Soul Music - Find Her

A prickling sensation on the back of his neck made him look around. Although the Cavern was crowded, a space seemed to have formed in the floor. People were pressed together but, somehow, this circle was as inviolate as a wall. In the middle of it was the girl he'd seen in the Drum. She was walking across the floor, holding her dress daintily.

Ridcully's eyes watered. He stepped forward, concentrating. You could do almost anything if you concentrated. Anyone could have stepped into the circle if their senses had been prepared to let them know it was there. Inside the circle the sound was slightly muted. He tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around, startled.

'Good evening,' said Ridcully. He looked her up and down, and then said, 'I'm Mustrum Ridcully, Archchancellor of Unseen University. I can't help wondering who you are.'

'Er . . .' The girl looked panicky for a moment. 'Well, technically . . . I suppose I'm Death.'

'Technically?'

'Yes. But not on duty at the moment.'

'Very glad to hear that.' There was a shriek from the stage as Asphalt threw the Lecturer in Recent Runes into the audience, which applauded. 'Can't say I've seen that much of Death,' said Ridcully. 'But in so far as I have, he's tended to be . . . well, he, to start with. And a good deal thinner . . . ?'

'He's my grandfather.'

'Ah. Ah. Really? I didn't even know he was-' Ridcully stopped. 'Well, well, well, fancy that. Your grandfather? And you're in the family firm?'

'Shut up, you stupid man,' said Susan. 'Don't you dare patronize me. You see him?' She pointed to the stage, where Buddy was in mid-riff. 'He's going to die soon because . . . because of silliness. And if you can't do anything about it, go away! '

Ridcully glanced at the stage. When he looked back, Susan had vanished. He made a mighty effort and thought he caught a glimpse of her a little way off, but she knew he was looking for her and he had no chance of finding her now.

***

Soul Music - p144-145