*comment ñáéç *hide_reuse *advertisement *gosub_scene util check_flow *temp andrew_taken false *temp invitation_extended false *temp invitation_denied false *temp silence false *temp knows_andrew_is_a_vampire false *temp knows_quaker false *temp calkins_introduced false The evening of Tuesday, May 26th comes with little fanfare. The Union soldiers remain encamped around the city. The people of Vicksburg have begun digging caves in the hills between the battle lines and the city; since the openings of the caves face the city, and thus away from the Union lines, the shelling is unable to damage these makeshift homes. @{love_hope You are still in shock over the sudden demise of Silas. Unfortunately, this evening cannot be spent in mourning.|} Embarking upon your weekly pilgrimage to the haven of Quaestor Withers, you literally bump into someone while rounding a corner. You know most of the population of the city—by sight, at least—and things have become only more claustrophobic since the beginning of the siege…and yet this man is unfamiliar to you. You feel your hackles rise even further upon observing that he is not dressed as a soldier. *if perception > 1 *set knows_andrew_is_a_vampire true To further vex you, you realize that this man is not breathing. *set calkins_status 2 His blue eyes widen as they meet yours; he is clearly surprised. In that first split-second, he tenses in preparation to run. *choice *if knows_andrew_is_a_vampire = false #Raise the alarm! This man is a spy! *set calkins_rapport %-20 *set discretion %-10 *goto raise_alarm #Introduce myself; this individual is clearly in need of aid. *set calkins_rapport %+20 *set compassion %-10 "Good evening, sir. I can't help but note that you seem to be in some distress. How can I help?" #Best to find out what this man is here for; the better to turn his needs to my benefit. *set calkins_rapport %+15 *set compassion %+5 "Good evening, sir. I can't help but note that we are unacquainted—and that is surprising, as this is a small town. Surrounded by enemies." *if speaks_english *goto talk_with_andrew *else He looks at you blankly. You realize that he does not speak your tongue. However, the stranger knows that you are a vampire—as he is one himself. *goto talk_with_andrew_no_english *label raise_alarm @{speaks_english "GUARDS! THERE ARE SPIES AMONG US!" you scream at the top of your lungs. The stranger crouches to run.|You start shouting for help. Maybe someone will get the general picture?} *fake_choice #Stop him! *if agility > 3 You trip the stranger, sending him sprawling to the ground. Before he can even begin to stand, you are on top of him, your knee in his back. *goto andrew_pinned *elseif agility = 3 *if strength > 2 You are barely fast enough to lay your hands on him before he vanishes. Once you get your hands on him, it is easy enough to throw him against a wall. *goto andrew_pinned *else You manage to grapple him before he can turn to run, but you are not strong enough to maintain you grip. He breaks your nascent hold and disappears into the night. *else He is notably faster than you; he eludes your grasp and disappears into the night. #Let him go. A patrol of Confederate soldiers comes into view. *if (ethnicity != "african") and (ethnicity != "choctaw") The sergeant asks you hurriedly for more information; you point him in the direction that the stranger went. They hustle off into the night. *elseif male = false *if (ethnicity = "african") The sergeant seems more interested in you than in any spies. Luckily, a Confederate captain appears on the scene moments later and prevents anything untoward from happening to you. The captain leads the patrol in the direction you indicate. *else The sergeant seems more interested in you than in any spies. Luckily, a Confederate captain appears on the scene moments later and prevents anything untoward from happening to you. The captain leads the patrol in the direction you indicate. *else The sergeant looks at you askance. *if ethnicity = "choctaw" You hurriedly explain that you live here, and that there was a stranger in the city. "I think yous the stranger, injun. Ain' good fur nuthin' but gettin' drunk an' a wastin' my time. Nex' time, you falls on 'is knife sos'a we can ahrrest 'im fur murdah, ya' hear?" With that, the sergeant gets the patrol back on its route. *elseif (ethnicity = "african") and speaks_english