Log:Lorelei and Evangeline encounter a Mystery

2009/11/23 	 David Evangeline Gloria Lorelei Quentin 1

Lorelei rings her dad's doorbell - she doesn't live here any more, after all - and waits for the reply. She looks as covered up against the sunlight as is Eva - so as not to recognised, of course. "I'm so glad dad's getting involved in this too - if nothing else it means I get to see him! That's not always so easy."

Eva arrives by coincidence at the same time as Lorelei, and looks at her with a smile, "Oh. Hello again. I saw the name but I didn't make the connection. Dr Dallimore is your father?"

Lorelei says, "Yes, that's right - hello again!" She adds in a lower voice, "Oh, I wouldn't mention you're a vampiress to him, at least not today. He'd probably get distracted and want to work out how your biochemistry works. But don't worry, he's really nice, just sometimes kind of obsessed with he work.""

Quentin answers the door with smile. "Ah, hello girls!" He's in a cheerful mood and looks to be ready to start baking. He's got on an apron that declares 'Chemistry Rules!', probably a holiday present that Stephie got for him years ago, and he's worn proudly since.

Eva nods, "I wasn't intending to mention it but thank you for the advice. So what kind of cooking facilities does your father have? I hope he's not too modern in the kitchen. I'm still getting used to not having to heat a cooking range with a wood fire."

Lorelei grins. "You just like to get a chance to do chemistry with food for a change, I know you. Unfortunately people will have to put up with my cooking too. Like the people of Harrisburg haven't suffered enough."

[To Eva] Lorelei says, "You must have real skill if you know how to cooking without all these modern conveniences."

[To Lorelei] Eva says, "I was only ever a helper in the Nunnery kitchen. So I know all about peeling and washing and I can just about boil water."

"Come in, come in." Quentin says. He leans forward to kiss Stephie on the cheek, holding his hands out at his sides -- his hands look to be dusted with flour. "Hello, Stephie... And you must be Eva. Welcome."

Eva waits to be invited before following Lorelei over the threshold of the door. "Thank you, Sir." She smiles, with lips closed, at Quentin.

Lorelei steps toward the grand piano as Quentin wecomes Eva, and idly wonders if he's practiced that other seldom-seen talent of his.

Lorelei thinks. o O (I hope dad's not been all work since I left home. He's probably lonelier with it than I am....)

Eva shucks her rather oversized parka and looks for a place to hang it up.

Lorelei has shrugged off her coat too. "Oh, I'll hang that up, Eva."

Eva says, "Thank you."

"It's true -- I like to work on chemistry in the kitchen." Quentin says. "Besides, the ingredients are much tastier than my usual fair." He leads the way towards the kitchen. "I have a couple of aprons that you can use, after you two wash up." He nods his head to a set of aprons on hooks in the hall.

Lorelei goes to wash up. "You can't play about with explosions so much in the kitchen though. At least, it's not a good idea in your own house."

The piano seems to be in decent use. The keyboard cover is closed, but it's not gaathering dust, and there's some sheet music there.

Eva nods, "Thank you." she says taking note of the apron, and then follows Lorelei to wash her hands, rolling long sleeves up and pinning them with safety pins.

Lorelei says, "How are you settling in, Eva? To life in Colonial Bay, I mean?"

Quentin says to Stephie: "I found this recipe online for cranberry muffins, with nutmeg -- I think it will be great." He's got a binder of plastic-protected pages open on the table, with the recipe on display.

Eva smiles unreservedly, "It's wonderful. The people at the church are so understanding. And life here is full of marvels. Look at these pins. See how there are little shields over the ends so I can use them and not get pricked. Amazing. So simple but wonderful."

[To Quentin] Lorelei says, "But is it simple enough for me to follow?"

Eva lowers her voice to whisper to Lorelei, "I hope there nothing that needs garlic." and grins cheerfully.

Lorelei puts on the apron.

Eva does likewise with the other apron.

Lorelei grins in response to Eva.

Quentin nods to Lorelei. "We'll all make them together." He casts a curious glance at Eva for a moment then back to Lorelei, wondering if Eva's one of his daughter's special friends. "I'm glad that you've come to help us out, Eva. Plus, I think you'll find that work like this... it's a good way to meet people."

