12 Purple Files - Audio Memory
Jan. 23rd, 2011 02:04 am[A heavy sigh is the first thing that’s heard before Ambassador’s voice speaks.]
Vir. How many gods are there in our pantheon? I have lost count, since the last emperor was elevated to godhood.
[A much younger male voice answers him. It’s nervous and anxious and sounds a little flustered.] 48. No, no, 49. 50, if you count Zuug, but, you know, I never thought you should—
[Ambassador interrupts him.] All right. Let us say 50.
[Vir again.] 50.
[There’s a wry, sarcastic edge to Ambassador’s voice.] Now. Out of that 50. How many gods do you think I must have offended to have ended up with ---‘s teeth buried so deeply in my throat that I can barely breathe?
[A beat.] All of them?
Sounds right. [Ambassador sounded tired.] And now I have to go back to the Council and explain to them that in the interest of peace the Centauri government will agree to “give” Quadrant 37 to the ---. [He sighed.] I think I will stick my head in the station’s fusion reactor. It would be quicker. And I suspect, after a while, I might even come to enjoy it!
[Vir sounded very unsure.] Ambassador, why—
[Ambassador ignored the attempted interruption.] But this, this. This, this is like being… nibbled to death by, uh… [He makes an annoyed noise.] What are those Earth creatures called? Feathers. Long bill. Webbed feet. Go quack.
[There’s a pause, and then Vir sounded triumphant.] Cats!
Cats. [Ambassador sounded disgusted.] I’m being nibbled to death by cats.
Vir. How many gods are there in our pantheon? I have lost count, since the last emperor was elevated to godhood.
[A much younger male voice answers him. It’s nervous and anxious and sounds a little flustered.] 48. No, no, 49. 50, if you count Zuug, but, you know, I never thought you should—
[Ambassador interrupts him.] All right. Let us say 50.
[Vir again.] 50.
[There’s a wry, sarcastic edge to Ambassador’s voice.] Now. Out of that 50. How many gods do you think I must have offended to have ended up with ---‘s teeth buried so deeply in my throat that I can barely breathe?
[A beat.] All of them?
Sounds right. [Ambassador sounded tired.] And now I have to go back to the Council and explain to them that in the interest of peace the Centauri government will agree to “give” Quadrant 37 to the ---. [He sighed.] I think I will stick my head in the station’s fusion reactor. It would be quicker. And I suspect, after a while, I might even come to enjoy it!
[Vir sounded very unsure.] Ambassador, why—
[Ambassador ignored the attempted interruption.] But this, this. This, this is like being… nibbled to death by, uh… [He makes an annoyed noise.] What are those Earth creatures called? Feathers. Long bill. Webbed feet. Go quack.
[There’s a pause, and then Vir sounded triumphant.] Cats!
Cats. [Ambassador sounded disgusted.] I’m being nibbled to death by cats.