[Jamil's hand shoots out to grab Kalim's wrist before he can get there.]
Wait! We shouldn't be seen together. You go to the staff quarters by yourself and I'll follow at a distance. Act like you forgot something. Go in for a few minutes, then when you leave, leave the door unlocked. After you get back to the theater, at intermission, tell my--tell them I left a message with you that I had to go back to the hotel for something.
[He's already digging into his small bag for a notepad and pencil and writing the message as he talks. It'll both help sell the ruse and give Kalim a reference in case he forgets any details.]
That should buy us at least until the end of the play. I'll go by the hotel regardless, make sure someone witnesses me there, then sneak back to the staff quarters and wait in your room. The hotel is enough distance from the theater that nobody should suspect you, as long as no one sees us.
[Jamil presses the finished note into Kalim's hand, pretending his own aren't shaking. He looks Kalim directly in the eye, not for any sinister purpose but to make sure he understands. This is critical. They absolutely cannot fuck this up. And if all goes well this will be the last they see of each other directly until the end of the night.
It's a lot of details to keep track of. Honestly, having to rely on Kalim for this is terrifying.]
Their names are Gerliebt von Viscount Arnold and Claudia Pyrmont. Do you understand, Kalim?
no subject
Wait! We shouldn't be seen together. You go to the staff quarters by yourself and I'll follow at a distance. Act like you forgot something. Go in for a few minutes, then when you leave, leave the door unlocked. After you get back to the theater, at intermission, tell my--tell them I left a message with you that I had to go back to the hotel for something.
[He's already digging into his small bag for a notepad and pencil and writing the message as he talks. It'll both help sell the ruse and give Kalim a reference in case he forgets any details.]
That should buy us at least until the end of the play. I'll go by the hotel regardless, make sure someone witnesses me there, then sneak back to the staff quarters and wait in your room. The hotel is enough distance from the theater that nobody should suspect you, as long as no one sees us.
[Jamil presses the finished note into Kalim's hand, pretending his own aren't shaking. He looks Kalim directly in the eye, not for any sinister purpose but to make sure he understands. This is critical. They absolutely cannot fuck this up. And if all goes well this will be the last they see of each other directly until the end of the night.
It's a lot of details to keep track of. Honestly, having to rely on Kalim for this is terrifying.]
Their names are Gerliebt von Viscount Arnold and Claudia Pyrmont. Do you understand, Kalim?