in the tower above the earth i see the fire i see the end
Ring.
Ring.
Static.
Ring.
Click.
"Good...uh, morning? Is it morning? Tom Manning, please."
"Sherman. Agent Li--look, how do you think I got this number?"
"Look, I'm calling from Tibet here, I can't exactly keep putting quarters in the phone."
"Elizabeth. Anne. Sherman. ID number 48794. I've worked here for 10 years. What are you, new?"
"..."
"Hi, Tom. Yes. Yes. No, it was wonderful. Yes. Could you book me a flight, please?"
"...yes, Tom, this certainly is more peaceable than the last time I left a monastery."
"Yes, that's very funny. I'm also quite glad you didn't have to have anyone come rescue me."
"No. No, don't tell them. I want it to be a surprise."
"Tomorrow morning would be fine."
"...yes. It's good to be back."
What she doesn't tell him is that it's good to be her again. How many times has she been able to say that?
Ring.
Static.
Ring.
Click.
"Good...uh, morning? Is it morning? Tom Manning, please."
"Sherman. Agent Li--look, how do you think I got this number?"
"Look, I'm calling from Tibet here, I can't exactly keep putting quarters in the phone."
"Elizabeth. Anne. Sherman. ID number 48794. I've worked here for 10 years. What are you, new?"
"..."
"Hi, Tom. Yes. Yes. No, it was wonderful. Yes. Could you book me a flight, please?"
"...yes, Tom, this certainly is more peaceable than the last time I left a monastery."
"Yes, that's very funny. I'm also quite glad you didn't have to have anyone come rescue me."
"No. No, don't tell them. I want it to be a surprise."
"Tomorrow morning would be fine."
"...yes. It's good to be back."
What she doesn't tell him is that it's good to be her again. How many times has she been able to say that?