Just a small heads up, as Reno seems to think it is only hospitable to
warn you.

The room you've so kindly provided for my offices contains some
equipment that is very valuable not to mention potentially dangerous. It
is under lock and key - mine - and the room is rigged so that anyone
other than myself activating the locking mechanism will trigger a, well,
let us say a rather nasty security system.

It will kill anyone within 5 meters for certain, and may take the entire
Refuge out if additional security measures are not disarmed in time. I
think the request that I inform you of all this might be a bit self
serving as Reno realizes he'll be proximate to any explosions. But I
like the boy so I'll indulge him.

Do please see your people don't get overly curious.

See you soon,
Marc

Reno,

Welcome to the Refuge.  I am sorry I wasn't here yesterday to welcome you personally, but I was unavoidably detained elsewhere until quite late last night.  I am hoping, however, that you will allow me to make amends by preparing dinner for you this evening.  I am reliably informed that it is safe to eat my cooking so long as I confine myself to steak on the grill, as I plan to do.  Say seven thirty?  Tommy can give you directions and it will give us a chance to talk, presumably without interruption.

Regards,

I suppose I should be grateful that you brought yourself to the point of warning me.  I am not.  I can not believe you thought I'd allow you to put at risk everyone here so that you would have access to your, as you say, equipment.  As well, the implication that anyone here would forget themselves to such an extent that that sort of security is needed is unwarranted.

Either get it out of there or disarm it, or I will handle it myself, and you know I can.  If it is absolutely necessary for you to have it here, there is a small building about five hundred yards in back of the House.  You may put it there.  If you have it here because you can't bear to be separated from it, the building is amenable to twenty-four hour occupation. It was used by the brothers when they still kept sheep.

I think that the intelligent course would be for us to discuss your presence here and the ramifications of same, as well as what you see your role and, lest I forget, Reno's role to actually be the next time you are in the building.  Now please, don't get me wrong.  I am delighted that you are finally taking an interest in a subject that has held little or no allure for you in the past.  I just have an equally active interest in making sure everyone is aware of the boundaries - shall we say. 

Stephen

Marc,

I wouldn't be trying to gain admission. But, so long as you assure me
it will be out of there within the week I will refrain from any action.

I can, with confidence, promise you a very good single malt. I am
glad to see it's an appreciation you share. Life, I feel compelled to
point out, would be much simpler if you and I were to discover a basis
upon which we might develop a mutually respectful approach to what I
have sometimes suspected might be a vast degree of common ground.
Certainly you and I have better things to do with our time than to
waste it over the sorts of things universally considered to be more
suited to adolescent males still in doubt about themselves. However it
is entirely up to you.

Let me know when you plan to arrive and I will ensure I am available.

Regards,

Stephen

Tommy,

Thank you for remembering to share that with me. That is most
interesting news indeed. Unfortunately it also means more work for
you, I am sorry to say. Make sure Reno knows that Cahill can do
whatever it is he does that will enable Reno's blackberry to function
here in the sticks. And make sure Cahill does it.

Also let everyone know that Reno and Marc's offices are off limits
under all circumstances and that the house the monks used when
tending the sheep is habitable and can be securely locked. You
probably have at least two days to achieve that objective, but it
needs to be done before Marc arrives. I have no reason to believe he
will let us know in advance his expected time of arrival.

I am sorry for all the work you are getting saddled with these days.
If you need help let me know.

I have a number of things to do today besides delivering the baby I
mentioned last night, so I probably will not see you in the office
today. I am counting on you to make sure, as I know I can, that the
groceries will be in the kitchen when I get there.

If anyone asks, stick to the baby story, though. It's your best
defense.

Regards,

Stephen

Stephen,

I have no reason to contest alpha wolf status with you.

I did however have a reason to send you that message. That I sent it
publicly, rather than having Reno tell you privately, might possibly
give you pause.

By the way, Reno tells me Tommy needs a raise.

Marc

Marc,

Consider me paused.

Tommy always needs a raise, since I don't pay him anything at all.

Stephen