#scarsdale

"He has a kippah, Hirim."

(A scowl; he was sure he'd gotten out of it. A sullen duck of head, muttering raspily) "No, Mr. Himmelfarb. Thanks." (A flick of eyes to Zara, stopping a second, then looks back, speaking bluntly) "Guy had the same thing going, wants to know, you ready if they come looking."

Blunt, perhaps, but not clear. "Huh?"

"It'll be fine, Mama likes you. You know she'll do all the talking..."

(He scowls, scuffs a boot, mutters to Zara) "Him. He asked." (A flick of eyes back) "Miriam. If they come looking. She knows a lot, nu?"

"Can still use my apartment, I guess, if you have to. Lots of security."

Zara frowns, dimming.

Hirim frowns as well. "Don't think they will come looking. They do, we have some defenses in place." Another snaggle-toothed, evil grin. "Nockers, nu?"

(Oddly, Ice finds the grin more of a reassurance than the words. A shrug and nod) "Nockers. Just wanted, to, you know, make sure you thought of it, is all."

"She doesn't know anything right now."

"Mmph. Not adled yet, boy."

"Didn't say you were." (A flick of eyes to Zara, narrowing them) "So watch my mouth. Got it."

"What else you want?"

"Nothing. Going to tell August, can't do it because of the Communists, and tell -him- it's all handled, and," (A scowl at the Peons, finishing his tea with a huffing sigh) "Mrs. Schwartz want I should bring something? It's polite, right? Bring something? What can I get?"

"The goy." He huffs. "Figures. Liam...." Muttered.

(Aside) "Ghost, have to ask her, what she does to store the cake, roaches keep getting the ones I make for you." (A scowl, and shrug) "Apple cake turned out okay, too, for once. Oy vay."

"Tupperware, I think?"

"You sure? It don't need to, I don't know, ferment in the air or something?"

"Think it... I mean, she might have a trick? She won't tell me."

"So go ask her!" Snapped from his desk.

Zara flinches and shrinks. "Sorry."

"I'll ask, maybe. Think I should go, holding up work. Sorry." (He pushes up as the nocker snaps, raising chin in farewell)

"I'll bring figs." (As he goes)

"See you tonight, Bubalah. You, too."

"Later, Mr. Himmelfarb." (Rasped as he goes, disappearing out the door)

"I... I promised to take puzzles over to the house. I'll go now."

Shouted after Ice "Stalin had a stroke that killed him on Purim you know!!!"

"That's good, Zara, a Purim mitzvah. Thank you."

"Sorry, again." she ducks out.

He mutters to himself and dives back into work.

"Communist...."