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Bubblegum Crisis
****
The Tempest Chronicles II
****
(c) Robin Smith 1995/6
Bubblegum Crisis is copyright Armtic,
Youmex and Toshimichi Suzuki.
Other copyrights belong to their respective holders.
=========
Chapter 2.11
------------
[Sunday about 5pm]
On arrival in his office Dr Mariner sat back in the leather bound chair
and leant back.
"What a day." he murmured, unintentionally talking aloud.
"That woman always seems to bring in some interesting cases."
He closed his eyes and reclined in his chair; contemplating the case of
the strange young man in room 294. The warmth of the office's heating
made him drowsy when the shrill chirp of the telephone brought him out
of the light nap he had slipped into.
He picked up the receiver and pressed the flashing button.
"Moshi moshi.
Yes, put her through please."
<pause>
"No, he's not conscious yet."
<pause>
"He is showing some signs of coming out of the coma though."
<pause>
"No, just some very loud screams."
Dr Mariner gave a brief rundown on his solution to the patient's habit
of destroying expensive monitoring equipment.
"All right I'll see you at eight-thirty then.
If there are any further developments then I'll page you."
For almost two hours all was quiet. Dr Mariner took Ital's place for an
hour, monitoring the patient and the power supply. When Ital returned
about six o'clock, he went back to his office to write up some of the
case details and the charge sheet for the damaged equipment. He was
grateful the commander had agreed to pay for replacements; it would
mean they'd be able to purchase three new units. This was because there
was currently a small war being waged amongst the medical equipment
manufacturers and prices had dropped considerably.
******
[Sunday around 7pm]
Ital had been monitoring the power supply for two hours and he was
slowly slipping into a light nap. He was just on the point of
succumbing to his body's requirement for sleep, when a small sound
suddenly snapped him back to full consciousness. Although tired, Ital
was now alert and began checking the equipment over when the sound
occurred again. He listened attentively but could hear naught but the
gentle hum emanating from the transformer until he realised the sound
had come from the patient. He leant nearer the patient who was
murmuring something but it wasn't making any sense at this point or
maybe it was in another language. Ital got up, picked up the phone and
dialled Dr Mariner.
"Ah, hello doctor. Sorry to disturb you but the patient's making some
noises now as though he's about to say something.
I'm not sure how long he's been doing it, I'm afraid I almost fell
asleep.
No, he's murmuring something but I can't make any sense of it.
All right see you in a few minutes."
Dr Mariner arrived some five minutes later carrying two steaming mugs
of tea.
"Here, I brought you a drink."
Ital took the mug of tea proffered by Dr Mariner.
"Thank you doctor. Sorry I almost dropped off earlier on, I must be
more tired than I thought."
"Don't worry about it, I think we've all had a long day."
Dr Mariner moved over to the patient's side and stood on the insulating
mats that had been laid around and under the bed.
This meant he could safely touch the patient without being electrocuted
whilst the patient was still connected to the power unit. He took a
light hold of the patient's right wrist and checked his pulse; it was
firm and regular. Still holding onto the patient's wrist he looked at
the eyelids and noted the earlier rapid eye movement had ceased.
The fact the patient was occasionally murmuring something may indicate
he was coming out of the deep sleep or fugue state he was in when
admitted. Just as he noticed a small scar within the patient's left
eyebrow the patient's eyes flicked briefly open before closing again.
Dr Mariner drew back in surprise but stopped when he found his left arm
being gripped tightly by the patient's left hand.
A cold shiver swept down his spine as he now noticed the patient was no
longer strapped down but was lying atop the straps; how on earth had
that happened ?
"What is going on here ?"
The grip grew stronger and Dr Mariner gasped in pain as the patient's
nails dug into his forearm.
The patient's eyes opened again and then he relaxed his grip; Dr
Mariner withdrew his arm from the patient's hand. He looked down at his
forearm and saw four small punctures from whence blood was slowly
weeping.
[I don't know doctor.]
For a split second Dr Mariner thought it was Ital who spoke but then
realised it was the patient who had spoken in English.
The patient pointed to Dr Mariner's forearm.
[I'm truly sorry about that doctor; it wasn't intentional.]
[I've had worse injuries and they'll heal up reasonably quickly.
Now how are you feeling now Mr err ?]
Dr Mariner asked.
[A little tired still and my throat's a bit dry but otherwise okay.
