At the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Charles (to Roland): Good evening, sir. Would you like to be seated at a table?
Roland (to Charles): That would depend on whether or not any of the linens in this "fine establishment" have ever been properly laundered.
Charles (to Roland): ... Of course, sir.
Nathaniel (to Charles): It's alright, Chuck. He's with me. Can we take the table in the back?
Charles (to Nathaniel): It's *Charles,* Mr. Jones, and yes, the back table is free.
Nathaniel (to Charles): Thanks, Charles. (to Roland) Stop making a face and move yer ass, Roland.
A few moments later:
George (to Charles): Doesn't it make you wonder why Mr. Wilkes, the elder grump is hanging out with Mr. Jones?
Charles (to George): Yes. Quite... George! When did you get back? Oh. Perhaps you're not back. Are you back?
George (to Charles): Heehee. Yes, I'm back… Nice to see you, too.
Charles (to George): Um, excuse me. I--I didn't mean to overstep... I'm sorry. I am very glad to see you.
George (to Charles): Oh, are we back to you being shy around me? I thought we were over that.
Charles (to George): Oh. I... Heh. I don't know what to say to that.
George (to Charles): It's okay, Charles. Heh. I'm back at the house if you want to come visit on your next free day.
Charles (to George): Yes. I would like that. I missed seeing you very much. Oh! I need to get back to work... I will see you soon!
George (to Charles): Here, let me help you… Is this going to the back table?
Charles (to George): You just want an excuse to eavesdrop on Mr. Jones and Lord Wilkes.
George (to Charles): … Yes. But, I also wanted to help you. You looked a bit swamped. Plus, Lord Wilkes is a rude jackass and he seemed to upset you.
Charles (to George): Well, yes. That's because he's an arse, as you said. If you want to help, I would be grateful. Please don't be rude.
George (to Charles): I won't be. Ms. Dvorak would never forgive me.
Charles (to George): ... True. Here you are. They haven't ordered anything, but it's hardly inconspicuous to sit talking at an empty table.
A couple minutes later:
Nathaniel (to George): ... No. Thanks, George.
George (to Nathaniel & Roland): I beg your pardon. I thought these drinks were for you.
Roland (to George & Nathaniel): We didn't order anything, miss.
George (to Nathaniel & Roland): You're drawing a bit of attention to yourselves. You don't want the rabble talking… do you?
Nathaniel (to Roland): Jesus Christ, Roland. Just drink the fucking port and stop being a dick.
George (to Nathaniel & Roland): … I'm sorry for the interruption.
Roland (to Nathaniel & George): ... I don't have time for this, and I don't have time for your nonsensical stories either, Mr. Jones.
Nathaniel (to Roland): Roland, don't be a fucking moron! It's not bullshit and deep down, you know it. Lots of folk tried to warn your dad about the storm that was brewin'. He had his head too far up his ass, to listen. Difference is that your kids ain't trained spies old enough to look after themselves.
Roland (to Nathaniel): You'll excuse me if the only danger I worried about at the moment is embarrassment over my current company. Good evening.
Nathaniel: Fucking asshole ...
George (to Nathaniel): Excuse me, Mr. Jones… The way I see it. The only way to get a man like Lord Wilkes to listen is to tell him how it's going to benefit him, first. You gotta think of it like a sales pitch. Use a little honey, ya know?
Nathaniel (to George): Yeah. Probably. Heh... And I'm the wrong guy to do it. We do not fucking get along. I could be offering to pull a knife outta his back, and he'd be insisting he was fucking fine.
George (to Nathaniel): Oh… Well then, do you know anyone that he would respect and listen to that you could ask to help?
Nathaniel (to George): Who, Roland? Fucked if I know. So. What do you wanna know? I already know you're taking this tale back to Ms Dvorak.
George (to Nathaniel): I figured you would. What were you trying to get Lord Wilkes to agree to?
Nathaniel (to George): I wasn't trying to get him to do shit. I know better than that. I was trying to warn him.
George (to Nathaniel): Warn him about what? No offense, but you look barely out of school.
Nathaniel (to George): CLANNG. They're gonna make a play for the ISS sooner or later. I'm just trying to keep history from repeating itself. Uh... Sort of. I was kinda with 'em for like 3 or 4 years. Um, again... sort of. Heh. Don't worry. Ms Dvorak can explain it.
