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Malus Gets the Ride

“So… you up for climbing down that pit in the basement and getting my cavorite back for me?” Emerson asked, as he entered The Gangplank and and found Malus, elbows on the bar, reading a paper and drinking coffee.

“Not really.” Malus replied taking a sip from his coffee, not bothering to look up from his paper.

“Listen, I’ve been dropping bricks down that hole for two weeks now and haven’t heard that howl since the first day. Whatever was down there is likely gone. You would probably be pretty safe.”

“That may be, but I have no interest in cavorite.” said Malus, turning the page of the paper.

“Do you have an interest in a night off this weekend?” Emerson offered casually.

“I might.” Malus looked up. “Throw in the keys to your new steam carriage and I’ll consider it.”

“You have got to be kidding.” Emerson looked around as if seeking a witness to this absurd request. “You want to borrow my new carriage?”

“That’s the idea.” said Malus matter-of-factly.

“For what?” Emerson shook his head.

Malus just shrugged, “For whatever.”

“Listen, last time you drove my carriage you crashed it into a bear trap… or have you forgotten.”

“I’m not likely to crash into any bear traps around here.”

“There’s a new tram line now.” Emerson pointed in the general direction of outside. “Isn’t that how teen-agers are supposed to travel? What do you need my carriage for?”

Malus just shrugged his shoulders and went back to his paper and coffee.

“Dammit.” Emerson reached into his pocket and tossed the keys across the bar. “I want to see it parked out back first thing in the morning… and the boiler better be full and the coal oven cleaned, got it?”

“Got it boss.” Malus grinned as he vaulted over the bar and made his way for the door.

“Hey!” Emerson called. “Hold on a moment.

“What?” Malus rolled his eyes, his hand resting on the doorknob.

“Since you’re borrowing my carriage, I want you to deliver something for me. In the little cottage behind the bar you’ll find six wrapped paintings. The wrapping on all of them looks identical. Each one has a name on it. I want you to deliver them for me These people have agreed to store the painting for me. And Malus, let each person think they are getting the only one. Can you do that?” said Emerson.

Malus rolled his eyes again. “Yeah, I guess.” and out he went, forgetting to close the door behind him.

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7 Comments

  1. Avariel Falcon Avariel Falcon May 25, 2012

    Meanwhile deep below the power station…

    Unit #6 hammered away at the damaged pipes that appeared to have been crushed by something falling from above.

    As the hulking clockwork finished his repairs he took a step back to better take in the affected area of pipework when suddenly the ground gave way beneath him!

    • DoctorDinosaur Runner DoctorDinosaur Runner May 26, 2012

      Mecharaptor 42 stopped drilling when he heard the ground above him rumbling a moment, then shrugged and restarted the drill, went back to work

  2. Njal Edwyn Njal Edwyn May 25, 2012

    If I see him riding around town in that steam carriage with another girl I swear I’ll blow the thing sky high! 

  3. Orpheus Angkarn Orpheus Angkarn May 26, 2012

    ((Sorry that that annoying thing called RL got in the way…. great continuation of the story. Can’t wait to see what other shenanigans you get yourself, or more likely Malus, into!))

  4. Brother Malus Brother Malus May 28, 2012

    Malus drove the carraige carefully through the construction on Front Street then turned towards his first delivery. He passed Ianone walking home from ‘Cuffs. 

    “Hey, Nonney, need a ride to the Air Tower?”

    The girl smiled and got in, and they made thier way to the city gate. Malus looked across the green plain, an idea forming in his teenaged head. 

    “Can you stoke, Nonney? Let’s see what this thing can do!”

     

  5. Emerson Lighthouse Emerson Lighthouse May 28, 2012

    “You delivered all the portraits?” asked Emerson as Malus entered The Gangplank (leaving the door open behind him) and headed directly to the coffee-maker where he helped himself to an over-sized mug of the fresh brew.

    “Yes, all six of them.”

    “Even the one to the ship bound for Armada Breakaway?”

    “I believe that would qualify under ‘Yes, all six of them.'” Malus brought his coffee to the bar and spread out the paper he’d had tucked up under his arm.

    “Great, I need to write a letter to Vic Mornington now. I’ll require you to deliver it for me later.”

    “Fine… I’ll need the carriage again.”

    Emerson just stared at the squire. “Are you kidding me? Brunel can’t be more than a ten minute walk from here if you cut through the back way along the wall.”

    Malus just shrugged and took another sip of coffee.

    “Fine.” Emerson paused pursing his lips

    “Oh,” Malus added looking up. “Can I have some money for coal?”

    • Junie Ginsburg Junie Ginsburg May 29, 2012

      “Money for…what? Coal? What?”

      Junie entered the bar from the bakery, having only overheard the last clip of the conversation. With raised eyebrows she glanced back and forth between the two of them.

      Finally Malus cocked a thumb at Emerson.

      “Coal. He needs to give me money for coal so I can take the carriage to deliver something to the Brunel.”

      After spending a few moments with a stunned expression on her face, she smirked.

      “Care to wager, Martin? I’ll bet you a hopper of coal I can make it to the hotel faster on foot than you by carriage. It’s right by my house and I make trips to and from all the time. That’s worth what…say…a few trips around the city?”

      Junie knew that the streets of New Babbage were still not well-suited for travel by carriage, but who knew; perhaps the boy knew something she didn’t. She could see him calculating the odds: up Prince Dakkar Boulevard, along Front Street then up Savory…

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