If you haven't been told my name then we had best leave it that way
until someone says otherwise.]
I surmised the doctor hadn't been told much and it was Sylia who had me
brought here; wherever here may be.
So until Sylia put in an appearance or contacted me things would be
best if the doctor remained in the dark over my identity.
Sylia wasn't responding to my telepathic requests; which meant either
she wasn't listening or I had a problem and of the two I currently
favoured the latter.
The doctor introduced himself as Dr Mariner and the other person was
Ital. Dr Mariner explained about the earlier occurrences and his
'unique' solution to whatever I was doing. At this point I must confess
to being as baffled as Dr Mariner but if it was keeping people alive so
be it.
We engaged in small talk about life in MegaTokyo and various other
subjects but carefully side stepping any issues that related to my
identity or job. Dr Mariner was really trying to determine if I was in
a sound state of mind; any normal patient would not have realised it
from the manner in which he moved the conversation around.
There again I was hardly a normal patient and I think he came to
realise this as we talked more; once or twice I answered the questions
before he finished asking them.
[Would you indulge me with a small experiment Doctor ?]
I asked.
[That would depend entirely on what you had in mind.]
He replied.
[Logically with alternating current the muscles should be in
synchronous spasm with the frequency of the current. I'm not aware of
any such action and can freely control my legs and feet.
Would you be prepared to increase the voltage to 40 volts ?]
In any normal circumstance I would have been classed as mad to suggest
such an action. However, given the 'solution' Dr Mariner had
implemented I thought he would probably agree.
Dr Mariner considered my request, looked me carefully in the eye and
spoke slowly and clearly; as if to add extra emphasis.
No, you are a patient in my care and despite my unique solution I won't
condone such an action; the consequences of which would be unknown.
Your analysis of the condition does have some truth in it though.]
[Thank for at least considering it doctor.]
I replied.
Dr Mariner was about to speak again, when he was paged to take a
telephone call.
[That could well be your commander.]
He walked to the wall phone, picked it up and dialled zero.
"Dr Mariner here.
No, I'll take the call in my office.
Thank you."
He turned back to me.
[If you need anything please ask Ital first.
Don't use the call button.]
[Thank you very much.
Am I allowed food and drink ?]
I was feeling a mite peckish and a drink would be nice for my still
somewhat dry throat.
[Yes, there's no medical reasons you can't eat.]
Dr Mariner replied, turned on his heel and walked off down the
corridor.
Waiting until Dr Mariner had had sufficient time to reach his office
and begin talking on the phone I mimed to Ital for drink and something
to eat. This of course served two purposes; I really was hungry
moreover it meant Ital had to leave the room. He didn't quite close the
door fully as he left, but left it slightly ajar; through which I could
see the corridor. It was noteworthy that there was no-one else watching
me; which was rather odd for a medical facility.
Following the cables that were attached to my ankles I found the
transformer under the foot of the bed and the current monitor.
Fortunately both cables came up the same side of the bed so it was easy
to get off the bed and kneel down beside the equipment.
I checked the current monitor and frowned; a 30A current passing
through me ? What the hell ? That should be making my leg muscles spasm
like crazy yet I felt nothing.
Leaning on the edge of the bed I peered past the door and down the
corridor; good no sign of Ital or Dr Mariner. Gingerly I turned up the
output control on the transformer to an indicated 40V; no change.
I advanced the output slowly until I felt the merest tickle in my legs;
then I checked the readings and got a surprise. The voltage showed 65V
and the current had increased to 38A; this meant I was quite happily
absorbing almost 2500VA. Something was wrong; suddenly I was aware of a
burning smell; at first I thought it was me.
Then I realised it was the old transformer protesting at the load now
being drawn from it. Quickly I rotated the control back to it's
original setting and had just sat back on the bed when I saw Ital
approaching.
He was carrying a tray with a jug of orange juice and something under a
polished cover; as he entered the room and saw me sitting upright.
"Well I guess that answers my question."
He muttered.
"Let me see 'How are you feeling now ?'"
Mimicking Dr Mariner's voice as best I could.
Ital almost dropped the tray in surprise.
"You didn't say you could speak Japanese.
Coupled with that's a fairly good impression of the doctor too."
He smiled slightly with the last remark.
"Sorry it's a rather bad habit of mine, mimicking other people.
