There is nothing at the back of Dolnoon’s Saloon except cacti and a vast open space. It’s where Nutmeg Dolnoon goes when she needs a breather from the hectic activity inside.
Herbert Hatherthwaite says to get out there, in the silence, with the elements, the wind sometimes plays tricks, and it plays them well.
Nutmeg loves the solitude and the sound of silence… but lately her silence has been shattered.
“Hello.” A strange voice comes from behind the nearest cactus. “I’m Clover.”
Nutmeg walks over and finds a girl standing there. She is dressed exactly the same as Nutmeg, but is half her height.
“Hello, Clover, I’m Nutmeg. Isn’t it a little late for you to be out here all alone?”
The girl looks at Nutmeg for a second before speaking, then simply says, “I’m not alone, you’re here with me too, silly.”
“What are you doing here, Clover? Did you just want to say howdy?”
“No…” Clover replies, “I wanted you to say it.”
The back door to the saloon opens and the faint sound of Violet Dolnoon’s voice carries over the plinkyplonk piano sounds.
Herbert Hatherthwaite shouts over to Nutmeg, “Remember, Nutmeg, the wind and it’s tricks.”
“It’s OK Herb,” Nutmeg replies, “I’m just talking to Clover here…”, she looks around and sees the girl has gone, “well, I was.”
Nutmeg turns and walks back towards the saloon as a gentle wind blows around her ears. For the briefest of seconds, Nutmeg could hear a distant giggle carried on the wind.
She followed Herb back inside so she could serve him and the others patiently waiting at the bar.
The Mansionic Perspective 
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