[ AUDIO ]

[signatures]

[ There is a photo attached of a smiley face on a section of brick. ]

I wasn't aware we had such wonderful artists in the City - or gangsters insistent on spreading joy all across the Underground. Then again, considering just the other day we had robots made out of trash cans roaming about, the prospect of happy thugs just doesn't seem so far off.

Pieces of scrap metal, however, make much better windchimes than I imagine pieces of thug would - just a hazard of a guess.

Don't correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, I know we have Cinna as our wonderful tailor in the Overground, but might anyone here repair watches?

Comments

audio, private;

[signatures]

I don't know, should you?

I've never heard such hesitation over your questions.

audio, private;

[boutant]

Even I know that sometimes it's better not to know.

So what are you doing down there?

audio, private;

[signatures]

[ He laughs shortly. ]

Exploring, for the most part. Seeing what functional niches need to be filled.

audio, private;

[boutant]

Anything promising? [ Pause. ] Or at least interesting?

audio, private;

[signatures]

A few. I'm not looking to be a gangster, either - I'd like to keep to my usual out-of-sight work, but life in the Underground seems quite blunt.

audio, private;

[boutant]

Maybe you need to dig a little deeper. [ There's a flicker of a smile, though he can't see it. ] Or show them how it's done.

audio, private;

[signatures]

Perhaps. I'd certainly make a monopoly out of it.

audio, private;

[boutant]

That's a little different than staying out of sight.

audio, private;

[signatures]

One can still make plenty of money while keeping low to the ground, really.

audio, private;

[boutant]

But a monopoly?

audio, private;

[signatures]

Admittedly it's a little ambitious for me.

audio, private;

[boutant]

No big dreams?

audio, private;

[signatures]

Not in underworld domination.

audio, private;

[boutant]

I think you'd be good at it until it inevitably killed you.

audio, private;

[signatures]

Four months of glory, cocaine, and prostitutes.

audio, private;

[boutant]

Occasionally at the same time?

audio, private;

[signatures]

Go big or go home.

audio, private;

[boutant]

The last isn't exactly an option at the moment.

audio, private;

[signatures]

You know what I mean.

audio, private;

[boutant]

I know. I couldn't resist.

audio, private;

[signatures]

How are things with George? I'm going to catch up with Ginny over a kettle soon.

audio, private;

[boutant]

[ A sigh. ] I don't know. They were better, but I still don't know what we're doing. His older brother died thanks to the robots, so my guess is that he's currently a mess, even if he came back, and that me trying to talk to him won't get anywhere for a while.

audio, private;

[signatures]

Wait -

the one that's dead usually, or?

audio, private;

[boutant]

No. A different one, Percy -- I work with him.

audio, private;

[signatures]

Oh, the stick in the mud. I remember.

That is a bit rough. I suppose his stonewalling is understandable.