For fans of Jools Siviter, a double-drabble

The Assistant to the American Vice Consul cradles his right hand with his left. His little finger is splinted to his ring finger and he's pouting, a jumbo cherub with a bad hair-weave. "Mr. Siviter, this is unsatisfactory. I insist you at least reprimand your subordinate!"

"The incident didn't occur during work hours," Jools says, shaking his head. "Furthermore, you were supposed to be enjoying her family's hospitality, not instigating an international incident.”

“Instigating? I didn’t---that bitch has no sense of humor---!”

“May I remind you that you were specifically warned not to make any vulgar references? Lucille is very sensitive, as you saw."

"Sensitive?" the American sputters. "That damned red-head broke my finger!"

His mistress may be all those things, but Jools isn't about to let some effete Yank sound off about it. He captures the man's wounded hand and squeezes firmly. "You still have nine fingers left...for the moment," Jools points out, his tone grave. "Kindly don't jeopardize them with unchivalrous remarks."

"Now, you listen to me---"

Jools applies binding pressure, and for a wonder, the man shuts up. "It's simple," says Siviter, as if to an imbecile. "Whatever you do, don't call her 'Lucy'."

For fans of Jools Siviter, a double-drabble

The Assistant to the American Vice Consul cradles his right hand with his left. His little finger is splinted to his ring finger and he's pouting, a jumbo cherub with a bad hair-weave. "Mr. Siviter, this is unsatisfactory. I insist you at least reprimand your subordinate!"

"The incident didn't occur during work hours," Jools says, shaking his head. "Furthermore, you were supposed to be enjoying her family's hospitality, not instigating an international incident.”

“Instigating? I didn’t---that bitch has no sense of humor---!”

“May I remind you that you were specifically warned not to make any vulgar references? Lucille is very sensitive, as you saw."

"Sensitive?" the American sputters. "That damned red-head broke my finger!"

His mistress may be all those things, but Jools isn't about to let some effete Yank sound off about it. He captures the man's wounded hand and squeezes firmly. "You still have nine fingers left...for the moment," Jools points out, his tone grave. "Kindly don't jeopardize them with unchivalrous remarks."

"Now, you listen to me---"

Jools applies binding pressure, and for a wonder, the man shuts up. "It's simple," says Siviter, as if to an imbecile. "Whatever you do, don't call her 'Lucy'."

Here's something really cool!

Send Your Name to the Moon Aboard LRO!

NASA invites people of all ages to join the lunar exploration journey with an opportunity to send their names to the moon aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, spacecraft.

The Send Your Name to the Moon Web site enables everyone to participate in the lunar adventure and place their names in orbit around the moon for years to come. Participants can submit their information at http://lro.jhuapl.edu/NameToMoon/, print a certificate and have their name entered into a database. The database will be placed on a microchip that will be integrated onto the spacecraft. The deadline for submitting names is June 27, 2008.

Here's something really cool!

Send Your Name to the Moon Aboard LRO!

NASA invites people of all ages to join the lunar exploration journey with an opportunity to send their names to the moon aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, spacecraft.

The Send Your Name to the Moon Web site enables everyone to participate in the lunar adventure and place their names in orbit around the moon for years to come. Participants can submit their information at http://lro.jhuapl.edu/NameToMoon/, print a certificate and have their name entered into a database. The database will be placed on a microchip that will be integrated onto the spacecraft. The deadline for submitting names is June 27, 2008.