Page 24 of Ra
“Oh? What is the issue?”
“The people,” she confessed. “I hate the people.”
“You hate the people?!” he asked, his reaction shocked.
“Well, not actually hate the people, hate the people. I just hate being on display. I hate having to stand there with all eyes on me, expecting that I speak a certain way, stand a certain way, and answer all their questions in the way we all know they want them answered. I just want to do what I love without having to schmooze those in power to be able to do it.”
“Schmooze?” Ra asked.
“Yes, schmooze. To speak and interact in a friendly, lively, excited way to make people think I’m agreeing with everything they represent, when all I really want is to go home and curl up on my couch.”
“With a blanket over your head,” Ra added.
Azi smiled. “Usually. There’s a reason I usually work with the dead, and things they’ve left behind rather than those still living.”
Ra laughed. “Must you schmooze?” he asked.
“If I want to be able to continue to work in this country and be entrusted with all the history and antiquities they entrust me with — yes. My father used to do the schmoozing, but in the last year-and-a-half, I’ve had to take over that part, too.”
“Then schmooze we must.”
“We?”
“Yes. We. I will assist.”
“Oh, no. No, you will not assist.”
“Of course, I will. Did you not hear your father say that with all the help you had at your fingertips, there would be no stopping you? I am that help.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re not.”
“Who else is at your fingertips?! Me! It is me!”
“I think he meant Abasi.”
“Abasi is not meant to help you. I am.”
“Almost all Abasi does is help me.”
Ra’s head tilted to the side, almost like a wild animal focusing in on a smaller creature, trying to determine if it was prey or not. “Do you like this Abasi?”
“Of course, I do. He’s been working for my father since I was child. He’s like family.”
Ra stood straighter, raised his head. “Hmpf. I suppose he can remain as such, then.”
“You suppose? What gives you the right to suppose anything?”
“Why are you angry? I’m simply trying to determine the best way for you to present my temple to the people you don’t like with the least bit of schmoozing! I’m helping! Here! At your fingertips!”
“Dear god, help me,” she whispered, pressing her fingers gently against her eyelids again.
“Again, I appreciate the sentiment, but it is not necessary for you to address me as dear god. I’m right here. We are friends,” he said, smiling widely. “So, tell me what else I can do to help you.”
“There’s so much that needs to be done and you don’t know how to do any of it.”
“Name the things to be done. I am sure I can master them all.”
“Okay. First, I have to find a way to keep you contained. I have to organize the items I’m taking to put on display and have the museum prepare them and move them to the university.”
