The water began to boil and she pulled a sterling silver teaball from a back pocket of her thong. Filling it with the fragrant, loose leaves and smiling up at him ("I really can't abide tea bags, can you?"), she gracefully poured the steaming liquid into the delicate pot and sat back to let it steep. "I suppose we haven't too long before either the chicken or Juan makes an appearance, so what would you like to discuss? You know, I've always wondered if you used to get high with Coleridge." She looked up at him from under her thick lashes and blushed, turning her attention back to the tea. "Would you care for sugar or cream? Or perhaps a Power Bar?"
He took the cup from her and held it under his nose, inhaling the fragrance appreciatively. "Ahhh-but it's been such a long time! I'm so tired of the mulepiss that cockaroach consumes by the gallon. May I ask, my dear, why you requested that odd hat?"
"Oh, did I ask for it? I thought I was telling him that it was a fine day to die. I was trying to be intimidating." Rambi gave a most uncharacteristic giggle. She was hoping that he would recite some more poetry for her.
"You also inquired if there were any other lodging available in the town. A not unreasonable request, I must say." He dabbed at his mouth with the linen napkin she handed him.
"These accomodations do leave a little to be desired." They looked around the shed and laughed, sharing a mutual enjoyment of their little witticism. "But as lovely as this is, there is a job to be done." She whipped a teatowel from her thong and wiped out the cups and pot before packing them away. "We need to get out of here. I'm going to throw a Power Bar to the chicken and then you run. I'll be right in back of you. I just need to pick up my Uzi. Are you with me?" She became all business as she rose.
"Wait!" she turned back to him, and blushed yet again. "Could I ask you to-would it be too much to- would you sign this napkin for me?"
She pulled a gold Waterford pen from her thong and held it out with his napkin.
"For you, my dear, of course!" He smiled and touched her cheek, causing a wild arrhythmia in her heart.
To my fairest Rambi--Who surprised me by joy,
I saw her upon nearer view,
A spirit, yet a Woman too!
She folded the napkin carefully and replaced it in her thong.
They smiled one last time at each other. |
