Raquel and the Phoenix just stood there, glaring at Ed's after image in the casino of the Burning Sands Hotel. "God Damn, we almost had him!" she screamed.
"Screaming was a reasonably inappropriate reaction to that, don't you think Raquel?" questioned the Phoenix.
"So, what do you care?"
"Well, for one thing, I'm planning on living for quite some time, and I figured it would be kinda nice to have hearing in both ears."
"Sorry."
"It's okay, just don't let it happen again."
"Let's get outta here."
"I'm all for that - there seems to be a bunch of dead people in the bar and I don't think this is a fun place to hang out, considering the mess."
"How about that door over there?"
"Sounds good."
Both Raquel and the Phoenix pulled on the heavy lead door, which opened to reveal... a small room with two guys typing on a computer.
CWBorysowich looked up and asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
"Looking for Moon Runner Hendrix."
"Try the second door on the left," said KDAmery.
"Thanks." They went through the room.
After they'd left, CWBorysowich asked KDAmery, "I thought Moon Runner was in the library?"
"Yeah, he is. I didn't say they'd FIND him there, I just said they should look there."
"Jeeze, we're writing this thing and even we don't know where the heck he is!"
"Yeah, well, we could beep him."
They looked at one another. "Nah."
Raquel and Phoenix wandered down the hall. It twisted this way and that for about thirty klicks, then they found two doors on the left while the passage took a sharp turn uphill.
Looking uphill, Raquel said, "I guess we should try one of these doors."
"Sure, but which one?"
"The second one like the Author said?"
"Oh, right."
Touching the handle, it was extremely cold. Raquel tried to push on it and it wouldn't budge. Phoenix grabbed the handle and pulled it open.
Raquel looked at him and said, "Show off."
They stepped in. The room was dark and cold. In the distance, they could hear glass tinkling. Raquel reached sideways and flicked on the lights.
Arc lights hummed into life far above, revealing a snow covered mountain slope. Down the slope was a cozy ski lodge. Skiers began stumbling out, complaining, "Ya mean we hafta hit the slopes again!? Bummer Dude."
The slope descended about 800 meters and turned right a bit, where it dropped into a valley far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far,... you get the idea - below.
"This is one hell of a house!"
Raquel looked around, "Yeah, but the architect must have really been into physical fitness. Lets grab some skis."
"I've never skied before."
"Don't worry, just put these on your feet and slide down the hill."
"Ahh, Sure... (sounds like a good way to get launched into orbit...)"
Donning their skis, they started down the slope, towards the lodge. As they gained speed, the Phoenix started to gain altitude. Raquel whizzed around the bend, past the lodge, and down into the valley. Phoenix ditched the two-by-fours and glided down. At the base of the mountain was a 200 store plaza and a couple of restaurants in front of the drive-in theatre.
Past the plaza, which still went by rather quickly, was a door set into a lump of rock, where Raquel finally fell over. Phoenix landed beside her.
"I honestly prefer flying."
"After that mess, so do I," exclaimed Raquel, picking herself up from the snow. "Let's try this door."
The door asked, "Try me at what?"
Raquel jumped back. Phoenix said, "We were going to walk through you. Why, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, a few after dinner mints, some aperitifs, and maybe, if the mood was right... never mind. Anyway, so you want to use me as a door, huh?"
"Uh, yeah," said Raquel.
"Okay." The door swung open. "Remember to turn off the lights; otherwise the skiers get cranky."
A roughly carved rock passage lead away from the ski area. Raquel and Phoenix slammed the door behind them and grabbed the torch off the wall. Water drops could be heard from far down the hallway, and they continued a slow trek for several hours as the smell became worse.
