The letter unwanted

Anyone entering the Bombastophone out of curiosity would have found Mr Pontecorvo, Ms. Flood and Maku facing each other on various seats with similar expressions of tension. Their Sponsor had sent a letter.

Martien broke the seal and began reading aloud over the chug of the machinery next door.

My good supplicants,

It is with deep dismay that I inform you of the recent business I have had with my Bank, and that some matters of solemn and serious mien were raised, and alas this affects us all.

To cut to the chase, it is with regret that I inform you that our Holdings in New Babbage are to be Liquidated as soon as possible, in at least the next Two weeks, to service significant Debts. Please believe me when I tell you all that I am most Distressed to be unable to shield you from these Viscitudes any further.

Ms. Flood said something unladylike.

“We are being evicted already?” Maku cried in shock, “His last letter said we were to stay another two months at least!”

Please be assured that the Accomodations that I understand you have Secured for your private use will not be affected, so you will not be tossed upon the Street, and indeed I am aware that Ms. Flood, for one, has a potential bevy of suitor Venues within New Babbage if not other realms of the Steamlands?

The lapine frowned. One rule that she had always been firm on was, simply, thou wilt have thine own venue for thine personal use. It was part of her personal branding. On the other hand, there were plenty of venues for small soirees and listening parties. Indeed, her Monday Radio Disservices were better attended than…

Martien had extracted a bottle of chazre from somewhere and was pouring the Venusian drink down, seemingly ignoring the decidedly acquired taste, in between explosions of “all this work!” and “mesh!”

“Please, continue your reading!” exclaimed Maku a little irritably.

Your streaming service is to remain a Constant, (at which Ms Flood sighed in relief) and there is the possibility of M. Ibn-Selat finding smaller, more personal, and less observed digs upon the waterfront, as he has had previously?

Maku blinked, then smiled in an unpleasant fashion.

“What’s he talking about?” Martien glared at him suspiciously.

“Let’s just say I have a little project for you,” Maku replied innocently. The old man glared at the hyena and continued reading.

Let us be honest. The premises are nothing more than a history of improvisation and make-do, and it is best to forsake such grand schemes until our Situation is much more Stable. For now, Humbleness, instead of great unused Spaces. Seek out Beneficial Alliance, rather than trying to ‘go it alone’.

Ms. Flood got up and walked over to the western windows, and looked out at the neighbouring building. There were shops and a bar there, and… “Maku, can you introduce me to that, ah,  Lady Psaltery?”

Maku looked at her in surprise, and Martien just nodded thoughtfully.

Know this! Once this Crisis is over, our Dominions will Rise again, greater and better than ever. Plan your designs while you have leisure, for the Day will come for their Fruition, whenever that may be.

Speaking of days – Happy Valentine’s.

Y’r Sponsor,

______ ___________

Martien folded the letter up again. Nobody spoke. Maku was trying to remember where he’d left something. Ms. Flood was looking up and around the walls with a decorating look in her eye. Martien pulled the envelope out of his pocket, extracted a letter of credit, examined it, then stuffed it into his duster and stepped outside into the chill and fragrant harbour air.

[tl;dr – I can’t afford the Bombastophone any longer and will vacate in about two weeks’ time, with a big Valentines shindy before vacating. Maku will most likely move his 7Seas thing to a berth in the Vernian. Flood may be open to performing at other venues seeking entertainers of a musical sort.]