《pavement》vernon

8、第 8 章 There

　　There’s no reply from Uther when Arthur checks his e-mails the next morning. There is, however, an e-mail that shows the sender to be Merlin, the address being the very same one Arthur saw on Merlin’s application the day before; he remembers it mostly because he told Merlin that with an e-mail address like [e-mail], few potential employers would take him seriously.

　　Arthur slams his laptop shut and goes to make himself a cup of espresso. The stylish Swiss coffeemaker is about the only kitchen utensil he actually uses; maybe he can take it along when he moves into his new flat.

　　Once the espresso is ready, fine beige crema topping it, he returns to his bedroom and opens the laptop again. Merlin’s e-mail was sent at a quarter past midnight, the subject line empty, paper-clip signalling an attachment. Either it was Morgana who gave Merlin Arthur’s e-mail address, or he figured it out himself since the company addresses all obey the same structure.

　　Arthur downs his espresso in one go, sets the cup aside and double-clicks on the e-mail. It consists of a question – Is this what you had in mind? -M. – and a badly done Photoshop construction that shows Merlin surrounded by cats.

　　Against his will, Arthur cracks a smile. Then he deletes the e-mail, puts the laptop on standby and goes to get his things for the office together. He’s already at the front door when he reconsiders.

　　With a stifled curse, he returns to his bedroom and waits for the laptop to come back to life. He doesn’t remove the e-mail from his trash, but he does save the picture to his desktop before he shuts the computer down once again. He leaves the house ten minutes later than he usually does.

　　--

　　Three hours after arriving at the office, he gets another e-mail from Merlin. It’s a second badly manipulated image; the head of an actor Arthur vaguely recognises on a leather-clad body that doesn’t fit at all. It’s also animated.

　　Sorry, Merlin’s written below it. I don’t know how to paste my own head onto it. Hope this is enough dreadful dancing for you!

　　Arthur manages to ignore the e-mail for about ten minutes. Then he sighs and pulls it up again, clicking on the reply button before his brain can convince him it’s a bad idea. You really don’t like it when people are mad at you, do you?

　　Not at all, is Merlin’s near-instant reply. Also, a warning: There’s more where those two came from.

　　Spare me.

　　This time, Merlin doesn’t reply right off the bat. Arthur’s halfway through a document on the taxation of alcopops before Outlook alerts him of another message from Merlin instead of the never-ending string of meeting requests, legal inquiries and news from the consulting agency they are subscribed to. It comes with a cryptic, I think this would look great in your new flat, and an attachment.

　　The attachment turns out to be the picture of a purple chandelier.

　　Very funny. No, really. Do you have to plan these long-term, or do they just come naturally?
　　-a.p.

　　___________________
　　Arthur Pendragon
　　Pendragon Ltd.
　　Head of Corporate Law, Member of the Executive Committee
　　One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
　　London E14 5AB
　　United Kingdom
　　Mail: [e-mail]
　　Phone: [44] (0)20 7418-9533
　　Fax: [44] (0)20 7418-9582

　　Confidentiality Note: This message is intended only for the use of the named recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete this message. Any unauthorized use of the information contained in this message is prohibited.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 10:37 a.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　I knew you'd see things my way and recognise how funny i really am. Also: Quoting Austen again?
　　M.

　　What is it with you and Austen?
　　-a.p.

　　___________________
　　Arthur Pendragon
　　Pendragon Ltd.
　　Head of Corporate Law, Member of the Executive Committee
　　One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
　　London E14 5AB
　　United Kingdom
　　Mail: [e-mail]
　　Phone: [44] (0)20 7418-9533
　　Fax: [44] (0)20 7418-9582

　　Confidentiality Note: This message is intended only for the use of the named recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete this message. Any unauthorized use of the information contained in this message is prohibited.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 11:24 a.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　A former girlfriend made me read Pride & Prejudice (back when I still thought i was straight), and then quoted it all the time. I’m traumatised. By the way, does tha signature of yours show up every time you reply to an email?
　　M.

　　What’s wrong with my signature?
　　-a.p.

　　___________________
　　Arthur Pendragon
　　Pendragon Ltd.
　　Head of Corporate Law, Member of the Executive Committee
　　One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
　　London E14 5AB
　　United Kingdom
　　Mail: [e-mail]
　　Phone: [44] (0)20 7418-9533
　　Fax: [44] (0)20 7418-9582

　　Confidentiality Note: This message is intended only for the use of the named recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete this message. Any unauthorized use of the information contained in this message is prohibited.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 11:47 a.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　It’s pretentious.

　　It’s professional. And yes, it does show up each time; it’s an automatic setting. I can delete it by hand, if it makes you happy.
　　a.p.

　　___________________
　　Arthur Pendragon
　　Pendragon Ltd.
　　Head of Corporate Law, Member of the Executive Committee
　　One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
　　London E14 5AB
　　United Kingdom
　　Mail: [e-mail]
　　Phone: [44] (0)20 7418-9533
　　Fax: [44] (0)20 7418-9582

　　Confidentiality Note: This message is intended only for the use of the named recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete this message. Any unauthorized use of the information contained in this message is prohibited.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 3:02 pa.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　It does.

　　Better now?
　　a.p.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 3:23 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Much. It’s like sunshine in winter.
　　I just dropped off my appilcation, by the way. Thanks again for the help.

　　Did you do something about the layout?
　　a.p.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 5:19 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Of course. Gwen said it was fine, and she’s good at stuff like that. See? I do follow orders from time to time.

　　I must say I find that hard to believe.
　　a.p.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 7:54 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Be nice to me and I’ll be nice to you. Also, please tell me you’re not still in the office at this time.

　　I am not still in the office at this time?
　　a.p.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:02 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　I think you’re lying.

　　Ah, but you don’t know for certain.
　　a.p.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:07 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　I could send Morgana your way.

　　Please don’t. She worries too much.
　　a.p.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:11 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Maybe she has reason to.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:28 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Still there?

　　Yes.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:31 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Still at the office?

　　Yes.

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:37 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　If you don’t want me to tell Morgana, will you promise to go home within the next 10 min?

　　Why do you even care?

　　Subject: Re: (No subject)
　　Sent: Wed, 17 May, 2010, 8:52 p.m.
　　From: Merlin Emrys

　　Go home, Arthur.