#ccsemberclub

"And yes, he wore a straw hat when I saw him...and overalls." She looks amused

"Was he -playing- farmer, or do you think that's his natural look?"

"I think he embraces the role to hide his power ... the image 'wizard' might go wit the beard, but not overalls"

William nods, familiar with such tactics.

"mmm clem says soon, then I'd expect dinner. Come darling... let us fast forward the scene." She grabs some curtains and unfurls them.

...........

Hours later "Okay, it didn't work, but it FELT dramatic" She says sheepishly

"Oh...." weakly from where he lays "It worked."

"Dramatically."

Then a satisfied chuckle.

She laughs

"Oh my...." He pushes himself up on his elbows. "Going to be the death of me...."

"Well, it will be hard to explain to the embalmer why the smile won't go away"

"Not once he gets a look at -you-, it won't be." He gets to his feet and swats her rump. "I'll get a shower, dressed. Join me?"

"Oh careful now, it doesn't bounce back as quickly as it once did" She winks though. "ANd yes

"

And thus they prepare for the evening's work....


.....Later......

Surely enough, at the club that night,an elderly gentleman comes in, takes off his straw hat, and asks if he might have a menu while he waits for the managers.

He's given one, of course. The matre de is helping a nice young couple find a wine, but as soon as he's free, he strolls over.

"Mister ..stodgepole? I have that right?" Emmit says

"That is how I am called." He offers his pudgy hand. "Mr. DeBuke, yes?"

He shakes the hand "Oh just call me Emmit. Not that mister won't do, but where I'm from far too many competitors for that. Nice place you have here, you and your lady"

"Emmit. Do call me Emerson. May I seat you?"

"Well, my legs work on their own... but sit with me surely"

"Delighted to be asked." Emerson gets them a good, discrete table, orders a round of drinks, and sits. "So glad you could visit."

"Oh, an overly ripe farmboy like me doesn't often get a chance to hit the big city" he shrugs "So my pleasure- in moderation"

"I think 'big city' is subjective." Mild amusement. "And if your pleasure is in moderation, we can accommodate that, too."

"Kind of you.. I'll try almost any drink in the House once" He says

"I hope a fine bourbon will suit you?"

" I don't know how it feels about me for company, but I would welcome its. I Hope you'll join me in that too"

"Yes indeed." Glasses and a bottle are delivered and oh my yes, top shelf stuff. Emerson pours, and gestures for Emitt to choose his glass.

He does, and picks it up "To the health of those who stick it out, and demand nothing save no demands on them" A toast

"Hear hear." He returns it, sips.

The old troll says "Wanted to thank you for the gifts."

"My pleasure. Believe me."

"If there is further follow up needed, I'd be happy to do what I can."

"Oh? It's a fine club, but not sure what help you can give . sir"

"Please, just Emerson." mildly "There are six others out there, hm? Or, is the happy case that you have already found and dealt with them?"

"I see, sorry Emerson" He grins "You're a finder of people then?"

"And on appropriate occasions, a loser of them." He agrees.

"Well, that's more cards on the table than I was expecting" He puts down his drink and looks at the man, "Have I done soemthing to earn such forwardness given the danger it brings from certain pointy eared circles?"

"You do not often, I think, leave your farm. Yet here you are. That says something. And, we are to be loosely related in a social way." Sip.

"Oh I've been pulled out of my comfort zone a lot more in recent years. Clem's fault largely. Young people. They could stir up a hornet's nest in an icy lake" A chuckle "Truth, Emerson... I suspect we agree on a lot of things, but I'm not allowed to pursue somethings in my current duties. So I appreciate the offer, but those six folks? We're ah..looking them up. "

A heavy sigh. "Yes. We agree on much, but are limited in similar ways, I think. Still, good to know. Rest assured, I will watch here, as well."

An agreement with the sigh "Getting old may not be fun, but it's tolerable. It's having to act your age that's annoying... set the right example, can't stir things up anymore because the waves we make have gotten too big. What I wouldn't give some days for one last hurrah"

"Oh, take care Emmitt." WIth a chuckle. "I will remember you've said that."

"True enough, invites da'an sometimes" he knocks on wood, the table will do "I should confess, I might have scried and omened Caesar. You know what I found?"

"Do tell." Eye bright.

"An almost obnoxiously decent young man ... oh he's a true son of his kith in a lot of ways, but he seems to live to help others in one form or another. He loves kids... he helps old ladies across the street. Nice as anyone of your 'folk' , and as honorable as anyone of mine. I went looking for a skeleton in his closet, I barely found a fingerbone. Oh sure, his winter side leads to some wild rides but even there he seems to always amend if need be, and they rarely regret it. If his mother were here I might ask if the boy's father had a big red S on his chest when she met him"

Emerson laughs. "I do not recall that detail in the story, no." A sigh. "I think I agree with your assessment." A wistful note?