Role

Chapter 11

Q: Okay, wait! What do you want to talk about?
A: Oh, that's better. I want to talk about The Great Performance. You
see, my every movement is inspired by my muse and that I draw from
Bethanny, may she burn whereever she is, I loved her, I want to talk
about my audience.

Q: Who is your audience?
A: Stop talking. My audience is, well, everyone. That's the real benefit
of being a high profile member of The Troupe, I'm hard to ignore.

Q: You're a member of The Troupe?
A: I thought I told you to stop? Yes, inducted by Raltevio himself. And
where does thatbring us? It means that I have no shortage of partners and
find that most Therans are willing to let me prattle on for a moment at
least before d, ismissing me. I speak with the Drillmaster often,
consider all of the Heralds dear friends, and you know I'm related
to the Provost, yes?

Q: He's, uh, a cat...
A: By marraige, you idiot.

Q: He's, uh, married to a cat.
A: ...

Q:...
A: The point is that I'm truly blessed, by virtue of The Virtuoso, to
have a much larger audience than most, but I don't want this to detract
from artists who don't have my reach. It's why I'm always willing to
listen to those who haven't progressed far in their guilds, or whom might
be elves or such. This performance is a collaboration and as such
demandsthat I not discriminate.

Q: But...
A: Of course, I'll still eat them! And enjoy it! But that doesn't mean
that we're not in this together, for the greater good so to speak.

Q: And what will be the result of all this?

At this he sighed, leaned over the table and kissed me gently on the
forehead. At that moment a swarm of stinging insects descended on me.
"Enough with the silly questions," he said as I sprang to my feet. It is
only because I, too, am dedicated to my craft that I remember to grab
this notebook. I ran as fast as I could.