out a little. They are representing the troupe. Have we got anything distinctive to dress them in?"

"How about colored sashes and headbands or that box of maroon berets we found?" said Kiore.

"You are unbelievable, Alexander," said Pele. "This is your sneaky way of taking care of those kids. And where am I supposed to get the material to make these costumes?"

"There is nothing wrong with helping these children, my love," said Kiore, handing the map to Alex. "In fact, it is quite admirable. And it gives us street cred."

"It is not admirable when someone dumps the entire task on someone else."

"Now, now, Alexander helps plenty, and he's got us a chance to perform for a scout from the Enclave. He does his part. We all agreed to this operation and that he would lead. No worries; I'll help you."

"By the way, Alexander, how did you manage it?" asked Pele.

"Manage what?" asked Alex.

Pele glared at him. "Cut the crap. You know what I mean - the scout."

"It's a long story."

"Is it? You've become quite the libertine since we arrived in this horrid place. I demand all the details. Or I simply will not be able to concentrate on my work."

"Seduction was unnecessary – for the most part anyway. Faustina had heard about us."

"Faustina is the scout?" asked Wolf.

"No, she introduced me to the scout."

"She'd heard good things, I hope," said Wolf.

"Jeez, Wolf, that's obvious," said Alex. "She would not have helped us if she'd heard that we're crap."

"I'd like you to explain the 'for most part' part," demanded Pele.

"No details."

"Come on, Row. Enlighten us," said Wolf.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"It might be worth it," said Wolf. "But you'd have to give me enough time compose a death song to commemorate my untimely end."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" asked Alex. "You're not acting like yourself."

"Me? You should talk. I like running around, indulging my artistic side, but artists need lovers and Tia's not here."

"Hey Wolf, she's my sister."

"Indeed, the one I'm engaged to. You on the other hand are not engaged. You can indulge your urges with just about anyone."

"My urges?" Alex laughed.

"Yes, Alexander, we're all curious about how you are satisfying those urges," said Pele.

"I'm not," said Kiore. "Well, I am, but such inquiries are rude in the extreme."

"Shut up, Kiore," said Pele and Wolf in unison.

"My urges are private."

"Don't look at me like I'm a pervert, Row. You know what I mean. Per Lady Hippolyte's orders, I'm watching you," said Wolf, gesturing eyes on. "For reasons I will never understand, given your gloomy demeanor, women fall all over you, and you have not been discouraging them like you usually do."

"Yes. I see that too, Wolf," said Pele. "It's quite an about face, but you're right. He is like a flame, and they are the moths. Have you been gathering moths, Alexander?"

"Gloomy or not, Alexander has charisma," said Kiore. "When he's in the room, he is the center of gravity."

"I don't know what you lot are talking about," said Alex. "We have work to do. My love life is not worth discussion."

"Don't give me that crap. I followed you," said Wolf.

"Really? Then why did you ask me where I'd been?"

"You've very tricky, Row. I lost you after I nodded out."

"You idiot, don't do that again. If something happened to you Tia would kill me. Now cut the crap; Pele and Kiore have work to do, and we need to get to the boathouse to help Karpov and Whelan set up. They're probably already there."

"Whelan?" asked Wolf.

"Yes. He and Pelletier secured the lighting and some of the other equipment we need to go indoors."

"I thought 'running around' meant that we're on our own."

"Where'd you get that idea? Nowhere does it say we can't get a little help from our friends." Alex jumped off the boat and walked down the pier, a wake of kids trailed him.

"We should rename you Pied Piper," said Tukwet; she carried a large box. Clete followed her with another one.

Alex turned to find Jilly leading a gaggle of children. "You kids get back on the Honu Wiki. Pele, Clete and Tukwet will feed you and clean you up. Then you'll distribute flyers. Follow Kiore's instructions and then return to the boathouse for rehearsal. Got it?"

"Rehearsal?" said Sammy.

"Are we in the show?" asked Alba.

"You are." This news was followed by delighted squeals.

"Pele's mean," said Kai, a towheaded six-year-old with a bright red substance smeared all over his face.

