Conversation · Easy Leo

Now he's talking about some drunk sawmill owner who... no, he already switched to a prized fishing rod he apparently owned at some point... You know what -- just cut in there with your questions.

"So no one's working?"

"Oh hey, mister! I knew you'd be back to talk with old Leo here, yes I did, yes I did. It's like Lady Leriche said when she opened a bath house in the basement of my apartment building: They can only get so far before they're aching to get back. And lot of folks really did keep coming back..."

"Leo, Leo... in the future, can we keep this greeting shorter?"

"Sure, mister, absolutely -- I'm always willing to help out nice fellows such as yourself." He smiles his disarming smile and looks you deep in the eye.

"I had some questions for you, if that's not too much trouble?"

"No trouble at all, mister. No trouble at all. It's like that old saying goes -- wisdom withers if not shared -- and old Leo is always up for sharing."

"Container, container, I'll turn you nice and red. Container, container, put the logos on..."

The lyrics to this container-song are being made up as he goes along.

The accent is so thick it's impossible not to notice he's Ubi. From the vanishing peninsula of Ubi Sunt? (sic) on Mundi.

"Container, container, used to be Wild Pines. Container, container now belongs to Evrart!" The tiny man is so engaged in his work he doesn't notice you.

"Hi!"

"Evrart, Evrart, Evrart, he looks after everyone. Huh... well, hey there!" He smiles. "How can I help you, mister?"

The look in his deep blue eyes is as sincere as you've ever seen. Kind of makes you feel like an asshole for no apparent reason.

"I see you are not a Union man, mister. Did you get lost? You're not one of them scabs, are you?" A shadow passes over his kind face.

"Actually I am, yes."

"I mean, I don't personally mind, folks is just folks, you know -- and folks gotta eat..." He doesn't seem to be waiting for you to answer.

"Just, some of the other guys don't look too kindly on the scabbing-kind, if you know what I mean, mister."

"No, of course not!"

Do not interrupt the little man in his joyous activity. [Leave.]

"Mr. Harry! Boy, old Leo sure was right about you! I knew you was a Union man at heart when I first saw you." He takes a quick breath. "Right as I turned around and looked at you, I said to myself: 'Now that fellow is a union man right there. Through and through.' And I was right, yes I was, yes I was."

"Leo, I only tolerate the Union to as long as it furthers my own goals. Nothing more."

"Oh no, mister, you've already done so much for the Union. The Union is in your debt, for sure." He nods with a happy smile. "So how can I help you, mister?"

"I guess you just know people, Leo. It's like a special ability you got."

"It's true, it's true." he nods. "I've had an eye for helpful people for as long as I remember. I like helpful people, and I like helping helpful people, so what do you need, mister?"

"Sure, sure, Leo... go easy now and answer some questions please."

"Sure thing, mister. I'm always ready to help out a helpful person such as yourself. Folks have got to help each other out, right?"

"Oh hey, Mr. Harry!" The little fellow looks happy to see you. "It sure is nice of you to help out Mr. Evrart like you've been doing. He's so awfully busy most days -- he doesn't even eat the turnip porridge me missus sends him every day. She makes it with lots of butter and sliced sausage, she does... It's delicious."