[He's quiet and competent as he shows her where he's stored the master stencil of his drawing of the map. He takes it from its file folder, fits it in place on the mimeo drum, explaining as he goes how the stencil is cut with a stylus, how it's protected when not in use, how the mimeo machine forces ink through the tracings onto paper.]
It's quite ingenious, though I'm not sure why the ink is purple. That seems odd, to me. There's a very noticeable smell, too: it's comforting, like being in a laboratory back home.
[In a far more normal tone of voice than she used.]
It was a good idea deciding to make maps for the Welcome Wagon. So difficult for new neighbors to find their way around, otherwise. It was a clever, neighborly idea. No, no. There shouldn't be any trouble so long as I record the use and pay for it. The office is always glad to support the community, Mrs. Cho.
There. Let me introduce you to some people. Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones,and Mr. Doe are all here, tonight. Gentlemen, this is Mrs. Cho. She's been doing some typing for me, and she told me she was making maps for the Welcome Wagon, to help newcomers find their way around our little 'burg more easily. Should I just put fifty cents in the office petty cash box to cover the cost of the mimeos?
No, no, do let me. Honest is as honest does, after all! [Chipper, pleasant, beaming. Opens a drawer, opens an unlocked box, tosses in two quarters (he's learned that much currency, anyway), and then adds,]
If Mrs. Cho comes by someday with papers for me, and I'm not in, will you let her into my office? Thanks. She's been a great little worker bee, and I'm happy to know you'll take good care of her if she needs to leave something off.
no subject
It's quite ingenious, though I'm not sure why the ink is purple. That seems odd, to me. There's a very noticeable smell, too: it's comforting, like being in a laboratory back home.
[In a far more normal tone of voice than she used.]
It was a good idea deciding to make maps for the Welcome Wagon. So difficult for new neighbors to find their way around, otherwise. It was a clever, neighborly idea. No, no. There shouldn't be any trouble so long as I record the use and pay for it. The office is always glad to support the community, Mrs. Cho.
There. Let me introduce you to some people. Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones,and Mr. Doe are all here, tonight. Gentlemen, this is Mrs. Cho. She's been doing some typing for me, and she told me she was making maps for the Welcome Wagon, to help newcomers find their way around our little 'burg more easily. Should I just put fifty cents in the office petty cash box to cover the cost of the mimeos?
No, no, do let me. Honest is as honest does, after all! [Chipper, pleasant, beaming. Opens a drawer, opens an unlocked box, tosses in two quarters (he's learned that much currency, anyway), and then adds,]
If Mrs. Cho comes by someday with papers for me, and I'm not in, will you let her into my office? Thanks. She's been a great little worker bee, and I'm happy to know you'll take good care of her if she needs to leave something off.
Shall I drop you back home, ma'am?