Electra (or Elly as she was known) slapped her $50.00 fee down on the counter in the `High's Cool' ski resort foyer and rang the service bell. After ringing three more times, a person finally came forth. ``Sorry,'' the receptionist, Bern Oulee, apologized. ``We're understaffed. A lot of people are against the testing of a 160-hour work week.''
Elly blinked. ``And you're working because...''
``I'm pro-testing.''
Elly sighed. ``Well, as long as this deviation from protocol isn't standard,'' she relented. ``Now, is Room 231 finally ready?''
The receptionist scanned the log book with e's and nodded. ``Electra and Ana Lysis? The room's been made up; you even have a parcel waiting there.''
As Elly processed this, her sister turned to her. ``Well, my assessment of the situation is that we'll have at least two hours until dinner,'' Ana observed.
``Er, good estimation...'' Elly said, experimentally.
``Well then, I'm going to rise over ski runs and thus observe slopes. Maybe give them a trial run.''
Elly nodded. ``Then I'll move our articles to our room.''
That decided, the two sisters parted ways as another individual entered on the other side of the foyer. He was visibly upset. ``First my flight gets PPD; A.C. will hear about that,'' Max complained. ``Then those confounded crankshafts! Causing crazy car collisions, creating chaos... I hope I'm still in time...''
He approached the receptionist and paused for a confidence interval. ``I'm Max Value,'' he finally said. ``Has anyone named Ana Lysis been by?''
Bern Oulee raised an eyebrow - there was no expected Value in his log book. ``You just missed your target,'' he said guardedly. ``Her room is 231 but...''
``Why... aie!!'' Max gasped, running off. What were the odds in catching her? He hoped there was still the time to perform any pivotal function required...
He almost ran into a short haired woman in his charge to the elevators, but Dr. Waterson paid only marginal attention to their encounter. She'd had a good derive down in a rented ford from Tilde. She proceeded to the counter and greeted the receptionist. ``Hi, I'm booked in Room 230 and I'm looking for an Electra Lysis.''
``Figures. Room 231,'' came Bern's standard response. He shook his head. ``Is there some sort of plot here?''
``Not that I know of,'' the doctor replied, moving off.
Bern sighed. ``All the flakes aren't in the snowdrifts.''
To be prolonged...
Alia S. Choir
Copyright © mathNEWS 1997.