"Kleytay too," cried Jilly. "She hurt scrub."

"Tell me about it," said Alex, smirking at Clete.

"You love it," said Clete, winking back at him.

"We want Tuk'et. She nice," said Miki. Tall and thin, Miki always looked on the verge of tears.

"I go Wex," growled Jilly. Everyone stared at the tiny girl who made such a big scary sound.

"Listen up!" said Alex. "You lot are needed here. We all have work to do. Your job is to get the word out. If you don't, we'll have no audience. When you return to the boathouse, I'll have your parts in the performance worked out."

"We really gonna be in the show?" said Sammy.

"You are.

"Will we have outfits?"

"Pele is making your costumes"

"Fine. We get clean."

"Clete, sort them into groups: a couple of older kids with a few younger ones. Give each group fifty or sixty flyers to hand out. Pele is preparing sashes, headbands or berets for them to wear. Here's the map, I've circled the locations I believe will produce the best results."

Jilly toddled to Alex and stood her ground. "Me want Wex."

"But you must be measured for your costume and then have your lunch and a good wash. Would you feel better if Tukwet or Kiore took care of you?"

"Wex do."

"I can't; I have other duties." Jilly grabbed his pant leg. "Do you want to be in the show?"

She nodded.

"Then you must be a good soldier and do your duty. We will regroup at the boathouse later."

She sighed, "Kee." Alex took her hand. Pele scowled at him as he led Jilly to Kiore.

"You're such a jerk!" said Pele. "You know Kiore is a total sucker when it comes to little kids."

"Do I?" said Alex.

"Wipe that smirk of your face. I'm the one who needs Kee's help."

"No worries, my love," said Kiore. "This little lady is exhausted. She'll nap this afternoon after which I am yours to do with as you please."

"Hmmm," purred Pele.

"Do not get distracted," said Alex, filling his pack with notebooks and writing gear. "There's work to be done."

"You may rely on us, Captain" said Kiore, rocking Jilly in his arms. She snuggled down, dozing.

"Geez, Kee. You've really got the touch," said Wolf.

"Indeed, he does," said Pele.

"Kee," said Kiore. "I like that name."

"Jilly graced you with a special name. I believe I'm about to lose my favored status," said Alex.

"…Wex…" mumbled Jilly in her sleep.

"I don't think so," said Kiore. "You cast a pretty long shadow."

"You underestimate yourself, cousin," said Alex, pulling on his pack. "Let's get a move on, Wolf. Whelan and Pelletier await."

"Pelletier's here too?"

"I thought I mentioned that."

"What about Dionysia?"

"Her too."

The two walked down the dock, passing through the gate under the suspicious gaze of Pud. "Hey, Pud," said Alex. Once past the truculent guard, he rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue.

"It's Officer Puduncle," said Pud.

"Duly noted, Officer Butt Bonnet."

"Jeez Row. What if he heard you?"

"Ah, but he didn't," said Alex.

"And, by the way, it's ass hat. You've no knack for cursing whatsoever."

"Maybe…maybe not. Who declared you an expert?"

"I've never called anyone a butt bonnet, though it does have a certain ring to it. How about fanny fedora or better still hiney helmet?" said Wolf.

"Both are pretty good."

"Thanks."

"You're getting get the drift now. A buttocks bonnet is a specific type of ass hat."

"Ah. 'There's a method to his madness.'"

"So it would seem. All right go ahead. Ask me."

"What are you talking about?" said Wolf.

"You've been dying to ask me something."

"Where'd you sleep last night?" asked Wolf.

"I had business to attend to."

"Business?"

"Are you a parrot?"

"Hey! That's not what I asked. You forget I'm your bodyguard, so I follow you. I lost you at a brothel."

"Brothel? I was in negotiations. We got the use of the boathouse, and its docks for free."

"Free?"

"Have you gone deaf, Wolf? You keep repeating everything I say as if I never said it."

"How did you manage that? Are you selling your body? Because if you did that's going too far. Lady H will kill me, and rightly so. I failed in my duties. What's the matter with you? Why are you shaking like that? Are you laughing at me?"