You hurriedly explain that you live here, and that there was a stranger in the city. "This ain' Nawlins, darkie. You' fo'k b'long in th' feilds, naht callin' fuh no gards. Nex' time, you falls on 'is knife sos'a we can ahrrest 'im fur murdah, ya' hear?" With that, the sergeant gets the patrol back on its route. *else You gesture impotently in the direction of the fleeing stranger. The sergeant says something to you, and when he realizes you don't speak English, he spits on you. With that, the sergeant gets the patrol back on its route. When one of the privates kicks you in the genitals before turning, the sergeant just grins at you. *comment All female possibilities are filtered out earlier, so only males get to this fork. *goto cards_with_sam *label andrew_pinned *if speaks_english *set knows_andrew_is_a_vampire true "What art thou doing! Thou must let me go! Please! I'm here to see Quaestor Withers!" *choice #I've made a horrible mistake! We must hide from the guards! *set calkins_rapport %+10 Quickly releasing the blue-eyed man, the two of you turn and run from the approaching guards. *page_break Coming to a stop, you turn to the man and demand an explanation. *goto talk_with_andrew #This man needs to be taught a lesson about the Rule of Respect; he should have made you—and by you, you mean Quaestor Withers—aware of his presence before he came to this city. *set calkins_rapport %-20 *if (ethnicity != "african") and (ethnicity != "choctaw") "You should have given us warning before arriving unannounced. I imagine I do not have to tell you that, if you reveal yourself to these soldiers, nothing will save your unlife?" "Halt! Who goes there?" inquires a Confederate sergeant. "I have captured an infiltrator, sergeant." "And who are you, ${sir}?" "I am ${mr} ${surname}, I live on Locust St. And this man is a stranger to me." "We'll take him in for questioning, ${sir}." *if male = false He is clearly flabbergasted as to how you are pinning a grown man to a wall, but refrains from saying anything aloud. The patrol takes charge of the stranger and leads him into the night. *set exposure +2 *set andrew_taken true *goto cards_with_sam *else The patrol takes charge of the stranger and leads him into the night. *set andrew_taken true *goto cards_with_sam *else "Release that man!" the soldier yells at you. You look over your shoulder just in time to be hit in the face with a rifle-butt. Your blood sprays over the stranger and the guard from your busted nose. "Arrest him!" The sergeant yells, pointing at you. "No, wait! This is just a misunderstanding, sergeant," says the stranger while two soldiers struggle to pin your arms behind your back. "I mistook my friend here for a stranger, but it's ok. You can let him go." The soldiers that you are struggling with look at their sergeant. "You vouch for this individual, sir?" "I do," replies the stranger. "Very well." The sergeant motions for you to be released. When the patrol departs, the stranger turns and addresses you. *goto talk_with_andrew *else *set knows_andrew_is_a_vampire true The stranger whispers something to you urgently, the only word of which you understand being "quaestor." *choice #I've made a horrible mistake! We must hide from the guards! *set calkins_rapport %+10 Quickly releasing the blue-eyed man, the two of you turn and run from the approaching guards. *page_break Coming to a stop, you turn to the man and demand an explanation. *goto talk_with_andrew_no_english #This man needs to be taught a lesson about the Rule of Respect; he should have made you—and by you, you mean Quaestor Withers—aware of his presence before he came to this city. *set calkins_rapport %-20 *if (ethnicity != "african") and ((ethnicity != "choctaw") and speaks_french) The patrol's sergeant calls out to the two of you, and you respond in French. Luckily, there's a Cajun in the patrol, who offers to translate. "Who goes there?" inquires the Confederate sergeant. "I have captured an infiltrator, sergeant." "And who are you, ${sir}?" "I am ${mr} ${surname}, I live on Locust St. And this man is a stranger to me." "We'll take him in for questioning, ${sir}." *if male = false He is clearly flabbergasted as to how you are pinning a grown man to a wall, but refrains from saying anything aloud. The patrol takes charge of the stranger and leads him into the night. *set exposure +2 *else The patrol takes charge of the stranger and leads him into the night. *set andrew_taken true *goto cards_with_sam *elseif (ethnicity != "african") and ((ethnicity != "choctaw") and (speaks_french = false)) The patrol's sergeant calls out to the two of you, but you are unable to communicate with them. @{male |He is clearly flabbergasted as to how you are pinning a grown man to a wall, but refrains from saying anything aloud.