At Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Antony (to Charles): Mr. Turner! ...Why're you sleepin' in a chair? Don't they got enough beds in this place?
Charles (to Antony): Oh bleedin' 'ell! ...Tony. Ouch. What is it you want?
Antony (to Charles): It's the bloke they got in the kitchen. 'E's ruddy awful! Tried t'give us burnt up oatmeal this morn. You're goin' t'be the one workin' the kitchen soon, right? Right, Mr. Turner? I'll help iffin' you thinks you need it.
Charles (to Antony): Tony... I don't work here, so I won't be doing a thing in the kitchen. 'Sides, my friend George is sick. That's where my mind's at right now. I think you lot are tough enough to survive some scalded oatmeal.
Antony (to Charles): Yer only saying that cuz you ain't tried it... I 'eard talk Mr. Fitzroy was gutted. HE'S yer friend, is 'e? Heh heh.
Charles (to Antony): Yes, and he needs rest, so clear off!
Antony (to Charles): Awwright! AWWRIGHT! I'm goin'...
A few minutes later:
Mouse (to Charles): Hi there, Charles. I brought you & George some food... Don't worry, I booted Hugh out of the way. I tasted his oatmeal. Ugh. It was awful. So, I may be sticking around for a bit so we don't have a mutiny on our hands.
Charles (to Mouse): Um, th-- thank you, ma'am. I don't believe we've met.
Mouse (to Charles): Oh sorry. I've heard a lot about you from everyone, I feel like I already knew you. I'm Emma, Vincent's sister. And, this little guy you most definitely already know... I had to rescue him from his father's grip. I've heard that you're a fine hand in the cooking department. Any chance you'd be willing to lend me a hand? I know you've got George to watch over but sometimes everyone could use a healthy distraction from the morose.
Charles (to Mouse): Yes, of course. That's why you seem so familiar. Very nice to have meet you, ma'am. I wish it weren't under such, um, dreadful circumstances. If you help, I'm certainly willing. I-- if George is well enough that is. I was... I was very sad to hear about Miss Poppy.
Mouse (to Charles): Thank you, sweetie... I'm honestly still in shock about it. I keep expecting to hear her squeaky voice saying 'Why the glum faces, sweeties? Did someone die?' ... Sorry. Sometimes, I have a bit of a morbid sense of humor. It's how I deal.
Charles (to Mouse): ...Heh. I'm sure she'd wait for the funeral to make an entrance like that, ma'am.
Percy (to Charles & Mouse): I know I would, honey.
Mouse (to Percy): ... That isn't funny, Percy.
Percy (to Mouse & Charles): You know, honey, that is not the first time I've heard that this week? Did everyone lose their sense of humor?
Charles (to Percy & Mouse): God's bleedin' wounds, Mr. Percy! That innit funny at all! You wanna show a bit'a bloody respect, yeah?
Percy (to Charles & Mouse): You'll do what exactly, Mr. Turner?
Charles (to Percy & Mouse): Miss Poppy jus' died! Not all of us c'n turn off our ruddy hearts! If you bully any of these folks I swear...
Mouse (to Charles & Percy): Cut it out, both of you! Charles, why don't you take George's plate to her? Percy, shut the hell up! Do not say a single word or so help me I'll flip your off switch permanently. Get me? Just nod
Percy (to Mouse): <nods>
Charles (to Mouse): Yes. Of course. I apologize for my outburst. (to Percy) … Mr. Meriwether.
Meanwhile, in the communications room:
Aiden (to Ms. Dvorak, on radio): That is bloody impossible, Ms. Dvorak! Check your sources. No one could pull that off.
Ms. Dvorak (to Aiden): Don't you take that tone with me, boy! Of course, I checked my sources. With 5 trusted informants before I contacted you... Someone destroyed 5 CLANNG bases located around the world last night simultaneously. We may have trouble on the horizon. Any organization that has that sort of a cohesive plan is going to be dangerous... Are you listening to me, dear?
Aiden (to Ms. Dvorak): ... Yes. I'm sorry. I was just remembering something... Thank you for telling me, Ms. Dvorak. I should go.
Ms. Dvorak (to Aiden): Alright, dear. Give everyone my love.
Aiden (to Ms. Dvorak): I will.
At Maladori's secret laboratory; Britannia:
Starling (to Professor Maladori): You wanted to see me, ma'am?
Professor Maladori (to Starling): Yes. Five of our bases were destroyed last night. All at about the same time. Ideas? Are we sure this clone can be trusted?
Starling (to Professor Maladori): I believe so, ma'am. She's the one that told me about Meriwether's rendezvous with Gervaux. She seems content to be left alone now that she's back in the Greymalkin home.
