‘Come in Tesla,’ she said, recognising him from the manner in which he rapped on the door.
She heaved herself up from her chair, took one last look at the deep crimson and bronze conflagration behind her, and then turned to face Tesla as he walked into the room.
‘Hello Margaret,’ he said. ‘I hope you had a chance to rest since I last saw you.’
‘I’ve had a lovely rest, thank you. But it’d be even better if you guys could bring in your blowtorches and heat up a nice warm bath for me after dinner.’
‘I can certainly arrange that.’
Margaret was aching to ask about the pills she had requested, but she nonetheless managed to bite her tongue; Tesla had to be kept in the dark about how desperately she needed this medication in order to set her escape plan in motion. She would have to wait until he brought it up, and if he didn’t … well, she’d find a way to. She had to.
‘What’s the latest news about the mercenaries?’ she asked, feigning concern.
‘Oh, um, well I’m not sure how much I am supposed to talk about that,’ Tesla replied, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
‘That’s all right,’ Margaret said, sighing melodramatically and looking away. ‘You don’t need to tell me any details if you don’t think it’s appropriate. I mean, I thought we wouldn’t have any secrets between us, but uh, I guess if you need to put your needs first, I can’t really say anything about that…’
I wonder if that was too much, if I just pushed the envelope a bit too far there. Did I? No, I don’t think so. This kid is pretty naïve, he’ll fall for a little feminine manipulation. See, he’s already looking guilty, playing right into the trap. Excellent.
‘I’m really sorry,’ the boy mumbled. ‘It’s just that, that…’
His words trailed off as guilt contorted his features, and he looked down at the ground, shame oozing from his pores as if his reluctance to speak about the General’s military operations was tantamount to betrayal. Margaret smiled inwardly as she saw her strategy doing its work, but on her face she wore, makeup-like, an expression of compassionate sympathy.
‘Aw, that’s fine!’ she said, her tone abruptly cheery and light. ‘C’mon, I know how good of a friend you are. I don’t wanna get you in trouble; you know I’d never, ever do that. Let’s just change the subject.’
She was desperate to get onto the topic of the pills, and she had to somehow steer the conversation with subtle delicacy toward that subject. Time was short; the General had said the barrel for Bafa village would be floated downriver the following evening, so things had to be put in motion soon. Very soon.
‘Those trees out there are looking real impressive in the dusk light, don’t ya think? Do you ever take time outta your busy routine to watch a sunset, Tesla?’
‘I do when I can. It does look especially beautiful today.’
‘Gee, those trees to the left are just incredible, huh? The ones that are covered with purple and pink blossoms. Why, they’re just like big ol’ giant flowers, ain’t they? You can almost hear all the tons of insects buzzing in those thousands of blossoms out there in those trees.’
Come on kiddo, that was a blatant hint. You’ve gotta remember what I asked you earlier.
‘Yes, the sound of the birds and insects in the trees is very loud at this time of day. Especially the birds! They make so much noise when they are settling in for the night.’
Tesla was smiling now, the guilt trip of a few minutes prior seemingly forgotten. He had not, however, picked up Margaret’s hint, it appeared. Feeling a kettle-boiling frustration building a head of scalding steam beneath her skin, Margaret decided to force the point as obviously as she could. She kept her lips drawn in a tight, forced smile as she spoke, doing her best not to let her hotplate-hissing annoyance show through.
‘Yeah, but I bet above the sound of birds there’s, you know, the whine and buzz of insects. I mean, those flowery trees must attract hundreds of wasps … and bees.’
Please, for the love of Christ, pick up on that one kiddo. I know you’re smart. C’mon, just pick up on it.
‘Oh!’ Tesla’s eyes widened as the memory of what he had promised to do for Margaret suddenly forced its way to the fore of his thoughts. ‘Margaret, yes, I just remembered about your request, I’m sorry I forgot to say something earlier!’
‘Oh yes, what exactly did I say again?’ Margaret asked meekly, leaning back and stretching her arms out with a leisurely sigh as she did her best to feign nonchalance.
‘You needed Phenergan pills, for your bee sting allergy.’
‘Oh yeah, that,’ she replied, chuckling lightly as if it were the most inconsequential thing in the world.
‘Yes, yes!’
Tesla was obviously very eager to please her; his young eyes were alive with delight in his half-burned, rubber-mask face.
‘What did the General say about that?’
‘He said it was fine.’
Margaret’s heart soared, and it took every ounce of self-control and restraint to prevent herself from jumping up with triumphant glee. Instead she maintained, with considerable difficulty, her front of collected calm.
‘That’s good news for me,’ she replied coolly. ‘One less thing to worry about. Did you manage to bring a couple of pills for me, or is the General gonna have to order ‘em?’
‘I got some. Here, the General sent me to the clinic and allowed me to get five of these pills. That’s fine, right?’
‘Oh I only needed two, but sure, I’ll take five.’
Tesla dug in the breast pocket of his uniform jacket and pulled out a small vial containing a few of the pills. He handed it to Margaret, who took it with gracious fingers. She popped it open and dropped