"Who would…pay…me…?" Alex could not talk, he found Wolf's hypothesis so hilarious.

"Spit it out, Row!"

"Who would…who would…buy my body?"

"Hey, you're good looking guy. You're buff and you're…well-endowed where it counts."

"Wolf?" Alex just managed his friend's name before laughter took him over its threshold again. "…Are you coming on to me?"

"What? Jeez…No!"

"Because if you are Tia will not understand."

"No…of course not," said Wolf.

"She does not share well." Alex controlled himself for a moment and then cracked up.

"Stop laughing. It isn't funny. You'd have never laughed like that at the academy. You probably would have been offended."

"Yeah. You're right, but we aren't at the academy."

"You really hate it?"

"Nah. At first. But I feel differently now."

"Even after business with Bassianus?" asked Wolf.

Alex frowned. "I was an idiot to ever get involved with her."

"Yeah. You were. Still."

"I'm recovered and definitely wiser. From now on I play the field."

"You?"

"You doubt me?"

"You're no player."

"Says the guy who thought I was selling my body."

"What is that place then?"

"It used to be the property of House Petros; now it belongs to Pelletier. He got it in the settlement. Madam Faustina is a Pelletier. She's his aunt."

"That place belonged to the Petros family?"

"I just said that," Alex laughed. "But you're right. The place does look a brothel. House Petros' tastes tend to the gaudy."

"There were so many people in and out last night. Is it always like that?"

"I don't know. But Pelletier comes from a large and very enterprising family."

"Wow. Tell Pelletier to do something about the way that place looks. It gives off a real house of ill repute vibe."

"I'm going there again later tonight. Come with me and tell him yourself."

"Seriously?"

"Why not?" asked Alex. "If you're going to follow me everywhere, we might as well go together. That way I won't have to explain everything to you."

"Hey, Row. You never answered my question."

"What question was that?"

"How you got the boathouse for free."

"Whelan's father's company helped us purchase the warehouse from Madam Faustina. Whelan's going to renovate it into a vanship production facility."

"Your designs?"

"Yes, though we've already made improvements."

"There's really no reason for you to go back to the academy," said Wolf.

"Yes. There is."

"But you have so much going for you."

"I promised my great-grandmother I'd give it two years."

"But they're letting you skip the second year."

"Guess I'm doing at least one year at Officers' College."

"Then you're going to leave."

"I don't know; I like being an officer. What about you, Wolf?"

"I'm going to finish."

"You could work for us."

"I want to be a lawyer. That's two years of Officers' College, plus one of law school."

"We need an attorney," said Alex.

"I have to pay off my debt by serving in the military."

"How long?"

"Four years."

"What if I pay your debt off for you?" asked Alex.

"Thanks, Row. But I can't let you do that. Besides, where would you get the money?"

"Whelan paid me. The emperor made a down payment on an order of heavy transports."

"So that's how this is all happening. I wondered where the money was coming from," said Wolf.

"Just ask if you change your mind."

They were quiet for a while, enjoying the warmth of the early afternoon sun as the wind died down to faint whisper. "You seem to be liking our intercalary time," said Alex.

"I am. I never thought I'd get a chance to just fart around. I'm grateful."

"I guess we have old Petros to thank."

"Thank him? He almost killed you."

"Almost."

"Hey, Row. What do you think?" Alex followed the sound. Above him, Whelan, Karpov and Pelletier lowered a sign from the roof of the boathouse. It read The Lumpen Playhouse. The gold lettering glinted on a dull red background bordered in dark green.

"Inviting," said Alex.

"Shall we fasten it in place?" asked Karpov.

"Hold on." Alex crossed the street and surveyed the artwork. "Lower it to just above the entrance. It's too hard to see so far up."

"You sure?" asked Pelletier.

"Yes."

"What is this, Row?" asked Wolf.

"That's clear; it's the Lumpen Playhouse."

"What is that?"

"It's a gathering place for the people who live in and about the docks. It will remain open after we leave."

"But you said this was going to be a factory."

