#rivervale_lodge

"And it keeps some of my students busy so they don't get in trouble"

Frank nods. "Win-win."

"That's my hope" He cricks his neck "by the way ah, Frank. Remember that book I wrote about the trucker doing deliveries in a post apoclyptic world?"

A deep sigh. "Unfortunately, yes."

"Yeah, turns out ... there's an offer to turn it into a tv show. Not one of the big networks mind you but... a streaming series? I couldn't believe it either"

"Mm."

"I wanted to make sure that would be.. okay with you. I mean, obviously there's officially no resemblence to anyone live or dead but... you did inspire"

An eyebrow. "I think you know the answer to that question, Vali."

"Yes, but no one ever finds out you are in any way shape or size related to it?"

A shrug " 'Yes, but.' "

"Mmm would it help if I put a percentage to ...do truckers have a veteren's organization or something?"

"No, not really."

"mmmph" he ponders "Okay"

Frank zips up his travel duffle.

"Okay. " hoping he's read frank right "i'll try to put some small part of it to charity regardless. Just need to figure the right one"

A shrug.

Vali adds "How about I also agree never to show it in the lodge?"

"Vali." with a heavy exhale "Neither Brekke nor I particularly enjoy being the subjects of or models for your work. It could be seen as an honor, yes, and I understand you didn't intend any insult by it. The fact remains that anyone who knows me at all would know I do not seek that kind of recognition. There are people who want me captured, imprisoned, and/or dead. I do what I can to keep a low profile. You wrote it anyway."

Matter of factly.

"Since you have shown you'll do what you will, regardless, then do what you will. But don't ask me to help you."

Vali looks...hurt at that "Okay. I knew you were humble. I did not think your foes would use my fiction against either of you....but then I don't recall you ever mentioning that concern before." A frown

"I should get going."

"Mmm A dozen ideas occur how to further reduce resemblence. But I'll call my agent and nix it"

A sigh "And safe travels, Frank"

"Thank you. Take care of yourself and the family." He heads out, pausing to pour a travel mug of coffee for the road; an old ritual.

"I will. "

And off he goes.......King of the Road.

It's only a few minutes later that Brekke comes downstairs, her own pack filled (though not as full as it would be if they were expecting to be hiking for days). She sets it down near the hallway door.

She sees Vali on the phone "Yes, Max. I KNOW it's the best deal I'm ever going to get..."

A nod to Vali as she passes back to get a coffee.

"... it's a great idea, race swappin g would be fine by me, but a friend doesn't like it..."

She takes the mug to the window and sips as she watches Frank head out to the Rig, a hint of fondness in her expression.

"...fine, post pone, but in a week I still won't be signing on"

She sips.

He hangs up

She glances over as he ends the conversation. "Mountain. All is well?"

"Depends on your point of view, Chieftain. It would appear I crossed a line I did not know i crossed." A shrug "But I'm not worse off than I was before today"

technically true

A brow. "Anything I should know about?"

"I got an offer for a book turned into a movie. Frank was, very loosely I thought, the inspiration for it... as it involved a trucker in a post apoc situation delievering medicine. They had different eye color and hair and frankly , no pun intended, I though I made the guy openly macho to the point where the character was too over the top to be Frank's twin or anything. But Frank feels it could draw enemeies to him and the rest of you so... I just called my agent to nix it. "A frown "Now I'm kicking myself because I thought Frank's dislike of my book was a mix of humilty and that it wasn't his style"

"Instead I was apparently an insensitive ass who put you all in danger. "

Her brow furrows a bit and she looks back out to where Frank tends to the Rig. It is a long moment before she says slowly, "I think...there is no way you could know how dangerous such exposure might be for him. Or...it might not. But he and I have both lived through times where those we loved were threatened in order to control us. His response has been to make himself as uninteresting a target as possible. I cannot fault him for that."

"well, it's nixed, and I'm sorry."

After a quiet moment, she looks back to Vali with a slight hint of wryness in her expression. "And there was never a heroic tale that you could ignore, Vali. I understand why such a character appealed to you."

At THAT, a weak chuckle "Guilty as charged."

She nods and sips again.

"I am sorry that your project is interrupted."

"Not interuptted, nipped in the bud, which is probably better. over all" He says "Let's not tell Tiffany about this, please?"

"I do not intend to." Thoughtful. "Your grandfather knew..." She stops midsentence, then says, "Well...it is neither here nor there."

"No, please, go on" He says