WHAT GOOD DIVIDES?
Based on the movie "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"

Carmine stared mutely at a page of the large book in her hand. It wasn't a required skill for timekeepers to be able to read harcopy (technology moving toward audible and visual recording) but it was not discouraged either. Anyway one looked at it, Carmine found the action distracting entertainment when she was bored. And at the moment, she was very bored.

The League had agreed that she would have to stay on board, the only logical conclussion to be reached. Suprisingly, even to Carmine, they also decided that she would be allowed to walk around the ship, under the condition that a league member was present with her. Unfortunately, none of them were keen on taking responsibility of her (two said members she could understand why). Therefore, she remained in the room, except for meals.

Carmine sighed, slamming the book closed. A sincere wish to throw the dull thing at the window came over her, but she resisted. Instead, she impatiently dropped it onto the cot, its pages bent at odd angles of misuse, and stood up, pacing.

The things she hated about this century came all to clearly to her mind. One, it was a pivatol time, which made it a heavily targeted time. This meant she had to visit it often. Two, the logic of this world was vastly different then that of her own. It took an enormous amount of will power on her part to keep her temper with the people in check, and complete control almost never happened. Hence, her waspish demeanor at times, though it did provide her the alure needed to get her work done. Finally, and highest on the list in her mind, the transportation was so god damn slow!

Exhaling loudly, Carmine shot a disdainful look at her bed.

"A little testy, aren't we, darling?" a male voice spoke suddenly from nowhere.

Carmine barely stopped from jerking in suprise. Barely.

"Wouldn't you be?" she replied to the open, her voice filled with a controlled sarcasm.

"Probably," Skinner nodded, forgetting she couldn't see him, and added with a grin, "So, did I scare you?"

Carmine leveled her eyes in the direction she heard the voice coming from and replied cooly, "Hardly. If you're going to sneak into a person's room without their permission, it would be best not to come too close to them physically. You're arm brushed against mine as we came in."

"Oh," came the suprised boice, "I'll have to remember that next time."

Carmine rolled her eyes at the teasing tone he ended with.

"And while we're on the subject," she said, turning towards the closet and pulling out a long, black coat, "Put this on," she tossed it in Skinner's direction with impressive aim, "I don't need a man old enough to be my father walking around my room in his birthday suit."

"Oh, I'm hurt," replied Skinner, pulling on the jacket (which was a little small for him, "There's no appreciation of talent."

"And no real show of taste, " Carmine shot back, "Honestly, Mr. Skinner, all you did was walk into a room. A child could have done that and probably with more grace."

"A little defensive, are we?"

"No, just very, very tired."

"How can you possibly be tired?" exclaimed Skinner. The a part of the cot lowering under his weight as he sat, "You can sleep all day."

He picked up the book. Carmine repressed a slight shiver at the sight. When she had been little, her brother had cruelly taken her to a "haunted house". The memories made were not of an enjoyable kind.

"Well, excuse me if I require a little more then sleep, " Carmine replied angrily, "And would you please put my book down!"

"Alright, alright, no need to get your corset in a knot," Skinner replied, the book floating back to it's original place.

Carmine shuddered in disgust at the mention of a corset. She had sworn on the head of their mother, her brother would never get her to wear such a vile, cruel thing ever again.

"Mr. Skinner, I seriously doubt you would spend thirty minutes standing naked watchimg me read a book. So if you don't mind, state your business and get out."

"What? You haven't even graciously said hello! I've gotten nothin' but a rude...Alright, alright," he said, seeing her raise a finger warningly, "The truth is, I wondered if you'd like to take a walk...with me."

Carmine shot him a questioning look.

"A walk?" she replied doubtfully.

"Yes, that's when two people move around on their own two legs," smarted off Skinner.

"I know what a walk is," Carmine replied saracastically, "I would like to know why."

"I didn't know I needed a reason."

Carmine shot him another warning look. The theif just grinned, walked over, and slung an arm over her shoulder.

"Think of it this way, darling," he said, sounding amused, "You're not geting out of here otherwise."

Carmine glanced over at the coat arm covering her shoulder. Giving Skinner a disdainful look worthy of Mina, she pulled the hand away from her and walked to her closet. Skinner watched her pull out a long, green, flanel coat which she pulled over her blouse and black pants.

"Fine," she said, "If you wish to 'walk', we shall walk. On one condition."

"What's that?"

"Never, ever, under any circumstances put your arm around me again."

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