Conversation · Joyce Messier

"What happened the other time?"

"The other time I would have finished the race were it not for an urgent work matter, much like the one I'm on now."

"Still need to see a license, ma'am."

"Actually, you don't."

"I'm pretty sure I do. I police."

"It is a little known fact among those who police that the Wayfarer Act specifically denies the RCM the authority to demand anyone's operator license."

The Wayfarer Act is one of the few pieces of legislation governing human interaction in the Revachol Zone of Control, along with the Emergency Trade and Aliments Acts.

The what now?

It's one of the foundational laws in Revachol, designed to limit the authority of local institutions. Part of it prohibits the RCM from requesting most documents and licenses without permission from a Coalition representative...

It's a law that keeps Revachol what it is -- in limbo.

"More like the Anarchy Act in my opinion."

"No need to politicize this. You may still ask for the lady's passport."

You need to save face if you want her respect. DEMAND that passport!

"No need."

She nods politely. "Of course. Any more questions about the boat, sir?"

The graciousness of her response makes you feel glad you didn't hassle her about her papers for no reason.

"Yes. I'm going to need to see your passport."

"Of course." She searches the pockets of her raincoat, producing a bundle of documents in a sealed plastic bag.

Look at her passport.

The woman is silent, smiling while the waves lap against the hull. In your hand, under the plastic -- a light blue passport saying REPUBLIC OF VESPER. The coat of arms has a lion and an ostrich, sejant.

The Republic of Vesper, formerly the Republic of Vesper-Messina, was once a dual kingdom. An amicable parting of ways produced two constitutional monarchies. Vesper, the richer of the two, is an Occidental nation known for its proximity to the pale and its exotic financial derivatives.

Look at the photo page.

The woman -- born in the year 3 in the Commune of Revachol -- smiles at you, face adorned with frown lines and crow's feet. The photo is recent. The name reads Rejoyce Leyton-Messier.

Anything else?

It is a stable country, and yet there has always been something ominous about its perfect stability, its place at the edge of the Mundi isola, overlooking the Ubi Sunt? isles fracturing into the Great Unrest of the pale.

"Your name is Rejoyce?"

"Yes -- but please don't call me that."

"Why?"

"Joyce is much more efficient."

She doesn't like it. Probably a bad memory. Mean girls at school or some ancient lover...

"Everything appears to be in order." (Give the documents back.)

She nods and returns the plastic bag to her coat.

"You're from Vesper?"

"My husband is. I have dual citizenship. A Vespertine is handier when travelling."

"Makes sense, I guess. I mean, look at me!"

"No need to resort to self pity, detective. You can still ask for her passport."

"Okay, forget the stupid Wayfarer Act. I had another question..." (Back off.)

"About the boat?" A wisp of steam rises from her thermal cup.

"Wait, exactly how little known is this fact?"

"I was just being polite -- even schoolchildren know the Wayfarer Act."

"So we can't pull over random civilians and demand their papers? That's weak."

"Unless it's their passport, no. Do you want to ask for the lady's passport?"

"So I can't arbitrarily pull people over and ask for their papers?"

"You may still ask to see my passport," she says, trying to strike a conciliatory tone. "That I'm obliged to share with you."

"Huh, interesting. I had another question..."

"About the boat?" A wisp of steam rises from her thermal cup.

"Makes sense, I guess. I mean, look at me."

"You may still ask for my passport." She strikes a reconciliatory tone...

Laced with just a touch of pity.

"More like Anarchy Act in my opinion."

Yawn

The one time this busted up cabbage has something useful for your job you just want to stare at some boat. Fine. Knock yourself out.

"What do you mean?"

"The Wayfarer Act specifically denies the RCM the authority to demand anyone's operator license. It's a little known fact among us law officials."

"Technically speaking, you don't."

"I'm pretty sure I do. I police."

"Then certainly you must know that under the Wayfarer Act the RCM doesn't have the authority to demand anyone's operator license. Freedom of movement and all that."

"What do you mean?"

"Surely you're aware that under the Wayfarer Act the RCM doesn't have the authority to demand anyone's operator license. Freedom of movement and all that."

Her nonchalance might be related to something called the Wayfarer Act -- a law that says she doesn't need a licence. Sly fox... you're not aggressive enough to harass her further on this.