Quoted By:
"It wasn't meant to be shared, Charlie. I assure you, it's entirely deserved. Correspondent #301 is—" His fingers tighten around his cigarette. "—is not at all a pleasant individual."
"I know you can be meaner than that, Richard," you say, arching your chest.
"Fine. He is a <span class="mu-i">buffoon.</span> He is a preening, arrogant, loutish, undeserving buffoon, and he is, additionally, a Wyrm-damned fucking prick. I don't believe he has a single redeeming quality. It's almost impressive how few qualities he actually possesses, Charlie. If I were spared, his presence <span class="mu-i">alone</span> would nearly justify the implosion of Satellite. You've asked whether I hate you. I have never, ever hated you, because if I wasted my hate on you, I could not reserve it for <span class="mu-i">him.</span> Do you understand?"
"And now he has the Crown." You arch your back.
"And now he has <span class="mu-i">stolen...</span>" Richard is clenching the cigarette so hard it has to be hurting his knuckles. "...the Crown. What's more— do you remember it was acquired illegally? Even by our standards. No more than one Correspondent on any given pathway, and I had full claim. It was illegal, that is, until I became <span class="mu-i">indisposed,</span> transferring the claim to him. He has full rights. So thank you for that."
Oh. That's not good. "Meaning we can't get it back?"
"No. We <span class="mu-i">will</span>—" Richard points at you. "—we <span class="mu-i">will</span> get it back. We must. If <span class="mu-i">#301</span> calls the Dawn, I will— I would rather be terminated, frankly. I would rather you set me on fire. It will <span class="mu-i">not</span> happen."
Geez. He's serious. "Well, I— I always was going to chop off Jean Ramsey's head. I didn't forget about that. I guess I can chop off Eff-face's too?"
"Yes. Correct. Good girl, Charlie. You are going to chop off his head, and you are going to chop off his fucking <span class="mu-i">smirk.</span> And you will let me watch. Set me on fire after, but I get to watch. Can you agree to that?"
"...I guess so?" Can you actually chop off a snake's head? You cock your head at Richard's snake, now draped against the back of his chair. "But wait. If he has claim to the Crown, what do you have?"
"Nothing." Richard takes a drag from the cigarette. "I'm in limbo. I was indisposed; now I'm recovered, but I have nothing to do. They might like to recycle me, but nothing's been done. I suspect because of him. He's been cock-crowing so much that he's taken all the attention. He has everybody convinced that <span class="mu-i">his</span> client is the One."
"Jean Ramsey."
"That's right. Evidently they've made good progress."
You stand, finally, and sit back down in your chair. "Do you think they actually have a chance?"
"They're closer than most. I think they pose a... threat. But I have complete faith in you, Charlie. You possess qualities that woman does not. I possess qualities that #301 does not, if I might say that. Are you, at this very moment, prepared to take back the Crown? I would say no. Do you possess the enormous potential to do so? Yes. All it needs is time and proper application."
(4/7)
