Twenty-Sixth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[Ring, ring!  It is 6:00 in the morning and there is someone buzzing at your door.

The day after Thanksgiving, Lucas was awakened by the sound of the telephone.  Upon picking it up, he was greeted by a friendly disembodied voice thanking him for his application as a paper-boy.  He'd be starting tomorrow!

 . . .

The rest of the day was spent in anxiety about what he was going to do.  And seeing as how he was Lucas, he came to the inevitable conclusion that he'd better make the best job of it he could.  This is the reason why your doorbell is being rung at an ungodly hour -- If it's possible for a buzzer to sound polite, it does.  Lucas will wait with a cheerful smile on your front porch until someone shows up to answer the door, after which he'll promptly launch into a speech that sounds as if it has been nervously rehearsed for hours.  In the event that no one does, he will leave after two rings.  Morning people may notice that there's no bike nearby, but there is a table meandering about your front lawn.  The speech runs as follows, though you can cut him off at any time.]

Good morning, [mister/miss]!  My name is Lucas.  We're not acquainted, but I wanted to let you know that I'll be responsible for bringing your newspapers in the morning now.  I'll do everything I can to make my delivery as quiet and punctual as possible.

Thanks very much, and I look forward to serving you!

[In the event that he knows you.]

O-Oh!  Hi!  Um.  Ah.  Oh, I have to change my speech.

Comments

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't seem to notice Lucas's struggle, and is sipping like it isn't horribly bitter.] Would you like a cookie?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

'm ood.

[After a few more moments of mild agony, Lucas finally swallows everything in one big gulp. His eyes are tearing up. It must be from the deliciousness.]

. . . It's very unique.

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

Oh, really! Would you like more! [QUICK LUCAS, she's leaning over to refill your cup]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Oh god nooooooo. Lucas's mind is paralyzed for a second at the thought of having to drink any more of that and he moves his hand too late to prevent her from pouring any more.]

W-Wait!

I mean, um. If you give me anymore, you won't have any left for yourself.

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

[Vietnam looks a bit startled. You see, Lucas, in her culture, a guest draining their cup is a signal that they are surely thirsty for more. He's confused her, and she's already poured it anyway.]

Oh, there's no need to- do not worry about it! Please enjoy.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Vietnam, meet the most polite young man you'll ever meet. Lucas is so overwhelmed with joy that he'll just smile timorously and bring the cup closer to him again.]

T-Thanks. But you really have to save the rest for you, OK?

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

If you insist. [except not really, because if he drains his cup again she'll fill it anyway.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Some people say it's better to get it all down in one gulp. Lucas tried that the first time and it was pretty awful so he sips it more slowly this round.

. . . He can feel his taste buds dying away.]

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

[she's watching closely to see if he's drunk the whole thing again.] Oh, I do love coffee!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[As Lucas nears the bottom, he slows considerably.]

I . . . Yeah. I've never had anything like it before. Is it a special drink in . . . you, Miss Vietnam?

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

Well... A bit. France introduced it to me when I was his colony.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Oh, good, so it wasn't her fault that the world had something like this. Lucas takes one more sip and tries to ignore the burning feeling in the pit of his stomach.]

And . . . you liked it so much that you have it all the time now?

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

[Lucas is going to be so buzzed later...]

Yes! I grew fond of it.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I see . . .

[There goes the last drop. Maybe with time and the death of half his taste buds he too will grow fond of it. Are those spots beginning to form in the corner of his vision.]

It must be nice to live in a world with so many different countries. You could never experience everything if you spent your whole life going around.

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

[not noticing a thing- oh, and he's finished again.] It is wonderful. I like to visit as many places as I can, but I do prefer home...

Ah, please have more.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

O-Oh, no. Thanks. I really should get back to my route. It was very nice of you to have me, Miss Vietnam.

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

O-Oh! Well, if you must. [work is very important, after all!]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Is it Vietnam's imagination or does Lucas seem to be in a strange hurry to go?]

This was really nice. Maybe I'll come by to see you again sometime?

[And there he is by the door slinging his satchel of papers around his shoulder already.]

[lotuslife.livejournal.com]

[o-oh... she goes to wave him off.] You're welcome at any time.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And I hope you enjoy reading your paper, Miss Vietnam.

[And out the door he goes with a cheerful wave. Once he is on top his table, he begins to guzzle down his canteen of water.]</small.