Apsley House: I10DT

[Robert Bolt]

"Of course." Robert said as they reached the drawing room. "If you'll have a seat, I'll be back with your water in a moment." he then ran off to get the water, and returned with it about thirty seconds later.

[Janice Gilbertson]

"Thanks," she smiled.

"Okay, so... I think we can all agree that shooting at each other is right out? Even with mutant powers allowed?"

[Robert Bolt]

"I'm afraid that is up to Mr. More and Mrs. Stanton." Robert replied "Now, if you could persuade Mrs. Stanton to withdraw her challenge, honor would still be satisfied."

[Janice Gilbertson]

"About that, then. Sara is feeling a little... entrapped by all of this. She'd initially thought she was suggesting a bit of sparring, before Tommy went the pistols at dawn route."

[Robert Bolt]

"Well, if she did not intend t challenge him to a duel, it should not be a problem for her to apologize and withdraw her challenge."

[Janice Gilbertson]

"Wish it were that simple, but apparently there were a lot of unkind things that Tommy said."

[Robert Bolt]

"Of course, if she would prefer to go on with the duel, Mr. More will be glad to face her on the field of honor."

[Janice Gilbertson]

"I don't suppose Tommy could be persuaded to choose something a bit less... how to put this... potentially fatal?"

"I understand there's a sort of pageantry to this, but I can't even imagine the legalities of it."

[Robert Bolt]

"Its strictly illegal in Britain, although Mr. More can hardly be blamed if Mrs. Stanton is ignorant of that." Robert replied "I have been researching matters, and dueling is legal in Genosha. I believe that transport could be arranged, if Mrs. Stanton is amenable, since Mr. More has no desire to break the law. As for the risks, if Mrs. Stanton is unwilling to accept them, she is, of course, free to withdraw her challenge and tender an apology."

[Janice Gilbertson]

"I guess I'll... have to talk with her a bit."

[Robert Bolt]

"Yes, please do."

[Janice Gilbertson]

After speaking with Sara, Janice went yet again to Apsley House and knocked.

[Robert Bolt]

"Miss Gilbertson, what can I do for you?" Robert asked, as he opened the front door.

[Janice Gilbertson]

"Well I just wanted to pass along that I talked to Sara, and she said she's willing to call it all off properly if Tommy agrees to the sparring she thought she was in for."

[Robert Bolt]

"I see." Robert replied "If you would care to wait in the drawing room, I will convey the offer to Mr. Moore."

[Janice Gilbertson]

"Alright, then." She said with a good-natured smile, heading where Robert indicated before sitting down.

[Robert Bolt]

Robert rushed off, and a moment later was knocking on Tommy's door.

[Tommy More]

"Yes?"

[Robert Bolt]

"Miss Gilbertson, Mrs. Stanton's second, arrived a little while ago, and tendered a suggestion from Mrs. Stanton about the duel. I thought it best to discuss it with you, before giving her an answer."

[Tommy More]

"Well, man, what are you waiting for?"

[Robert Bolt]

"She said that Mrs. Stanton agreed to apologize, and withdraw her challenge, provided that you would agree to spar with her in the Danger Room."

[Tommy More]

"Apologize for what. This is important."

[Robert Bolt]

"She didn't say. Shall I inquire, sir?"

[Tommy More]

"Yes!"

[Robert Bolt]

"Just a moment, sir." Robert said, as he ran downstairs to where Janice was waiting. "Mr. More would like some details. Such as, what, precisely, would Mrs. Stanton include in her apology?"

[Janice Gilbertson]

"Does Tommy have something particular in mind?"

[Robert Bolt]

"I'm not certain. Just a moment." Robert ran back to Tommy's room "Miss Gilbertson asked how you'd like the apology to be phrased, sir."

[Tommy More]

"It depends on what she's apologizing for. Bloody hell, if she doesn't even understand what she did wrong, there's no hope in it."

[Robert Bolt]

"I will convey that to Miss Gilbertson." Robert replied "Just a moment." he ran back to Janice "Miss Gilbertson, I'm afraid we are at an impasse. Mr. More insists that Mrs. Stanton tender an apology of her own. Or else it will be meaningless."

[Janice Gilbertson]

"Well alright. It's just that he seemed rather concerned with the specificity of it, and if I'm to convey that to her I'll need to know what's..."

...got his knickers in a twist.

"...holding up negotiations, here."

[Amanda Weinrich]

"Mr. More feels that if she doesn't know what it is she's apologizing for, then her apology can have no meaning."