"Thank You, Captain, But The Answer's No."

"What's pole-dancing?" Astra asked innocently, never having heard the term before. There were no such establishments in Aqualaria. Fred sniggered.

"It involves dancing around a vertical pole fixed in the floor, and draping yourself around it and rubbing up against it in a suggestive fashion," Phil explained.

"I see," Astra said levelly. "Whether or not I can pole-dance is immaterial then, as I have no intention of doing so." She sat down again, still trying to work out who Sir Toby was. The name sounded very familiar, and she felt that she should know who he was, but somehow she couldn't quite place him.

"Without the pole-dancing, I can only offer you a wage of ten gold pieces a week, of which six will be kept back to pay for your room and meals," Will said. "Your employment would be conditional on your not breaking your vow, of course."

"I very much hope that you will take the job, Astra," Mr M said in his deep voice. "I'd very much enjoy working with you." He gazed soulfully into Astra's eyes. She gazed soulfully back.

She knew that she couldn't stay here unless she could pay her way, and that leaving would mean that she would never see Mr M again. She took a deep breath, then said:.

1. "When do I start? And do I need to sign anything first?"
2. "I'm not taking the job. As I can't stay here without any money, I'll be leaving as soon as is convenient."
3. "Do you have any other positions vacant besides barmaid and pole-dancer? I'd be well qualified to be a bouncer, for instance."

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