At the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs; New London, Britannia:
Charles (to Poppy): <knock, knock> Mrs. Potter? May I trouble you?
Poppy (to Charles): Of course you can. What can I do for you, honey?
Charles (to Poppy): Um, yes. It seems that some disreputable sorts have been asking after me recently. They've been offering a reward. That professor woman is still looking for George, isn't she?
Poppy (to Charles): I believe so, honey... How do you know they've been asking about you? Have you been over to the Inn, Charles? I thought we told you that wasn't a good idea. If they get their hands on you, they will finish what they started.
Charles (to Poppy): I know. I know. I didn't go anywhere near the Inn. I have a, um, a friend warned me they were asking. Um... Not a friend exactly. Smitty has a group of kids in the Tombs he looks after, and I've been giving them a bit of food.
Poppy (to Charles): Oh yes, I know all about Smitty and his friends... Do you think you can get a message to them for me, honey? The next time you see them that is.
Charles (to Poppy): Of course, ma'am.
Poppy (to Charles): Tell 'em, if they'd like three meals a day, a warm place to sleep and to learn a few things, come here tomorrow night. Wrap it up, however, you think it'll take.
Charles (to Poppy): I'll see what I can do... Um. He said some of the kids have been disappearing off the streets.
Poppy (to Charles): Really? Did he mention where they were, honey?
Charles (to Poppy): No. He mentioned that two kids went missing about 2 weeks ago, and that he thought the men asking after me were connected.
Poppy (to Charles): He might be right, honey... When do you think you'll be going there again? Do you think I could go with you? Or would that scare them off?
Charles (to Poppy): ... I'm not sure, ma'am, but we can try it. You and yours were the ones who helped me get off the street, after all.
Poppy (to Charles): You got yourself off the street, honey, we just gave a helping hand. But, I appreciate the kind words. Now, go get ready for George and the twins to return, I'm sure they'll need a hot meal and possibly a shoulder to cry on.
Charles (to Poppy): Oh! Y-yes. I should get to that. I've got a stew started, and some bread rising. I, um... Thank you.
A couple hours later:
Charles: ... Calm down, Charles. I'm sure it's just taking a little longer for them to find those plans they needed. I'm sure everything is fine.
Onboard the Clementine:
Una (to Percy): While we all appreciate the assistance with the retrieval of the plans, your flirtations are quite annoying.
Percy (to Una): Who moi? (to Eva & George) Have I been flirting too much, sweeties?
George (to Percy): … Um, maybe just a little, Mister Percy.
Eva (to Percy): Yes. It's distracting, unrequited and most unappreciated. As are your innuendoes about "twin sisters." (to Una) Isn't that right, Una?
Una (to Eva): Yes, indeed.
Percy (to Eva, Una & George): … Well, I beg your pardon, ladies… Thank you for flying Air Clementine… Now, get out!
Una (to Percy): Mister Percy, I think that's a bit of an overreaction.
Eva (to Percy): As you wish. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Meriwether. We do appreciate it. Despite your strange-- fixations. We'll be sure to mention to Ms. Meriwether how you dumped us out after we expressed our distaste for your advances.
Percy (to Eva): I don't really care what you tell her… In fact, you can give her a message from me. This is my last job for them. I'm not their permanent errand boy. I have bigger and better things to occupy my time then with all of their silly nonsense. And, for your information, I meant nothing by flirting with you. You all seem tense and I was trying to distract you. We are outside the bunker… Just go already.
Eva (to Percy): Fine! ... In the future when taking three young ladies who have recently been orphaned back to their unhappy homesteads, you won't try to "distract" them by expressing your interest in having sex with them. Good evening!
Una (to Eva & George): Well, that was most unpleasant. Are you both alright?
Eva (to Una & George): I'm ruddy annoyed! ... But, fine. I'm sorry I lost my temper.
George (to Eva & Una): He's been acting rather strange of late… Can automatons go senile?
Eva (to George & Una): Of course not! ...Well, not under normal circumstances. But, Percy might be different.
Una (to George): No, I don't think so. But there's only ever really been one automaton like Percy that I know of. (to Eva) And, you had every right to be annoyed, sister dear. I was tempted to push him out the airship.
Eva (to George & Una): And she isn't a very good example of what makes a rational automaton.
Una (to Eva & George): Not at all... I think I will find a quiet spot & look over these papers. George, why don't you get some rest?
Eva (to Una & George): Let's get inside. I do believe I would like a very large glass of something very alcoholic.
Una (to Eva): That sounds like a very good plan to me, sister dear.
George (to Una & Eva): I'm going to find Charles before I turn in. I'm sure he's been worried. Good night.
Eva (to George): Good night, George. (to Una) Wait for me, sister dear.
A couple minutes later, in the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs; New London, Britannia:
George (to Charles): Charles, are you in here?
Charles (to George): George! Are you alright? I, um... I was starting to get a bit concerned.
George (to Charles): Bloody hell, am I glad to see you, Charles! It was just awful. Percy was being rudely inappropriate, even worse than usual.
Charles (to George): Bloody 'ell... I'm so sorry.
George (to Charles): The house was a wreck. It looked like it had been broken into and used as a shelter for livestock or something... We did manage to find my father's hidey-hole for all his notes but we had to bring everything back. I-- I think he's really dead. <sob>
Charles (to George): Come here, George... I'm so sorry.
George (to Charles): <sniff> Thank you, Charles... I'm so embarrassed. I don't normally cry at that sort of thing.
Charles (to George): You're allowed to be sad, Wildcat. It's alright. I certainly don't think any less of you for it.
George (to Charles): Will you curl up with me? I really don't feeling like being alone.
Charles (to George): Yeah. Of course. Let's get you to bed.
George (to Charles): Thank you, Charles.
Charles (to George): You're welcome. I know how you feel. A bit. I'll help however I can. I... I-- I, uh, I wouldn't make you do this alone.
