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

*'Ding a ling' The Tea Shoppe door opens and Lady C strides in purposefully.*
SERVICE!!
Lady C

*Mari-rae's niece from a neighboring village comes to Lady C to take her order. Mari-rae emerges from the back, leaning heavily on her cane.*

Coely, dear! Our first customer. I'm so glad it is you. Sit down before you fall down. You look tired. Have you put in a full day at the Job Centre?

*They sit together at a table near the front window.*

*a stooped figure walks in carring a large amount of tools. On first appearances this could be some old retainer, but as he leaves his burden by the brolly stand, he is able to straighten up again, revealing quite a reasonably handsom visage. He crosses the floor to the one occupied table*
Sorry to be interupting ma'am *he addresses Lady C*
Buts I's a noticing you comes through that there door and I says to mesel. You's is better saying hello before awandering by the ol' cottage and be finding out wheren I's is leaving me rusty, sorry trusty tools

Ah my good man! I was wondering where you were. I'm going to sit here and chat with my friends for a while. I'm sure you don't need me hovering about and bothering you. Do you have your flask? We can give you something hot to take away. It should keep you going.
*Lady C is very pleased to see her handiman as she has a lot of odd jobs in mind for him. She remembers to maintain an air of authority in public.*
Waitress!
Lady C

Right you are ma'am. I'sle just makes me way rounds to t'cottage and instill mesel in't shed. P'rhaps just give the new garden a quick shuftie?
*the waitress appears and fills up his flask. He pinches her bum as she turns away 'Oh, saucy!' she says*
Righty ho then. I'ls be off fer now.
*puts forefinger to cap*
Ladies.
*gathers tools and departs*

*Remembers that the waitress is related to Mari-Rae*
"So sorry my dear. I shall be tearing him off a strip later"

Well! I mean, who is he? Did he say he is going to live in your shed?

It's Amos Featherly, my trusty handiman. I need him for all the odd jobs I can't manage on my own. He's a little overfamiliar at times. I'll have to remind him of his position.
Now, where's that tea?
Lady C

I've sent Phillipa on an errand. I'll pour, dear. *Pours* Featherly looks to be a capable fellow. Will you be sharing him around at all?

I've got more than enough for one man, however capable he is.
*sips tea*
Do you have any bone china dear? It really improves the taste.
Lady C

*Hauls herself out of her chair with great effort and hobbles over to the buffet. Opens a cabinet, rummages around, finds a Haivaland cup and saucer without chips or cracks, takes them into the kitchen, washes and dries them, brings them back to the table, sets them down in front of Lady C, pours fresh tea for her. Sits. Sighs.*

No trouble, Coelacanth.

Now that's much better. I wonder if you might put this by for my own personal use every time I'm here. I'm sure your standards of hygiene are first class, but one never really knows, does one?
Now, I really must pop home to feed the cat and tear a strip off that handiman. Drop by soon my dear.
Lady C

*Stares down at the lipstick smudged cup which is still full of tea to the brim, less one small sip. Sighs.*

Yes, Coelacanth, by all means. By the way, did you hear about the new beauty shop that is about to open in town? They say the proprietor is an absolute angel!

Phillipa! Take these notes around for me, will you please? *Hands her useful niece two small envelopes.*

Just a couple of thank yous to kind neighbors.

DING-DONG!

*Kasia looks around at the beautiful ambiente of the Teashoppe*

Hello Mari-Rae, what a wonderful place you have here. And this fantastic smell of hundreds of tea varieties!

Thanks a lot for your note. I just was at the Beauty Shop to make an appointment for an Aromatherapy - sounds very relaxating, no?

Oh, may I have an Earl Grey with some hot milk, please?

I had a really hard weekend IRL - just working. And now I'm tired and tomorrow the work starts again... Uff!

*Kasia leans back in a very comfy chair and relaxes, whilst waiting for the tea*

*Brings the Earl Grey and hot milk, along with fortifying chocolate chip cookies.*

Hello, Kasia. Are you all moved in now? I am looking forward to sitting on your veranda and admiring your garden. Its so pretty. And no weeds! How do you find the time?

Mmhm... thanks for the tea, Mari-Rae.

Well, I think, I moved in, but I'm looking forward to the floor plans, Amy and Lil will be creating. I would like to have one for the cottage and one for the pub.

The pub... I'm having some problems with this, cause I would like to have a sign for it, as well as some helpers. I'm still working it out.

Mari-Rae, I'm waiting for your visit - the weather turns to sunshine and my verandah is waiting for you.

See you at my place soon, bye

*Kasia leaves*

Phillipa! I'm going to the beauty shop.(A415522) You are in charge for a bit until I return.

Morning!

Two days in the beauty shop! - surely Mari-rae is lovely enough as it is!

Anyway... any chance of borrowing a cup of sugar?

*Phillipa giggles to herself at the idea of her old auntie being called lovely. Not with those wrinkles and liver-spots, she thinks.*

Here is a bag of sugar, m'am. You can pay us back whenever you're able.

Ding dong!!!!!

Goodday.

Just coming over for a nice cup of tea since I still don't have to work in the pub.
I would like to have a cup of blackbarry tea pleae, hold the sugar and milk.

~Throws a couple of golden coins on the counter~

This should cover it.