Cloakroom

[Tabs]

Posie doesn't answer Arashi. As soon as she is released, Posie twists away from the evil old hag and flees. She snatches at the doorknob of the control room door, flings the door open, and is confronted by Tatsuo's backside: the Japanese man is an insurmountable obstacle upon the narrow stairs. Posie escapes through his legs, wriggling between Tatsuo's fat calfs, and now, she sees Elisabeth Grey, who is remonstrating angrily with Tatsuo. Posie buries her face in Elisabeth's dress and wraps both arms round her waist; Posie begins to sob.

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth puts her arms around Posie and hugs her back. "It's all right, dear," she says, her voice soothing. "You're safe now. Let's go back down and join the party, okay?"

[Tabs]

"Yes please, Miss Grey," answers Posie. Together they descend the stairs, Posie doesn't let go of Elisabeth's waist. Posie throws an emotional remark to Tatsuo: "I called your name, and you didn't come back. I don't like you anymore!"

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth guides Posie carefully back down the darkened stairwell and towards the door leading back to the main room. "He just stood there," she says. "He wouldn't go back up, and I couldn't get past him. I think he must be afraid of his mother."

[DSIGFUSS]

A tear forms in Tasuo's eye and he turns around to help his mother back down the stairs. The two walk silently to the main room where everyone is gathering to the call of the gong.

[Tabs]

[ooc: Mr. Handy & DSIGFUSS, move to topic "The Golden Pumpkin: Gaming Tables" and look for # in the topic.]