THE NETWORK

Hello, all.

[Has she ever used the network before? Not for herself. What a day of firsts. She's in a shop, leaning on a counter. Next to her, a vial seems to be glowing.]

Quite a fun little few months we've had, hasn't it? Riots, pyres, torture, terrorists . . . and while I'm sure the next few months will be a bit of a lull, I hardly trust this planet to stay quiet.

Thanks in no small part to Dr. Watson, I've finally got the funds to open up a shop. Lutece Labs. And to commemorate our opening, I'm offering a sale on a protective shield. They're electromagnetic, and will-- well, shield you, frankly, from a great deal of damage in any form. Bullets, fists, knives, magic . . . the only thing it can't keep you safe from is electricity, but beyond that, they'll last a fair bit. Long enough to stop those first few bullets from sinking into your back, or that first stab of a knife.

Now, it shan't last forever. If nothing happens to you, it'll fade out after six months. If they're put under stress, obviously, it'll take less time. After a few rounds of assault, it will shatter, and you'll need to find cover while it regenerates, an act that takes a few seconds.

Useful, no?

For the moment, I'm selling them only to refugees. Seventy-five silver per shield for the next month; a hundred after that. They're based on the individual person's height, weight, and other small factors, so if you buy one, don't share.

The results if things go wrong aren't pretty, I assure you.

[She pulls a little face.]

In any case: on to the second part of my announcement. I need people to work here. Shop keeps, mostly, so you'll have to be somewhat good with people. Even part-timers will be appreciated. The pay will be decent, and quite possibly you'll learn something if you hang around long enough.

Hmm . . . we'll be selling any number of other useful concoctions. Dirt repellent-- and I do mean repellent, it'll quite literally jump off-- energizers that actually work instead of simply pumping one full of sugar and cocaine, sleep enhancements, and anything else you can think of, as I work on commission.