} It looks like they're going to take you both in. You both relent to the soldiers' grasping hands, but your eyes meet, and a silent communication goes between you: better for this to be resolved between the two of you, than involve the mortals. With a deft maneuver, he distracts one soldier while you trip another. Within moments, the two of you are dashing down a street and taking refuge in a stable. *goto talk_with_andrew_no_english *else The sergeant seems to be yelling at you! You look over your shoulder just in time to be hit in the face with a rifle-butt. Your blood sprays over the stranger and the guard from your busted nose. The sergeant yells again, pointing at you. It is at that moment that the stranger speaks up, while two soldiers struggle to pin your arms behind your back. It seems that he is trying to calm them down. The soldiers that you are struggling with look at their sergeant. They exchange a few more remarks, and then the sergeant motions for you to be released. When the patrol departs, the stranger turns and tries to communicate with you. *goto talk_with_andrew_no_english *label talk_with_andrew *set calkins_introduced true "My name is Andrew Calkins. Up until a few nights ago, I resided in Jackson, Mississippi but with the sack of the city, I thought it best to seek out another haven." *if perception > 2 You sense that there is something more to the story than he is telling you, but that cannot interfere with your politesse: "Welcome to Vicksburg, Mr. Calkins. My name is @{priest ${mr}|${given_name}} ${surname}," you say with a ${bow}. "Introductions aside, however, I should warn you that things are no easier here than anywhere else. I cannot say for sure if Quaestor Withers will see fit to let you stay." *elseif knows_andrew_is_a_vampire = false "Another what?" "Good ${sir}, I am one like thyself," he says with a sly grin, "and I am now in need of succor." You do your best to hide your surprise. "Well, then, let me be the first to welcome you to Vicksburg, Mr. Calkins. My name is @{priest ${mr}|${given_name}} ${surname}," you say with a ${bow}. "Introductions aside, however, I should warn you that things are no easier here than anywhere else. I cannot say for sure if Quaestor Withers will see fit to let you stay." *else "Welcome to Vicksburg, Mr. Calkins. My name is @{priest ${mr}|${given_name}} ${surname}," you say with a ${bow}. "Introductions aside, however, I should warn you that things are no easier here than anywhere else. I cannot say for sure if Quaestor Withers will see fit to let you stay." "Would thou be so kind as to arrange an introduction?" *if ((intelligence > 2) or (ethnicity = "yankee")) or ((ethnicity = "german") and male) Calkins certainly speaks like a Quaker, and not many Quakers live in Jackson. You wonder where he's really from. *set knows_quaker true *elseif (ethnicity = "southern") or (ethnicity = "scotch") Calkins does not speak like anyone you have ever heard from central Mississippi. You wonder where he's really from. *choice #"Yes, an introduction could be arranged…" *if silas_denied_blood "…but I doubt that she will welcome you. She has already made it clear that there are too many of our kind in the city. With so many already sick and injured, another mouth to feed would be too much." "Perhaps she will reconsider?" You burn at the thought that she might accept this stranger, though she denied your love for Silas. You shake this thought from your mind, however, and continue. "Meet me at the corner of Main and Locust tomorrow evening after sundown," you continue. "I will take you to her then." "I thank thee, ${mr} ${surname}." "Until then, Mr. Calkins." Now, aren't you late for a game of cards? *set calkins_rapport %+5 *set invitation_extended true *page_break *goto cards_with_sam *if (withers_rapport < 40) #"I'm afraid that I am in no position to vouch for another before Quaestor Withers. You will have to make your own introductions." "I am sorry to hear that, ${mr} ${surname}." "As am I to say it, Mr. Calkins." "Well, then, until we meet again." "Until then," you conclude. Now, aren't you late for a game of cards? *set invitation_denied true *set calkins_rapport %-10 *page_break *goto cards_with_sam *selectable_if (discretion < 60) #"For better or worse, I prefer to know something of the individuals I sponsor before a quaestor. Perhaps we could meet again tomorrow, under less trying conditions.