Eva tells Quentin, "I'm glad to help, Sir. But meeting people will be good. I'm newly arrived in this city and haven't met that many people yet."

The doorbell rings.

Lorelei says, "I'll get it."

Lorelei goes to answer the door.

Eva asks Quentin, "Should I start by washing the cranberries?"

Quentin calls after Lorelei, "It's probably Gloria Mizener..." He responds to Eva. "Yes, and you can place the clean ones in that bowl there. So, Eva, where are you from?"

Eva starts on the cranberries. A couple of the washed berries get popped into her mouth, leaving a red stain around her lips, "I was born in Italy, Northern Italy. A village called Volcoa."

Lorelei opens the door.

An Asian woman in her thirties stands outside the door, waiting on the door step. She stands only about 5' 2" tall, with dark hair and glasses. She's cute, in a mousy, bookish way.

Lorelei says, "Hello - here for the baking?"

"Hello!" The woman says cheerfully. She falls quiet as her brain tries to process Lorelei's appearance. "Oh.... My..." she says, caught off-guard.

Lorelei grins. "Come in. I'm Stephie. Or Lorelei if you prefer."

Eva pops her head out of the kitchen door, "Lorelei," she says, a slight red stain visible around her lips, "While you're by the door could you grab a packet of tissues from out of my parka pocket?"

"Italy," Quentin says, thinking back to something. "It's been a while since I've been there, for a conference about ten years ago. Stephie do you remember that trip?" To Eva, he comments, "I'm not sure if she remembers that one..."

Lorelei blinks. "Um, ok..." She's oddly quick about fetching the tissues.

Eva takes the tissues and wipes her lips, "I stole a couple of the cranberries. Delicious."

Lorelei says, "Yes... must have been eleven years now."

"Gloria," the woman at the door says. She comes inside and begins to shrug off her coat. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so... so... I mean Quentin's told me about you." She pauses, still trying to recover. "It's just different, seeing you in person," she offers in an apologetic tone.

Lorelei smiles. "I understand. Anyway, seeing anyone out of context is strange. Do you know Dad well?"

Lorelei takes Gloria's coat.

Gloria thinks about it for a moment. "Yes... Quentin and my husband are colleagues at the University. We're new in town, and he's been great about helping us to get settled."

Lorelei says, "Oh - where are you from?"

Quentin says aside to Eva. "Delicious, yeah? There's a farmers market close to the Student District where you can get good fresh produce. And at a good price, too."

Eva nods to Quentin, "Which day of the week? I'll have to visit it."

"From Vancouver," Gloria says. "Colonial Bay seems to have a lot to offer, but I think I may miss the winters back there, though."

Lorelei says, "Well, we do get snow here in winter. We seem to pattern more with places south of us in summer and north of us in winter, weatherwise."

Eva continues with the fruit washing.

Lorelei says, "Anyway, come in... you can wash your hands there - I should get back to the kitchen!"

Quentin tells Eva, "Saturday mornings. Let me know if you're planning on going -- chances are, I'll be headed there too." He calls over to Gloria. "Hello, Gloria! We're just getting started! I take it that David won't be able to make it..."

Eva nods to Gloria, taking care to keep her lips closed.

Gloria nods her thanks to Lorelei and begins to wash her hands. "Hello, Quentin..." She sighs, and she offers the following with a slightly pained expression. "David won't be able to make it. You know how he is with his work... He sends his regards, though."

Lorelei says, "What field's he in? Biochemistry too?"

"Yes." Quentin says at almost the same time Gloria says the same. They look at one another for a moment before Quentin breaks into a smile and Gloria laughs softly.

Eva turns from the sink, "Gloria, I'm Eva." she introduces herself.

[To Quentin] Lorelei says, "Ok, so - what can I do to help?"

Gloria says to Eva: "Pleased to meet you."

Quentin says to Lorelei: "Steph -- you and I are going to work on making the muffin batter. Gloria, I've got an apron for you -- you can help Eva with the cranberries."

Eva moves over to the side to make room for Gloria at the sink, "We have the best job. Freshly washed cranberries at hand. Most of them are making it to the fruit bowl."

Lorelei moves to help her father, glancing at the recipe.

Gloria takes this as an invitation to sample a berry or two.

