Snippet #2476371

Date: Wednesday 22nd July, 3012
Time: 10:15 AM

Professor Wellington was emmersed in a book when he heard a knock at the door.
"Glink." He called. "Fetch the door."
From where the Professor sat, he heard the clanking footsteps of his metal servant, as they scampered towards the front door. From his armchair in his study, he couldn't tell who was at the door, though Glink's harsh voice was more than audible. A few seconds later, Glink escorted a familiar dark haired girl into the study.
"Nina?" The Professor asked. "What brings you here at this time." He looked at his watch, feeling silly at how early it was.
Nina said nothing, but handed Professor Wellington a piece of paper. The Professor put on his reading glasses, before bringing the paper close to his face.
"'Enigma'." He read allowed. "Travelling carnival. Performing one night only is Rocourt Meadows. Don't miss wonderous amusements, breathtaking illusions and fabulous fun of the Enigma Carnival."
"So?" Nina asked.
"So what?"
"Its tomorrow. It says at the bottom of the page." Nina answered, pointing to the date at the foot of the page.
"And watch some kids in costumes tie balloons? I think not. No, I shall remain here, as usual, tomorrow night. It will take a lot more than a carnival to get me to abandon my usual routine." The Professor replied, almost sounding proud of his apathy.
"But there's an antique auction." Nina replied, with glee.
"Oh, well someone knows how to sway a man..." He answered, sarcastically.
Nina scowled back at him, narrowing her dark brown eyes. She did not like to be spoken to sarcastically, though often loved using sarcasm herself. Her tone became friendlier again, as she spoke again.
"I thought I could bring the music box."
"Dear lord, I hope you're careful selling it. I don't think there's a person in the whole city with enough spending money to buy something like that."
"No, no." She laughed, shaking her head. "I meant there might be an expert, who could look at the box."
"Nina, I'm an expert. I've been working with stuff like this since I was a child. It's impossible to open it. It even said so in the book."
"Yes. The book said so because Vincenzo said so. I think he wanted someone to open it, but he needed to make it difficult for some reason."
"Nina, if you risk taking the box out to Rocourt Meadows at night and walking back even later, then you could lose the box altogether."
"Most people won't know what it's worth though. If my stepmother knew, she would keep it for herself. Besides, we don't need to stay long. I just want to get an opinion. Then we can go somewhere else."
"Somewhere else? Where else?" The Professor asked, skeptically.
Nina shrugged. "Rocourt may not be the biggest city, but there's quite a lot to it. If we're done at the carnival by 9, then we could get some dinner."
"So you want me to abandon my evening so you can have what I told you already confirmed, and then so I can buy you something to eat?"
"Well it doesn't sound good when you put it that way, but I promise you'll have fun. And I could pay for dinner, or some of it. I bought a black dress which I haven't had a chance to wear yet." Nina said, eyes falling to the floor and smiling a little.
"You're not going to go away unless I come with you, are you?" The Professor answered, appearing to accept defeat.
Nina didn't say anything, but stared back with hope.
"Fine." The Professor said. "Just don't spend half the night pretending to be amazed at someone pulling a toy rabbit out of a hat."
"Thank you." Nina said, throwing her arms around the Professor, who remained in his chair. "I get out of work at 6, tomorrow. It'll take me about an hour to go home and get ready, and then about twenty minutes to walk here. Actually, make it half an hour. I'll be wearing heels."
With that she walked out of the study, letting herself out the front door.
The Professor turned to Glink, who was still standing beside his chair. "Stop staring at me." He shouted at his metal servant.