Paradigm City - Fan Fiction - Beneath The Surface

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Beneath The Surface

Part 6

"Where’s Norman?" Roger found Dorothy in the kitchen stirring something in a huge pot on the stove.

"He has gone to the market," she replied. "You are very dirty, Roger Smith."

He looked down at his clothing in surprise. "So I am."

"You will find a clean suit hanging on the bathroom door," she told him. "Are you planning to go down to the dig tomorrow?"

"Probably," he answered. "What are you cooking, Dorothy?" He peered into the pot curiously. "Ugh!"

"It’s not dinner," she informed him calmly, stirring the pitch-black water.

"What is it, then? Are you trying to clean engine parts? Isn’t that bad for them?" he said doubtfully.

"It is a dye bath," she answered. "Your rule is that everyone in the household must dress in black."

"Dye? Why don’t you just buy black clothing in the first place?" he frowned.

"Some articles of clothing aren’t made in black," she said. "Work clothes are made only in beige and navy blue."

"Work clothes?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Perhaps it had not occurred to you, Roger Smith, that every time you go to the dig, you come back covered in dust and dirt," she said. "This is very hard on your suits, and makes extra work for Norman. He has enough to do already."

"Why didn’t you just go to my tailor? I’m sure he can make something up," Roger said.

"It will take at least two weeks to have them specially made. We need them now," she stated. She turned off the heat and picked up the pot and brought it to the sink.

Roger looked down at his suit, a little abashed. He had taken it for granted that his clothes would be clean, pressed and ready. The extra work involved hadn’t occurred to him--after all, didn’t he pay Norman to take care of those things? Still, it was thoughtful of her to think of...wait a minute. R. Dorothy Wayneright? Thoughtful? Something was definitely strange here. Perhaps the butler had said something to her about it? "Is Norman upset with me?" he said out loud.

"Not that I know of," she answered, donning a pair of rubber gloves. She carefully poured the dye water down the drain and started rinsing the clothes.

"Was he annoyed that this new job of mine was giving him too much work?" he queried.

"If he was, he didn’t say anything to me," she replied. "He never complains no matter what you do, Roger Smith. You should know that by now. I am the one bringing the matter to your attention." She turned the clothing this way and that, watching the color of the rinse water. "You have not been aware of many things recently."

He had too much on his mind to stand there and be scolded like an unruly child. Perhaps the best defense was a good offense. "I’ll endeavor to be more aware in the future," he said. "Perhaps you can help Norman out a bit more."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you implying that I don’t help Norman enough, Roger Smith?" Her tone was as patient as always, but that look meant trouble.

"No, no, not at all. I know you are a huge help to him," he quickly turned on the Mr. Negotiator charm full blast to try to avoid further deterioration of the conversation. "All I’m saying is that if you notice that there is extra work, you might see if you can do some of it so that Norman isn’t unduly burdened."

"That is exactly what I am doing," she said. "It is more efficient to take measures to reduce the amount of work that needs to be done, so I would appreciate it if you would wear these clothes when you go to the dig in the future. I am picking up a pair of work boots from the cobbler later this afternoon, and I will leave a bed sheet in the Griffon for you to put over the seat when you leave. That will save Norman and I from having to clean it every day, and it will preserve the leather from abrasion."

Roger opened his mouth and closed it again. "I will do that, Dorothy. Thank you for letting me know," he said finally. "When Norman returns, would you tell him I would like to speak to him?"

"I will do that," she said. Had Roger looked back as he made his hasty retreat, he would have been astonished to see Dorothy was trying unsuccessfully to hide a small smirk.

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