Quentin looks over at Gloria for a moment, his smile fading, replaced with concern. He takes a breath and returns to the task at hand, "So Stephie, what are our ingredients?"

Lorelei reads the list out, with the slightest of frowns after seeing her father's face.

"Mm. Delicious," Gloria comments.

Eva nods, "Yes. They are, are they not."

Gloria asks Eva, "So Eva, how do you know Dr. Dallimore."

[To Quentin] Lorelei says, "So, do you know yet if you'll be able to make the premiere?"

Eva says, "Actually until today I had never met Dr Dallimore. My father is the new Rector at St Augustine's and when Dr Dallimore's project came to the church's notice I volunteered to assist."

"I wouldn't miss it, hun," Quentin says, giving Lorelei a paternal smooch on the cheek.

"That's good of you," Gloria says to Eva. "I wasn't involved much in community service when I was your age."

Eva stays quiet, managing not to laugh.

Lorelei grins. "I've enjoyed working on this one most of the three by far. I really hope it works as a whole...."

Lorelei says, "You know, I think this is the first time I've been involved with baking since that disaster with the salt...."

Gloria's PDA rings. She towels off her hands and answers it. She cups her hand over the receiver and mumbles a quick 'Excuse me'. She steps into another room to talk.

"Like I've mentioned before," Quentin says for Lorelei's benefit. "Some of the best inventions in cooking were a result of accidents. In chemistry too."

Lorelei explains to Eva, "My mind must have been somwhere else when I was making the cake and I used salt instead of sugar. Pity, because otherwise it was probably the best cake I ever made - the texture was wonderful!"

[To Quentin] Lorelei says, "And that's wasn't one of the best inventions in cooking."

Quentin smiles. "No, but... the texture was wonderful..." he offers.

Eva laughs softly, "Sugar was so rare and expensive we always took extra care if we used it at the Nunnery."

Lorelei says, "I can imagine."

One side of Gloria's conversation can be heard by the people in the kitchen. "Oh, Hello, Sheldon..." "Oh, David, he's at the lab today..." "What...?" "No... he should be there... Maybe he's just stepped out..." "I'm sure that must be the case..." "Yes..." "Yes... I'll try him."

Quentin works with Lorelei on making the batter. Occassionally his attention shifts in the direction of the other room.

Eva tries not to listen to the conversation as privacy is only polite.

[To Quentin] Lorelei says, "You seemed a bit worried about Gloria before?"

Quentin frowns and says quietly, "David and Gloria haven't been getting on that well. He's been burying himself in his work of late... And she really doesn't have many friends here in the city.."

Lorelei nods. "What's he working on? Or is it so technical I'll regret the question?"

"His field is anthropological biochemistry," Quentin says, "Though to be honest, I'm not quite sure what he's working on exactly -- he's been very.. protective of his research. He..."

Quentin quickly shifts his conversation as Gloria returns to the room. "He... Hand me those eggs, will you, Steph?"

Lorelei nods and passes the eggs.

Gloria returns to the kitchen. "Sorry about that. Now where were we...?" She manages a brief smile, but clearly seems preoccupied with something.

Lorelei doesn't ask, if Gloria doesn't want to discuss it. "We really must talk about plans for Christmas soon!" she says to her father. "It's creeping up on us."

Eva takes hold of Gloria's hand in her two if Gloria doesn't resist and speaks quietly and with sympathy, "You are troubled. Let us go into the other room and discuss what is troubling you.

Gloria nods, willing to follow Eva into another part of the house.

Lorelei watches Eva go.

Lorelei thinks. o O (No, I'm not good with people. Not really.)

After Eva and Gloria have left the room, Quentin shakes his head. "David's been very erratic lately. I've had to cover teaching some of his classes."

Eva leads Gloria into the adjoining room, closing the door.. and guides her into a comfortable chair, "I am the daughter of a clergyman, Gloria. I have heard many things, and am older in experience than my apparent years. If you can share with me your troubles I will do what I can to help resolve them."

Lorelei says, "Do you think he's ok? Is it just he's tied up in his work, or is it something more?"

"I think... I think that..." Gloria starts. "I think that David... may be cheating...." Tears begins to well in her eyes before she lowers her face into her hands. "God, I can't believe that I'm telling you this..."