Dr Mariner addressed me in English so I responded in kind; I'm sorry if
I confused or offended you in any way.
Err, what's the food ?"
I asked indicating the cover.
"Well being unsure of your taste in food I opted for something that
most westerners seem to like."
Ital's voice had a ring of apology to it.
"Fish and chips ?"
I queried.
"No, a McDougals(Tm) and chips." {40}
He said, lifting the cover.
"You know I haven't had one of these for long time now; it'll be
interesting to see if they've changed much in the last twenty years."
With that I cut the burger in half, took careful hold of one half and
took a large bite out of it. As I munched on the burger I noticed Ital
watching me; just like a pet dog sat beside the table hoping for a
morsel to pass its way.
Pausing to drink some of the orange juice, I invited Ital to partake of
the other half of the burger.
"Dig in; there's no way I'll be able to eat all this."
Seems like they'd done away with the quarter pounder years ago.
With 100 grams being too small the size had jumped to 200 grams, which
meant I would have to be seriously hungry to eat a burger that size and
be able to knock off some chips as well. Ital didn't make any attempt
to take the burger but looked nervously towards the door.
"Come on, it's getting cold."
"I'm sorry but the regulations state that we're not supposed to eat
whilst on duty."
He replied somewhat wistfully.
"If anyone wants to argue about that then I'll see to them.
Now eat up before it's stone cold."
After taking a small handful of chips Ital sat in the chair whilst I
remained on the bed, the two of us consuming the food like a pair of
naughty schoolboys having an elicit meal. I had positioned myself such
that I had a good view down the corridor and could see if Dr Mariner
was approaching as Ital didn't seem to trust my claim about sorting
things out.
Ital needn't have worried about his illicit meal as we had both
finished in plenty of time before Dr Mariner returned.
[Where's Ital gone to ?]
Dr Mariner asked as he returned.
"He's just taken the plates away doctor."
I replied after sipping some orange juice.
Dr Mariner looked surprised.
"How long have you been speaking Japanese ?"
"For ..."
I almost said forty years which would have caused a certain amount of
trouble for us both.
"the greater part of my life I think, why ?"
"Then why did you talk to me in English earlier ?"
Asked Dr Mariner.
"Well English is my native language and I had assumed you were
practising your English. My compliments on your pronunciation doctor,
your English is excellent."
"I can say the same of your command of Japanese.
How are you now ?"
"No problems doctor, in fact I'm feeling a whole lot better."
Dr Mariner seemed somewhat sceptical of my claim, but I wasn't joking
about my condition. Now that I'd stopped to consider what befell me it
was blindingly obvious. Those tests of Sylia's and all the other
charging about had burnt off quite a lot of energy.
During my youth I had always seemed to burn up energy at a high rate;
probably the main reason I had always remained slim no matter what I
ate. I reasoned that I had simply been hungry and thus worn myself down
to a standstill. The last meal I had was breakfast at Sylia's this
morning; Saturday night's meal had not stayed down and that stuff I had
at Sylia's only meant I wasn't ravenous at breakfast the following
morning.
It was obviously something I was going to have to take great care of in
the future; my metabolic rate had clearly speeded up. Logical really
when now that I bothered to think about it; I was able to move
incredibly quickly and had not stopped to consider the consequences. At
this point one of my old habits took over and I slapped my forehead
with the heel of my hand.
Dr Mariner looked at me incredulously.
"What is the matter, anything wrong ?"
"Forgive me doctor.
I've just realised what was wrong with me."
"Perhaps you might care to enlighten me. I've been puzzling over your
condition for some time and I'm no closer to a complete answer."
He replied.
Being careful to adjust my tale so as to not give any clues about my
true identity; I told Dr Mariner about the strenuous activities I had
been through and how I'd always remained slim no matter what I ate.
Dr Mariner contemplated this information for a while and replied.
"That would correlate with what I'd found. Initially I thought it was
because your commander said you'd been in some sort of beam or chemical
spray before you collapsed. Can you comment on that ?"
Damn !
What had Sylia told him and how to convince him that the beam had
nothing to do with my condition ?
"Two things I can say doctor without breaching security.
One, she's not my commander; if anything I outrank her.
Two, the beam was a new security scanner that was designed to check for
hidden weapons. I was carrying a substantial number of those and so the
beam was scanning me longer than normal.
Incidentally, this information is not for public consumption.
