RUFUS CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

Comments

[robopriest]

...

[And he looks away.]

No. It wouldn't.

[soulus]

Is that important? In the end, I'm still paid.

[soulus]

. . . What kind of child?

[soulus]

Anyone can be in any position at any time.

[robopriest]

Just a child from the country.

[There's something...distant in his gaze, when he says this.]

He wanted to go to the city, so Emet-Selch and I took him there, and we lived there for ten years as the boy grew up.

[robopriest]

[And he's coming over to lean across the counter to squint at it.]

Empty? What do you mean, empty?

[soulus]

There's nothing inside. As it is now, it's useless.

[soulus]

Was that all?

[robopriest]

...

[He shakes his head.]

Of course not.

[soulus]

Then what was the rest?

[robopriest]

[His smile is...thin.]

Its complicated, but... [He shakes his head, his tone distant.] My son is dead, Rufus.

[soulus]

. . . How so?

[robopriest]

It's a long story.

[He's silent, before he gestures at a nearby bench.]

I'll tell it to you. Want to sit for a while, Rufus?

[robopriest]

...Was it useful before, Rufus?

[robopriest]

Of course it can, I just...didn't want her to be in that particular one.

[robopriest]

Even if you get less of it, if there's a fee? It doesn't matter?

[robopriest]

...

That must have been something very special, for you to take what a client wanted.

[soulus]

I just didn't like the client.

[robopriest]

So it was personal.

[soulus]

No. Referral fees are to be expected.

[soulus]

[Rufus gives Hansa a deadpan look, then rounds the front desk.]

Please inform me if you find another computer.

[soulus]

[If he's going to hear the story, they may as well sit down. He goes to the indicated bench.]

[soulus]

Does that mean you'll close your eye tomorrow?

[soulus]

What if it was?

[robopriest]

Because its unlike a bounty hunter, to be personal.

...Did you do it out of spite?