Quentin shakes his head. "I don't know. I've tried to get him to open up to me, but I don't know how to get through..."

Lorelei nods.

Eva offers Gloria a hug, "Why do you fear that, Gloria?"

Lorelei thinks. o O (I could probably find out. But I'm not sure Gloria would thank me for the effort.)

Quentin admits, "I'm not sure what to do." He looks to Lorelei, seeming open for a suggestion.

Lorelei says, "Well... I could talk to him. If you think it would help."

Gloria cries into Eva's shoulder. "He told me that he would be at the lab today, but his assistant just called me to say that he hasn't shown up..."

Quentin looks to Lorelei. "I don't know... what would you say? Do you think it would help?"

Eva frowns slightly, "Is the lab assistant a man or a woman?" she asks intently.

Lorelei says, "I'm not sure. But usually I don't have trouble getting people to talk to me. At least I might be able to find out what's up."

Lorelei thinks. o O (And that worked *so* well with the Danzingers.)

"Sheldon? No, it's not him," Gloria says. Her face blanches, "Unless... You don't think...?"

Eva shakes her head reassuringly, "No. Sheldon phoned you to ask about David. If your husband was cheating, he would have arranged with Sheldon to cover his absence should you try to contact him at the lab. It's likely to be something silly and inconsequental which has diverted him." She hands Gloria the packet of tissues, "Rest here for now."

Gloria shakes her head, dismissing her previous concern. "I'm starting to go crazy with all of this -- not knowing..." She accepts the tissues from Eva.

Eva returns to Quentin and Lorelei, "Her husband is missing from his place of work without a good explanation. Dr Dallimore, has David been acting stressed or distracted of late?"

Lorelei nods. "Missing? For how long?"

Quentin volunteers, "I saw him around this week. I think she said that David was supposed to be at the lab today."

Lorelei says, "If he's been acting oddly, maybe we should look into it."

Eva says, "He must have left for work at the usual time, or Gloria would have mentioned that discrepancy. He did not arrive at the lab. So from this morning, between leaving his home and the normal time for starting work."

Lorelei nods.

Eva looks to Lorelei, "I would agree. However this is still a strange city to me, in a strange and different world. Will you take the lead in the search?"

Lorelei thinks. o O (It may be nothing... but after my last mess-up I'd sooner err on the side of caution.)

Quentin says, "Distracted, maybe... more like obsessed... with his work." He shrugs and adds sheepishly, "But I can't say that I haven't done the same myself."

Lorelei says, "I'll help, of course. If you can spare us, Dad."

Eva says, "If this were from being obsessed with his work, Dr Dallimore, would he not be at the lab?"

Lorelei says to Eva quietly, "I don't suppose you can follow people by smell?"

Eva chuckles, "I'm a vampire, not a bloodhound."

"Yeah, I'd guess that he'd be at his lab." Quentin says.

Lorelei says, "I know people who can - but Kibin's not around at the moment, sadly."

Lorelei says, "Well, we could start at his home, or at his lab. Hm, does he drive to work? I wonder where his car is..."

Quentin says, "They're not too far from campus - walking distance."

Eva goes and gets Lorelei's coat and her own parka. "Dr Dallimore, can you see to Gloria while Lorelei and I search for him?"

Quentin nods.

Lorelei says, "We'll want a photo of him so we can ask people if they've seen him."

Quentin says, "I'm sure there a photo on the department website. I'll send it to you."

Lorelei says, "Thanks. And could you give me his address and his office? I don't want to worry Gloria by asking for all these details - odds are still there's an innocent explanation."

Quentin gives you the information.

Lorelei says, "Ok... let's get going - probably we'll have a greater chance of finding people who've seen him the faster we - oh. Does he have any other friends here you know of?"

Eva says, "Unfortunately I fear that may not be the case. This is a worry that has been occurring for some time, so the simple explanation of an accident of his way to work is ruled out. It is something he has not felt able to confide in to his wife. Lorelei, if in our searching we encounter ruffians you should move behind me. I heal quickly, and am faster and stronger than most people."

Lorelei smiles. "I heal quickly, and have a trick or two myself. But I'm not a hand-to-hand combatant, I'll allow."