…" "No, but thank thee. I can find her myself." "Well, then, goodnight to you, Mr. Calkins." "And to thee as well." Now, aren't you late for a game of cards? *set invitation_denied true *set calkins_rapport %-20 *page_break *goto cards_with_sam *selectable_if (independence < 50) #"I would, but I try to spend as little time with others of our kind as possible.…" "I sympathize," he replies, "our kind can be trying. I have met several in my nights that do their best to avoid any contact with others." "I look forward to the day I can isolate myself so." "I wish you luck with that, my friend," he concludes with a surprising degree of sympathy. Now, aren't you late for a game of cards? *set invitation_denied true *set calkins_rapport %-5 *set independence %-5 *page_break *goto cards_with_sam *label talk_with_andrew_no_english He makes it known that he seeks the quaestor. Through pantomime and basic words, you manage to arrange to meet him the following evening at the corner of Main and Locust. You part ways with awkward smiles. Now, aren't you late for a game of cards? *set invitation_extended true *page_break *label cards_with_sam *if andrew_taken Withers is all aflutter over your encounter with the stranger. She plies you for details about the strange vampire, details which you do your best to recount with flair. "And the soldiers took him?" "They did." "But, what should we do? Should we rescue him?" "Their jails do not keep out the sun. If he does not rescue himself, he will be as dust by noon. And if he does escape, it is his duty to find us and apologize for arriving unannounced." "I suppose you are right…" she concludes, somewhat disheartened. *gosub check_silas *page_break *elseif invitation_extended Withers is all aflutter over your encounter with the stranger. She plies you for details about the strange vampire, details which you do your best to recount with flair. She insists that you must bring him to her the following night. *gosub check_silas To Main and Locust… *page_break *elseif invitation_denied You arrive shortly thereafter to Withers's haven; she lightly chides you for your tardiness. *choice #I inform her of my recent encounter. Withers is all aflutter over your encounter with the stranger. She plies you for details about the strange vampire, details which you do your best to downplay. *if withers_rapport > 40 She seems disappointed that you did not offer to arrange an introduction. *gosub check_silas Eventually it grows late, and you take your leave of her. *else She expresses annoyance that you were unwilling to arrange the introduction; a new vampire in her city is something of great importance to its quaestor. She makes it clear to you that this was a course of action you should not take again. Eventually it grows late, and you take your leave of her. *set withers_rapport %-10 *page_break *selectable_if (independence < 70) #I make a small excuse and try to move on quickly. *set independence %-10 *if love_hope and (withers_rapport >= 45) When the conversation turns to Silas, Withers is devastated to hear of his loss. She makes an almost human-like effort to console you. Eventually it grows late, and you take your leave of her. *page_break *set silence true *else The rest of the night passes uneventfully: another evening of being bored to death listening to Withers's chatter and trying to pretend to be interested in the cards before you. Eventually it grows late, and you take your leave of her. *page_break *set silence true *elseif knows_andrew_is_a_vampire = false Withers is all aflutter over your encounter with the presumed Union spy. She plies you for details, which you do your best to recount with flair. You easily win the evening's matches; Withers is clearly distracted by the news of the interloper. *gosub check_silas *page_break *else Withers is all aflutter over your encounter with the stranger. She plies you for details about the strange vampire, details which you do