Backstage: Sid meets his maker

Unending BE - episode 129634

Sid sensed a presence, but didn't see anyone. "Okay," he said, "who is it now?"

Is that any way to talk to your employer?

"Deja Voodoo? Is that you?"

Indeed. Just thought I'd drop in and see how you're getting on.

Sid sighed. "Not great. I thought you said I was going to be playing host to characters in between assignments. All I've had so far is authors dropping in. Literally, in the case of that last one. And you seem to be continuing the trend, I might add. How come I can't see you?

I only manifest myself in the AddVenture in enigmatic ways.

"Oh. Mystery man, eh?"

Only if someone's curious, which I doubt. But I do apologize for the quality of your clientele. It would seem the venue is proving popular with the authors. No doubt they deem it safer to manifest themselves backstage than in the rougher AddVenture at large. But that, I suspect, will pass. Fashions do change.

"Oh, that's it, is it? I'm fashionable?"

Don't flatter yourself too much. I suspect, as I indicated, that it's the venue. And perhaps the novelty of talking to someone who'll talk back, and call a spade a spade.

"Is that kind of language politically correct?"

Why? Do you think the shovels might take offense?

"Skip it. You might want to be a bit more careful, though."

Why, Sid! Giving out advice, these days?

"Actually, yes. I don't know why, though. All of it seems to go to people who oughta know better, and who won't take it anyway."

I suppose I should be grateful you aren't calling me "son."

Sid winced. "Read that one, did you?"

Wrote it, actually.

"Yeah, well, I figured I'd better not. I was reading through the AddVenture in the slow period before the first authors started showing up. Near as I can figure, you created me. Figure it wouldn't be a good idea to offend you.

Why not? I plead guilty to the charge, but once created, anyone can write you. Several people have, in fact. You're hardly solely dependant on me any more.

"True. Nonetheless. Wouldn't seem respectful."

You're a better man than I am, Sid. Sorry I can't do anything about authors dropping in. Anything else I can do to make your job easier?

"Oh, I wouldn't mind the authors so much if they weren't so snotty, and were a bit more interesting. Present company excepted, of course."

Deja Voodoo chuckled.

I'm probably more snotty and less interesting than the general run.

"'Cause of the voiceless presence routine, perhaps? Bet that really frosts people's asses."

I fear you may be right. Anything else? Anything practical?

Sid rubbed his chin, thinking. "Shelve some more characters, maybe? Someone I can give a clue that the clue won't be wasted on? Or maybe just some who wouldn't mind a romp in the hay with an old curmudgeon."

Done. I wouldn't characterize you as an old curmudgeon, though -- I created you middle-aged, and if you're an old anything, it's more an old goat.

Sid grinned. "Well, I am a denizen of the AddVenture, after all! Even if I'm currently backstage!"

Too true. Rest easy, though, you're getting a pretty good romp even as we speak a reality line over, and considering what your fellow denizens are like, I'm sure you'll have no lack of ... exercise ... of that variety.

"Thanks, boss!"

Gotta go. Laundry to bring in.

"Really?"

Really. 'Bye for now, Sid. "Bye, boss."

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Deja Voodoo

Wed Feb 21 22:36:07 2001

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