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A high school students discovers a magical grimoire in a used book store. |
| "My dad already has a job lined up for me," you tell Blackwell. And there is a position at his company that he is trying to get you to apply for, and which you've been resisting. So, you're not technically lying ... Blackwell smiles tightly. "Of course," he says. "And fathers can be very insistent, can't they? Now, about your payment." He presses five twenties into your hand. "I could get you the other four hundred now, but I am also late for a faculty meeting. If you will let me, I'd like to ask you to stop by my house this evening, any time after six, to pick up the rest of what I owe you. In such a case, I will give you a fifty-dollar bonus." You don't like him, but for something close to the retail price of an Xbox game on launch day you're willing to set up a subsequent meeting. "Excellent," Blackwell says "Here is my card." He sets it on the book, which you are still holding, and writes on its back. "This is my cell phone and my private email address." The card itself reads "Aubrey Blackwell, Professor of Archaeology, Keyserling School of Mining and Technology." He circles the name "Blackwell" and scribbles an ornate symbol beside it. Must be his trademark. He beams in his odious way, thanks you again, and departs after giving you another clammy handshake. You're left with the card, and it takes you several dazed seconds to register that he has walked off with the book under his arm. You glance over at Ted Arnholm. He rolls his eyes. "Butterfingers," he mutters. * To keep the appointment with Blackwell: "The Magician's House"  * To track Blackwell down at the university: "The House on the Edge of Oblivion" How the Poll Works Any WdC member can vote in the poll below for their preferred choice. To give your vote more weight, click on one of the links above, and send me GPs through the tip form at the bottom of the chapter. In the final vote tally, each vote in this poll will be worth 1/5 the average of the GPs contributed through the links above. GPs voted for losing choices will be refunded in full to those who voted. GPs voted for the winning choice will be divided among those who voted for losing choices, in proportion to their share of GPs voted for losing choices. In other words, if you vote GPs for a losing choice, you will get your GPs back and may even collect a dividend proportional to the size of your GP vote. If you vote for the winning choice, your GPs will count as a kind of commission payment for seeing that storyline continued. This poll will close on Saturday, March 15, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. A new poll will be posted at that time. |
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