your best to recount with flair. "Well, perhaps he will have the good sense to announce his impending arrival next time," she observes. "I imagine he will. Until then, however, I will keep an eye out for him. I simply hope he does nothing to draw the attention of the mortals. I'm sure that none of us can outrun thirty-thousand rifles." You easily win the evening's matches; Withers is clearly distracted by the news of the interloper. *if love_hope and (withers_rapport >= 45) When the conversation turns to Silas, Withers is devastated to hear of his loss. She makes an almost human-like effort to console you. *page_break *temp noticed_lying false *temp didnt_leave false *if invitation_extended The next evening, Mr. Calkins appears at the appointed time. *if calkins_rapport >= 55 He greets you warmly once your eyes meet. After a few words of welcome, you guide him to Withers's haven. *elseif calkins_rapport >= 40 He nods at your arrival, cold but not hostile. After a polite ${bow}, you direct him towards Withers's haven. *else He stares icily at you as you approach. You gesture in the direction of Withers's haven, and then start off wordlessly. The two of you are admitted to her presence, whereupon Calkins begins his petition. *page_break *else The next evening, ${wilson} passes an invitation to you to come join Quaestor Withers at her haven. "She probably wants to whinge about the bullets lodged in the walls of her home," you note to ${wilson} as you dress. It is only a short walk to Withers's haven. *page_break To your surprise, @{calkins_introduced Andrew Calkins|the stranger} is sitting with Withers when you arrive. @{calkins_introduced When she invites you to join them,|Withers introduces the stranger as Andrew Calkins, recently of Jackson, Mississippi, and invites you to join them;} *if calkins_rapport < 30 he does little to hold back a snarl at the sight of you. Withers's eyes widen, but she quickly tries to gloss over the moment. *elseif calkins_rapport < 45 he turns you a cold shoulder as you sit beside him. *elseif calkins_rapport < 55 he mostly ignores you as Samantha continues. *else he greets you with a warmth that catches you off-guard. Withers's eyes widen, but she quickly tries to gloss over the moment. "Mr. Calkins was just telling me about the sack of his lovely city…" *if speaks_english *set calkins_status 3 "As I'm sure thou know, Quaestor, General Grant crossed the Mississippi some ways south of here, at Bruinsburg, and then drove his Army of the Tennessee relentlessly towards the capital. The Yanks must have outnumbered us ten to one, so General Johnston wisely ordered the city evacuated. Our soldiers fought bravely while the town was emptied before they eventually withdrew, ceding it to the Union. But Vicksburg, this is a city that can be defended! Here Pemberton can hold out until Johnston relieves us!" Samantha's eyes glisten. "You really believe that General Johnston will come to relieve us?" @{(perception > 2) You sense a sudden—and deep—discomfort in Calkins. Is he lying?|} "He must." *if perception > 2 *set noticed_lying true "Oh, blessed be! I was afraid that the Yankees were going to take the town and I was going to have to abandon my house. I have spent so much time decorating it, you can not imagine what a loss it would be to have their grubby little hands all over my things!" "Well, thou hast nothing to fear. But that's why I'm here…I'm hoping to wait out the destruction of General Grant with others of my kind. Would thou permit me to reside here until that time?" Withers seems on the verge of saying yes, *if withers_rapport >= 45 but then restrains herself. "Mr. Calkins, would you excuse us a moment? I must confer with my citizen," she says, indicating you. "But of course," Calkins excuses himself. Withers turns to you. "Shall we let him stay? I don't see why we shouldn't." *else *set didnt_leave true but stops to consider you a moment. "Should I even bother asking your opinion of this matter? I feel almost as though I should do the opposite of whatever you recommend." *goto permission_granted *else *set didnt_leave true Withers is kind enough to translate Calkins's observations about the sack of Jackson, Mississippi, as well as his petition to her for succor, at least until General Johnston of the Department of the West comes to lift the siege. Apparently, Johnston is the one that ordered