6. the sister worries.

[cygnettes]

[Immediately after this.]

[Private to Rick]

You're late!

[/private]

[To everyone else who isn't him.]

Those of you who know Rick Jones: have you heard anything from him saying he's gotten back yet? Or about an extension of his stay, maybe? If he was going to be gone longer, someone out there ought to know about it. I just felt like checking

Comments

[fathergander]

He seems to be taking the liberty of granting himself an extended vacation.

Without departmental approval, I might add. He didn't even bother arranging for a substitute lecturer. That's just outright unprofessional.

[cygnettes]

I'm sorry we woke you up.

[fathergander]

[an odd little scribble, which might be interpreted as a written variation on a 'harumph']

[cygnettes]

JACOB ANSER, LOOK AT YOUR COMPENDIUM RIGHT NOW

Appearing a little while after the entry is posted.

[agoldenchain]

[cygnettes]

RICHARD?

[cygnettes]

[A few minutes later; waiting for a response.]

hello, hello, please, are you okay? I hate it when these horrible little hunches are right, so

please.

[cygnettes]

[Again. Still waiting.]

Rick.

[hatesbears]

IF HE'S DEAD, DO I STILL HAVE TO HAND IN MY PAPER?

[tookeen]

I hope no SHUT UP THIS IS NOT THE TIME SLUT

[hatesbears]

Go panic in someone else's face.

[tookeen]

BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO BUSY WITH A COCK IN YOUR MOUTH

DIE

[magicbeaned]

Crap, I hope Rick's not in trouble.

Listen, if he doesn't turn up by the time I'm back in town in a couple of days, give me his cell phone number. If it's on, I can possibly try to track him. It's iffy, it depends on the phone he has. And again, if it's on. But I can try it.

Thought about calling the cops yet?

[cygnettes]

That's wonderful of you, Belinda. Thank you.

I just didn't know if it was my [...] place to call them, but he was supposed to contact me, and he doesn't have any family here or anything and there's just Anser at the university so maybe I could make the call tomorrow. If he got lost over there, though, would they really be able to do anything?

[whynded]

I hope he's alright! You should probably call the police after tomorrow. They usually say wait 48 hours before filing a missing person's report.

[cygnettes]

[Unsteady handwriting.]

This'll be okay. I'm good at waiting. He'll be back. There are police officers in taledom, too, right? They can help. Right?

[whynded]

Of course, dear! If you need anything, let me know, alright?

[cygnettes]

I'll see how things go and just, um, don't be surprised if I call you.