bright light city

I already hate Vuvuzelas.

I might have drank a lot of beer since lunchtime since there's test match cricket on the radio, and podcasts and things, and then gone out and bought a lot of beer and put it in the kitchen. Nick and Connor and Abby and Lester but not Sid or Nancy or Rex, there is a lot of beer in our kitchen and you should all drink some because it's there to be drunk, okay?

I hope Sid and Nancy don't eat bottles. I have a load for the bottlebank.

Today, in between the beer and cricket and beer, I thought about either getting a job like Connor did (not exactly like Connor did since I don't want to work in a computer-bits shop) or seeing if I could get back into university maybe. I kind of miss taking Nick's classes. Weird.

World Cup soon! Oh, we need football teams here as well.

Don't you hate it when you get a song stuck in your head?

Yeah, Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper." Why?

I often thought about what I would be doing if I never met Nick Cutter. Now I know, I'd be a lousy clerk at an electronics shop. I can just see the excitement now as a ring up the batteries someone bought. Its no where near as exciting as what I used to do. Sarcasm doesn't really translate via text so I thought I should mention it. I don't even know why I got a job, I guess I was just bored.

Private to Stephen
I am so replacing your sneakers don't you worry. I get a pair exactly like them. You won't even know the difference, I swear.

FILTERED TO PRIMEVAL PEOPLE:

So do any of you know how to fight off vampires? Animals are one thing, but vampires... Think my stomach's all in knots.

Oh no, no, no, no... wait this actually works. Las Vegas is a lot better than certain other places. I was actually dredding calling where I was home. These Zenner people were nice enough to bring Sid and Nancy to keep me company. Not that being kidnapped is ever nice. It makes me wonder if they were watching me because they weren't where I was taken. Anyway it's better than being alone.

'Ello everyone, I'm Connor.

Wait.. Abby! They left Abby?

Because, God help me, I feel a sense of bonding with Stephen.

---

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.

Each man that's in the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.

When they are all out the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.

Sometimes you get men still in and not out.

When both sides have been in and out including the not outs.

That's the end of the game.

---

Of course, that's Test Cricket, not this 20-over limited innings rubbish.

Still, at least England won.

How much do I wish I'd been in the Windies? We just won the World Twenty20! Thrashed the Aussies!

( Private: Nick )

( Private: Cutter, Abby and Lester )

You know, this whole being kidnapped thing is kinda fun. Not like anomaly exciting though. Nothing like a good puzzle to get your blood pumping. The only thing missing is Connor and Claudia. Least I've got Rex here with me. Don't know what I'd do without him. Still, this place is nice, but it's nothing like my place.

My name's Abby. Hello. Out of curiosity, can I get a role-call? What's your name, where are you from, what do you do for a living?

Well, I can't say I'm not relieved, not least because it's something I won't be having to explain to Lady Lester when I get back home. That was a prospect I was not relishing.

I did have rather impressive breasts, however. Although I do say so myself.

Result!

The following names have been added to the list of my humans.

Nick Cutter
Stephen Hart
Anya Jenkins

The usual threats of guaranteed violence and bloody vengeance apply if any of them are harmed.

Well... as the saying goes, bugger me.

Of course, this is an observation, not an instruction.

I fail to see why I seem to have been aged somewhat as well as rendered female. However, I shall be very drunk in my room should anyone require my presence/opinion/advice.

God help us...

( Private for Cutter and Lester. )

Oh my god...

What the bloody fuck happened?

Ah dinnae ken what the hell is going on, but this is so wrong!

Wesley was correct. This 'dating' before fornication is not a waste of energy. It was most informative. My notes are quite extensive.

Apparently, I have acquired an appointment with a Ms. Six.

I would like to point out at this juncture that I am married. With children.

However, I am also a gentleman and, since they are fairly thin on the ground where I come from, I shall do the right thing.

I simply need to contact my "date" now. See, this is another reason why I should have a secretary here.

[Private]

Cutter. Stephen. I detect your involvement in this. While initiative is an admirable thing, it has its limits. This will be your first and only warning.

To whom it may concern,

I am Sir James Lester, a British Home Office official working within highly confidential and protected fields.

I don't have time for this, so I am giving you fair warning that you could be creating an international Incident and will be held to account by Her Majesty's Government who will very likely do bugger all, but could technically create what we in the profession refer to as a "hubbub".

Consider yourself told, whoever you are, and kindly arrange for my repatriation at your earliest convenience.

Alternatively...

You've had your fun, Scrappy. Now play nicely and let's get back to some semblance of routine if not sanity. Don't make me leave the room to come looking for you.