If you'll let me call the 'commander' I'm sure she'll verify these
facts; she may have been reticent to reveal them without authority."
I looked him in the eyes and stated this with just a slight edge in my
voice to indicate my displeasure with the commander's actions. Dr
Mariner wasn't to know of course that none of it was directed at Sylia.
"We'll be able to find out shortly; she's scheduled to be here at
around eight-thirty. One thing does intrigue me though; how are you
able to withstand and presumably absorb the electricity that's being
pumped into you."
Dr Mariner asked with a look of puzzlement, his left hand manipulating
something in his coat pocket.
"Sorry doctor I'm not allowed to reveal that without clearance from one
of my superiors. The commander is under a similar restraining order."
Dr Mariner inwardly sighed in resignation.
"I had a strange feeling you would say something like that.
The commander has always been careful to stress the security aspects
whenever she's brought someone in for treatment."
He paused and sniffed the air.
"Can you smell something ? ....
Burning !"
******
[Sunday around 8pm]
The building betrayed no signs of life; externally it was cold and
quiet. Mirrored glass reflecting the light from the street lights
below; their harsh glare illuminating the feminine forms behind the
plate glass dress window displays. The only sounds pervading the night
air was the odd passing vehicle and the overhead beat of the ADP patrol
helicopters.
However this outward calm belied the building's secondary purpose, for
it also served as the head quarters of the Knight Sabers.
Behind the drawn blinds, the occupants of the sixth floor were each
killing time in their own way. Priss lay sprawled across the sofa,
lightly dozing; though she would deny it if asked. Linna was currently
performing various exercises by making use of the sofa's framed back as
a makeshift dancer's bar. Nene and Sylia were in the computer room
discussing the finer points of Nene's hacking through Genom's
databases; occasionally a mischievous chuckle escaped the half closed
door.
There were several partly empty cups on the small table in front of the
sofa; the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted out of the kitchen,
masking the odour of stale cigarettes coming from Sylia's ashtray.
On the dinner table was a laptop computer with some form of radio
receiver plugged into one it's ports; figures dancing across the
radio's digital display. Seated at the table, Mackie was making
sketches of what initially looked like motorcycles; though if closely
inspected it would be apparent this was not their only purpose. He was
idly gazing upward, as if seeking inspiration when the computer beeped
and a warning message flashed on the screen.
Several had preceded it and so far they had all been false alarms; he
glanced at the screen and checked the signature code before sending a
response code back; it would take a moment before the counter code was
returned.
Mackie was happy that he hadn't automated the response sequence; the
bleeps served to break up the monotony of waiting for news of Tempest.
Since his enhancement had begun to fully function Mackie was finding
that finding things to occupy his attention was harder. The simple
things that used to amuse him now seemed somehow belittling and boring.
The holographic memory was an annoyance at times; there were things one
wanted to forget. Unfortunately he no longer had that option, but he
did like the his new found ability to think ahead and more quickly
though; that was a positive bonus.
His natural gift for mechanical things and his ideas about a new engine
could now be realised in the best motorcycle in MegaTokyo. A sudden
vision put a damper on his thoughts; Priss would undoubtedly want to
ride it and he winced at the memory of his 'Highway Star' project.
Would Sylia now let him help more with the hardsuits and motoroids now
he wondered ? Mackie had always been interested in pushing the design
envelopes further, but Sylia had always pointed out that he couldn't
grasp the overall picture. Well that was true in the past, but now ....
He glanced again at the clock on the wall and exhaled slowly in
frustration; the second hand had only advanced twice.
Was this what life would be like with an enhanced mind ?
Always a waiting for something to happen ?
Sylia had at least had her desire to revenge the death of their father
to occupy and drive her on. He shook his head as if dispel the
forbidding vision.
What had Tempest said ?
"..... if you have opportunity follow your emotion. That goes for you
too Mackie."
He contemplated the rest of what had been said and caught Tempest's
nuance; do not to let go of what nature had created, man as a race was
intended to have emotions to help maintain a balance. Mackie reflected
that there was a glint in Tempest's eyes whenever he was joking; even
if something serious was happening. There was a French saying that
described it perfectly "Joie de vivre" {41}; he'd read it in a book
without fully understanding the true meaning; that is until now.
The noise from the computer interrupted Mackie's introspection; it's
chime signified the correct counter code had been returned. He dropped
his pencil onto the pad, swung around, rising from the chair and headed
for the computer room whence he had last seen Sylia and Nene.