Quentin says, "I'm sure that it's nothing serious... But in case it is, be careful, girls."

He heads off to comfort Gloria.

Lorelei says, "So where do you think we start - his place?"

Eva says, "If I were searching for someone in the village I would start at their home, but in the village everyone knows every face. In the city, truly I will be at a loss until I have been here for a longer period."

Lorelei says, "Well, he lives pretty close to the university. Unusual, actually, most profs prefer neighbourhoods a bit more upmarket. Let's go and see - perhaps we'll have more idea once we're there."

Lorelei says, "My car's outside - luckily there's not likely to be much traffic on a Sunday."

Eva pulls up her hood protectively and nods.

Lorelei gets her coat too, and heads out to the car.

Eva follows Lorelei.

Lorelei drives to the Student Quarter.

The Student Quarter is fairly quiet today. A lot of the undergrad hangouts are empty, with students having left town for Thanksgiving week. The Mizeners have an apartment in a three story, six-unit building.

Lorelei comments as we approach, "I should have guessed it wouldn't be the heart of the student quarter. Darn. A bit more ground to cover than I though.

Lorelei finds a place to park near the apartment building.

Eva says, "I am glad one of us knows their way around. That one is not me however."

Lorelei says, "Well not that well, not this part of town anyway. But the car knows - wonders of modern technology."

Lorelei surveys the scene as she gets out of the car, looking at the apartment building, and for any people nearby who might have been there for a while - or nearby stores or such.

Eva simply follows Lorelei at this time.

The entrance to the apartment building is a locked glass door that provides a look into the entrance and the stairwell beyond it. There are labelled buttons to buzz the six apartments there.

Lorelei says, "Well one thing we can tell, if he even headed to university, is which way he almost certainly went - straight south down that street. But we'd best check out the building first."

While Eva and Lorelei are by the front of the apartment, and man in a hooded sweatshirt walks up. It's David Mizener.

Lorelei approaches. "David Mizener?"

Eva also approaces David.

Eva tries to read his face.

He's in the middle of pulling his keys out. "Yes. What's going on?" He eyes Eva and Lorelei. He seems to be in a casual, relaxed state.

Lorelei says, "You didn't turn up at work. People have been worried."

"What do you mean?" David asks. "Who are you people... you're that movie star, aren't you?"

Lorelei smiles. "I am. And Quentin Dallimore's daughter."

David nods. "Oh, right... He had that apple picking thing today, didn't he?"

Lorelei says, "Well, baking for charity - anyway, your lab assistant (I think?) phoned Gloria to say you hadn't turned up at the university."

David nods. "Right, right. Apple picking was last week, I guess." He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his PDA, and turns it on. "Oh. Apparently he did." His head lilts a little to the side as he looks at Eva and Lorelei. "And they sent you to look for me?"

Lorelei says, "Well, I volunteered actually. Gloria seemed worried, and frankly I'm not much use in the kitchen. So, where have you been, anyway?"

"I told Gloria that I'd /probably/ go to the lab," David says. He starts to sound slightly annoyed. "I've been taking a walk. Sometimes it helps the thinking process."

Lorelei smiles. "Well, I'm glad to see you're relaxing. Dad said you've been stressing out a bit lately."

Lorelei thinks. o O (hm. And wasn't the lab assistant expecting him too?)

"Did he?" David says. "Well, tell your father that I appreciate the concern, but perhaps he should mind his own business."

Eva steps forward a half pace just to draw his attention, and then snaps out the question, "Have you been breaking the vows of matrimony by sinning with another person?"

"What?" David asks. He's past indignant, gone to angry. "Who told you that?" He asks Lorelei pointedly, "Did your father tell you that?"

Lorelei, by contrast, turns on the charm to the full. "Hey, everyone's just trying to help! If you're worried about something... if anything's wrong in your life... or even if it's nothing really - just tell me, please? I won't judge, I just don't like seeing people upset....

David calms down again. "I'm... I'm not worried. I'm just... I just want to complete my work. I think that I'm close to a breakthrough, and I don't want to be bothered with trivial matters. And... I'm not sure that I like that Gloria is spending so much time with Dallimore."

Eva says, "You are hardly ever there for her to spend time with. A fact that had her crying on my shoulder half an hour ago."

