h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*eyes spark as she contemplates this wonderful thing called zilch*

Oooo.

That is really really....hmm...
*frantically scrabbles through knapsack to see if she still hasn't got that drycleaning bag from the Hawaiian shirt she took in a bit ago crammed in there somewhere*

Hey, Lil, is there a bucket round here l could use?
*emerges from pack, brandishing her trusty silver lighter*

Seriously guys. I am devoid of musical ability. Lil, Odra, do you play? I really do like classical but, am ok w/rag, jazz, bout anything but memphis.

If nobody plays and the piano is for atmosphere, does the IIEM play cd's.

Was presuming that you prefered not to play this evening Lintilla.

*DD awakes sans hangover*

Actually I haven't sleep but have jusst been watching the baseball.

Morning from glorious Britain.

Why does one, Lintilla?
Hee.
There is no why. lt burns. 'S neat. Fire, you know.
Hee.

l don't play anything -well-, but l can play a touch of guitar, and even less piano, and a smattering of violin, though not particularly well. Also the recorder -- kinda.
But l am a Master of kazoo.

Lintilla, in a candle lit room with good music and mood altering substance a zilch is just an absolute must.

previous life. bygones.

*extracts very large galvanised bucket from broom closet and pushes it toward Odra*
Ook, come down out of the rafters! You're inflammable.

*examines the upright closely*
Yes, I hoped as much. This is a player piano. Odra, reach into your knapsack and fetch me a roll of Rachmaninov playing Chopin Nocturnes, please. It's bound to be in there.

Morning, DD. Is the Queen Mum gonna be able to hang on till the forth?

Odra, I forgot. Your mentioning of the kazoo reminded me, I can play the comb with the best of them.

Excellent choice, Lil.
*reaches in and comes out with the nocturnes in one hand, a plastic drycleaning bag in the other; hands roll to Lil*

Hmm. Let's see. We have the good music, the candlelit room, and the zilch...and l imagine, if anyone so pleases, l may be able to find some appropriate mood-altering substances in my bag...
*happily begins knotting the bag, humming quietly*

Lil, a woman after my own heart. If you were amenable and I was able I would ask for your hand (and whatever else you might throw into the pot). Forgot all about Odra's pack and Larry.

Oh, one other thing. It is sometimes a good idea for some ventilation while the zilch is performing.

Hi jr 52 and the rest. I think she is she looked quite sprightly today at the official birthday parade.

*Digi comes over and, like the rapacious hunter he is, begins to pounce wildly on the rustling plastic bag*

Hey, now, there, you. Behave.
*Diogenes, ears flat back, eyes bulging, has morphed into Jungle Cat mode and pays her no heed*

*takes an ostrich feather out of her pack to distract him, and finishes knotting the zilch*
*admires handiwork*
There we are.

DD, the yanks really haven't gone crazy. It's just been one of those kind of nites. What with Venus back and the rain and you know how it gets quieter outside after a rain and all. Just a good nite for a zilch, sans m.a.s. of course. Only thing I've noticed in the cafe is blue dust at parties.

Only mind expanding agents this evening have been conversation and good company.

Thank you Odra.
*goes to piano and inserts the roll*
If nobody minds, I'm going to let this run on electricity, cos I don't feel like pumping.
*sets the machine rolling, and after a moment the clear lucid notes begin to fill the cafe*

Chopin. One of the rock stars of the Victorian era.

DD, she did indeed. Only hope I'm that spry at half her age, and it really isn't near as far away as I'd like.

Odra, I think poooossibly you might want to scoot Digi out to the patio. Cats do tend to chase quickly moving things and once the zilch gets going it can rip sometimes. Of course, he'll only do it once, I guess.

Thanks, Lil.

Maybe a cup of tea, please.?

Argh!!! It's too early for mr to keep up with all this activity.

Coffee! Black!!! Quick!!!!

*smiles, but takes suggestion seriously, and sets the attacking Diogenes out on the porch where, hearing the crickets, he immediately begins to stalk the shadows*
Should keep him busy...
*returns, sans cat*

*puts water on to boil*

Odra, is there a, ahem, fire extinguisher of any sort in your pack?

*the phrase, "Doctor, Doctor, what have we done?" comes to mind*

Thank you, Lil.

Thanx Lil