SCENE 2: A Rentahorse outlet in downtown Corinth. Stalmaneus is behind the desk. Xinuh and Justadelle enter. Recognition is mutual.

Justadelle: Xinuh, fancy meeting you here; what are you doing in Corinth?

Xinuh: Huh? What am I...? You should read the script a bit more carefully. You don't recognize me; Stalmaneus recognizes us.

Justadelle: Well, excuse me for living... But aren't I supposed to be your sidekick; surely I can recognise you.

Xinuh: Have you been inhaling Joxsrap's second-hand smoke again?

Stalmaneus: Do you mind? I get few enough scenes these days without you ruining them.

SCENE 2 Reprise: A Rentahorse outlet etc.

Stalmaneus: What a pleasant surprise; I'd recognize you two anywhere! And I see Justadelle is with you. What are you doing in Corinth?

Xinuh: We're going to visit the Temple of Fnordius and we may have to leave in a hurry, so we want a horse.

Stalmaneus: Stealing the Eye, are you? You're in luck; Huncules retrieved it from Aiaressius, the King of Thieves, just last week and restored it to the Temple. I suppose it's pretty enough, but it's only useful for demagnetizing monitors, disrupting force fields and curing arthritis. It gets stolen so often, I don't know why the Fnordians don't just lend it out at a reasonable fee - I've offered to handle the administrative details for a small percentage.

Xinuh: How like you, Stalmaneus; always willing to support free distributions. Of course, the Eye being a 100 carat diamond has escaped your notice.

Stalmaneus: You wrong me, Xinuh. I do want people to say 'There goes that Rich Man Stalmaneus', but I'm as honest as the day is long...

Justadelle: [sotto voce] At Saturnalia in Ultima Thule.

Stalmaneus: [glaring at Justadelle] Anyway, I've got just the horse for you - Argo it's called; great acceleration, steady cruising. seats two comfortably, and experienced. It was used in the Sparta bank job.

Xinuh: Sounds ideal; I like the name. There's only one problem - I don't have any money.

Stalmaneus: No money? Uh, excuse my Greek. What gives you the idea we're a non-profit organization contributing to the free horse code?

Xinuh: Well I don't. Look at my purse. See? Empty! [She leans forward to show him where she keeps her money; Stalmaneus' eyes pop and he swoons behind the desk]

Justadelle: He's fainted again; he can't stand the sight of an empty purse. Let's just take Argo and go.

Xinuh and Justadelle leave.

Justadelle: [offscene] Only two lines in that scene; where's my agent?