Lorelei almost laughs. "You think there's somethng between them - really? I doubt that! Dad's hardly looked at another woman since mum."

David looks to Lorelei with a raised eyebrow - her explanation could be interpreted as a motive to cheat from another point of view. "I should go to pick her up."

Eva says, "You should clean your boots first. Leather will rot if you leave them in that state." She noticed David's shoes and pant cuffs are caked with crying mud.

Lorelei says, "I'm sure she'd be glad to see you! Look, I'm sorry if - hm?"

Lorelei looks at David's boots.

David looks down at his mud caked shoes. He's been trudging through mud, at least ankle deep. He nods at Eva's suggestion. "Good idea... I can give you a lift back to his place if you two need it."

Lorelei says, "Oh dear, how did you get mud all over your shoes like that? No, it's really not good for them...."

"Oh. The Park..." David says.

David begins to sort through his keys.

Lorelei exchanges a glance with Eva on the issue of the car. On the one hand hers is just here, on the other it might be a good idea to stick with him given something is clearly up.

"I'll be right back, ok?" David says, about to duck into his apartment.

Lorelei says, "Ok."

Lorelei "takes a stroll" while waiting to cover the back entrance.

David returns with a new pair of shoes and pants after a reasonable amount of time.

Lorelei strolls back to the front.

Eva nods as Lorelei glances at her. Yes, they want to travel with David. His mood is so different than described there seems to be somewhat of a mystery here.

Lorelei nods back.

David gives Eva and Lorelei a ride back home. He's calm, but quiet.

Lorelei says, "So you've moved from Vancouver? UBC?"

"Yes. That's right." David doesn't offer anything more.

Eva says, "Do you like living here in Colonial Bay?"

"Yes." David says. "The University here is very impressive."

Lorelei says, "So tell me, what are you working on? It sounds like it's really exciting!"

Eva says, "I have only moved here this week, with my father. I find it all a bit overwhelming. So many people. So many buildings. The park may be a place I can escape from that. What is it like?"

"The park is nice. You should visit it." David says. "I really don't like to talk about my research, but since you insist... I'm been researching the Missing Link and the biochemical changes involved that make the previous species of man so different from ours. I think that I've come close to isolating the evolutionary changes in a chemical form. I've had promising test results."

Lorelei says, "Ooh, really? But - what would that chemical be useful for?"

"Triggering a similar evolutionary change in humans, eventually." David says. "Perhaps we can capture a glimpse of what mankind will look like in a million years."

Lorelei thinks. o O (Ok, that sounds useful and/or dangerous. But how does this tie in with going missing and having mud on your shoes?)

Lorelei says, "No wonder you've been so focused on work!"

"Yes, yes..."

Eva exclaims in realization, "Oh! You were at the park testing the regression formula? You got mud on your shoes while shambling around as an apeman."

"No. I just went on a walk... to organize my thoughts," David says.

Lorelei blinks. How Eva got to progression to regression is unclear to her.

Lorelei says, "So did you have a nice walk? Which way did you go?"

David's eyelids flutter slightly. "The direct way... on foot."

Lorelei says, "Hm, direct to where?"

"To the park," he replies.

Lorelei laughs, "Oh, of course, silly me."

Lorelei thinks. o O (Ok, this is weird. He seems both to be telling the truth and lying about the park.)

Lorelei says, "Not Buckingham Gardens, surely? That's right across town."

"Yes," David says. "It was a long walk."

David eventually pulls up in front of Quentin's townhouse. "I'll wait out here... can you let Gloria know that I'm here for her?"

Lorelei says, "I'm sure you'd be welcome to come in if you want."

"I'd prefer to stay out here, unless you want me to come inside." David says.

Lorelei shrugs: she won't insist. She gets out to head inside.

By the time Lorelei returns, some of the muffins are ready, and they smell pretty good.

Lorelei checks on how Gloria is. "We found David - he's outside in the car."

Eva is more than a little untrusting after the evasion about the park. She tries something, mental illusion of her following Lorelei out the car while hiding her presence still sitting quiet and still in it.

David taps on the steering wheel impatiently, waiting.

Gloria stands quickly. "How is he? Is he alright? Where has he been?"

