| And so the conversation continued, talk of the future was the highlight
and Probe's analysis of both speech content and voice pitch confirmed that
their talk was full of hope. While the delighted heroes conversed an old
topic was brought back: that of how to name themselves.
"Well," said Fred 3. "As 'three' has been my number for such a while I'll stick to it! BUT please call me Fred the 3rd. It is so much more dignified you know." "And as for me," said Fred 4. "Well, since I have been here the least and I'm not really keen on this number business, I prefer to be called by my old boyhood name, Freddy." The talk turned then to names and titles and far from becoming heated it aroused laughter instead. The gathering spoke of old accidents and not-so- long-ago successes, they told of their own worlds and the names they had had. They spoke of Freddy this and Frederic that, of Tesamar and Thesaruk, of Astralee and Astralite. Laughter was heard as the mirror- images discovered a little more just how similar and how different they truly were. The effect of the absence of danger was a return to plain, simple joy! And in the end of it the familiar voice of Fred the 3rd was heard again. "As I've said before, my wife and I know where our future is going to be. Allaria is the place and I look forward to taming a place wild with plants and animals, and not monsters and ghosts! If you come I will be greatly honored, if not, well at least I do know that this world IS a better place with the likes of you!" The sound of cheers, of 'Huzzah!' and 'Here, here!' filled the place
and for some it became the moment of a spontaneous group hug.
|
