Phule’s Paradise by Robert Asprin

Author:Robert Asprin [Asprin, Robert]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-05-01T18:48:28+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Journal #227

To say the final days before the casino’s grand opening were a study in freneticism would be like saying Genghis Khan dabbled in real estate.

There were a myriad details to be handled, and my employer, with his customary tendency to position himself in the heart of things, managed to involve himself with most of them.

Of course, they all had to be dealt with immediately.

“I was told I could find Captain Jester here?”

“He here ... but in meeting. Not to be disturbed.”

“We’ll see about that!”

The verbal exchange was conducted at sufficient volume that it penetrated the room’s door, and the Legionnaires assembled had ample forewarning of the interruption even before the door opened.

Tusk-anini had specifically been chosen to stand guard on the meeting, as his sheer presence was enough to intimidate most would-be intruders. Unfortunately intimidation alone was not enough to deter the petite bundle of energy which now burst through the door. Though dressed casually in jeans and a sweater, she carried herself as regally as a queen-or, to be more accurate, a spoiled princess throwing a snit fit. The sight of a dozen black-clad Legionnaires sprawled about the room, staring at her like a pack of panthers, was, however, sufficiently unnerving to at least bring the young lady to a halt.

“Captain Jester?” she said hesitantly.

“Yes?”

The commander rose lazily to his feet from his seat on the sofa.

“I need to talk to you right now. I was told-“

“Excuse me,” Phule said, holding up a restraining hand with a smile. “Now that you know who I am, may I ask who you are?”

Though they eventually grow to dislike the intrusions on their privacy by droves of nameless admirerers, big-name entertainers nonetheless depend on public recognition for their livelihood. It is therefore more than a little jarring to them to be confronted by someone who is not only unimpressed by but unaware of their identity.

“Tough house,” the intruder muttered, almost to herself. “All right, Captain. We’ll play it your way. I’m Dee Dee Watkins, the featured attraction for the casino’s grand-opening show.”

“Got it,” Phule said with a curt nod. “Forgive me for not recognizing you, Ms. Watkins. Though I’m familiar with the name, I rarely have time to watch the holos, and am woefully ignorant when it comes to the various entertainers, much less their current positions in the pecking order. Now then, what can I do to help you?”

“I was just checking on the showroom’s availability for rehearsals and was told that I was going to be working with a live stage crew instead of a computerized setup-by your orders.”

“That’s correct,” the commander said. “Is there a problem with that?”

“Aside from the fact that a live crew never handles their cues the same way twice, not at all,” the singer said sarcastically. “Look, Captain. It’s been a long time since I worked in front of an audience. I’m going to have my hands full remembering my own cues without wondering whether or not the follow spot is going to be on me or on the piano when it comes up.

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