Drowning Utopia

Chapter 9: A Nearly Blown Heist

"... Miss Copperfield?" Miss Briggs asked.

Tessa shook her head and zeroed in on the woman, "I'm sorry, what did you ask? I was, distracted." Tessa had zoned out during their conversation.

"Your dress," the secretary pointed with a small smile, "is pleasant. Where did you get it from?"

Tessa could tell that she was reaching hard for small talk and trying not to sound pretentious by doing so. She straightened the dress, "It was made by one of my friends."

Miss Briggs looked it over. "I am rather fond of the lacework, but—and I mean this in the best of ways—it seems a bit showy for someone like you."

"That's not surprising. It was originally made for an act—" Tessa caught herself midsentence. She thought it would be rather embarrassing to admit that she had been working for the past five years as an attraction along with a troupe of circus performers, never mind her chronic kleptomania or her family's rather colorful history. So, the inventor gave a partial truth, "It was originally made for a friend of mine. An actress that happened to be my size. After the show, she did not need it anymore, so it ended up with me."

"Really. What play was that a part of? I must admit that I love the theater," Sir Cornwall said.

But before Tessa could make up an answer, Professor Cornwall returned, announcing to the table, "Alright, Miss Copperfield, you are all signed up and ready to go."

"Wonderful." Tessa said, glad for the distraction, "When will I be presenting?"

"Unfortunately, the last slot is yours, so you have some time."

"That is alright. We were about to have some dinner. Care to join us?"

"I'm actually one of the judges, so I am afraid I will be busy for most of the evening," he indicated to the panel towards the front of the room next to the stage, "however I'm glad that the three of you can keep each other's company."

"Certainly," Tessa said, checking her watch discreetly as the professor headed off. If Tessa was not mistaken, Marcus and the others were most likely getting in position underneath the bell tower on the school property. She felt uneasy and had to keep her hands tightly clasped on her lap while eyeing the silverware. Luckily, a waiter approached the table, distracting Tessa from her need to pilfer the cutlery, "and here you go. Enjoy."

Even though the food was provided by the university kitchen staff, Tessa thought the dinner was splendid. As they ate and watched the various students from the science department presenting their ideas and inventions, Tessa was able to spin the conversation onto Sir Cornwall. The man regaled them with tales of his exploits which were reasonably entertaining by their own merit. However, from Miss Briggs's limited interaction and occasional rolling of the eyes, Tessa was sure she had heard the stories many times before. Though a bit pompous, Tessa thought the two of them were genuinely good people.

"Begging your pardon, but might I ask, Miss Briggs, I get the impression you've perhaps heard these stories before."

"Numerous times." the secretary said with a faint smile, "and they always seem to grow more dramatic with each telling." she looked at her employer shrewdly.

"It's not my fault she's been with me for four years." Sir Cornwall quipped.

"On the contrary, Sir, seeing as I am employed by you, it is very much your fault. However, you have yet to dispose of me, which leads me to believe you still find my company adequate."

Tessa thought the two and their bantering were reminiscent of her relationship with her late father. She could not help but smile at them as she asked. "So then, what exactly do you do for the ministry?"