(Untitled)

[goodform]

*With an expression quite clearly telling any would-be comedians that suggestions involving body cavities or other charming invective will be met with severe scorn and possibly dire retribution, the captain leans up against a convenient Nexus wall and says*

What should I do with this?

*"This" is a USB flash drive or memory stick, (a bit like this

Comments

[bestcommodore]

I have no idea what that is.

I've not got a clue about that. Some people find it disgusting, I suppose. I can't say I am all that fond of it myself.

[goodform]

*there is a long moment as the captain looks the man up and down. Uniform. Wig. General air of self-righteous heroism. Oh, joy. Surely this must be a sterling example of the British Royal Navy. His favourite people, just slightly down the list from precocious kiddies. His tone suddenly becomes quite terribly polite, and his accent frightfully Old Etonian*

You surprise me. Tell me. Is there anything you are fond of, pray?

[bestcommodore]

*The Commodore studies the man as well, and can only come to one conclusion: Pirate.*

I'm quite sure there is, actually. Why do you ask?

[goodform]

*Hook folds his arms quite deliberately, and gives his best innocent look - about as innocent as a fox in a fieldful of chickens - as the metal claw rests across his sleeve. His voice is brightly and falsely amenable*

Oh, no real reason. I merely assumed that any pleasurable pursuit was at odds with your chosen career path.

[lifedebtpaid]

Chewie stares at the little USB stick and shakes his head. "It looks like an archaic data storage unit. Portable, it holds files to transfer from one data port to another."

[goodform]

*Port. There's that word out of context again. The captain, who is proving remarkably resilient to meeting new species and strange folk - as long as they in no way resemble crocodiles - barely blinks at the large creature*

Thankyou for your opinion. And you would be....?

[lifedebtpaid]

"You can call me Chewbacca. Who might you be?" The Wookiee looks down at the strangely dressed man.

[goodform]

*Furry beast or not, the captain's sense of manners and good form when addressed politely remain intact. He inclines a slight bow, making sure to keep a narrowed eye on Chewbacca as he does so*

James Hook. Captain of the Jolly Roger.

[vicioussweetie]

"Looks like a computer part." She shrugs. "I don't know beyond that.

"Smoking is very bad for your health. Fills your lungs with nasty things, and can kill you."

[goodform]

Ali.

*Well, if anyone's going to have any success in making him give up the habit, it would be her*

I find it hard to believe that something as insubstantial and commonplace as smoke can kill me.

[vicioussweetie]

"There's itty-bitty things in the smoke, things you can't see with just your eyes. If there weren't, it'd be just like air, right? And that stuff coats the inside of your lungs so you can't breathe anymore. It's sorta like drowning, without getting wet." She figures a pirate would know that drowning's a miserable way to die.

[goodform]

*he listens to her explanation with the slight feeling that he's being sent back to school*

And what would your preference be, Ali? That I stop? That I stop only while in your presence?

[jumpyspringy]

Hello Captain.

That is a flash drive. As other people have said, it stores information and allows you to carry information from one computer to another.

Smoking causes health problems and it smells horrible. So there's both a caring and a selfish reason why people would tell you to stop. Also, in some places it's considered to be really unfashionable or even rude, so people are just reflexively against it without thinking about why.

[goodform]

Mr Toynbee Trainer.

*Ali's husband falls into the same category as Ali's wife: the captain treats them both with unfailing, slightly wary courtesy. Best behaviour. He sweeps off the hat and bows*

I believe that is the most comprehensive answer I have recieved thus far on the subject of smoking. My thanks. I trust you are well?

[jumpyspringy]

*He inclines his head in response to the bow.*

You're welcome. Your question didn't specify anyone in particular that asked you to stop smoking, so I tried to cover all the most likely possibilities.

Yes, I am well. And yourself?

[goodform]

Tolerably so, thankyou.

*He's just got back from an unwanted but very necessary stay at the blasted island: he's currently both exhausted and truly glad to be back in the Nexus again*

The picnic at Missus Trainer's residence was most enjoyable. I was very glad to attend.