( v o i c e )

[likeboudica]

I must admit that the flow of visitors may be a little overwhelming, but— if there is someone from the Institute here, if only for a day or two, I should like to make my own presence known, rather than spend all day in the library.

I only ask that— [ she pauses, clearly hesitant, before her voice comes again, stronger now and quite firm ] that whoever should wish to talk to me will not be too forward.

[ it doesn't quite express what she wishes to say (please, take care not to offend my 18th century sensibilities) but it comes close enough while still remaining polite ]

Comments

voice;

[undespairing]

That's great! What kind of books do you like to read? Or do you go there to study? I'm partial to adventure stories, myself.

voice;

[likeboudica]

I like the books and poems of my time, I suppose. Charles Dickens in particular.

voice;

[undespairing]

Dickens? I've never heard of him! He must be a good writer though.

voice;

[likeboudica]

I think he is very good. If I were to recommend one book, it would be A Tale of Two Cities.

voice;

[undespairing]

A Tale of Two Cities...right. I'll make sure to look that up in the library then! It'll be a good break from all those history books I was looking at.

voice;

[likeboudica]

It is a history book in it's own way, though it is fiction.

voice;

[undespairing]

Oh, is it? So it's partial fiction! Kind of like Don Quixote!

voice;

[likeboudica]

The historical background is real, indeed.

voice;

[undespairing]

So I'll be learning while I read. That's a pretty good deal right there.

voice;

[likeboudica]

Indeed it is.

[ a beat. ] I'm Theresa Gray. It is very nice to make your acquaintance, sir.

voice;

[undespairing]

Oh! Elmer C. Albatross. It's a pleasure, Miss Gray.

voice;

[likeboudica]

Which books would you recommend, Mr Albatross?

voice;

[undespairing]

Well Don Quixote is a personal favorite of mine! Shakespeare's fun too, though I haven't been able to watch any of his plays. Have you read his poetry?

voice;

[likeboudica]

I have. I prefer the poetry to his plays, though the tragedies are all very good.

voice;

[undespairing]

The tragedies are pretty good, aren't they? I'm the kind of guy who prefers laughter over tears, though, so I rather like his comedies.

voice;

[likeboudica]

That is understandable. It is not as though sadness is very pleasant, after all.

voice;

[undespairing]

Right, right! And there's quite a lot of unhappy people in the world, so the best things are those that can make everyone smile.

voice;

[likeboudica]

Yes, that may well be so.