Professor Maladori (to Starling): ...There's no such thing as coincidence, Starling. Rally whomever you need. We're taking that bunker of Ms Meriwether's sooner rather than later. Then we'll reexamine Ms Greymalkin's loyalties.
Starling (to Professor Maladori): Yes, ma'am.
An hour or so later, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Charles (to George): George? You awake?
George (to Charles): Yeah... I was having trouble sleeping. Nightmares.
Charles (to George): I'm sorry t'hear that, Wildcat. Do ya feel up to eating?
George (to Charles): I think so... How are you, Charles? Have you been getting enough sleep? You need to take care of yourself.
Charles (to George): Heh. As much as I could in that ruddy chair. I'm doing alright, I suppose. Aside from almost getting into a fight with Percy.
George (to Charles): Percy? Oh right, him... For a second, I thought it was one those twits who'd been calling me a poof. You're ok, though?
Charles (to George): Yeah. Captain Potter's sister broke it up. Luckily for me, I'm sure. I just lost my ruddy head there. How are you feeling?
George (to Charles): Like I was stabbed in the gut... So, you know, the usual.
Charles (to George): You know what I mean.
George (to Charles): I feel awful... I should have stayed with Miss Poppy. I could have helped & then, maybe Una wo-- wouldn't have done this. Eva has always thought that Una was the more outgoing & friendly one but honestly, she may have been more vocal. I never knew what Una was thinking... And I guess now I know why.
Charles (to George): George, the only thing that would have happened if you had stayed is that you would have been killed along with Miss Poppy. I... I'm sorry to say it, Wildcat, but I don't think you being there would have stopped her. She nearly killed you as is.
George (to Charles): I know.
Several hours later, in the kitchen:
Nathaniel (to Charles): Hey, Chuck. Heh. I should've guessed Emma would rope you into the kitchen too.
Charles (to Nathaniel): Mr. Jones!?! ... Um, what are you doing here?
Nathaniel (to Charles): Same as you. Working on dinner. I work for Emma on the other side as a cook. You can call me Nate, you know?
Charles (to Nathaniel): You... You work in a kitchen? But I was under the impression... I thought Mr. Wilkes was... I mean...
Nathaniel (to Charles): Heh. My husband is the son of a lord, not me. I got a regular job like the rest of us schmucks.
Charles (to Nathaniel): Oh. Um, I'm sorry for assuming otherwise, sir. I suppose I don't know very much about you.
Zoe (to Charles & Nathaniel): ... Who do I have to punch <hiccup> or screw to get some food around here?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Jesus fuckin' Christ. Sit down. (to Charles) I'll take care of Drunky McGee here.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Been drinking all day, huh?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): No... Maybe... Fuck off. You're not the boss of me, you bossy you.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Did you hear me say shit? Here eat this, and drink this. It's water. I'm gonna try to find you some bread. (to Charles) Can you give us a little space, Charles? I promise I can handle setting up dinner.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): And, more whiskey? I seem to have run out... It's very sad when the booze is gone.
Charles (to Nathaniel): Um, yes. Of course, Mr. Jones. Please call me if need any help.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You don't need more right this second. (to Charles) I will. Thanks.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Sez you.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Sez your smell.
A little while later:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): ... Did you finish your food?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Yes.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Good. Here. You should probably slow your roll after this, but... Shit. I don't fucking blame you. In fact, pass it over.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Here... If I had known having a family would hurt like this. I wouldn't have-- who am I kidding? I knew. I just was too lonely & fucked in the head to be on my own... Hell.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Me too. Hell, your Mom's done more for me these past couple of years than my family has since... Fuck. Since I hit puberty.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Did you know that dad told Victor that there's to be no time travel? So, not fair...
Nathaniel (to Zoe): What?! Why the fuck not? I thought... I mean, I figured one of you two'd be going back for fucking sure.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I was going to... Dad thinks messing with time would be bad for Victor, Luc & you. That's why I'm drunk.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): ... Fuck. Well. FUCK! Here. Have another. Yeah... Lemme get this shit set up, and I'll join you. Here. Drink some more water while you're waiting.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Thanks... Have you seen Felix at all?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. He was looking for you earlier ... Why? Are you avoiding him?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): No, I think we just keep missing each other... Possibly, on purpose.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Go on... Go find him. I know you'd rather be with him than here drinking with your gay ass cousin.
Zoe(to Nathaniel): Heehee, gay ass cousin... You're probably right, though. Thanks for the food.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You're welcome. Don't worry. You'll get through this. ... We all will, right?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, sure... That's what we do, apparently.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. We do. C'mere, Weirdo. Take care of yourself, alright?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): You too.
Nathaniel: Guess it's you, me, and a bottle of whiskey, pot roast.