"This will remain separate from the factory; we don't need it, but the people who live here do."

"Don't you need access to the river?"

"No. We're building air transports to move the equipment we manufacture. I'll show you the plans later."

"Won't you need an airstrip?"

"There's plenty of room to build one behind the warehouse. Are you sure you don't want to work with us?"

"Alexander? Wolfram?" Plump, round and more beautiful than ever, Dionysia stood in the doorway of the Lumpen Playhouse.

"Hey Row!" shouted Pelletier. "Is this better?" Pelletier pointed at the sign now fastened firmly in place.

"It captures the spirit of the place."

"You've got Di to thank for that."

Alex hugged her. "You're the best," he whispered.

"No. You," she whispered back. She took his hand and lead him inside, saying, "Alexander, there's a girl here. She wants to talk to Wex. She claims he kidnapped her sister."

"L-um-p-en. What the hell a Lumpen?" said a young woman. Her curly brown-red hair made clear her relationship to Jilly.

"It's complicated," said Alex.

"Look it up," shouted Karpov. "But then, if you do, the term may no longer apply."

"You better not be insultin' me, ya little douchebag."

"What's a douchebag?" asked Karpov.

"Later," said Whelan.

"What do you mean later?"

"I'll demonstrate."

"Where this Wex?" asked the young woman.

"Are you related to Jilly?" asked Alex.

"Yeah. Where she friggin' go?"

"She's probably having lunch."

"You take her to the docks?"

"She followed me."

"You damn pervert. She can't swim."

"She's well looked after."

"If something happen to her…"

"She will be handing out flyers this afternoon after a wash and a change of clothes. Then she's coming here; she'll be part of the choir for tomorrow night's performance."

"And her pay?"

"That's a private matter," said Alex. "I've worked it out with your grandmother."

"When you talk with Granny?"

"Last night. You are welcome to join the Lumpen Junior Chorus if you wish."

"Chorus? I work. My night's too busy."

"Do you have to work every night?" asked Dionysia.

"If I want food."

"You can eat here."

"I think on it."

"Please do," said Alex. "And go see Doc Bellamort. You're jaundiced."

"Jaw what?" said the young woman.

"Your skin has a yellow tinge."

"Where the money come from?"

"He's our agent."

"What's that mean?"

"He treats members of the Lumpen Playhouse at our expense. But that means you have to show up and sing."

"Can he fix the yellow icterus?"

"That depends."

"I'm going to see the doctor," said Dionysia. "Why don't you accompany me?"

"Me? Go you?"

"Yes. What is your name?"

"Agnes Reid. But they calls me Aggie."

"Good to meet you, Aggie; I'm Dina. Let's get over there before the doctor goes to lunch." Dionysia took the woman's dirty hand and led her away. Aggie shrugged and followed docilly.

"I better go too," said Pelletier.

"Yeah," said Alex. "Watch over our dear Dina. We'd be lost without her."

"You got that right," said Pelletier, placing his hand lightly on Alex' shoulder. Alex reached up to touch it.

"Hey," said Wolf, after Pelletier had left. "What's with you, Petros and Pelletier? It's a little weird."

"That would be classified. Though I will say that, in my experience, most real friendships are a bit weird." Alex looked pointedly at Wolf.

"And what would you know about that?" laughed Wolf.

"Asks the one who taught me the intricacies of modern underwear. Not to mention the difference between boxers and briefs."

"Is that really weird?"

"Depends on who you ask. Tia thought it odd."

"Seriously…you told her? Did she say that?"

"Why do you make me repeat myself? I feel like you don't trust me, Wolf."

"On certain matters I'd trust you with my life. But when it comes to this sort a thing you're a bit of a trickster."

"Me? A trickster? Most people think I am too earnest."

"They don't know you as well as I do. Now tell me what she said."

"She prefers briefs."

"What?!"

"Indeed – tighty whities. Seems a change of underwear is in order."

"You better be telling the truth."

"I would not make up a story about a matter of such importance. Ask her yourself."

"I will."

"When?"

"When the time is right."

Lumpen theater productions

Jilly's sister