George (to Nathaniel): Heh. I guess they didn't teach you negotiating, huh?
Nathaniel (to George): Heh. In fucking CLANNG? "Negotiations" involved... They involved a lot less talking and a whole lot more blood.
George (to Nathaniel): … That would put a damper on things. You know who Lord Wilkes would listen to?
Nathaniel (to George): Mrs. Esterly? We tried that...
George (to Nathaniel): No, I was thinking more along the lines of the Magpie… Or someone like her.
Nathaniel (to George): ...You think he'd listen to her?
George (to Nathaniel): She was a prized operative. Ms. Dvorak said that his father practically weeped when she retired from active duty. Besides, there's been rumors circulating that she's starting her own agency with the approval of the Empress… If you can believe the rumors. I wouldn't be surprised if Lord Wilkes was more receptive to listening to her. Of course, you'd have to go with her and behave… Heh. Sorry. I've been at a training camp with Ms. Dvorak for the last few months. I've picked up a few things.
Nathaniel (to George): Heh heh. Believe it or not, I CAN fucking behave myself. Just not when I'm around Roland, apparently. Guess there's no harm in asking--heh--The Magpie to talk to fucking Roland. And no shit you picked up some things. You sounded just fucking like her.
George (to Nathaniel): … I can't tell if that's a compliment.
Nathaniel (to George): Heh. Guess that depends on what you think of Ms. Dvorak. I should get home. Anything else you wanna know?
George (to Nathaniel): … Um yeah. But it's weird.
Nathaniel (to George): Heh. If you can't ask this family something weird, who can you ask? What's up?
George (to Nathaniel): Can we go somewhere a little more private? Like the back garden?
Nathaniel (to George): Uh, yeah. If you want... C'mon.
George (to Nathaniel): Thanks.
A couple minutes later, in the back garden:
George (to Nathaniel): … I wanted to know if I really can do what my father says I can do.
Nathaniel (to George): Oh. Uh, I dunno. I mean, we probably know a couple of people who could...
George (to Nathaniel): Could what?
Nathaniel (to George): Fuckin' HELL! What the hell did you jus'... what did you... shit.
George (to Nathaniel): Are you okay!?!
Nathaniel (to George): Yeah... sorry. When you touched me... Did you feel that?! I jus' gotta sit down for...
George (to Nathaniel): I didn't feel anything… Here, let me help you up.
Nathaniel (to George): GAAAH! Don't. God. Please don't. You keep...
Charles (to George & Nathaniel): George? Mr. Jones? Is everything alright? I heard shouting. Is Mr. Jones being brutish again?
George (to Nathaniel & Charles): Oh god! I'm sorry… I don't know what's going on… I'll just stay over here… Help him. Please, Charles.
Charles (to George): Oh! It's alright. I have him. Let's get inside, shall we? We, um... Yes. We can go through the kitchens. What happened? (to Nathaniel) Mr. Jones? Are you alright, sir?
Nathaniel (to Charles & George): S'not her fault. She jus--just touched me... Don't shock me anymore. It won' happen again.
George (to Charles & Nathaniel): … I touched his arm… My father said that I could do something fantastical. That it would revolutionize the world… The only skipper I ever met was Delphine & she always stayed away from me. I guess now I know why.
Charles (to Nathaniel & George): Neither of you is making any bloody sense! ...I'm sorry. George, will you see if you can fetch, Mr. Wilkes? I'll get Mr. Jones into a bed, and I'll see what I can do for him.
George (to Charles & Nathaniel): I should go... I'm so sorry.
Charles (to George): George! Don't go! I--I'm afraid I don't know what to do. I would appreciate the help... Will you get Mr. Wilkes? Please?
George (to Charles & Nathaniel): … I'll be back with Mr. Wilkes as quick as I can.
Charles (to George): Thank you! (to Nathaniel) Mr. Jones, do try to regain consciousness and help me move you. You are heavier than you appear.
Nathaniel (to Charles): Stop. Please... just stop. I can't ... I can't do it.
Charles (to Nathaniel): Yes, I noticed. Come along, Mr. Jones.