Lorelei says, "For a walk, apparently. He said he was thinking about work - wherever he went he got lots of mud on his shoes! He seemed in a pretty good mood."

Quentin look over at Stephie, quietly wondering the same as Gloria.

Gloria seems relieved. "Oh... the Park?"

Lorelei says, "Does he often go there to think? It seems a long way to walk!"

Gloria seems a little relieved. "Oh it must be the park... I think he goes there from time to time." She looks over to Quentin. "I should get going. Thanks... for everything..."

Lorelei goes outside with Gloria as if to see her off.

Gloria puts on her coat. "I'm sorry to get you all worried about nothing..."

Lorelei says, "I'm just glad it's all worked out all right."

Eva puts a finger to her lips as Gloria approaches the car, knowing Gloria can see her and hoping she'll have the presence of mind not to let on.

Lorelei thinks. o O (Or would be if I were convinced it was.)

Quentin follows as well to see them off. Quietly he says, "Thanks, Stephie."

Lorelei gives her father a glance to show she's not convinced all is well.

Gloria stops short of the car as she sees Eva in the back seat. She puzzled for now. It's odd, but she doesn't have any reason to think that David doesn't also see the teenager in the back of the car. She gets into the car.

Lorelei keeps an eye out for anything even slightly odd about David or Gloria, while waving goodbye.

Inside the car, David says, "Just what are you telling these people? I went on a walk, and they come looking for me like I've been missing for days?"

Gloria glances nervously back at Eva. "Maybe we could talk about it when we get home."

Quentin drapes a protective arm over Lorelei's shoulder. "Gloria was telling me... Things haven't been right since there was some accident in the lab at UBC this past spring..."

Lorelei says, "It might be important - I got something about his research out of him...."

Lorelei quickly repeats to Quentin what she learned about David's research, since he doubtless has much more idea what it could mean.

"No one was hurt," Quentin adds, "But I gather it had something to do with their transfer to Colonial Bay. Oh?"

David says, "We should talk about it now. It was embarrassing, having Quentin send those two kids to look in on me..."

Gloria puts a pair of fingers to her forehead and closes her eyes for now. "I thought that we agreed -- that you would let me know when you were planning on taking your walks. So that I'll know not to worry..."

David and Gloria (and Eva) pull off in the car.

Lorelei says, "Eva seemed to think some sort of Jekyll-and-Hyde thing was going on. Which is pretty clever of her given I doubt she's heard of Jekyll and Hyde."

"I don't always know when inspiration will strike." David complains. "Why are you trying to stifle my creativity? My research is nearing a critical point."

Quentin raises an eyebrow. "I... I don't think that's what he's supposed to be working on..."

Lorelei says, "Well, that wouldn't surprise me. One way or another it worries me. Did he have an accident with it? How's he testing it? What's its purpose? Even if his intentions are good and everything's fine, that's just the sort of thing some supervillain might want to get his hands on....."

"I'm trying to be supportive, David," Gloria says, "But you're not making it easy. It has to go both ways -- you need to be here for me as well!"

Lorelei says, "Oh, one more thing. He seems to suspect Gloria and you of being up to something."

"How about Quentin? Is /he/ being supportive?" David asks.

"Oh, Jesus, David," Gloria says. "Sometimes you're just impossible. I won't even dignify that with a response." Gloria turns to look out the window and watch the scenery pass by.

Quentin says, "That's ridiculous," shaking his head. "It's not like that at all."

Eva waits until there no traffic close by. Then she speaks, "Stop the car, David." Her voice is firm and commanding.

Lorelei says, "I'm sure, and that's my point. He's a bit paranoid, I guess. The good news, for Gloria, is I doubt he's having an affair. Or at least, his eyes didn't wander to me much. On the contrary, he seemed less interested that most." She frowns. "Or I suppose there could be another woman and he's devoted to her. Didn't think of that."

Lorelei says, "But still, that's not my gut feeling."

Quentin hrms, softly. "I don't know that I should repeat this... Gloria told me that they haven't been... 'close'... for some time now."

David is startled. He slams on the brakes and screeches to a halt, safely.

Lorelei says, "Hm. I don't know then. It may be that he's just not much interested since the accident, for whatever reason. Or maybe there is someone else."