the evacuation of Jackson, and will shortly be here to smash the Union armies from behind. Withers is clearly elated by this news. *if perception > 2 *set noticed_lying true However—though you cannot understand Calkins's words—something of what he has said was clearly a lie; you can plainly see that it hurt him to say it, whatever it was. Withers turns to you. *if withers_rapport >= 45 "Shall we let him stay? I don't see why we shouldn't." What do you say? *else "Should I even bother asking your opinion of this matter? I feel almost as though I should do the opposite of whatever you recommend." *if silas_denied_blood and (discretion > 50) *set outburst_over_silas true *set withers_rapport %-20 *if speaks_english *set calkins_rapport %-10 "I can't see how you can even consider welcoming him here, when you just denied my petition to give the gift to my dear Silas!" "${given_name}, this is not the time…" "The time? Tell me, when is the time? Now that Silas is dead!" Withers turns to Calkins in an attempt to apologize for your outburst. Infuriated at being dismissed so, you storm out of her parlor. *finish Next *else *goto permission_granted *label question *choice *if speaks_english and (compassion > 50) *selectable_if (discretion > 50) #"Don't you think it's unusual for him to be so concerned with mortal affairs?" "What do you mean?" she replies. "Personally, I have little interest in who wins a war between mortal nations. He seems overly-involved in affairs that are beneath us. And that worries me." "It is a little peculiar. But we each have our peculiarities. Perhaps he is still young, and retains such affiliations from his mortal days?" "Let us hope that is the case," you reply. *goto question *if (noticed_lying) #"He was not being completely forthright, quaestor." *set warned_sam_about_calkins true "What do you mean?" *if speaks_english "When you asked Mr. Calkins if he really thought General Johnston was going to lift the siege, it hurt him to say 'he must!' I think that he was trying to avoid lying to you outright, but he was still quite uncomfortable with dissembling." *else "When you asked Mr. Calkins about the siege ending, his response was…deceptive." "What do you mean?" "I don't know; I was only watching his…expressions." "But why would he lie?" "I don't know, quaestor." "How strange. Why seek to fill me with false hope?" "To convince you to let him stay." "But to what end? Why would a vampire come to a place of such danger of their own volition?" *if (discretion > 50) and (compassion > 50) "I can make neither heads nor tails of it." "Then let us keep an close eye on him. If he thinks he will take my title, he is sorely mistaken." "As you say." Withers calls for Calkins to return. *else "It stands to reason, then that he has some concerns with the mortal affairs playing out around us." "Could that be? What could that be?" "I have no idea, quaestor." "Well, now that we know that a game is at hand, let us play the cards that have been dealt. We shall keep a close eye on Mr. Calkins and seek to draw him out!" "Very well." With that, Withers calls for Calkins to return. *goto permission_granted #"But how are we all to feed? It has been hard enough these past few days to sustain myself…" "You are right, things have been strained. But it is our duty to offer him succor, at least for a short time." "Our duty? I might opine that our duty to him ends where our own existence is jeopardized." "${mr} ${surname}, take this as a lesson: a minor discomfort to us now may be traded for a larger favor later. He will, of course, be in our debt for allowing him to rest here until the siege is lifted." *set compassion %+5 *if discretion > 60 "A debt to you…but I will suffer too!" "Enough, ${given_name}," Withers snaps. *goto question *if ((knows_quaker = false) and (speaks_english)) #"Why does he speak @{(religious_tradition = "pagan") with peculiar words|like the Bible}?" *set knows_quaker true "He is a Quaker. They call it 'Plain Speech,' to address everyone familiarly. They also try to avoid using titles and swearing oaths. I suspect it's quite the feat for him to call me Quaestor." "I have never heard of a Quaker before." "I met one once before. They mostly live in Pennsylvania and thereabouts." *goto question #"He seems like a perfectly acceptable member of our kind, and it seems perfectly reasonable for us to grant him succor, as long as he understands this is not a permanent situation." "It is good of you to say so, ${mr} ${surname}," Samantha replies. She calls for Mr. Calkins's return. *set compassion %-10 *goto permission_granted #"I must object! His continued presence draws the risk of attention from both the residents and the army; anyone new to the city could be identified with ease by the residents, and that endangers all of us!" Samantha seems conflicted. You press your @{(exiled_from_new_orleans or fubar_clotho) point as best as you can, but she is unmoved.