Title: Lending Library Version: 1.0, posted 2/27/06 (originally posted to LiveJournal 1/01/05) Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine. (See full disclaimer on previous page.)
Summary: Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising, but
occasionally it backfires.
Lending Library
by Mistral Amara
"Vila," Avon barked across the flight deck, "what are you doing? You're
supposed to be monitoring our power usage."
Vila
looked up, grinning. "Oh, but look what I've got, Avon" he said,
holding up his prize. It was a book--a real one, with a once-bright
cover and brittle yellow pages; it must have spent centuries in a
preservation vault. "I lifted it on that last raid. Harry Potter and
the Philosopher's Stone--it's a great story about a boy who finds out
he's a wizard!" Avon just stared at Vila crossly. "He's got a pet owl,"
Vila offered. He ran one finger nervously down the page. "Look, I've
got Zen set to give me an alarm the minute the power usage gets within
twenty percent of the threshold you wanted. That's plenty of time to
call you in."
"If I'd wanted Zen to do it, I'd have set it up
myself." Avon marched across the room and snatched the book. "Give me
that. The last thing you need is stories. Your head's already
full of nonsense. Next time, keep your mind on the task at hand."
Vila
started to protest, but Avon employed his very best icy glare. The
younger man fell silent and Avon made his exit. The power use
assessment was finished without further incident.
Three hours later, tucked up in bed with a warm cup of cocoa, Avon
smiled in anticipation and turned the first page.