Barefooted, he padded across the floor; the chill of the tiles by the
lift was a sharp contrast to the gentle warmth of the carpet and rugs
throughout the rest of Sylia's penthouse. Passing by the sofa he
noticed Priss surreptitiously observing his movement through a half
closed eye. Linna was nowhere in sight, however on hearing the sound of
running water, he surmised she was in the bathroom.
******
"Now you come to mention it ...."
We looked at each other and then under the bed. Sure enough the old
transformer was smoking slightly. Dr Mariner looked at the current
monitor; it was reading over 50A ! He was about to turn it off when it
began sparking heavily; he leapt away and off the bed.
"Leave it to me doctor, I'm already connected if you see what I mean."
My right hand reached for the control and almost switched it off.
Just as I touched it something shorted out and I got a very strong
shock. Glancing down I just managed to read the meters before they too
shorted out; 130A and 40V. Now wonder my legs began to twitch; that
equated to a power output of 5200VA !
Lunging for the mains cable I missed and instead grabbed hold of one of
the output binding posts. The sparks really began to fly as the old
transformer was put under a strain for which had never been designed.
Ital, who had by now returned managed hit the kill switch; just after
the transformer shorted out completely; throwing sparks and bits of
smoking insulation across the floor; rather like an oversized
firecracker. His hand hovering over the fire alarm panel.
"I don't think there's any need to hit the alarm, although it might be
a sound idea to have an extinguisher ready."
Dr Mariner addressed Ital.
Dr Mariner then turned to face me; his expression betraying the worry
that he was feeling; hesitantly he reached out for me.
Leaving go of the transformer's singed remains, I said.
"Please don't touch me doctor, I'm not sure what sort of shock you may
get if you do."
"You're all right then ?"
Dr Mariner and Ital chorused as one.
"Well it was an interesting experience; but I don't recommend it as
general treatment for speedy recovery.
It was rather a shocking form of treatment."
Ital and Dr Mariner looked at me with a degree of puzzlement; clearly
the bad pun was lost in translation somewhere.
Eyeing the transformer's blackened terminal board, I was unable to read
the markings that were once printed under each terminal post.
"By the way, what was output from the terminal in the bottom right hand
corner ?"
I queried, removing the cables from around my ankles.
"I've no idea.
Do you know ?"
Dr Mariner replied looking to Ital.
"That one would be ..."
He stopped and I suppose he mentally ticked off the values before
continuing.
"I think it was the input voltage times five and was not variable with
the control; so that would make it 1250V."
Rising from the prone position on the insulating mats my hand came
close to metal frame of the bed; there was a bright flash and loud
crack as a large spark arced across the gap.
"Flipping heck.
Damn it !"
Being careful not to get too close I examined the point on the bed
frame where the spark had earthed; the paint had burned away and the
metal underneath had been hollowed into a pit about three millimetres
across. Looking at the depth of the pit and thickness of the frame the
spark had almost eroded the frame all the way through.
"Would you mind putting one of the mats on the bed please, but don't
come close to me; you may get a very nasty shock."
Ital looking somewhat puzzled by my request did as I asked and
carefully placed a mat on the bed. When he was clear I nimbly leapt
onto it and sat cross legged.
"Why the need for the mat ?"
Ital asked, having been on the opposite side of the bed when the spark
arced across.
"I think I can demonstrate for you. Put another mat at the end of bed
and lean that tray against the bed frame, then please stand back."
The aluminium tray that Ital had used to carry my meal on wasn't very
thick and was expendable.
Dr Mariner watched silently. I think he knew what was about to happen
for he stepped to one side instead of facing the end of the bed.
Kneeling carefully so as not to overbalance I extended my right arm
with my fingers and thumb clenched. With the heel of my hand foremost I
slowly extended my arm. When it was about twenty centimetres away from
the surface of the tray a large arc leapt from my hand; accompanying it
was another loud crack. I was rather satisfied with the result; a hole
about the size of a fist.
The smell of ozone pervaded the air with a tinge of vaporised
aluminium, closely followed by the stench of burnt rubber and plastic
as the hot globules of metal melted their way into the mat's surface.
"Does that answer your question about the need for the mat ?"
Ital looked at the hole burned through the tray in amazement.
"Ye ... yes I think that's perfectly clear now."
