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

*Lizzie sits so that she can see out the cabin window.*

First, I'd like to know about you. Are you bewitched? Cursed? A wizard? Were you ever a regular cat?

Why don't you tell me the story of your life?

[cat] i was never a regular cat. i'm not /technically/ a cat at all. i'm an android from the planet Procyon. i was released 2,000 years ago in peru. i'm supposed to be assessing something, but i don't know what. some of my circuits had to be shut down, and in order to restart them, i have to be able to draw power from something. a LOT of power. so i've been waiting for earth technology to progress... and i'm here on the mary celeste to pass the time. and to watch things. there's a lot of interesting things going on here...

*the cat smiles*

[cat] what about you, lizzie? i'm pretty sure you're not a human. so where do you come from?

*the cat jumps to the floor and starts playing with the yarn again, in case someone walks in*

*the cat notices that lizzie has fallen asleep, so she curls up at the foot of the bed and goes to sleep*

*Lizzie stirs and gently wakes the cat.*

So you are curious about me. You're right, I'm not human. I am an . But my people banished me because I was born weak. They sent me to live with the Briggs, but Mother and Papa don't know who I really am.

They've been very good to me. When I arrived I was very sickly, but Mother gives medicine that makes be healthier. But it doesn't improve my magical powers at all. I don't know if I can ever go home again. So there is a part of me that is always sad.

You said you need a power source to restore your circuits. I don't know what a circuit is, but I know a little bit about power. Windmills collect wind power and a flour mill uses river power. But I guess that wouldn't help you or you would have used it by now. Would magic power be useful to you?

*Enters, and hears this astounding conversation between little Lizzie and the cat*

Erm, I hope I'm not intruding but I was expecting to find the Captain here. Lizzie, you know your father well, right? Well, maybe you can help me.

*Motions towards the corner of the cabin, away from the door*

If you'd join me away from prying eyes, I've got something very important to ask you.

*Glances around*

Uh, and your friend the cat can join us, if you'd like. Or if the cat would like.


I'll make another thread.

*Looks up at, startled.*

Oh, Mr. Gillings. I didn't hear you knock. Conversation? With the cat? Mr. Gillings, you know I have a vivid imagination! I must do something to entertain myself, life at sea can be very boring for a child.

Of course, I'll try to help.

*Joins him in the corner.*

Good! Thanks for complying.

*Sarah walks into the room to check on Lizzie and sees Gillings, Lizzie and the cat all in the corner*

Pardon me, I don't mean to interupt. I was simply wanting to see if Lizzie was awake yet.

*stands in the door, slighly awkwardly, as if wondering why the second mate would be talking to her daughter this way*

Mrs. Briggs, hello! I'll be blunt with you, Mrs. Briggs. I came here thinking that I could find your husband. I'm looking for a gold plated and jewel encrusted cross which I believe may be in your family's possession. I don't want the cross itself, I just want to know where it is, so that I can verify the existence of the other's that I am looking for.

However, the reason for the conspiratorial tone when you entered is because that when I came in, I heard your daughter say something to the cat. At first I thought that it was just the imaginings of a bored girl at sea, but decided I had better check. I know her secret now. Don't worry, though, I won't tell a soul. I know how hard it is to keep things like this a secret. I'm not one myself, but I've got few tricks up my sleeve. Anyway, I have some duties to attend to elsewhere right now. However, if you and your daughter would meet me in my cabin very soon, I have something important that both of you should know, seeing as your daughter's got a big secret. Anyway, thanks for understanding, and I hope that this won't change our current relationship.

*Exits*

Thank you, Mr Gillings. I do not recognize the cross by description myself, but I will happily ask my husband about it for you.

*watches him leave, then turns to Lizzie*

Lizzie, whatever is he talking about? What secret? And why does he want us to meet him in his cabin?

Hello Lizzie!

Hello, Mr. Goodschad.

*Decides that things are happening very quickly and will answer her mother in a moment of privacy.*

*reads her daughter's eyes and decides not to press matter just yet*

Lizzie, dear, I wanted to talk to you and Mr Goodschad about something. There have been some... *pauses to chose her words carefully, not wanting to alarm her daughter* unusual things happening lately on board the ship, what with the two ladies and other stranger occurances. Because of that, I have been worried about you. I have asked Mr Goodschad to help protect you when I cannot. I trust him implicitly. Do you agree?

*Lizzie is visibly relieved and her eyes fill with tears.*

Thank you, Mother! Strange many things are happening so quickly. I was feeling scared. People are asking me things and want me to do things and I just don't understand why.

But I do have feelings about people. I can tell if they are good or not. I have good feelings about Mr. Goodschad.

*Tries a weak smile at Mr. Goodschad.*

* Lizzie, then pulls back just far enough to be able to look into the girl's eyes* Don't worry, dear. Your father and I won't let anyone hurt you, ever. And now, Mr Goodschad will help us protect you. If you want to talk about anything someone says or does, just find one of us and let us know. * her again*

I will lay down my (awkward pause) life for you my dear.
It shall be as you say Mistress.

*raises her face to look into Mr Goodschad's eyes and smiles tearily* Thank you so much. I can never tell you how much that means to me... I mean us. *sniffles, then looks back down at her daughter* Mr Goodschad, could you please give us a moment to freshen up. Then we'll all head out and see if dinner is ready. *smiles again at the seaman then her daughter, less tearily this time*

*the cat looks a bit bewildered, and understandably so*