An Old Acquaintance

I groan inwardly. I recognise him now. He's one of my old customers from Madam Scarlet's, a pleasant enough fellow, if not very bright. I decide that it's no use trying to pretend that it's a case of mistaken identity, so I say: "Hello, Karshin. Fancy meeting you here."

"I come this way quite often on business. But what brings you here? I missed you when you left, but Madam Scarlet was rather evasive when I asked what had become of you."

That wasn't very intelligent of her, I reflect. She could have said that I'd left because of the advanced state of my pregnancy, and it would have sounded perfectly reasonable. That seems the easiest thing for me to tell Karshin now, so I do.

"Ah, of course," he says. "So how is your little bundle of joy?"

"I had twins actually, and they're both fine, thank you," I say, hoping that it's true. "They're - um - staying with my sister at the moment."

"Any chance of your coming back to work at Madam Scarlet's in the foreseeable future?" he asks hopefully.

"I doubt it."

He looks so downcast that I can't help feeling a little flattered. Then he says: "How about spending one last night together for old times sake? I'll happily give you what I used to pay Madam Scarlet for your services, of course."

I don't know how much that would be - I never saw any of it - but I imagine that it would be enough to avoid any money worries for the remainder of my journey.

1. But I want to put my past behind me. "Sorry, I say. "Unfortunately I - er - have a bit of a headache coming on."
2. It's no different from using Baras, I tell myself. What's the point of coming over all moralistic at this stage? "All right," I tell him.
3. I may as well find out how much he would pay, I tell myself. Where's the harm in that? It doesn't commit me to anything. "Madam Scarlet never discussed money with me. How much are you offering?"

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