He continued to look at the hole; almost as though he was hypnotised by
its symmetry. The hole was after all almost perfectly round.
Dr Mariner who had been silent throughout this demonstration voiced his
thoughts.
"Does that hurt ?"
"No I just get minor tingle."
I looked at the heel of my hand; there was a faint red mark from whence
the spark had emanated but I was confident it would disappear shortly.
Holding out my hand with my palm uppermost; I angled it so Dr Mariner
had a clear view.
"See for yourself doctor, though I wouldn't get too close."
"Don't worry, I have no desire to be on the receiving end of one of
those blasts. Also I think it would be prudent for your to wear some
form of insulating garments. It could be exceptionally dangerous if not
fatal for someone to receive one of those shocks.
Do you agree ?"
The doctor was clearly worried about me harming someone; he was not
alone in that thought; I too was deeply concerned, not that I was going
to let the doctor know that.
"The last thing I want to do is to kill someone, so some form of
insulation would be an exceptionally good idea.
Do you have anything suitable ?"
Ital answered my question.
"We have surgical gloves, which if two three pairs were worn should
provide sufficient insulation for your hands. Footwear could be solved
by lining a pair of surgical boots with some plastic bags; not very
comfortable, but a workable solution. Though I can't think of anything
that would be suitable to cover the rest of you."
"Any further thoughts doctor ?"
I prompted.
Dr Mariner had also detected what I had; Ital was very worried about
what I had just demonstrated.
"Mmm ?
No, I think that's the main points.
Would you fetch the relevant items please ?"
"Certainly doctor."
Again there was a slight quiver in his voice.
He beat a hasty retreat down the corridor.
After Ital had left the doctor motioned for me to sit at head of the
bed whilst he sat upon the mat at the foot. He took one further look at
the tray and placed it on the floor; shaking his head slightly.
I think this was more so in amazement than any other reason; then he
looked me straight in the eye and calmly asked.
"Have you done this before ?"
Dr Mariner asked.
A carefully phrased answer was required here for I felt sure that a
straight forward 'no' would result in a delayed release for me.
"I was unable to correctly direct it before doctor."
This was of course perfectly true; the fact I'd never been able to
project an electrical charge before was just a minor technicality,
however I had an instinctive feeling when doing it.
The telephone rang temporarily halting further discussion.
"Who ?
No, put her through; I'll take it here.
Thank you."
There was a pause in the one sided conversation as the call was put
through.
"Dr Mariner here.
Yes, he's fully conscious now.
No, he can't come to the phone at the moment.
Can I speak freely ?
Oh I see, not on a standard telephone line.
All right.
Could you bring an insulating garment with you ?
Sorry no, I meant electrically insulating, full body if possible.
Very well, see you at nine o'clock.
Thank you for calling, goodbye."
He hung up but didn't replace the receiver; instead he dialled zero.
"Hitomi ?
Can you have some refreshments ready in room 294 about ten to nine
please ?
Oh sorry, enough for six please.
Thank you."
After replacing the receiver, he pulled up a chair and sat down.
"That was the commander. She'll be arriving around nine o'clock; my
request for the insulating garment means she's going to have to make a
special pickup."
"It was just a bit obvious as to the identity of the caller, doctor.
How many other people would have remonstrated with you about the
security of a telephone line ?"
"You heard what she was saying ?"
A small chuckle preceded my answer.
"Sorry doctor that's not within my capabilities, but I'm quite capable
of making logical deductions.
Also, who else would you have asked to bring an electrical insulating
garment ?"
"Then ..."
His voice tailed off as he realised that what he was about to ask what
would have been a foolish question. Mentally he cursed himself;
'Fool the patient, is bound to know the commander's likely reaction.'
******
<End of Part 2.11>
TO BE CONTINUED ....
=======================================================================
Footnotes:
{40} McDougals - Name changed to protect the guilty, but I'm sure you
know whom I mean. ^_^ :) :)
{41} "Joie de vivre" - literally "joy of life", somehow it means more
to me in French; go figure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Robin Smith 1995/96 Tempest@ktsabers.demon.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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-- Mink/Tempest aka Robin Smith Author: "BGC : The Tempest Chronicles"
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/2302 Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
"I was committed once, but the fools let me out for good behaviour !"
IRC : Mink or Tempest- [ but "Mink" most of the time ^_^ ]