Lorelei says, "What do you think the accident did to him, if anything? Is there any way to tell?"

David turns around to face Eva. "What are you doing back there?"

Eva says, "Something has happened. You both know it. Whether your wife knows the full story or not I'm uncertain. But since I have become involved, I must be assured there is no threat to either of you, nor to anybody else, before I may let this matter rest."

Eva says, "Firstly, let's clear up one thing. Your wife loves you, David. And by your reaction and concern, it's equally clear you love your wife. However trust is as important as love, and it is trust that has been lost."

Eva says, "What happens on these 'walks' of yours, David?"

David mutters, "Interrogated by a teenager... Was this your idea?" He glares at Gloria, before answering Eva. "I think. My work is difficult and sometimes I need time to work through roadblocks."

"Uninterrupted time," David adds.

Eva says, "I am not a teenager. I am five hundred and twenty-eight years old." She smiles lips closed to Gloria, "As I mentioned earlier I have rather more experience than my apparent age suggests. David, a few minutes ago Gloria said 'we agreed that you would let me know when you were planning on taking your walks. So that I'll know not to worry.' That is not a comment about a simple walk in the park while thinking."

Quentin says, "I'm not sure. Tonight is the first that I've heard about it. Maybe there are people at UBC that we can talk to about it."

Lorelei says, "Not a bad idea. Though I admit I was wondering more if analyzing a sample of his blood or something might be useful. Not that we have one. Do you have any contacts at UBC? I mean, is this something you'd be better at, or me?"

David grumbles, "I'm not sure that it's any of your business, either way."

"I suppose that I could make a professional inquiry," Quentin says. "But, you're a movie star now, hun. You can talk to anybody..."

Eva says, "If there is any treat to either of you, or to anyobody else, it definitely is my duty to make it my business. Should there be a way I can help with your problem, and clearly there is a problem, to fail to do what I can would be a sin. I spoke of trust a moment ago. You must trust me, as I have trusted you with the truth about my age."

Lorelei smiles. "But we movie stars aren't so good at understanding if the answers involve big words. That's why I ask if you had contacts. Ok, I'll do the asking, then.

Gloria says, "Eva... I appreciate your concern, but maybe this isn't the way..."

David squints at Eva, "Surely, you're joking... you are more than 500 years old?"

Eva says, "Gloria, what is the right way? David and you are adults. You must choose your own destinies. I hope you choose wisely. But I have become involved. How may I let this rest until I am assured there is no harm to come which I have the ability to prevent." She looks David full in his eyes, unleasing the force of her personality, "Yes. I was born in 1541, in the village of Voloca in Northern Italy."

Gloria asks, "Do the others know? About you, that is?"

David says to Gloria, trying to explain: "My research, it's reaching a critical point, and then things will be better."

Eva says, "A few. Not many. It would be upsetting to some. And I am merely older and wiser. Wise enough to know I am a fallible person who lacks God's perfect judgement. It is not my place to judge or command, to set myself higher than others."

Eva says, "Neither, though, may I ignore evil or peril where I may, with God's blessing, prevent it."

"Isn't there some other married couple that you can counsel?" David asks.

"David," Gloria says, "I'm not asking that much. Just let me know when you'll be away. I'm tired of not knowing. I'm tired of covering for you, too."

Eva says, "Many. Over the centuries probably thousands of couples. You have been evasive in your answers, raising my concern and I am sure the concern of Lorelei as well. It seems you have not been candid with Gloria either. If there is nothing to be concerned over, there is no reason to be secretive."

David says, "You make it sound as though Gloria's in danger. I'm not one of those abusive idiots. I would never hurt Gloria. There's no threat here... it's just a rough patch, that's all."

Eva nods, "I hope you are correct. Gloria, I reside at St Augustine's Church. If you have need of my assistance at any time call me there. David, Gloria. You must regain trust in each other to go with the love you already have for each other. I shall not ask you about your research, David. I would not understand you if you did tell me. But I council you to confide in someone who will understand, and who can give you assurance you are not slipping down a slope that you would not wish to traverse."

Eva opens the car door and steps out, "May you both go with God. You know where to contact me if you wish to."

Eva tells Lorelei and Quentin everything that transpired in the car.