A Conversation With Clark

originally posted July 19, 2006

"Tal, noble Poet," Clark of Thentis said to me.
I was busy working on the angle of a set piece upon the stage he graciously provided me for the production of my play. I suppose I was being somewhat fussy, moving the prop into and out of the light, standing back for several thoughtful moments stroking my chin as I observed it. I suppose I must have looked as if I knew what I was doing. Stroking one's chin thoughtfully, in lieu of actually speaking about some subject or other, can make a fellow look rather learned I have found. Sprinkling in, of course, some utterances such as "hmm" and "ah, yes" also go a long way toward bolstering one's credibility in a given discipline.
"Tal, Clark, gracious host," I responded. "I am pleased to have your company this afternoon."
"Yes, well, affairs of the House, unfortunately, take a few inconvenient ehn of my time now and again. I am not as sociable as I might like to be," he admitted.
"Think nothing of it, good fellow. You have gone out of your way to make me comfortable. Mathor, too, I am certain, were he here, would doubtless wish to convey his supreme gratitude for the use of your lovely slaves," I mentioned.
"It is nothing. They are only girls," he said.
"Tortuously beautiful girls," I said.
"Yes, I suppose they are somewhat more comely than this girl or that girl," he said.
"Indeed," I agreed.
Phais, Elsa and Tellia, a matched brace of sluts, blonde with wide, blue eyes, were treasures. They were the sort of girl a man might turn his head to stare upon and walk straight into an oncoming saddle tharlarion. Saddle tharlarion, for the record, are notoriously testy fellows when you walk into them unawares.
"About the production," he started.
"Yes?" I responded, curious.
Our discussion continued for some time. It seems a fellow of his, one who may have served in the capacity of 'acquisition agent' in past years, happened to look in upon the auction hall, having seen one or more pieces of my two-legged property scampering in and out at different times of the day. Apparently, Nirah, with her inestimable talent, had created all too real likenesses unique to the planet Earth. With a few questions answered by the barbarians on my chain, her reproduction of a city not unlike 'New York' was quite professional. The agent reported this to Clark. Clark decided to ask me about the matter personally.
"It deals with the second knowledge and, perhaps, a bit more," Itold him.
"It is not merely a fanciful song drama with charming set pieces and a generous dose of pleasant lyricism?" he asked.
"No, none of that. It shows, or attempts to show, much more than the idea that 'barbarians are from Earth' as if Earth is simply a city hidden away in the Barrens or the interior of the Schendi Rainforests," I admitted.
"You put me in an awkward position, noble Poet," he said.
I could see his point. The House of Clark is one of the major purveyors of girl flesh on the planet. Fellows like Clark, Tenalion of Ar and Samos of Port Kar, amongst others, trafficked in such commodities are Earth girls. He may have seen what I was doing as too relevatory, too dangerous. What if, for example, people wished to holiday upon Earth - though I cannot imagine why. I suppose there are a hundred reasons, both logistical and economic, why such a production might not be beneficial to his commercial enterprise. I am a guest in his home. I do not know, nor do I care to theorize over it much. I will just cancel the production and cut short my visit to Thentis.
"Poet, it was not my intention to suggest you terminate your stay," he assured me.
"Think nothing of it, good fellow," I told him, assuring him in turn, "the decision is independent of our discussion."
"Do me the honor, then, of sitting at my table before you depart?" he asked.
"Certainly," I told him. "I have a favor to ask of you."