[ic] Packing List

[whydidithavetobemummies]

Okay, here's what I've got.

• Clothes.
• Thompson.
• Colt one.
• Someone's ridiculous Derringer. Actually, I'm not carrying that around in public.
• Colt two.
• BAR.
• New gun bag. Some nine-thousand-year-old thing came back from the dead long enough to eat my old one.
• Sandwiches.

Anyone else got any bright ideas? Evy, suggestions?

Comments

[whydidithavetobemummies]

Lucky them. [But he puts his gun back into his pocket. Gun safety indeed.] Might as well have a look around. I wouldn't say no to a food house right about now.

[proudofwhatiam]

Neither would I. [It sounds rather better than standing around outside in the blazing sun--and oh, look, the grand entranceway awaits.] Shall we?

[whydidithavetobemummies]

[Rick nods his head forward,] Ladies first. [He pulls one of the colts out as a safety precaution.]

[proudofwhatiam]

That's not so gentlemanly of you when we've got no idea what we're getting into. [She's kidding, though, and smiling as she heads towards the doors.] Once more unto the breach.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

[Rick harrumphs a little and steps in front of her. The doors open, and he looks inside, gaping a little.] Oh... [Don't swear in front of the pretty lady.] Wow. Swanky digs you've got there.

[proudofwhatiam]

[And she just smiles beatifically and walks in. And then her eyes widen as she stares up at the chandelier above the empty reception desk.] Oh, my. This is lovely. So...it's an hotel?

[whydidithavetobemummies]

I've never seen a hotel that looks like this... [Rick wonders idly if he could turn this into something romantic. But she probably doesn't want to be swept off her feet, right now, he's a bit sweaty anyway.] You like it?

[proudofwhatiam]

It's gorgeous. [This could lead to a romantic interlude, Rick! But it'll require some pretty straightforward hinting, because she's in curiosity mode right now.] But there's no staff...I wonder where everyone is.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

[Rick is wondering how he'd manage to pull the gear for rrrrromance. Smoke may as well be funneling from his ears.] Maybe they're all on vacation. It's certainly summer outside. [He strides ahead.] C'mon, kid, let's go exploring.

[proudofwhatiam]

What a peculiar time for an holiday. [But yes, let's go exploring. Evy is all in for this prospect--and oh, look, a map! She goes over to read and frown at it.] It's...it's a casino.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

A casino, huh? You know how to play poker?

[proudofwhatiam]

No--I was in Monte Carlo once, but I never went to the casino. And that's not all they've got--shops and restaurants, it's like a little city all in itself.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

An indoor city. [Sounds a lot like an underground city... okay, not at all.] Well, at least we're not stranded. Let's get some food, first off? [He looks to her for her approval-- or veto.]

[proudofwhatiam]

Let's. That's the...fourth floor. [Sounds exciting--there's even a swimming pool on one of these floors! Evy is intrigued and, though she'd like to believe that she's not strictly in need of some luxury, it's hard to say no after so many days in the desert.] And it looks like there's a lift down this hall.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

A li-? Oh, right, an elevator. [Rick puts his gun away again, just in case there's anyone else in this place. Wouldn't want to frighten a tourist.] Lead the way.

[proudofwhatiam]

It's rather eerie, no one else around. [Not even a lift operator, but they manage. And soon enough, they're stepping through to the fourth floor, which is, to Evy's sight, a few fancy little bistros and at least two four-star restaurants. What else would a girl expect after that chandelier? Not a buffet in sight, by her reading of the scene.] Almost like "Beauty and the Beast." Oh--I think we might be a bit underdressed today.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

[Rick looks around too, and feels similarly underdressed, but...] Doesn't seem like there'll be anyone around to judge. This place is like a ghost town.

[proudofwhatiam]

And if no one's here, we'll be in the kitchens anyhow. [She tries to guess which restaurant would be the most accommodating to a dusty librarian and treasure-hunter and points to a cafe called Le Poisson Rouge.] What do you think of that one?

[whydidithavetobemummies]

[Rick's limited amount of French tells him... sure, why not. At least he knows how to make this sort of romantic. He holds his arm out for Evy to take.] Shall we?

[proudofwhatiam]

I think so. [She takes his arm and smiles all the way to the entrance of the cafe, where a small posted sign sends her frowning in some confusion.] "If you expect a meal, you needn't make it: Simply Ask." It is like an enchanted castle in here.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

Huh. Well, I want a steak. [He cups his free hand over his mouth while he says it, but doesn't raise his voice at all. That would be rude.]

[proudofwhatiam]

And I wouldn't mind some roast quail, but surely that's not--

[And then a little silver cart rolls out to a table set for two.]

Well. I suppose this means we've got our wish.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

[Rick smiles, a little twitch of his mouth, and walks out ahead to pull Evy's chair out for her. That's how this all works, right?] Nifty. It'll be nice to have some food without any sand in it.

[proudofwhatiam]

[A gentleman! How sweet. Evy takes her seat with a smile of thanks, then reaches for one of the plates and lifts off the silver plate cover. As requested, roasted quail, accompanied by a red-wine sauce and what look to be fresh figs.] Oh, this looks heavenly. I rather think we've earned a sandless meal, at this point.

[whydidithavetobemummies]

After saving the world, I hope we've earned sand-free dinners for at least a week. [Rick uncovers his food to find exactly what he'd ordered.] Well, would you look at that... bon appetit?