James McGinty, Accountant

To BestPilot [@] Free.net
From JMcGinty [@] Free.net

How was the flight?

I am taking a course in first aid. Or a refresher one? I had one for Victorian style emergency triage for ships, but that's hardly modern. So I'm taking another one. The uh - painting class is mostly for the fun of it. I keep feeling like I should apologize for signing up for it, but the teacher's been - all right. He finds my accent quaint.

I have not grumbled about that.

The college is up and going again. The students have started three competing papers. A charming spotty youth that looked about twelve offered a subscription to one to me, and I took him down for coffee and lunch and talked politics. He was of the young and clueless sort, but he looked like he was due a lunch in the world.

He asked if I was good at setting type.

Well, I could toss the name by folks and see if it's dangerous, right? He seemed all right, and it'd be type for all the papers.

Love,

James

To BestPilot [@] Freenet:
From JMcGinty [@] Freenet:

I'm with R right now. Someone fired a gun twice at the protests. I'm all right, people worried if I'm okay, minor injury, went to a doctor. Just letting you know if anything ends up in the paper.

R was there, watching crowd. Kind of amazing when he walked over. Also met Inspector Javert. So there I was bleeding, and near the third thing on his mind? I better not be being a pirate. He said he knew you. Is he on the bad list?

I'd say it wasn't . . . too bad? I mean - dramatic speeches, tense people, but it didn't feel that bad. Tom was there. He wants to catch up with you, I think about Damian.

Love, J

From JMcginty [@] Freenet :

I'm not sure why, but I ended up picking up some watercolor paper. Maybe it's the weather? There's a nice view down the street and the trees are just leafing out.

There's a place near me that does pretty nice little collections of things to nibble on or some butter, ham, and bread, and you could join me?

Work's been fine, but ... it can wait, I guess, till you're there. If you can come?

James

I'm successfully graduated! With a job even, in time that I could buy that apartment I was looking at.

I fear I may've done a foolish thing (so, of course, to be contrary you will disagree.) I sent one of the paintings from class to R along with the new address. It'd be easy to burn if he didn't want it?

( Have you kept up with the news? )

Watercolor class is pretty interesting. I don't think I'm particularly skilled, but I've produced a few pictures. I enclosed something for you. I fear there are no apples to paint. Only a hideous vase, and some rather unconvincing wax pears and rubber grapes. May it ferment gently in the mail and arrive as a slightly better vintage.

Darius is ... Darius. I haven't seen much of him, but what I have doesn't say he's improved much. We had a holiday, so he probably was off doing his thing somewhere.

R, it turns out, is pretty charming. I think he's been around here all his life, and knows the area like the back of his hand. His grades wouldn't impress anyone, but - well - some people don't do well in schools to start with. I think he's taken it to heart though.

( You told me )