Meribryn Haggles with Kimber An

In the Protagonists' Cafe deep inside Kimber An's twisted imagination, she sits to her computer.

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Meribryn, heroine of The Mechanical Witch, peers over her shoulder. "That's not my story!"

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"So?"

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"You're supposed to be working on my story."
"Says who? I haven't decided if your story's next."

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"Oh, come on. You know The Mechanical Witch has the best shot at publication."

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"It had the best shot at publication BEFORE..." Kimber rolls eyes up at her "...the economny crashed. As far as I can tell, the playing field has been leveled to zero. Already-published authors are having a hard time."

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"So?"
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"The Mechanical Witch would require an extrordinary amount of research to polish it for Queryland. I am not eager to work my butt off unless I KNOW I'm getting paid for. I'll mother for no pay, but that's it. Okay?"

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"No, it is not okay!" Meribryn plops down beside her and folds arms. "Hadn't you already decided on the Tudor era?"

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"I was considering it, but King Henry VIII was a big, fat, ugly, obnoxious guy."
"Perfect! I can kick his butt for you."

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Kimber sighs.
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"I'm a mechanic - not a princess."

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"If only I could squeeze in a totally hot guy in a kilt into the story." Kimber rests chin hand. "You know, like Rob Roy or
Ramses the Great."
"If only you'd get over Yul Brynner and Liam Neesun. I don't like either of those guys and Highland Rogues are in Trend Hell right now."
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Kimber An narrows eyes at Meribryn. "Go away."

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"No."

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Angelica, heroine of Manic Knight, walks in. "I'll save you, Kimber An!" She reaches back into the kitchen and yanks out Junior, hyperactive heroine of The Star Captains' Daughter. "Here, have some coffee, double-strong, double sweet."

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Meribryn leaps to her feet, utterly horrified. "Nooooooo!!!"

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Junior cuts loose with a tarzan yell.

Kimber An leans back against the counter with Angelica, watching Junior's sugar-freak-out with Meribryn frantically trying to save her machines from hyperactive destruction. Crashing and hysterical giggling cuts the air. "Cruel, but effective. This should keep Meribryn busy and out of my hair the rest of the week. Thanks."

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Angelica shrugs. "I just don't like anyone pestering you but me. Are you any closer to choosing a story for Book #4?"

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"Nope." Kimber sips her own coffee.