|point, but for once in her existence she seems determined to make a decision on her own.} @{didnt_leave |She calls for Mr. Calkins's return.} *set independence %-5 *set discretion %-10 *goto permission_granted *if silas_denied_blood #"I must object! You just denied my petition to give the gift to Silas, and now you entertain a petition from this stranger?" *set discretion %+15 *set outburst_over_silas true *set calkins_rapport %-10 *set withers_rapport %-20 Withers looks at you, surprise on her face. Clearly, your outburst is both out-of-line and completely unexpected. "${mr} ${surname}! This is not the time…" "The time? When is the time? Now that Silas is dead!" "${given_name}…!" she stammers. "No, I cannot sit here and watch you welcome this stranger…" you stop, realizing tha you are getting nowhere. Turning, you storm out of Samantha's parlor. *finish Next *label permission_granted *if speaks_english *if didnt_leave Withers turns back to the stranger. "Mr. Calkins, I welcome you to Vicksburg. May you be a dignified and worthy guest. You have my permission to remain here until the siege is lifted." *else Mr. Calkins reënters the room with conviction. He retakes his seat and waits for his sentence to be pronounced. @{warned_sam_about_calkins He can sense that the tenor in the room has changed in his absence; you can see that he is nervous.|} "Having discussed the matter with my citizen, we would like to formally extend permission for you to remain here until the siege is lifted, Mr. Calkins." "I am most grateful, Quaestor Withers," he says with a bow. *if exposure >= 4 "I imagine that you will be able to operate with a lower profile than that of ${mr} ${surname}, whose recent activities have caused such a ruckus?" she says, glaring at you without even looking in your direction. "Of course, Quaestor." *if andrew_taken "I also trust that whatever misunderstand there was between the two of you, that it has now been resolved?" she says, looking back and forth between you and Calkins. "Yes, ma'am. There are no hard feelings here," Calkins replies, cheerily. "Yes, we have reached an understanding," you concur, your suspicion deepening. "Seemingly oblivious to your scowl, Withers continues: "Very good. Enjoy your time here, Mr. Calkins. In general, ${mr} ${surname} and I get together on Tuesdays to cards and discuss the city. Please feel free to join us next time." "I shall, Quaestor," he replies. "Now, if you will excuse me…" Calkins withdraws and soon you make your own farewells. *if warned_sam_about_calkins "As we discussed…" Withers calls after you. "Understood." *finish Next *else *temp language "French" *if speaks_french = false *if speaks_spanish *set language "Spanish" *elseif speaks_german *set language "German" Calkins watches the exchange between the two of you without comment—he does not seem to understand ${language}. When Samantha returns her attention to him, he brightens in anticipation. She pronounces her welcome while he nods in gratitude. Succor granted, he and Withers exchange several more thoughts before he excuses himself. *if andrew_taken "I told him that it was clear to me that whatever misunderstanding had passed between the two of you was now over. I trust that you feel this way as well?" "Yes, ma'am. You are correct," you note, trying to hold back a scowl. "Good. You should also known that I invited him to join us for our Tuesday card-playing. I trust I shall see you this week?" "Yes, ma'am, you shall." *finish Next *else "I invited him to join us for our Tuesday card-playing. I daresay that I shall see you this week?" "Yes, ma'am, you shall." *finish Next *label check_silas *if love_hope and (withers_rapport >= 45) When the conversation turns to Silas, Withers is devastated to hear of his loss. She makes an almost human-like effort to console you. *return