"He handed me his personal pen, embossed with his initials. I bent over the pages to start to sign, but then thought better of it. What in the hell wa... all of this?"Could I get an explanation as to what this is all about?" I asked."Sorry, Mr. Jones," Strickland said, and I was surprised how deferential he was to me. "Of course, let me start at the beginning." You said this is about my Uncle Richard?" It is," Strickland, answered directly. "Your Uncle Richard died last Friday night." I'm sorry. ”“How are Menthino’s colonies?”“A waste. We got them signed over in a treaty, but Lord Panthi has problems with the idea of extending ourselves in that direction. As it is we allow the natives too much free reign. I went once with Princess Saliss.” Princess Ruegin laid her head back and closed her eyes. “The locals are just some silly pygmies. They revolted, and I had to wipe out a village along the coast. I almost lost a whole patrol of Battlemaidens to the little monkeys.” She sighed.. Do it outdoors if possible. (It is not recommended that you do this anywhere that you might be arrested for indecent exposure.) Check out the sight lines into your bedroom. If you are satisfied that the neighbors can't see in then leave the d****s open. Especially during the day. No one can see into a darkened room anyway but it seems so decadent.Third, get a friend involved. This is a hard one for most of us. We're not openly gay and have marriages to protect but if possible you should get a. " "Or," I said with a smile. "I looked at all of you while I was carrying the mail around, watching how everyone conducted business and taking mental notes." Steve smiled and nodded. "Have a good night. I will be watching." "Don't watch too hard," I replied. I waited until he left then got in my car. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~"Morning," I said as I got into the elevator. Jack didn't answer this time. "The silent treatment," I smiled. "That's new, even for you." "Shut it," Jack.