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

* Hurries back. Really flustered. Angered. Confused.

A chance? He wanted a chance? I need a phone!

* Calls the driver on phone.

Yes, I need that transportation immediately. Right now!
What? Already on your way?
Almost here?
Perfect!
I shall be expecting you.

* She now begins to feel an icy calm. Cool. Like the weather outside. Perfectly composed. She will show him! Oh, yes, she will!

*Kes runs after her, while trying to remove the lipstick.*

Peaceful .. I didn't do anything - believe me .. I wouldn't - I just knocked a drink over - I didn't have a drop.

*She is at the door. Kes wonders if she will stop ... or *

* But she didn't even look at him.

* She walked out, with the same icy composure - to the snow-covered carpark.

Peaceful - wait! Give me a chance to explain it all. One chance - one minute .

*He runs at top speed through the swing doors. A whirl of snow chills Reception; the doors clatter shut behind him as he goes into the car park*

*The doors open more slowly, and more quietly than they did an hour ago, as Kes shivers inside. Though the snow has stopped, and the sun is breaking through, it's still bitterly cold in some places. He looks round*

(What - so much happens in a short time).
*He walks up to the desk*
Hello .. Hello! Yes, I know I just checked out ... we just checked out .... I'm checking back in - got a room? just for one, this time, please. Near the bar would be good.

Good morning Sir, what can I do to help you?

Hello - it's me again ... bad penny, eh? Always turn up ... A single room, please ... and while you're sorting something out, I'll just go and sit in the Firesdie Alcove - I need the warm up. Thank you.

A single room?
*raises eyebrows*
Alright, Sir, I'll find something for you....
Mrs. Kes gone somewhere has she?
Oh, never mind, not my business at all, Sir.
You go warm yourself, Sir, I just stoked up the fire

*sea wakes up under the reception desk. she doesn't know how she got there, and she doesn't WANT to know*
mr kes wants a single room?
*sleepy yawn*
well, we have room in 11, 15, and guest houses 1, 2, and 4. although kes's so-called brother is in guesthouse four.
*yawns again*
it's really up to him...

*Kes wanders from the Alcove to Reception, - not totally dried out - still with squelching shoes*

Thank you, sea - sorry to trouble you. I very much doubt if dear brother will be back ... I'll just take his slot in Guesthouse 4, if that's not too much trouble. I settled all the outstanding accounts from the other rooms.

Thanks again for your help.

it's nothing...
*yawn*
if you'll excuse me, i'll be going back to sleep... this is the only place i can get any rest. my room, well, my roommate keeps me up all night.

* A tremendously elegant messenger arrives - leaves a parcel at the Reception desk, and leaves, as quietly as she had arrived.

* If someone stopped to read the envelope they would see:

URGENT / URGENTE

Mr. Kes
Foxy Manor

*Kes walks through Reception, heading nowhere in particular. He notices the large envelope, and goes over to inspect it ... just curious .. It is addressed to him. It seems to be from Brazil ...

*Lost hopes rise in his heart, as he tears the envelope open, and removes a sheaf of business documents ... familiar ones ... there is also a covering letter - in Peaceful's own handwriting ... he reads it ... carefully ...*

Prezado Kes,

It has been quite an interesting experience, I know we did have some wonderful moments - and I liked being married to you for that short time. I now know I will not go back to the convent. I did not return the documents before, as I had to sign them. But fair is fair, you have helped me and my family out. We are very grateful. And the charity is going to help many needy people. You can be very proud of yourself. I am now thinking things over. I am very sad about your behaviour, I do not understand it. But also do not understand myself. After all that snow, that cold, I was glad to return to my country, only to find it has been raining for days and days,
Well, what can I say? Glad to have met you.
Adeus!

Pacífica * * ** * * *

*Kes finishes his reading. He puts the business documents, folded carefully, into his jacket pocket.

*He holds the note from Peaceful for a few seconds, and reads again the way she addressed him at the start of her note. Part of his brain records the fact that the note smells very faintly of Chanel No. 19. The rest of his brain concentrates on folding the note, and placing it in his inside top pocket.

*A few drops of moisture fall onto the envelope. Kes picks the envelope up, to brush the damp marks away ... for no valid reason ....Picking the envelope up by the closed end, he lifts it from the reception desk.

*As he does so, something small but heavy falls out of the envelope, and hits the desk, giving forth a quiet but bright metallic sound. Kes looks down, in time to see Peaceful's wedding ring roll off the end of the desk, fall to the floor, and roll away under one of the statues.

*He blinks a few times, and walks slowly away.

*As he walks, he notices that the envelope still contains some small item, or items ... they rattle against the paper. He shakes the envelope, and two small golden things fall into his hand. He examines them through blurred eyes.

*A pair of cufflinks! Made in gold, quite plain, but with a delicate pattern. He holds them up to his eyes, studying the pattern. Though it is ornate, it seems to be writing ... He tries to make out the word ...

Esperança

*Kes has deciphered the writing, but does not understand the word. As he walks away, he threads the cufflinks into his shirt cuffs. They will make the memories mor real and more lasting.


*In another place, at another time, Pandora shuts the lid of her box.

*clatter of high heels*
Good morning, sea.
Any news for me?
We have some organizing to do, the Lady's hen party!
*clatters off to prepare breakfast*

*yawns*
nope, no news. sorry i'm so sleepy... mandarb just came back and i haven't been getting much sleep.